|
Wallowing in Self Pity
|
May 11, 2006 1:00 pm
1755 Views
|
Sometimes life deals us a tragedy, problem, or situation that we have great difficulty in solving. How we overcome and find, accept, implement the solution is what shows our measure. Few of us do deal with adversity the same. Most of us have our own methods for " getting through it"
It is easy to wallow in self pity. It is easy to become absorbed and give in to the demons. It is easy to curl up into a ball and cry. It is easy to isolate and let the adversity eat away at everything we have spent years of building. How do we get light into a dark place?
We have to pick ourselves up dust ourselves off, and realize life is not always fair. The longer it takes to come to this realization the harder it is to move forward. So what are we waiting for? We all have problems and adversity in our lives. Life my friends is a challenge, no one said it is easy. The reward is time. The sooner we find the solution the sooner we can grow. Without the solution there is no growth.
How I deal with these is to visit a cancer or handicapped ward. Sometimes it is the orphanage. I normally take kids to a sporting event, buy them a coke and a hot dog. Volunteering can be very rewarding. But that is me. You have to find your own solution. So what are you waiting for?
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
Women ......Nada es facil
|
May 11, 2006 12:58 pm
1652 Views
|
Can Someone tell me why unattached women become difficult when we clearly not interested?
I must say that perhaps it is because men are more accustomed to rejection. For us it happens all the time. We say "Humm Ok well I tried, swung the bat missed and she is not interested. Gee, I guess I will move on , no hard feelings." That is our attitude. The expression in America is "why kick a dead horse" We men are cordial afterward until the backlash happens.
With a married woman there is never any problems. We men are respectful of her and she has no problems what so ever with becoming friends. I have some great Gal pals who are married or attached women. Why is this? Why are married women so cool and unattached ones so affected?
An unattached woman is different.It seems if we just offer friendship, and friendship alone, it is not enough. She often carries a chip on her shoulder. Perhaps she has enough friends? Perhaps she feels rejected that we did not make a pass at her? What is this phenomenon? Why can't they just let it go like we men do? My view ...It is the rejection.
Sometimes the spark just is not there. I find that of the unattached women... the attractive ones seem to handle the rejection better. Perhaps they get more offers so they are happier campers. I have some cool friends who are unattached women.
The less attractive women seem to be the worse culprits of this phenomena. Sometimes they start as your friend ( or so you think ) then they become frustrated when you politely decline their advances. On several occasions I for one have made it abundantly clear it is a friendship and they agreed. "Great!" I think, but sure enough a few weeks down the road I hear from a mutual friend that she wants more. Or she starts making advances. Then I have tried both walking away and explaining nicely there is no spark for me. Neither work.
The result is these unattached women become vindictive and obsessive. What is a man to do? Because we ALL know " Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" We sure don't scorn them. However,if we insist on friendship only and more often than not with the unattached woman, that fury is at our doorstep and all around us.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
You Want to be an American ?
|
May 2, 2006 5:59 am
1672 Views
|
So You want to be a American? Not that ugly termed Illegal Alien. Well sorry if this post insults anyone. Really it is not meant to. But first you have seen all of this Cuban stuff on my Blog. Well I like many aspects about Cuba and hate many too. No, it is not fair and not correct for the Cubans to get a separate and better deal than anyone else. The whole US- Cuba policy makes no sense... It is the unfairest, most ridiculous policy we have complete and total hypocrisy.
You see I am a Whitey, a WASP ( White Anglo Saxon Protestant). My forefathers came here to the US from Scotland and Wales. They got no special deal like the Cubans get. The Cubans who came here in the 60's really got an unprecedented deal. They in many cases received education, housing, loan for businesses unlike the rest of the immigrants. Not very fair was it?
Now, we have this problem of immigration here. So I have a few simple solutions. I would like to present just in case George Bush ever steps foot on my Blog or anyone else with any power to correct the downward spiral we are in.
First an foremost, read and understand the writing on the wall. The WASPS have most of this countries cash and other assets. We are already outnumbered. We are also a declining population, we obviously do not like to make love as much as other ethnic groups. ( I do but most don't LOL ). The problem groups are China and the Muslims. China wants to own us and enslave us and the Muslims or at least the radical fanatic fundamentalists want to kill us. Yes, Yes, of course I am making an over simplification and I have had a few drinks but still not too far off the mark.
Therefore, we need to make two alliances that will save us for at least a few years. No, The US will not outlast the 700 years of the Roman Empire, but the way we are going, we will not make it to 300 years. The first and most important alliance is the Latins. They are the closest. And frankly like us ( the people ) the best. Sure we have crapped on them with Manifest destiny and the United fruit Company and the other Banana Republics but still they like our people, and generally favor democracy if given the chance to earn.
So why not make some changes in Our policies and be a good neighbor instead of a arrogant user of capitalistic practices to suppress then. Help them for God's sake. That is number one. Number two is to make some basic changes to our immigration policies. These are making it tougher to become a US citizen. Good grief make a decent test that is not a breeze to pass. Make it harder to get in but easier to get one's immediate family in. Enforce some laws don't just put them on the books. If one is not working in a probationary period for X amount of months ..deport them and their families. Give them benefits that are not freebie's but from their earnings like social security. Want to send the kids to school? You have to be a taxpayer. Want to speed up the process? Send your sons or daughters to our military. Heck we know that enrollment is declining there. .. I mean is it difficult to figure this out? Why ? I am not a rocket scientist but I have no problem with this. Why do our politicians? I mean is his fair? Instead of having immediate family members on a frickin waiting list for ten to twenty years!!
The other alliance is India, the largest democracy in the free world. geographically they are important. Why not give them a security council seat DUH. Why not see they are well educated and an upwardly mobile society? Stop using them and embrace their friendship.
This may not be a perfect fix but it sure would stop the bleeding. At least for a while..... DUH
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
|
|
Santiago de Cuba
|
May 1, 2006 7:06 pm
1495 Views
|
Santiago de Cuba is the name of the capital city as well as the province or state as we would call it. It is a city rich in history, traditions and places to see and things to do. Santiago has an ongoing rivalry with Havana as most second cities do. Santiago is quite unlike Havana, in fact any reference to La Habana here is met with a roll of the eyes. Let me give you an example. I have mentioned before my addiction to Coca-Colas. Cuba does have some interesting cola choices in Fiesta Cola, TuKola, and Tropicola but as with other colas in the states my addiction is to "the real thing. I was down to one Coke and I had been back in Santiago for a few hours. I found a perfectly located casa
particular a short block from my favorite little park here Plaza Deloris. There are a lot of shops nearby in this centrally located area. However, in my short walk around the Corazon (heart) of the city I had only seen Pepsi. This had jogged my memory as my last two trips here Pepsi had been abundant but not Cokes. Typical Pepsi international marketing strategy? All products such as soft drinks enter though a third country here in Cuba. The primary culprit for this is usually the Mexicans. They of course bottle under the U.S formulas but seem to circumvent the Helms Burton law very nicely. Occasionally one will see a Canadian, Spanish, Dominican or Venezuelan product of U.S origin but the flow from Canada seems to have been successfully nipped by the Bush team of anti Cuba bureaucrats our President has appointed to office. That is another story.
