Irina Pino Archives - Page 2 of 2

From Riches to Rags: Havana’s Riomar Building

Like a giant wrestling with the strong winds of a sea-storm, the Riomar building rises next to Havana’s urban coastline, in the residential neighborhood of Miramar. Built in the 1950s, it is currently inhabited by only 14 Cuban families. Elsa Torres Camacho is one of its residents.

Taking a Friend on a Tour of Old Havana

Two days ago, a friend of mine who’s a writer arrived in Cuba. Fascinated by the descriptions of the architectural beauty, museums and historical sites of Old Havana I had sent him in my emails, he wanted to start his tour of the city in the old part of town.

When Trees Get in the Way in Havana

We’re constantly seeing announcements on Cuban TV and other media preaching about the need to take care of nature, telling us not to damage the environment. A few days ago, I witnessed a very unpleasant incident, near the entrance to my building (where, as I explained in a previous post, there is a parking lot belonging to the Cuban company CIMEX).

Renting Rooms: One Option for Cubans

When Mauricio Alonso was a nuclear engineer in the 1980s his future seemed bright as Cuba embarked on building its first nuclear power plant with assistance from the Soviet Union. All that changed in the early 90’s with the dissapearance of the Socialist Camp and Alonso came up with another option to resolve his families needs.

An Elderly Cuban: Workaholic or Needy?

At five thirty in the morning, the shrill, loud noise of an obsolete lawn-mower wakes me up. At first, I am irritated, annoyed. It’s Saturday and I should be able to get a bit more sleep. On weekdays, I have to get up early to get my kid ready for school (he’s in junior high).

Cuba: Decorative State-Run Stores

In the Sierra Maestra building (CIMEX) of Miramar, is a Metropolitan Bank, a Banco International Financiero, an ATM … and a recently opened chain of stores, and a modern cafe.

Impossible Comparisons: Old Age in Cuba and the Movies

In Michael Hanecke’s Amour, a couple in their eighties, former piano teachers, lead a comfortable life, enjoying their twilight years together, until a terrible incident changes their lives: the wife becomes paralyzed and gradually begins to deteriorate physically. Watching this film, I began to think about my parents here in Cuba.