Cuba Today
My backyard really expanded last week – all the way to Cuba!
We had the opportunity to visit the island that is so close to us, a mere
ninety miles from Miami, and yet so far from our ability to interact, at least
until recently. We went with Grand Circle Foundation, one of the licensed
groups that lead people-to-people cultural exchange tours. What we found was a
resourceful culture, friendly people, and music that enlivens everything.
Much of what you see is reflective of the 1950s (oh, those
cars!) when Cuba was a booming tourist destination. But all was not well in the
coastal paradise. There was a large class discrepancy. In 1959, Fidel Castro
ousted Batista who, when it looked like he would be voted out of power, had
taken over total control of the government. Most privately owned businesses and
properties became state-owned. Cuba became aligned with the Soviet Union and
communism and estranged from the United States. This relationship lasted until
the USSR was officially dissolved in 1991. The dissolution left Cuba in crisis.
Without the economic support the USSR had provided, food was scarce and poverty
reigned.
Cuba is still struggling. There are remnants of functional
Soviet architecture but also of the grander architectural styles that came with
Spanish colonization. Much of that, unfortunately, is in need of repair, which
is too costly for most Cubans. Buildings occasionally fall down, sometimes with
the people in them. Many of the buildings have black mold on them, something
that is hard to control in such a humid climate.
Cuba’s new leader Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother, is beginning
to loosen some restrictions. We visited a cooperative organic farm. The land is
still state owned but the produce can be sold privately. We ate in a few paladars,
small, privately owned restaurants located in homes. They provide a chance to
practice both Spanish and English, depending on which side of the menu you’re
on. Our tour was busy but it left us time to wander the cities and interact
with local residents who are eager to connect.
And yes, we did see nature in various forms. We saw cranes
looking for lunch in Cienfuegos, a city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We visited a family that owns a tobacco farm where there was a variety of
livestock, lots of chickens and a rooster who was intent on getting us to feed
him some of the bananas we were eating (there were three delicious local
varieties). We went through a nature preserve and learned about trees that are
native, and some invasive, to Cuba. There was el malacon, the miles-long
promenade in Havana, a great place to see the harbor and a popular venue to
stroll along.
We did not cover the whole island. We did not – yet – get to
the Vinales Valley, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, or to the many beaches
that made Cuba a major vacation spot. To get a general overview of the natural
diversity of Cuba, look at photographer Steve Winter’s video http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0311/sights_n_sounds/media2.html. He spent five months there for National
Geographic Magazine and his photographs will give you some idea of the depth
and beauty of Cuba.
One day perhaps, sooner rather than later I hope, our countries
will be able to set aside our former antagonisms and re-establish relations.
The people-to-people concept where we have personal, positive interactions with
each other is a good way to help facilitate the process. As the world becomes a
more global neighborhood, can we continue to ignore Cuba today, our next-door
neighbor? Should we?
Frommer’s gives a brief description of some natural
attractions:
And for history buffs, a timeline of Cuba’s history:
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Great video! We loved Cuba, too, and look forward to discussing our different trips and views with you.
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