Rosa Martinez’s Diary

When I began to write for Havana Times two years ago, I thought I was running the risk of being expelled from the university or being looked at poorly in my neighborhood the day I was discovered.

Odalis is a cute black woman, young and full of life, who lives in a comfortable house with her 15-year-old daughter who adores her. It could be said that this Cuban woman has everything to be happy, or almost everything – even a husband who says he loves her. If it weren’t for the screams and slaps that he frequently gives her, one might believe in his love.

Dressing passably has become one of those everyday problems that workers on a median salary can barely resolve, unless we have help from a family member living outside the country, works on an international mission or obtains hard currency at work, as in the tourist sector.

After living in my Guantanamo neighborhood for almost 40 years, I shouldn’t have so many questions; rather, I should be able find more answers. I shouldn’t be surprised that Adela left her house again, after her husband Julio got drunk and hit her and their child in front of the entire neighborhood.

With great ease, many people inside and outside the island criticize Cubans who they see forced to jinetear (hustle), prostitute, lie and even commit crimes to meet their basic needs.

Camila Estrada is happy now. After having been dogged by domestic violence for years, again she’s enjoying the company of her family. It’s like a dream from which she doesn’t want to wake.

“Bajo el Mismo Sol” (Under the Same Sun) is probably not the best soap series that’s ever come on Cuban TV, but it is one of the best in terms of reflecting the Cuba of its time.

Ever since I was little my friends used to say I was headstrong because I always went against everything. The truth is, though, I don’t think I’m like that at all. I only stand up for my ideas, my principles and my preferences – tooth and nail.