Diaries Archives - Page 544 of 642

Born Again in Havana

To live in Old Havana is to enter into direct contact with living folklore: people playing the drums or singing to the rhythm of salsa or dancing reggaeton to sound blasting from a car cruising down the avenue.

They Learn, But…

I criticize the English teacher who for a final evaluation has a group of questions that, in almost all cases, the students are forced to turn to other people to answer. We all know that practice and the systemization of study are elements of vital importance for the learning of any language. One cannot learn any language by repeating over the course of one day —like a parrot— how to greet someone, how to say your name or how to say your nationality in that language, and much less by memorizing dialogues that another person has prepared.

From Texas to a Cuba Medical School

When I’m talking to someone at home about studying in Cuba, I consider the conversation a success if I can at least get a “Why Cuba?” out of them. Blank stares and “Oh…” are the most common responses.

From Scolding to Spanking

Previously, a lackluster program was aired on television every night precisely before the popular telenovela so that everybody would see it. Its main point was to nag us every week about our forgetting to turn off our lights.

Is it Really Worth It?

I wonder what will be the solution to this problem. I’m sure it’s necessary to find one, and let’s hope it’s in the shortest amount of time possible, because for a person to be productive during their work day should be provided with the basic conditions for that work.

Regurgitation

A meeting in a café can be a good point of departure if we want to analyze various points in our life.

The Multiplicity of God

These children —raised in the same neighborhood as others, playing the same games and going to the same elementary and junior high schools— are now they’re trying to figure out what they’re going to do in life as future professionals.

Misery Laughs

When a bus I was on today stopped at a traffic light, outside the window was an older man who looked like a bum. He was stretched out on the sidewalk under one of the large porticos that run down Infanta Avenue.

Sakineh Ashtiani

The first thing that my caught my attention is that I can’t find her name on any website produced in Cuba. When the news media in my country speaks of Iran, they refer to some economic agreement or of the good relations between the two countries.

Looking for Food

The fair is a battle between all those who want to buy produce without first getting in line, and with the sellers who strive —I don’t know how— to make the scales always mark in their favor.