Veronica Fernandez’s Diary

It is an invasion of the capital, despite having poorly paved streets full of potholes, buildings falling down with the passage of time and the lack of maintenance. Yet many of these people yearn to be able to come here.

I commented about my cousin Bebito when I first started writing for Havana Times. Now, I’ll again pick up on him, such a unique personality who’s so close to me.

The protests and complaints began, as could have been expected. Notwithstanding, the driver paid no attention and simply continued driving along with incredible tranquility. So as not to hear the passengers, he simply cranked up the volume on the radio blasting reggaeton music.

Alicia is the oldest of my female cousins. She was always very close to my mother, who considered her more like a daughter than a niece. And for my mother, everything that Alicia said was of the absolute truth.

A large number of Cubans have family members abroad, particularly in the United States. I include myself on that list since several of my aunts, uncles and cousins left for that country in the 1980s.

Since I was a little girl, I always heard my parents talk about Juana Bacalao as one of the Cuban singers that injected flavor and authenticity into her performances. On both national and foreign stages, she exhibited her rhythmic ease, her Creole humor, her artistic and universal talent that transformed her into a true show woman.

I think there’s no reason or motive to show off things like those expensive toys, which are unattainable for most people, and not have basic products available.

The need to take care of the environment is constantly reported on in the media. Programs are featured on climatic change and what we are calling for at the world level to stop the degradation that we have all caused to mother earth. But there’s a big difference between what’s being said and what’s being done.

Why should our press be the laughingstock if we have excellent journalists and professional personal capable of reporting to people? Why are our journalists limited in reporting or not reporting the news?

I ran into my friend Margarita on the street, but shortly after the initial greetings I could tell that there was something different about her. She seemed pale, thinner, and I could see sadness reflected in her face, despite the happiness she felt over our meeting.