You have to be careful, and that means that you can’t just simply say whatever you want. We are writing from inside Cuba, not from an ideal neutral location, and that brings with it a certain responsibility and commitment to what is right and also a certain personal danger that cannot be avoided.
Read MoreFirst, they asked for the per capita income of my family and second, they made perfectly clear two commitments I had to make: I must return to my place of origin upon finishing my studies to serve those in most need and I must not in any way interfere in the political affairs of Cuba.
Read MoreFortunately the woman was mistaken. A large group of mostly young people packed the place which resounded with the strings of the Concerto Grosso by Handel, the musician to whom this year’s festival was dedicated.
Read MoreSix weeks ago I went to the beach with four American friends and there met three Cuban men who play for one of Cuba’s national sports teams. Since then we have gone out with them several times, and on several occasions we have been stopped by the police while with them.
Read MoreThe government sells each Cuban citizen one bread roll a day for 5 cents of a Cuban peso, but the cost of production is really 7 or 8 cents. As an alternative to cut losses while pleasing the population, the accountant proposed to sell bread for 10 cents, and allow people to acquire two rolls.
Read MoreThe Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP) used to maintain an apartment in the majority of the buildings in the Havana suburb of Alamar for lodging foreigners, almost all Latin Americans. However, Building D-22 was completely occupied by neighbors from outside of our normal environment.
Read MoreI believe there were some small jumps after my first leap, but I’m only going to talk about the big leaps that brought significant changes to my life. I’d say that the second big leap came after the decision not to go to junior high school (7-9th grades) at the school near my apartment in Reparto Eléctrico, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Havana.
Read MoreMy father tells me that the roof situation could lead to a collapse and I believe him. However, for now there really isn’t much I can do. To repair it would cost approximately 200 CUC (US $250), equal to a complete year’s salary.
Read MoreIn 2001, having finished my high school and before receiving a scholarship to study at the Latin American Medical School (ELAM) in Cuba, I managed to enroll at a music conservatory. That year admission was based on ranking. I remember guys coming out crying about not achieving better scores and wondering how they could have been rejected after taking the entrance exam.
Read MoreDuring my first year at Northeastern University I had a Cuban-American roommate, my first experience with any sort of Cuban culture. Her parents had left Cuba when they were two years old, and she and her sisters had grown up in Miami. Her father owned a very successful chain of Cuban restaurants in Florida.
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