Cuba Diaries Week 7: March 2, 2009 - March 8, 2009
This is a personal account of my semester in Cuba.

ALYSSA CAMPBELL
EspreeNet News Service

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Lunes
Today we had an exam in my international studies class. I think it went well. The rest of the day was spent sitting in History class. After dinner I went with my friend Danychele to the “Cine” to see the new movie playing, “Dioses Roto”. The movie was pretty interesting; it was based on a jinetero in Havana that was in love with the girlfriend of a Pimp… On a more stimulating level it was about the problems of Prostitution here amongst men and women, although the Cuban government often denies prostitutions existence. Dany spent most of the movie trying to make sure I understood everything—basically translating the Spanish with more Spanish since he can’t speak English. But it was a nice gesture. The movies here are always so lively- even on a Monday night.

Martes
After Spanish class today I met up with Dany and we went to go meet some of my group members at the capital where they were participating in a model UN competition.. We hung with them for awhile and then wandered around Havana Vieja for the day, checking out museums and eating a lot of junk food. It was a lot of fun, especially since this was the first time I was able to go somewhere with some one else and not be forced to pay tourist prices since my group members are a little to pale to pass as natives. So it was nice to be walking around with a Cuban who is fluent in Spanish, so I can just be silent, or as he put it “Cubana callada”, so that we were able to pay for everything in Cuban pesos. We watched a group of Europeans walk into the capital and pay $8 to enter and take pictures.. We walked up right after and paid $2 pesos total, about 12 cents in USD… Ridiculous! So needless to say we had a nice, cheap day. Later we ate at a Pizza place in Vedado near my residence called “Buona Sera” and Dany ate 3 huge pizzas and I ate one, for a grand total of $41 pesos (less than $2USD). I know I talk a lot about how cheap things are, but its amazing how much fun you can have here, and the things you can do (whether rich or poor) because things are set up in ways where “Todos los pueblos cubanos están participando” – all of the Cuban people are participating… It is pretty nice to see…

Miercoles
I spent today with my class at the Museo de Bellas artes learning about the different eras in Cuban art. We went from the 1800s all the way to present so the tour took forever. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see how the thoughts and social cultures of the periods influenced the paintings. For example, the pictures created during Cuba’s colonizing depict middle class Spainiards (Peninsulares y Criollos) living lavishly like the upper class in Spain.. Then there were depictions of the slaves that were brought to Cuba that showed the way Blacks were viewed in Cuba’s early years--- many as lowly maids, stupid, or submissive… Yet as time progressed, the pictures began to change- the skin of the subjects got darker, because of the mixing of the Spanish with the indigenous people and the slaves. Then there was a lot of art work about times during the revolution to present.. The art work showed the struggles that the people faced, as well as the joy that others had because Cuba post 1959, Cubans developed a new sense of freedom- but of course with hardships. The artwork was a good way to learn about the history of Cuba and a bit of what it means to be Cuban. I really enjoyed it.

Jueves
Today was a regular day… I went to classes most of the day and then I was feeling a little sick so I took a long nap. Later I hung out here with people at my residence and we watched movies and listened to music all night… It was good to just have a chilled day..

Viernes
In Class we discussed the role of women in the workplace and how important they have become to the Cuban economy since the revolution. It was interesting to see how in a country so based on Machismo, the women are often the bread winners in the families now.

After class I didn’t do too much again.. I hung out with Dany for awhile again, and met a bunch of his friends. It was good Spanish practice. I try to teach him English too, but its pretty funny because he only remembers the English in American songs.. So maybe I will sing English to him instead. But I am getting a lot of opportunities to practice my Espanol, and learning some Cuban slang as well, so I am happy.

I ended my day well because I was able to talk to mom right before I went to bed, and I talked with Dawn and Brandon a few nights before…. Hopefully I can call dad early next week.. Now if only my best friend Jualia would set up here skype account.. hint hint.

Sabado
Today was “tranquilo” . We went to the beach at 11 this morning and laid around there until 5… Paradise.. The beach was packed with locals but it was still really nice. I got to just lay around, eat a little, and think a lot.. Cuba is such a good place to just sit and think.. Life here is so different than home. I know I have said it already, but this place is amazing. Its nothing like what we’re told in school.. Its different from our government, it has its flaws, but that doesn’t mean its wrong and evil like its often portrayed. The people are the nicest I have ever met. Life is easy going and fun. Friendship, community, and helping others seem to take precedents over always trying to get ahead or keep up with the Joneses. Maybe life isn’t always efficient here. I know that not everyone is content, because not everyone is well off. If asked which I think is better, the US or Cuba, I wouldn’t be able to answer right now.. Both have their pros and cons, but they are such different cultures.. Being here is teaching me about parts of life I hadn’t really thought about before. Cuba was always have a place in my heart..

Domingo
Today the time changed.. So everything was a little backwards because no one knew it happened.. One of the flaws of Cuba, I will have to say—not many clocks.. When I finally figured out the time the day got better. I spent the day at the aquarium in Miramar with Dany. Everyone there, regardless of age was like a kid. It was so funny. But the aquarium was pretty nice, although small. It was mainly salt water fish, a few sea lions , sharks, turtles, and of course, dolphins. The dolphin show was actually pretty cool—they had the dolphins dance Salsa in one part. After that I just hung out all day, talking and reading for class. I did have an interesting conversation with Dany about how I was asked to leave a hotel when Louisa and I went to visit her friend because the guard thought I was Cuban. Dany explained that it was just one of the bad parts of Cuba. They want their people to be united, but that doesn’t mean they want to offer everyone the same luxuries. I don’t fully understand the logic behind that yet. But I guess there are shortcomings everywhere. I am still learning a little more everyday.


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Since the fall of the US-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959 Cuba has been a one-party state led by Pres Fidel Castro and - since February 2008 - by his annointed successor, younger brother Raul.

Full name: Republic of Cuba
Population: 11.3 million (UN 2008)
Capital: Havana
Major language: Spanish
Major religion: Christianity
Internet domain: .cu

Life expectancy:
76 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN)
Main exports:
Nickel, sugar, tobacco, shellfish, medical products, citrus, coffee
The Press
Granma - official Communist Party newspaper, online version in five languages including English












Published March 08, 2009

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