I found the Cokes at the Melia Santiago Hotel for a whopping 2.00 per Coke. Added to the 5USD cab ride there and back I had spent 17.00 for my 6 pack. OUCH. Three days later I am still nursing them and have not seen another location for them. The Cubans love ice cream. I mean really love it. You can't walk a block in a city normally without seeing at least one ice cream stand. It is one of the very few things a tourist can buy using pesos a cone costs 15 cents or 3 pesos. The Cuban peso is around 25-27 per one US dollar. So tonight I ate in Casa .having a huge meal of Cerdo (pork) sautéed in a tomato pepper sauce. Fresh tomato, pepper and cucumber salad, rice and beans of course except the treasured red beans were lovingly shared with me. Milagra root that I love, similar to a fried tater tot. Cuban bread toped off the main course. Last night the dueña had let me try a taste of her chilled guava compote. Man it was good. Tonight I had suggested we heat this up and put it over some vanilla ice cream with just a hint of rum. This sounded great to not only her but her husband and her visiting mother who was charming at 94 years young.
I just love talking with this generation because there is so much to learn from them. Normally, they are quiet and observant. With a little coaxing they tell some great old stories, Granny was no exception. she had me awestruck with pre revolution(before Fidel) stories. I wanted to do my part and get moving on the desert as the feast had cost me a meager 5.00USD.So I hustled out to the nearby Plaza Deloris and found not only no vanilla but no ice cream period. By the fourth location around the Plaza I was getting steamed. For Pete Sakes, this was the second city in the Mecca of ice cream, Cuba, come on!! OK so I jumped in a cab and come and go for 2 bucks...
I explained to my driver what I wanted in no uncertain terms. No problema" he assured me. He takes off not in the direction I expected but away from the center, I start to say something but I don't as I notice he has not turned on the meter. Now, Santiago seems to have not yet instituted the automatic meters that plague the cabs in Havana. You will see the drivers in Havana turn off the car and coast downhill. Everything possible to add a penny to their take home pay. Habaneros used to play this game the Santiago cabbie was playing but the government had finally after nine years caught on and installed automatic meters. As soon as your ass lands on the seat it starts. Santiago was still playing the game. It was a game I had played for many years here. If you are in the know, there is a metered price and there is a non metered price. Of course the non metered price is better for both the driver and me.
Certainly, it is not best for the government. Cubans of course don't tip. Foreigners rarely do, Americans always do. Telling your driver you're American will make even the most reserved of drivers, sit up and become your best friend. Remember we has a special status here unlike any place you visit in the world. THEY LOVE US!! Because I am a city person I am always very skeptical about cabbies. I like most city dwellers prefer to not only give my destination or (direction),but the route I prefer, as well. I had not done that here and decided to put myself in the drivers hands. If I was in Havana I would not have given this type of long leash).Here in Santiago I know the town fairly well but certainly not all the locations for ice cream. I thought to myself 'he can't be taken me for an extended ride because the meter was off. Three locations down the road I realized that he was going to try to pad my ride. For a tourist with poor Spanish this would be an easy thing. But with me...I don't think so. anyway it was worth seeing so I played along. We passed the Cooppelia always a famous Cuban ice cream spot knowing that was his target I said Y la cola? (and the line?) Ahhh he said I" guess there would be a long line" So at my tenth stop of his choosing) I asked him why we did not go toward the Park Central. Humm The gig was up. I did know the city. We stopped at the Casa Grande Hotel for 11th stop. "Sorry no takeouts. The hotel is the same where Gramm Greene's Wormhold stays in the epic 'Our Man In Havana. By the way the great terrace there is waiting for your attention. Now I could have made a stink and got the vanilla there but at this point I was enjoying this goose chase. His choice next was the famous Casa de Trova perhaps the most famous place for music in all of Cuba but "no takeouts. Stop 13 was the Plaza Marti . Nope they only had cones. In Cuba one always needs a box or a plastic bag. Never expect one, always have one in your pocket sack or purse. So often here they have what you need but no way to transport it out of the store. I had left without my bag. Shame on me. two more stops and we were passing my house. Out please. That
is enough. how much 5.00USD.Nope.I patiently explained that he had "por supuesto" ed(of coursed) me when I explained what I needed and did he know where? He unhappily took the two dollars and I went inside to give the bad news.
All host countries workers try to take advantage of tourists, Cuba is no exception, but I will say there is less of it here than perhaps anywhere else. I do get a particular sick satisfaction of out tricking the trickster. Tricks are called trampas here. Arriving with the bad news we jumped into a conversation about the second city and frankly it's minuses. I of course took the high road as the defender of Santiago even though it is a Pepsi city. This endeared me to Granny and I coaxed a few more stories from her before she took her leave.
I had done all the tourist sites on previous trips to Santiago. This trip I was pretty much at liberty to explore. I will throw you a few not to be missed sites so if indeed you do visit Santiago de Cuba you may want to try a few of my favorite sites. All three plazas Céspedes ,Martí and Dolores are lovely. The Bacardi Museum and the Colonial are well worth a visit. The Casa de Trova is the best in Cuba. The Caney Rum factory is Cuba's oldest and if you like rum a tour can be had. There are cigar factories here but unless you are an aficionado, the Havana factories are more important and have a better tour. For Cuba history buffs San Juan Hill and Moncada Barracks. Antonio Maceo, Frank and Jose País, Abel Santamarias houses are of interest. The Santa Ifigenia Cemetery is tremendous for history buffs as well as just tourists. Morro Castle not only offers great view of the city but is a captivating site.(sorry I could not resist). Nature lovers will enjoy the Jardín Botânico. Outside of town is the most important site for a Cuban. In fact El Cobre is arguably the most important site for any Cuban to visit no matter where on or off the island they live. It is the spiritual heart of Cuba both for Catholics and practitioners of the Santaría, Cubas Afro Cuban religion is practiced by well over half the population of the island. There are plenty of other sites and things to do in Santiago but these are some of my recommendations for a first time visit. So in my first four days this trip I had visited the parks but nothing else on this list. No I was not sunning at the pool or beaches either.
I was busy taking photos for an upcoming book I am putting together on the Rejas or iron grates that are used here. The Rajas is similar to wrought iron but it is not. It is used to make protective covers for windows and doors, stairway railings and sometimes whole stairs, Gates and fences are made from this iron as well. These are made by hand and range in age from Colonial to Deco to Contemporary. Often I hear uninspired visitors complain as to the condition and lack of paint on the buildings. While it is true it is lacking, but there are also many unique architectural artifacts here. One may see a dilapidated house but perhaps there are some fine Alahambra tiles inside or beautiful frescas or the mesquite doors or the Cuban glass colored windows or a beautiful rejas. For me personally I look beyond the lack of paint. Anyway, I am busy with my project.
