Search results for: 11 July

This family is occupying an empty apartment in Alamar, a housing development east of Havana. From OmniZonaFranca website: We never received any intention from housing officials trying to resolve our case, we know that the State Security is aware of this situation. The traditional discourse of humanity and protection of the family are ever further … Continue reading “Threatened Eviction: Reporting in Real Time / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo”

As I watched the baseball games between the Cuban team (made up of professionals) and the American college students, I felt embarrassed. How exactly is it possible that our novice Cuban baseball players were not in on this game so that they could gain some experience? On top of that, the stadium was nearly empty. … Continue reading “Game or Lie? / Rebeca Monzo”

Just six months since it opened, a full house has been the common denominator for the whole half-year, for the private restaurant La Rosa Negra. Early on Pedrito, the young owner, had to face many bureaucratic obstacles and so many others caused, unfortunately, by misunderstandings with some neighbors: that the air conditioning is noisy, that … Continue reading “First Half Year / Rebeca Monzo”

Everything was planned for weeks. We would escape far from the city, disabling our cellphones so State Security couldn’t track us, and have our first break in five years. Just as we were about to leave for our two-day vacation a pipe broke inside the wall and started to pour water on the neighbors below. … Continue reading “Plumbers and Computer Experts / Yoani Sánchez”

The State negotiated immunity in exchange for silence. The day my father was fined for hosting a foreigner in his house we could not sleep. Later in the morning we started talking trying to understand all that craziness, and one thing became clear to us both: everything here is based on political repression, otherwise the … Continue reading “Public Bribery / Eliécer Ávila”

The phrase was spontaneous; Ameijeiras Brothers Hospital is one of the last bastions of medical power. My husband is a patient there and I go every day. Unlike other hospitals, I don’t have to “move there” bringing my own bedding, fan, light bulbs, cleaning supplies and of course the food; barely a bucket for those … Continue reading “A Stronghold of Medical Power / Regina Coyula”

Moringa has become a “trending topic.” But aside from all the thoughtful analysis Fidel’s reflective mention has merited, I note with the moringa that our ex-president still has the clout to order the sowing of this miraculous plant and to override, in a new Special Plan, the normal work of specialists in cultivation techniques, plant … Continue reading “A Little More Moringa / Regina Coyula”

I went to the Zoological Park when the sun was still beating down. In my tour I could see the lion sleeping or exhausted, indifferent too the proddings of a public who want to see him standing up and roaring. I went to the fountain of my childhood, thinking I could find some water to … Continue reading “More on the Zoo at 26th / Rebeca Monzo”