Abbe’s Ruminations January 2025
I just returned from a trip with the empathetic and heart-warming citizens of Cuba. Since Americans aren’t allowed to travel directly without a “people to people” tour, I went with a group from the University of Wisconsin.
I’m blessed to be fluent in Spanish due to my eight years living in Puerto Rico (45 years ago) The Hispanic culture and language of love have been flowing through my veins ever since.
I was more than prepared for electric outages, faulty internet, mosquitoes, and the lack of toilet paper. I wasn’t disappointed.
The clean streets in Camaguey seemed devoid of people. We visited a co-op dairy farm, sanctioned by the government for us to see their basic operation. Lacking equipment and technology, their reach is very local. Distribution is hampered by the rationing of gasoline. The island isn’t known for by-products such as yogurt, butter, etc. My morning rituals adjusted. I accepted powdered milk served to guests. Our menu beyond eating included music, dance, orchestras, choirs, and artists. All citizens are given free education, and many focus their advanced studies in these fields. They study their craft eight hours a day. All with the hope of sharing their talents to make a living. They perform around the world, but not in the United States.
Ironically, Cuba has the best schools for medicine and pharmaceuticals. One woman became a pediatrician but had to work in tourism. She made more money on tips than she could with her practice. Her government salary was meager. The best doctors work in other countries.
The highlight of my trip was with the staff and owner of a partial government supported/ private residential restaurant. I was able to slip behind the scenes into the kitchen on my way to find the bathroom. An incredible discussion ensued and I felt like I had made friends for life. The owner opens her home to those with less, she buys medicine, helps charge people’s phones, offers a free bed to those in need as well as food. The kitchen staff are learning to be chefs, and the food showed their expertise. Since no money can be sent to Cuba from the United States, and credit cards are forbidden, I left a generous donation of cash. Another evening, I connected with the owner, Hubert, of a Palador, which is a sanctioned private restaurant in someone’s home. His family left for the US years ago and he remained to care for his parents. His partner died three years before. Thirty-seven tourists and guides dined late into the evening spread through every room in his house. While waiting in line for the one bathroom, we talked in Spanish. He told me of his worries, his blessings, his fear that the food would not be good enough. He revealed long struggles to survive.
Havana proved to be both beautiful and historical. More of a tourist destination, the streets at night filled with activity. The cleanliness disappeared if you turned onto side streets, as the garbage trucks often lacked gasoline for pickup.
I loved driving in the old cars, rolling cigars, and visiting Hemmingway’s house. My driver serenaded me in Spanish. I danced with the African-Cubano musicians at a small café.
On the last morning of our trip Jorge Mario, a professor and world renown economist, spoke to the group. His words resonated. “If you think you know Cuba, you are wrong.” His lecture shot through many assumptions and proved that the Cuban people are isolated on an island, which is a heart-felt country, sharing and pulling together to make do. They want to advance intellectually and economically but denounce all countries that believe their presence will “save” the island. Often, the countries rob them of their culture, resources, and leave them drained.
Here is a cautionary tale— I warned the guide leaders of my ability to understand Spanish and still caught them telling white lies and not correctly interpreting the wonderful words of the people.
***Note*** The sanctions the United States has imposed on Cuba means that any country in the world what has as little as 10% parts or elements in their cars, appliances, etc. isn’t allowed to sell to Cuba
I’d love to hear your thought. Find me at http://www.abberolnick.com