Last night I needed to check my email. Email here has taken a turn for the worse. Four years ago I brought my laptop and was surprised to learn ETECSA the Cuban phone company was providing internet service. The company is a joint venture with an Italian firm. Here in Cuba, ETECSA has a monopoly. They are the
only phone company. Monopolies tend to suppress complaints, your anger has the same effect as shouting against the wind. I was not angry in fact I was very happy due to the internet service. ETECSA sold phone cards or tarjetas. Just like the States you rubbed off the code and dialed the access code and you were online. Four years ago the service was not everywhere but you could use it most everywhere particularly in Havana. The cost was 15.USD for 5 hours. Just like a phone card it recorded and saved the minutes used. It was expensive but well worth it if you were here for a while. Things like the news could be accessed as well, keeping one substantially more informed than the myopic, two State run Cuban television stations. There was another option and that was to use the internet at a hotel or local calling center of ETECSA. These choices were inferior due to several reasons. There was a lack of privacy however, more importantly one needed to use the hotels computers. These computers were very slow. Because the connection was a slow dial up using a slow machine added to ones impatience. The price was also prohibitive at 5.00USD for an hour. Believe me on a slow machine and connection an hour sails by quickly. The comfort of your home or hotel room and the speed of your machine was the way to go. My internet access was improving every year here. Then poof. I arrived this year to find the Cubans had eliminated this service except for businessmen (Hombres de Negocios) who had a license to work here and paid their phone bill in dollars not pesos. I understand this but do not like it. As Americans unless you are with a news agency or for that matter the U.S. interest section(our quasi embassy here) you are a tourist. Tourists cannot use this service. So back to the hotel for us, Other countries visiting businessmen can use this service as they can easily obtain a permit. We it seems are always forced to do things in a round about matter or not at all. This is not because of the Cubans it is because of our governments restrictions. Cuban law is very clear there are only two distinctions. Cuban and extranjero (foreigner).Here is a Spanish word that rubs me the wrong way. Every time I need to use it, the word sticks in my throat. Literally, it means stranger Being far from a stranger here it always irks me to spit it out. In Spanish there is just simply no other word for foreigner. In Cuban law the American has the same rights as any other country. A very fair policy. I will tell you that several other improvements have been made to the internet service by the Cubans over the last four years. These include upgrading the computers in the hotels and call centers. They are still slow but they are a lot better. The connection speed has been substantially increased from 26 to 100 in many (but not all locations).Most importantly, to the Cubans credit, the Cubans now are allowed to use the internet as equally as a foreigner. However they must pay in dollars. In the first couple of years the Cubans were very restricted in using the internet. They still are but to a lesser extent.
The location I used for the internet was the famous Casa Grande Hotel. It is really quite something. Much like the Inglaterra in Havana it is located on the Parque Central. Like it's counterpart it has a rooftop deck where meals are served. It has a better veranda than the Inglaterra's as it is raised eliminating the panhandlers from molesting you. There are two premium hotels in Santiago. The Casa Grande being the old guard and Melia's Hotel Santiago representing the new glitzy breed of hotels. I have already told you the Casa Grande serves Pepsi and the Melia has both. I decided that I could do my internet at the Casa Grande and have supper as well. Normally, the food is overpriced at these premium hotels but quite good. I inquired at the front desk about both. The internet access closes at 9:00 I was told. It was 9:10 but a block away there was an ETECSA calling center open till 11.00.Furthermore the dinning room located on the rooftop was open until 10:00.Well heck I can still check my messages, CNN and be back in time I thought. I did think it strange that the internet was not 24 hours like Havana. The Melia Cohiba in Havana. does close early as their machines are located in their "Business Center. I entered the calling center and paid 6.00USD for my 1 hour calling card. The speed was good and I finished in 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry here you might save some time by knowing that the arroba @ is on most computers here accessed by ALT 64 not shift 2.
I reentered the Casa Grande and took the hydraulic elevator to the fifth floor rooftop. I sat down at a small table and waited for my waiter who seemed to be ignoring me. The Cubans has an effective annoying method of drawing a servers attention. They hiss or rather "Psst" loudly. Well when in Rome...." I waited my ten minutes and "Pssted" loudly at him. The appalled looks of a table of first night visitors from England was well worth the PSSST. my boy instantly appeared at my table. I had grabbed a menu on my way in. Cuban service has improved greatly from the first year I came 1992.Socialism does not breed excellent servers. With the change to the U.S. Dollar ,service indeed has been improving since. The all important tip is now, finally fully understood. I will say that still while you might find excellent service, dont expect it here. Therefore I grabbed my menu just as I ask for the check before I am finished eating and often give cash before the bill is presented. To be fair, I do this in the U.S a lot too. I eat alone a lot and I rarely enjoy waiting. So I had decided on a filet of beef and mashed potatoes. I beg your pardon? You have no filets? Ok I will have the roasted leg of pork, Tampoco?"( neither)."What do you have?" I asked after trying two more entrées. Fish and fried chicken was his response. Not wasting anytime I no thanked him and headed downstairs. On the slow ride down I was thinking how could this be. This is not some Mom and Pop operation this is an anchor hotel of Cuba's best hotel chain. I was shocked. I asked the fellow at the front desk if the "Generate" (general manager) was in. No he had left, I was told. He asked if he could help to his credit. I wasted my time by explaining my surprise to the hotels lack of food. I explained that even any palladar has a better selection. He shrugged ."Basta" (enough) I hopped in a cab and headed to my favorite palladar which serves till 12:00 and that has a fine selection of entrees.
Salon Tropical is located in the Santa Barbara section of the city, a 2.50 cab ride. The setting is in a deco style house in a residential setting. you dine on a rooftop replete with garden. They are known for their barbeque meats, which are prepared lovingly on a large grill or "Parrilla" .Somehow Nilda the owner always seems to squeeze me in. Normally it is packed. Monday night was no exception. I had a huge meal of 10.00 USD with two Carmel flans for desert. I am still curious about the lack of selection at the Casa Grande and do plan to question the Generate today. The Generate happened to be in La Habana..."When the cat's away the mice will play I did speak to
his secretary who called the head of the kitchen who informed me that yes they did have a full menu last night. Apparently, one of the mice decided to close the dining room early. The famous Cuban expression for this is: no es fâcil" meaning it is not easy in Cuba. Therefore, always expect the unexpected here. Never assume even the most meager task will be easy. Never put off for tomorrow what is possible today. If you see something in the store you want buy it, because tomorrow it may be gone. If you need something do not expect to find it. If you are planning a big night out and need a shower in your casa. Don't wait until the last minute because there might be an
interruption in the water service. Or if you are cooking dinner for friends be prepared for the gas to go out.(This happened to me Christmas Eve or "Noche Buena" this year).The electricity goes out periodically in your casa so if you are in the elevator...Just be a boy scout here, Be Prepared"
I planned to purchase my ticket for Habana today but the office closes every day at 1PM.I thought I would take the day off from the Rejas project. I had lost a heel on may pair of Bass Weegens.I was fully prepared not to find a heel. I also wanted the shoes resoled. All the five shops I stopped at only had gum soles. ."No es fâcil". I stopped off at the Bacardi Museo to say hello to the Directora who had helped me in the past. We had a nice chat and she showed me their new exhibit on loan from the Prado looked at the art collection while talking to my friend in Spanish and half listening to one of the museo's staff give a tour in English. I thought it might be worthwhile to ask her about my rajas project. She liked the idea and in fact one of her staff had been working on a similar project ."Hello Hello" She suggested I meet with her staff member and that perhaps we could collaborate on this project. Humm. Apparently there had been little if anything of a scholarly nature published on this subject. That was good news but I made a mental note to do an
internet search also.
Tonight a 22 year old female Canadian lawyer rented the other habitation in the house. Quite unusual for a Western very good looking lady to be alone in Cuba. Perhaps the governments strategy is working...Or perhaps she is just too good to be true. If only I was not so damn old. For me to be with a twenty two year old Cuban woman would not attract the slightest attention here. However in America or Canada I would be a dirty old man. Strange isn't it? So who is right and who is wrong? The Cuban or for that matter the Latin view is that a girl becomes a woman at 15.Interestingly enough is that in Havana the girl must be at least 17 to be with a tourist.
