Diaries Archives - Page 556 of 639

Freedom to Choose (II)

To preach an ideology, it’s indispensable to trap people with catchy slogans and a patchwork of ideas – some true, others not.

I saw my first iyabó on a dark evening in Vedado. I had recently arrived to Cuba and was out exploring the city with a newfound Cuban friend. “Look,” my friend said, pointing at the mysterious figure crossing the street. I glanced over at the back of the white-clad silhouette. “That’s an iyabó,” my friend continued. “A newly initiated santera.”

Recycling in Process (2)

Why didn’t they give me that program the day before? Why do I speak with everybody who sits beside me? What happens with me and symphonic directors?

Hershey: The Cuban Comala

Even those people who never met Mr. Hershey himself, speak highly of him in respect for his glorious accomplishments in Cuba from 1916 to 1946, when, among other things, he was behind the building of one of the most prosperous sugar refineries the island ever saw.

The Awareness of Risk

You’ll never see on TV is a senior official of the Public Health or Civil Defense ministry with concrete data on how many people have become sick and from what illness.

My Home Town Carnival

The festivities haven’t changed much since I left. The neighborhoods are assaulted by an immense number of people who come from all the surrounding municipalities of the province to celebrate.

Multiple and Generalized Sclerosis

Not too long ago a law was passed approving the hike in the minimum retirement age in Cuba by five years. A short time later, in April 2010, President Raul Castro made reference to the millions of redundant workers who would begin (and now are) being laid off or “relocated” from their jobs.

The ‘Malandra’

Lately I’ve noted that many people look at me as if I were a “malandra.” In Venezuela, malandros are said to be those who we in Cuba in generally call criminals: any type of mugger, pickpocket or petty thug – in short, a low class person. (9 photos)

The Fortune Teller

Walking through the entryway of the old Aldama Palace, situated to one side of Fraternity Park in Havana, it’s customary to see “card throwers” seated on the curb trying to make some money.

Freedom to Choose

The recent speech by President Raul Castro to the National Assembly laid out the prospects for the diversification of self-employment in Cuba. The possibility of allowing self-employed people to hire their own workers was even mentioned.