Search results for: revolico

“Serious And Decent Worker Seeking Employment” / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, 17 November 2016 — Discriminated against for decades, Cuba’s Jehovah’s Witnesses just opened an employment agency that focuses on the “honesty and decency” of its people. The database “is an opportunity to advertise the skills that the brothers have in different professions and trades,” says Tamara Sanchez, one of the managers. As a “private … Continue reading ““Serious And Decent Worker Seeking Employment” / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”

“Wi-fi is Killing My Business” / Cubanet, Pablo Gonzalez

Cubanet, Pablo Gonzalez, Havana, 31 October 2016 — “I work as a network administrator in a company in Havana, but everyone knows that in this country the salary is not enough to live on, you always have to have something under the table. So the bakers steal the flour and oil to sell it on … Continue reading ““Wi-fi is Killing My Business” / Cubanet, Pablo Gonzalez”

Cuba’s ‘Informal Market’ is Transformed with La Chopi / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 21 September 2016 — On the shelves of the markets that sell goods in Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) prices have skyrocketed and shortages have become chronic. The problem in the state owned stores – which Cubans call “shopping,” using the English word – is aggravated by the lack of liquidity. In this … Continue reading “Cuba’s ‘Informal Market’ is Transformed with La Chopi / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”

Moscow Does Not Fit In A Suitcase / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, Havana, 25 August 2016 – For decades visiting Moscow was the golden dream, but only the most trusted could enjoy a stay in the Soviet Union. From these trips to the “godmother nation” they returned with suitcases filled with products unavailable in Cuba. Today, some take the same route, but this time … Continue reading “Moscow Does Not Fit In A Suitcase / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”

Google Jumps Through Hoops In Cuba / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar

14ymedio, Luz Escobar, 7 April 2016 — Google may be the Internet giant, but in Cuba it has had to jump through hoops. This Wednesday, the newly inaugurated Google+Kcho.MOR site opened its doors late because the employee who keeps the keys arrived late and because fumigation against the Aedes aegypti mosquito –carrier of dengue fever … Continue reading “Google Jumps Through Hoops In Cuba / 14ymedio, Luz Escobar”

Cellphones Widen Social Differences in Cuba / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata

14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 28 December 2015 – A house in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, a German Shepherd dog, or a Rolex watch were some of the most prestigious status symbols in Cuba some years ago. But with the new technologies, these now include having a latest generation computer or cellphone. Cellphones increasingly reflect the purchasing … Continue reading “Cellphones Widen Social Differences in Cuba / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata”

From Little Pioneers To Pioneers Of Entrepreneurship / 14ymedio, Mario Penton Martinez

14ymedio, Mario J. Penton Martinez, Miami, 8 December 2016 — “Starting a new business should start with a good financial advice,” says the business card of Marta Deus’s company. After 15 years in Spain, this entrepreneur returned to the island and now advises self-employed workers on accounting. She was in Miami on Monday to attend a technology … Continue reading “From Little Pioneers To Pioneers Of Entrepreneurship / 14ymedio, Mario Penton Martinez”

Making Love the Way God Intended Is a Luxury in Cuba / Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia, 25 June 2015 — Alberto works at a fresh produce market. On weekends he makes an advanced reservation for a room with a big soft bed surrounded by mirrors and a refrigerator stocked with beer. “The deal costs me 10 ’fulas’ (convertible pesos) per night, but it’s the only way to have an … Continue reading “Making Love the Way God Intended Is a Luxury in Cuba / Ivan Garcia”

The Sovereignty of the Internaut / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 8 June 2015 – I searched the screen fruitlessly for those faces I know so well. In every report on TV about the International Conference on New Scenarios of Political Communication in the Digital Realm, I scanned the guests to identify geeks, computer scientists, bloggers, tweeters and other “creatures” linked to … Continue reading “The Sovereignty of the Internaut / 14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez”

How Do You Tame Computer Users? / Yoani Sanchez

Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 18 May 2015 – Nimble fingers over the keyboard, a life divided between reality and the digital world, plus the gratification of amusing yourself, learning, teaching and being free through technology. These are some of the points shared by those of us in Cuba who have linked ourselves to information … Continue reading “How Do You Tame Computer Users? / Yoani Sanchez”

The Internet: A Space for Diversity and Freedom of Expression / Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang

We have to wonder how much the Cuban government invests in restricting this essential information tool in our time, blocking it and even minimizing the “harmful effects” of its free and generalized use Cubanet.org, Ernesto Perez Chang, Havana, 24 April 2015 – Faced with the problem of the limits on access to the internet in … Continue reading “The Internet: A Space for Diversity and Freedom of Expression / Cubanet, Ernesto Perez Chang”

Being in “The Packet” / Wendy Guerra

Wendy Guerra, Habáname, 15 December 2014 — About three years ago, a young man – tall, blond and ungainly – would haul an enormous sack full of DVDs of pirated movies, music videos, TV shows and series. Today, this same young man – now more poised and better dressed – walks the streets of Miramar … Continue reading “Being in “The Packet” / Wendy Guerra”

The Lessons of Lope de Vega / Yoani Sanchez

Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 18 September 2014 – A friend visting Cuba for the first time asked me why the government can put an end to the illegal distribution of the so-called “audiovisual packets.” “They just have to detect who makes it and trades in it, to be able to stop it,” the young man speculated. … Continue reading “The Lessons of Lope de Vega / Yoani Sanchez”

Alert Sounded in the Informal Market / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez

Unauthorized vendors welcome new customs regulation with caution as they prepare to redefine strategies 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez, Havana, 3 September 2014 — “Call me from a land line” instructs the classified ad placed by Mauro Izquierdo, vendor of electrical household appliances. He has a wide range of items on offer, from air conditioning units to … Continue reading “Alert Sounded in the Informal Market / 14ymedio, Rosa Lopez”

Alan Gross: Trapped in a Cold War Tale / Ivan Garcia

In the Zamora neighbourhood, next to the Carlos J. Finlay military hospital, in the Marianao Council area, in Eastern Havana, many of the neighbours don’t know anything about the background of Allan Gross, the US contractor, who is stuck there. It’s a poor district, with little houses, dusty streets and broken pavements. The midday heat … Continue reading “Alan Gross: Trapped in a Cold War Tale / Ivan Garcia”