Here in Santiago de Cuba it is 18 as it is in the States. While the law is the same the acceptance of the general public is night and day comparably. The most important two days in a womans life in Cuba or in Latin America are her fifteenth birthday and her wedding day in that order. The Latinos throw elaborate parties for their daughters. I am sure a lot of fathers and mothers who are non Latins are breathing a sigh of relief. That is right you foot the party bill twice in your daughters life here. I do find it strange that the law and custom are at odds here. Not for selfish reasons I assure you. Permit me to jump to a few words on religious holidays here. When I first came here in 1992.
Christmas was not observed. Well that is not exactly true. It was observed but secretively. The government is officially atheist here. There are no religious fanatics here. The two main religions here are Santeria and Catholicism . Actually you will see others here but not as pronounced. Practically all the major protestant religions are here.
There is even a mosque and several Jewish Temples. Santeria observes Christmas as well. So for the first six years I was here we did this hide and go seek thing with Christmas. Then something happened. Perhaps it was the Pope declaring he would be coming to Cuba but I don't know exactly when that happened. In 1997 or 1998
we started to see a more openness with regard to Christmas. The newly refurbished Obispo Street in Havana actually was selling a few fake trees and lights. By 1998 Christmas trees were popping up in most of the tourist hotels. Last year the Government started giving the day off to the Cubans a truly remarkable change of heart.
Possibly the Popes visit in 1999 facilitated some of the changes I don't know. Cubans still do their major exchanging of gifts not on the Noche Buena or Christmas or Hanukah for that matter. They do it on the first day of the year. This is of course the Cubans Independence Day. It is like the Fourth of July and New Years all wrapped into one. I have seen more and more gift giving among the Cubans who have money on Christmas but even among those the mother lode of gifts comes on the New Year or sometimes New Years Eve. For this day the Cubans celebrate
full force normally with their close family and friends as we do. At 12:00 (and sometimes before) the Cubans throw out the old year in a bucket filled with water. From 11:30 - 12:30 unless you want a shower stay inside and watch the scene from a balcony.
If Santiago de Cuba can somehow figure out how to solve their culinary problems I would really enjoy the city more. I will add that the food at the Meliâs Hotel Santiago is on par with La Habana. Their buffet is large and well stocked. Their gourmet restaurant is excellent as well. The problem is Melia is the only place in Santiago with food up to our international standards. Its prices are at the international level too the buffet excluding drink is currently 22USD in Havana and 20USD in Santiago. This does not include beverages. No you might think "Hey, that is fair" and really it is. But, compared to the wide selection of restaurants in Havana where one can eat for 7-15 including beverages it is not a restaurant town here. The food at the Casa Grande is uninspired but palatable. I had stopped to see the Gerente at the Casa Grande who had not returned from Havana. I did speak with his secretary who called the Jefe (boss) of the kitchen who assured us that there was a full selection of food. She then called the head of the restaurant who promised to investigate why there was only two items. However, by this time I had my answer. The restaurant closed early. Yawn.
This part of Cuba can get blistering hot. It was still February and so it was hot but not blistering. The whole Eastern part of the island gets this way, with the exception of the mountains where it stays refreshingly cool. Havana interestingly enough has supposedly never recorded a 100F day. This is due to the trade winds that brush it's shores. I can tell you I have been here on some days that it was very close to 100F.Cuba has two seasons, wet and dry. Dry is the Winter early Spring and late Fall months. Tourism here is year around. As I left Santiago de Cuba at 3:00PM the temperature was 29C,Arrriving in Havana at 4:30PM it was 19C.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
The Forgiveness of Sins
|
Apr 29, 2006 5:49 pm
1596 Views
|
The concept of forgiveness of Sins is a difficult one for me to grasp. I often think of confession as a flawed system. You see I believe one should be accountable for our actions 100% of the time. " If one plays, one should be prepared to pay for the right to play" In the Catholic church for example. Even if one commits a heinous crime, one goes to confession and told to say 4 our fathers and 3 hail Marys. This is their penitence. Yes there may be some other penitence but normally not. The priest then forgives the sin.
Alcoholics Anonymous has a similar program as do Gamblers, Drug etc. Here the guilty party gets up in front of his peers and admits their sin. Then they are given forgiveness and some small penitence and the following week are back admitting the recurrence( sometimes) of the same digression. The same happens in Church.
So it is just me being cold and unenlightened or indeed is this system the flawed way I see it? Furthermore, should not the second or subsequent digressions carry a heavier penalty than first time offenses? I mean if a person is a habitual offender should not the punishment be enlarged? Thank you for your input on this puzzling contradiction I am trying to fathom
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
Fresh Flowers
|
Apr 29, 2006 5:46 pm
1505 Views
|
Isn't nature grand? Spring is in the air and everything is so green. I really like fresh flowers throughout my house. Daises I like the most because the last for almost two weeks if you change the water and trim the bottoms two inches once a week. This week I have Lilies big yellow ones in one vase, Cali lilies in another one, stargazers the red and white ones in another, and some yellow and white mum pom poms in another.... And that is just the office apartment in Mexico...LOL.
At the house I have mini roses in the bedrooms, daisy petals floating in water inside clear vases in the bathrooms, yellow and white daises in the kitchen and as a centerpiece on the dining room table. The den has yellow roses and the living room has white and red roses. All of these except the lilies are from our garden.
I really like arranging the flowers in the vases. There is something quite calming about it. I would like to learn to trim and shape the little bushes as the Japanese do so artfully. My favorite type of flowers are the peonies. But they do not grow in my part of Arizona 
I also really enjoy the forest, but again my part of Arizona is the high desert so no forests. There is something about the beauty of trees that gives me energy and peaceful thoughts.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
A Few Suggestions For Cuba
|
Apr 13, 2006 9:39 pm
1812 Views
|
Suggestions by an American Tourist in Havana
1) I would hire an American, English or Canadian proofreader to edit all advertising material before it is printed. Frankly after years of visiting Cuba it never ceases to amaze me or any English speaking person just how poor the translations are in brochures ,menus and publicity material .Sure they continue to improve, but the improvement is slow. If Cuba wants to be a primer travel destination for English speaking people, it must do something about this problem. Frankly it does not make a good impression. Here, even the Gran Caribe chain, Cubanacan, Havanatours, Gaviota (to name but a few) all make errors in their translation. Normally the problem occurs in translating something word for word. Even sentence by sentence is not adequate. Translations must be paragraph to paragraph.
2) Cuba is not capitalizing on sales of goods through websites. Someone, needs to wake up and smell the Cubita here. I am not just talking about Ché Tee shirts. If it sells...sell it via website. From Cigars to wine to all Cuban products. Build a mega secure website and EVERY single website Cuba controls should have a link to this megasite
By the way I would have a banner ad for each major product and promote this megasite and top selling products on each of Cubas other sites....There is no reason not to here. This in itself would pay for revamping the international postal service. Cuba only needs to make sure to secure the package segment of the Postal Service, not necessarily the letter segment. Think of the credibility Cuba will earn as a responsible shipper. Best of all it is all credit card sales. Therefore, this is an electronic business, In other words it is hard to steal from it. If Cuba can do this right...I conservatively estimate export sales increasing 5%.Did you read that? 5%!!!!!! Shipping charges and insurance are of course extra.
