Diaries Archives - Page 618 of 639

If Vivaldi were Cuban

If Vivaldi had been born in today’s Cuba, we would not know his paradigmatic work The Four Seasons; rather, he would have probably composed something called The Two Seasons.

The (post) Soviet presence in Cuba

It was a great honor for me to be on this panel dedicated to Russian and East European influences on Cuba. It is a highly debated topic since it is evident for many people that such influences exist, despite there having been little research on it.

Paradises

It’s just that in Cuba you develop – if you’re not a complete idiot – a sense to always look for the essential, which at the moment was to have a nice evening with my wife. I don’t know where that ability comes from to discern what is real within the mind-boggling shit one encounters when you’re so poor.

A Kind Man

It’s a long way to get to my house. I leave work in the evening, and the bus drops me close to a mile away. Last night, like almost always, I had to make that trip after ten o’clock. Walking in front of me was a man, who I tried to maintain a certain distance from.

Cuba’s Youth Newspaper

Among the youth who read the paper, it doesn’t hit the mark of generating critical and objective analyses of daily politics affecting them. In Juventud Rebelde, it’s rare to find news covering the situation of youth in different parts of the world

The Importance of Change

Without the need for large investments or grandiose gestures, but by implementing a simple change and situating each person in their ideal station, we could resolve many of the problems that today strike us with great force in this country.

My Trip and Arrival in Viñales

After a night of indecision, packing and unpacking, setting and unsetting the alarm, the moment of truth finally came. Impulsively, I refastened my backpack and started out for the Astro bus terminal.

Today’s Teachers

My cousin – who is intelligent, but lazy when it comes to studying – was not getting the best grades. So, my aunt saw the need to pay a tutor so that she would receive the correct instruction for the subjects that the government offers her at the school for free.

Indecision about getting away

I don’t go to the country just to stretch my legs, but to also escape the commotion so characteristic of human relationships. I go to revel in moments of divine silence, which is difficult to obtain if you’re not accompanied by people of the same passion.

Fighting, my love, fighting (Part II)

I had a couple of regular clients (who were doing pretty well financially). Since they were friends of the family, I charged them half the normal rate. With that money I bought the massage oil … and therefore wound up providing the service for free again.