3) It seems that several areas could be explored for expansion. To name a few: plastics fabricating including dyes and resins; Cleaning agents are a very profitable industry; The sugar industry has a surplus of sugar why not expand into the secondary market and produce some high end chocolates, chewing gum; candies, cookies, cake mixes, pie fillings etc Look at a company named JELSERT they make FLAVORAIDE popsicles. Sugar, water, and flavor in a plastic case and carton...very high margin of profit.; In the restaurant sector why not have more entries with international themes. I have yet to see a taco shop or Mexican restaurant. Surely this is profitable, it caters to one of Cubas principal revenue streams (Mexican tourists). Mexican restaurants do well all over the world. While I am on the subject, why do the restaurants not offer a greater selection of fish? This market should be expanded. For example when I visit Tocórroro, they offer but two types of fish...That is ridiculous. Cubans love sweet things...Two growth areas in the food and beverage sector might be Coffee and Wine. In my opinion these areas are not being exploited to their fullest. I have not seen pecan trees, although I am sure you have them. Cuba for many years provided much of the spice in this hemisphere, are you producing spices? Who is responsible for setting the price of rum? I agree the 7 years and less rum is perhaps the best in the world. But I appreciate value .Let me give you three examples. Ron Pomparo (my favorite) from El señor Chavez's country is aged in oak casks for around 15 years, their añejo sells in the states for 28.00USD 750ML ).In my opinion, it is equal to superior to anything Cuba produces in the 15 year old category. Barbancourt from Haiti has a 15 year as well, it sells for 29.00USD per 750ML. Finally, Brugal (Dominican) makes an añejo I am not sure how old it is but it sure is an excellent value at a mere 17USD per bottle. Therefore when in the states or abroad I drink these, when here, I drink 7 year...Cubas 15 year old rums are a terrible value. I am quite certain that if you had a reasonable price your 15 year old rums, Cubas case customers would increase significantly. By the way I also boycott Bacardi products and encourage my friends to do so as well. Has Cuba tried growing grapes for Porto? I thought the merlot produced in 1999 was quite sophisticated for a product so young, unfortunately, it has disappeared, I was also impressed to see Cuba entered the wine cooler market!; I think most of the bottled water is excellent here. How is Cubas marketing for this and other products for export being executed? (I hope whoever is writing the marketing letters and advertising has a better command of the English (and other) languages than those writing the hotel menus and brochures!).I think, someone should be marketing your beers to the substantial growth market worldwide of boutique bars and taverns. These bars like a worldwide selection of beers...Are your distributors doing all they can effectively? I am aware of the ongoing litigation with regard to the U.S expatriate Cuban exile community and while this may be a touchy subject I strongly believe that Cuba produces some truly excellent products. Many international concerns utilize a private label strategy. Since the products are terrific on their own, why not produce the same product under another(private) label? Sure I like Hatuey and all the history but it is a damn good beer whatever it is called. Same with Cohibas or Havana Club; The Tropical Island brand of juices has some strong and weak products. We are probably not going to win the apple market nor the orange juice markets but Guava and Piña Colada should be pushed aggressively. Guava particularly, is dominated by the Mexicans(and there are a lot of loyal Mexican customers (stateside this is a huge growth business, they have their own mercados and distribution).Perhaps the la mano izquierda might work well here to enter the US markets...Anyway their Guava is weak and an opportunity exists to capture that particular juice market if only in the internal Mexican markets; What happened to the Alligator Crocodile and Caiman markets? Cuba used to have them. Shoes belts, purses, wallets, briefcases etc are as strong if not stronger than ever. Pharmaceuticals are a tremendous growth area for Cuba. I presume Cuba sells licenses for manufacturing...Could Cuba not produce some of these for export as well?
4) How can the Casa de la Trova in Santiago de Cuba not have supplies of T shirts, hats, lighters etc.? This is crazy. This is the most famous of Trovas in Cuba...Shame on whoever is in charge of this. While I am a big fan of Minister Prieto, Shame on his office for not having the same at the Bacardi Museum or other Cultural locations. Cubas culture is what the government wants to promote. I realize that there is a problem in theft, but that needs to be addressed. There is also the problem of all monies going back to Havana to be redistributed. This is an antiquated bureaucratic method. Give them a shop. let them use at least some the profits as they see fit. They know what they need. Sure, have them OK significant expenditures. But top tourist cultural locations have to be promoted through traditional means and have at the very least a small budget they are responsible for. No T shirts for the Ballet National, the Gran Teatro, Ballet Camagüey either. Look at how other cities around the world promote their culture, Cuba seems to have forgotten this.
5) If the squeeze is on in regard to Casa Particulars because Cuba is worried it is not getting its fair share. Take it out of the hands of the dueños. Put a ONAT office in each town(several in bigger cities) and have the tourist pay for the house there. The dueños could interview the potential client(tourist) there at the office.(have a veto power) Give the tourist a slip and Cuba would control prices and regulate the whole thing. Of course an added benefit would be the employment of your staff. More Jobs.
6) I would strongly urge the government to expand it's program of taxation of Cubans leaving Cuba and permitting them to reenter, buy a house and add to the local economy. Take Carlos Acosta for example. The guy pays a percentage of his salary (in the form of a tax) to Cuba. Still this is significantly less than he would pay to for example England where he is currently working if he was a British subject. The last I checked England was at 50%. He comes and goes as he wishes and spends money here on the Island. A great deal all around. The classic win-win situation. Why not expand this to Doctors. Clearly make them stay for say however many years the were educated for(to repay their debt to the Cuban society) In the meantime you are training more Doctors to replace them. They would clearly pay a similar tax and be welcome to come and go. This would boost the economy not only with the tax but with their expenditures and the money they would send their families. Cuba could further this by changing their(the Doctors) status to something else and force them to pay all bills in dollars rather than pesos ,similar to the extranjero businessmen. Personally, I would expand this to athletes, technicians. These people can help build Cuba. Think of the friends Cuba would make not to mention the drastic reduction of accusations of human rights abuses...
7) Cubalse, I think, is making an error not promoting the Havana Golf Club as a tourist destination. Golf is an upscale game. Cuba has been talking about adding golf courses for years(Jibacoa, Cayo Coco ,etc) nothing is happening. Blah blah blah. People with money play golf. People with money will come to Cuba to play golf just as they do everywhere in the Caribbean except Cuba. Cubalse has room to expand the golf course, yet they lose money on the course. Sure they lose money on the golf course, they mismanage it. Veradaro has a pro shop that sells all kinds of goodies and makes a tremendous profit. Havana has no pro shop. The beautiful 19th hole, has been neglected. The Ranchón is now only used for meetings. Oddly at the same time the Cubans are showing great promise as golfers. Scotland has offered to help. There are proposed swaps of sport experts with other nations a very worthwhile trade. I imagine that Cubalse wants to hold on to their property i.e. the restaurants ,bowling alley and swimming pool and two shops. There are three possible solutions.1) Keep the shops, pool, bowling and restaurants and long term lease the property to an outside group or some of the members.2) Fix it up and have a property to be proud of 3) Trade it with Gaviota or another entity that understands the service business. Furthermore, I realize the difficulty of managing a club when many of the resident diplomats are members. This could be a very profitable operation. However, Cuba might need to offer incentives in the (re)form of construction laws to make this or new golf courses viable ventures.
8 ) In my humble opinion something must be changed in the Construction laws. The Cubans should, would and could fix up their homes if given the freedom to do so. Continue to make a commercial and retail requirement for repair. However, let the Apartment dwellers and home owners self repair or even employ private labor to fix some of the homes. You might just be surprised what a few talented Cubans can do to improve their living conditions, not to mention the relatives of the Cubans in my country. They of course through their greed and false hopes would leap at the chance to repair "their" families property. Of course building material would and should still be regulated and sold through proper authorized outlets. Major projects such as large additions, as well as historical sites would and should continue to be required to receive prior approval for all construction. After all, I believe the State owns the property. Why not have Cubas citizens spend their money with the government while improving the State owned property? Furthermore, I would give incentives and reduce prices for authorized construction materials. I am quite sure you are aware that this is one of the largest areas of graft in Cuba ,Inspectors. Because of this I am reasonably sure it is high on the list of reforms anyway, so why not?
9) Why is the Ministry of the Interior's office at Tulipan only open from 8:30 - 1:30? Certainly the cola is long enough to warrant either longer hours or another location. This does not have to be in the Havana Libre. Is Cuba trying to punish those tourists who want to extend their visas pay an additional 25.USD and stay longer so they can spend more money? By the way...Having experienced this cola on several occasions it moves at the rate of one person from the cola to three persons who seem to know someone in the office.
10) I get tired of explaining why the price of electronics is high here. Why not produce an infomercial for TV or have someone do an article in the various Cuban newspapers telling the public about the cost of electricity and use a chart comparing it to other countries. Obviously the Cubans get a fantastic deal as the wattage used in electricity X the annual price of electricity + the price of the product is much less than other countries due to the cost of their electricity. Benefits like these should be crystal clear in a Cuban citizens mind. They should know how great of deal they are getting. Furthermore I would expand on this with explanations of education costs, medical costs. Tout Cubas strengths.
11 We defiantly need a hotel in Holguin Center .Congratulations on the new hotel in Baracoa! Since Holguin closed 250 of the 350 or so casa particulars there is nowhere to stay. The Pernick and Bosque are both full. Holguin has a major international airport and no hotel rooms nor sufficient private rooms or houses. One palladar is left. The street venders have been removed. Gosh, there is even a statue in Holguin to honor to one of them. Of course the girls are all gone. Two months ago the people threw rocks at the new provincial Governor. The Police are squeezing the people. The provincial government is squeezing the people too hard there. Look for an explosion there. Suggestion: Remove or moderate the Governor. Not allowing Cuban visitors into a house is bleeding these happy quiet towns into sad places where tourists who usually stay for sometimes even months, now stay a day or two and leave unhappily. The people are absolutely afraid to be seen even talking to a tourist on the street. An appropriate example is, if I want to have Alicia Alonso or Marta Rojas come visit I can't or rather they can't. Word of mouth travels fast. In las Tunas where the government has installed Habaneros as 50% of their police force, I saw an officer shot a youth for only words (no punches were thrown by the youth nor was he armed).This created an explosive situation. The problem is that the regular police have lost to the Especialistas their lucrative tourist areas. They have been sent to the campo, they still make the same salary but have a lifestyle that is greater than their income. Because the lucrative areas such as la Habana Vieja, Centro Habana, Vedado, Miramar etc. are not available for bribes and graft, they are squeezing the people in the Campo. The people in the Campo don't have enough to make up the difference in blood or money. I believe this to be an explosive situation that needs to be addressed. Baracoa has always been a jewel but it too has too much pressure. There no chance of explosion with the Police academy and the passive nature of the charming Baracoans. Also there recently the new Governor of Guantanamo met with several of the long term tourists who complained. He promised change. When I heard this, I was shocked as I had understood the new law not to allow any Cubans in private rented homes. I understand the law to be for all the provinces except Havana, Santiago and Holguin, where you may have one visitor during your stay. However I understand the law to include the womans carnet and info in the ONAT book. After three visits to (different) tourists she is labeled a prostitute and sent to the Campo. For a bachelor like me that is a horrible guilt to lay on us. I do not want to feel responsible for some woman being sent to the Campo because she did not live up to my expectations. Perhaps, she needs the cash to feed or clothe her family. My personal observation is that this is a potentially better story of persecution the film "Fresa y Chocolate. As far as the people and "prostitution" go, I can break it down into three catagories.1) Classic prostitutes, I define as anyone who asks for money for sex upfront. I would say this is around 1% of the(reasonably attractive) population between 16 and 35 years of age. I stay away from prostitutes, and have no problem with Cuba sending these girls to the Campo for reeducation. 2) There are about 15% of the population who don't like tourists, or perhaps are church goers or confirmed celibates, or are just afraid to talk to tourists. For whatever reason this 15% is unavailable .3) We are left with those people in the middle. These make up a whopping 84% in my opinion. These are people who are open to the possibility of either falling in love or even just spending quality time with a tourist. They don't ask for money, but frankly many expect a tip or (regalo) afterwards. Perhaps they are just not hung up on our Western puritanical sexual values. Perhaps they need to feed or clothe their families or just need a new pair of shoes.(all the women I know need a new pair of shoes ...no matter how many pair they have)Perhaps they want to visit a tourist disco and order a drink or just dance. This practice might happen once every few months, monthly, or once a week, but it is an occasional fling that may or may not have a monetary reward. Basically, these are good people just like you and me. I do have a big problem with sending these people to the Campo. Frankly it is not fair .I will now give an example of how it is not socialistic or equal either. I have nothing against gays. Since "Fresa y Chocolate" someone ordered a policy of "hands off gays. Let me tell you a story. I was walking with a friend across the Parque de la Fraternidad on our way to the Prado, a group of gays grabbed my friends ass in front of a policeman. We complained. He opened his hands and shrugged, laughed and walked away. Does it irritate me that I can walk on the Malecón and see gays arm in arm sometimes kissing (on the lips) in front of the police who just watch and do nothing? Or when I see a tourist hassled by an aggressive gay male?. What would happen if a woman was kissing a tourist in front of a policeman. Indeed she would be off to the Campo for rehabilitation in a heartbeat. Outside of Havana and Santiago de Cuba, women are now afraid to talk to a tourist male in a public place. Is this what Cuba wants? No one wants prostitutes lining the Malecon like the old days, or a parade of women going into a private house that children witness. Is there not a middle road to take with this? Suggestion: No Cuban visitors in private houses during the daylight hours. Cuban visitors regulated to one per day. Another possibility is to perhaps have a three month visa that sells for 150.00, allow one visitor per day and don't persecute the girls by putting their names in the book. Tell the duenos, if they want to keep their licenses they need to educate the tourist. Tell the tourist to look at and record the visitors Carnet, Never fall asleep, use the security door etc .I do not know what the statistics are for male verses female travelers to Cuba (excluding group travel) I would guess 85% male. Cuba does not have the money to turn the country into a playground for children and become a family destination...not yet anyway. The Cubans are fantastic with their children. But for a tourist child there is little to do. Few tourist mothers will let their kids play baseball in the street. What is a kid to do if it rains? Perhaps get a movie in their hotel room....Out of the 15% females in my estimate, a substantial amount of white woman are looking for the same thing they look for in Jamaica..... the freedom to be with a man of color. I do not believe that Cuba can turn the whole country into a Sandals resort either. Sure, couples are an emerging market for Cuba, but its bread and butter is the bachelor traveler, Cuba can do both couples and singles in my opinion. Just food for thought....
12) More congratulations are in order on the success of Cubas English programs. When I first came in 95 or 96 only a handful of under 50 year olds spoke understandable English. Now it is common to hear. One thing I am worried about educationally is the dependence on electronic education in the schools. The television education, I strongly believe, should be used as a supplement ,not as the primary form of education.
13) Why does the state not encourage a business that would make the lenses for eyeglasses. The silica is certainly abundant here, as is the technology. Frames could be bought or traded from China for example. Reading glasses could then be produced cheaply and perhaps even exported. Cubans love to read. As we say in my country. "Readers are Leaders" Let's make them some affordable glasses. More reading less time on the street, more education. Win win situation here.
14) A special albeit somewhat selfish point with me is the change in the restrictions of computer use in the private homes. I was given some lame reason by ETECSA that it is because the Cubans pay for their bill in pesos. Clearly this is not the reason because the trajeta has a set value. I would like to see this practice reinstated. Have ETECSA raise the price if they must. Business people want to be connected. If a business person is connected we can stay longer, spend more money here while taking care of business via email or the internet.
15) I would like to see an actor do a one man act as Fidel Castro Ruz in the theater or for television. Talking for 2 hours in English explaining to the American people just how my country has screwed the Cubans from Jose Martí commentaries on imperialism to manifest destiny to the Maine through the Teller amendment to Spanish American War. To the snub of Maceo and Gomez not being invited to the surrender, to the Treaty of Paris snub. To Palma's being paid by Washington, to the GITMO land grab, to the occupations to the puppet presidents(compare these to Noriega and the death squads) to the United Fruit Company ,how it ruined the economies of most Central, South and Caribbean countries. To Batista, the Mafia, The Sierra Maestras, Ché, Camilo, Congress cutting the sugar quotas, bankrupting the country why Cuba was forced to nationalize, the percentage of ownership. How the U.S cornered Cuba into Russian subsidies, The over 100 Documented attempts on his life by the CIA. The CIA and the Bay of Pigs. Mariel, How irritated my government was when Cuba changed the currency, How the Lobo's ,Fanjuls and Bacardis influence policy. La Loba, Mas ,Lincoln Diez Balert and the CNAF influences Washington How Christina, Gloria, Emilio, Andy Garcia et al and how each group influences Hollywood and the music industry. Helms Burton, That the Balsuto s were buzzing the Malecón (Would we permit that in America? How many times Cuba warned my government to stop these pilots. Elian ,the 5, The lack of visas at the Grammy and Latin music Awards.....If the American people knew this they would riot in the streets. They have no idea. Our expression is fight fire with fire. Perhaps no one has the cojones to put it on TV. Ahhh, But a play. That can and should be done. The story could start with the Tainos, Hatuey, Spaniards etc. It would be the most earth shattering piece of propaganda ever produced. The American people would eat this up as would the rest of the world. Not only would public opinion sway, it would make a fortune at the box office. Am I right Mr. Prieto? Of course there are those who say Cuba does not want the door open. To those I say Bullshit. Of course, Cuba does not want the door open playing by others rules. Ahhh, But playing by Cubas rules...That is a horse of a different color
16) Down the road you might turn the tables again. Offer those Cuban Mafiosos the opportunity to invest in the New Cuba just like all the extranjeros. in joint ventures. They would scream like stuck pigs. Public opinion would again shift in Cubas favor.
17) Could not more Cuban medicine be imported to the US? .Again perhaps through licenses through a third country. PPG for example would be a good example. Perhaps this is already being done....and I am sure my country
would and should pay in cash
.. No credit should work both ways.
18 ) I have seen an alarming amount of bribes in this last trip. First these are not meant to be seen, so for me to actually see them Is a bit disturbing. This seems to have dramatically increased in the Police sector (Particularly with the motorcycle traffic police) and in the housing inspectors. In the Campo this is rampant also .In Havana the police and inspectors seem to be squeezing hard too. Just thought you might be interested in this.
19) .Why are books rarely translated to English from Spanish? There are many great Cuban writers. By translating works into English I would imagine a new market will emerge. Also a greater appreciation for the Island would be promoted at the same time. It would seem to me that someone could for example take the rights to the US. and sell those rights on a royalty basis and at least use that money to pay for food and medicine purchases. However, perhaps the mafiosas would attach those funds therefore, Canada or England might be better.
20) Here is perhaps the wildest thing yet: I am not a geologist .Nor am I schooled in geology. But take a look at the Baracoa area in relation to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It sure looks to me like the topography is similar and perhaps they were connected eons ago. Of course you will also notice where the gold mines are in Cubas neighbor. We know that Moa is rich. Baracoa /Maisí seems to be right around where the gold fields would be if the two we still connected. Hey, I want to keep you amused too....
21) At the new Palco Store in La Habana (very nice addition) I bought pancake mix, syrup and some strawberry apple puree. My Cuban friends love this as I make pancakes for my guests. How about a pancake restaurant? At Palco the French imported milk is heavenly also....How does anyone actually drink LA NIÑA? It is awful.
22) How about making one of these old abandoned factories into a storage facility. The revenues for these are phenomenal. Of course the Cuban drug dogs could sniff out any subversive activities. This would also provide a nice benefit for Cubas long term visitors. Cubans might just use this as well. Perhaps the facility could store Autos for when extranjeros leave Cuba for a time. Wine is stored in many of these too.
23) Utilize the river Almendares for something...It is a beautiful place
24) What happened to the art of engraving? The only way I have found to engrave anything is with a chapa...Also, I am in the process of preparing a book for publication about the Cuban Rejas particularly those of the Colonial and the Art Deco periods. I plan to do a series of books on architectural artifacts such as Doors, Windows, Hardwood Furniture....I prefer to write positive things about Cuba. Just as I could not write a totally positive book about my country because of the nature of politics, I could not write one on Cuba, if I chose an area that included politics. Therefore, my small scholarly contributions will be very specific, normally in the area of culture. I will of course be more than happy to coauthor these books with a Cuban, if that will help. Part of my strategy is to intrigue the American people with what they are missing here. Therefore, while I could jointly publish here, I do want to publish there. I don't plan on making huge sums of money from these type of books. I do plan on some positive Art critiques and thus more good press for Cuba.
25) Much of the artwork is in need of competent conservation( restoration of paintings and sculpture).Why not, send some students to the Prado (Espana) to learn this art form? If something is not done Cuba will lose much of the beautiful colonial art.
26) El Comandante en Jefe, in my most humble opinion would be well served to follow a Andrew Carnegie or Warren Buffet formula .I believe with little immediate family here it would be even better than the classic Grand Gesture . After all the number two is the designated heir. Why not find a program or programs to donate to. Think of the public relations coup, not to mention the good this would do for the Cuban people. The legacy would be even greater. Carnegie gave the libraries. Buffet has his 5 areas. Just something to think about...
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
Holguin
|
Apr 13, 2006 9:12 pm
1832 Views
|
Holguin
Holguin has always been one of my favorite cities not just in Cuba but anywhere. While it is about 30 miles from a beach. The city is nestled just off some of rustic small mountains. North of the city the land falls off to plains The city has a unique star design .The people have always been extremely friendly, happy, and straightforward in their approach to things. Holguin like it's neighbor Camagüey has
an abundance of beef, and tremendous palladars in fact there were 10 great ones to choose from when I was here two years ago. Holguin has interesting architecture and for most males that like white girls,the best looking women on the island. Not only are the women of extremely great looks they are happy nice and very accommodating.
Holguin has always had some of the best casa particulars on the island in fact not only were they excellent they were always fair priced. Finding one was no problem because there were around 300 to choose from. There are a couple of hotels here the Pernik and Bosque. Why anyone would want to stay in a hotel in Holguin was beyond my reckoning. In Cuba a tourist can use any of the pools at the hotels for a whopping 5.00USD (in Havana) in Holguin it cost a modest 2.00USD to use the pool for the day! Believe me when I say whenever I even considered leaving Havana, Holguin was always at or in my top four destinations in Cuba. Here there was everything a single man could dream of .Dude, this place was paradise.
So I pulled into Holguin from Las Tunas still shaken from the shooting. I had arranged for a car to pick me up at my casa at 2 : 00 I waited until 2 : 45 and gave up on my 20 : 00 ride and called Cuba taxi. I was irked because as always one tries to put money into the Cubans hands directly avoiding the government services.
Not only do you save money this way but by eating at a palladar rather than a government restaurant(for example)You put the cash where it should be in the Cubans pockets. Same with the taxis, a particular taxi does not pay
the government any cash the amount you pay them goes 100% to them. Same with a casa particular verses a hotel. The reality is that one always pays the government something but the savvy traveler is cognizant of this and truly tries to keep this to a minimum. Anyway, waiting while it is often a fact of life here is not my favorite thing to do. Due to socialism there are lines for the Cubans for everything. Amusingly they are called la Cola (or the tail).One often hears the phrase. Quienes es El Ultimo?( Who is The last?).Cuba Taxi ran me 35.00 but did have the bonus of being legal and therefore there was no stopping or very little possibility of a delay. The problem was that it would be dark when I arrived. Finding a casa particular is easier during the day.
Casa particulars are somewhat tricky each is different and has it's pluses and minuses. Here are a few things to consider when renting one. First is the casa independent or with family? I break them down in four categories:
1)With family, this means you live in the house with the family. This can be a great way to make friends or a nightmare. One normally gets a bedroom. and the family will want to cook for you, do your laundry and accompany you or show you around. Of course the family member who is showing you around will get a commission on almost everything you reach in your pocket for I have never rented a casa with a family nor will I. This is also the most economical for the four categories.2) With family separate entrance. This is a little more private and slightly more expensive allowing you a modem of privacy. Sometimes the dueño (landlord) Will lock you out if he or she suspects you are misbehaving. They use a /padlock and you need to ask them for the key each time. This usually happens at night when you are bringing a Cuban guest back to your room.3)This is a casa with a separate entrance where you have all the keys (including the padlock) or a private apartment where they live either next door, across the hall or in the same building. This is much better but still not quite perfect. The price goes up according to the amount of independece.4) The Mac Daddy is the true casa particular sola independiente sin familia. These are becoming harder and harder to find as the government does not like this independence for it's tourist guests So first be aware that whoever shows you any casa gets a commission of 5 USD per day. so it is a huge windfall for a Cuban. My laundry list for casas is as follows: Location, accessibility(for transportation),security, does the apartment have a security Rejas witch you can lock from both sides? Is there another door? balcony? can someone enter from the roof. Perhaps this is overboard but I prefer to be safe rather, than sorry.
For a US citizen we have cash no credit here so normally we are traveling with large sums of cash as opposed to all the other countries who have credit here or whose credit cards work here. Also you must guard your Passport if you lose it or it is stolen a new one costs you USD 10,000 at the interest section. Along with the minimum 7,500USD multa or fine for you having spent money here from the US Treasury Department. Next you prefer a casa in the middle of the block opposed to on a corne(esquina).
Why? because the police are on most corners and being in the middle will facilitate your Cuban guests entry and departure ,Air conditioning, Hot water(aqua caliente),a balcony or patio are big pluses. Is the apt two bedrooms or one? Can you use both or will the dueño lock one? Is there a telephone? Can you use the phone? Be careful when asking to use this due to the fact you do not want a Cuban guest dialing the US or talking to her mother on the other side of Cuba for long periods. Is there a refrigerator? stove? and washing machine. TV? Video? How many times a week will they come to clean? At what time? till when? It is best to have all this worked out before you pay. The Cubans also have tons of little knick knaks around I make them put these away as I do not want to be responsible for their breakage or if they, are stolen or misplaced. I also explain that I am very private and I would like the dueño to respect my privacy and while they are always welcome here .I want them to agree to give me the courtesy of a call before they come. Also get a receipt. Many houses are beginning to use a mini bar concept so just like a hotel you pay a premium for what you use.
I arrived in Holguin shortly after dark. As the Cuba Taxi had made me wait another hour I was reluctant to let the driver have my 5USD dollar commission on my rental of the casa. I for years used the same casa in Holguin but last trip I made a judgment call and perhaps had lost it. The dueño had fled to Spain and while he was coming back and forth a couple of times a year his divorced wife and two children were running the show. I had met three remarkable gals my last stay. One was a 30 year old Dr. who was Chinese Cuban/white, The second was a 23 year old white ballerina and the third was a student who was mulatta clara at 19.We all got on famously and as one thing led to another they ended up back at my place for a memorable evening. I was leaving the following day for Baracoa and as I let them out at 6 : 15 AM the dueño was waiting. "tres chicas!! Tu eres Loco!! Mi casa, la policia" etc. Three girls are you crazy? My house the police" etc, etc. She was a bit steamed. But one of the best judgments I ever made...So I was not planning on using that house again. unless her husband was back. Unfortunately, he was not. So I told the driver to drop me off at the Cubataxi office near the Parque Central. Each Cuban city has a central park. These tend to be the main meeting area and one can find most everything there. Naturally a house near the central park is a good thing. The local taxis all know the houses. Normally I look for houses in a bicitaxi.However, this trip I had a cumbersome steel box and so while I could move it this was easier to use a taxi for my hunting of houses.
There was something very strange going on in my favorite town of Holguin as I talked with the drivers in the office A group of tourists had rented a group of about 30 houses and were due to leave tomorrow. I saw no problem here because in Holguin there are tons of houses. Not anymore I was told. Holguin is name of the province and also the city as is the case with many Cuban cities. The government is set up similar to ours with municipal, state and federal levels. The governor had recently changed a few months ago and the new Gov was a hard line communist. He had turned the screws. First he appropriated 250 casa particulars. No this is not only sad but crazy. Holguin has but two hotels neither of which is centrally located. there is a major airport here with flights from Canada, Italy, Spain, Bahamas, Mexico and Jamaica. granted most are off to the beaches but it is such a lovely town and where are the tourists to stay. In the Calixo Garcia central park? on benches? The stupidity of this was shocking. So now we have 50 private houses left in Holguin. We drove off to look at the twenty not rented but those were full as well. I went to the best hotel is Holguin the Pernik and it was full. My passport flash failed, or so I thought. They found me the last room in the town at the Bosque. Bosque means forest in Spanish. The hotel is outside of town(as is the Pernik).both are Russian designed hotels. The Bosque was 36.00USD for a single. The hotel has casitas (little houses)and mine was the last. I had stopped in my search to ask about my old house that was full as well. The dueños sister lives downstairs and I always had gotten along with her well. In fact her room she rented had been one of those appropriated by the new Governor. She was not pleased but fortunately was pleased to see me. She offered to help me find a place. I accepted She found one for me nearby in the Vista Alegre section, but it was for tomorrow. She was kind enough to offer to keep my large steel box overnight so I need not lug that. I grabbed my knapsack and packed it up. First to the Pernik and then the Bosque.
I arrived at my dismal casita to find a mattress of about 3" and a broken TV. Humm I needed a coke. More so I had forgotten to grab a fresh pack of Marlboro's from the box and now I had just smoked my last one. I headed back to the lobby. On the way I looked at the pool which seemed nice and popped into the restaurant which also seemed nice for my cigs and coke. NOPE ,they had neither. I was less than a happy camper. My cab had left and to call another would be time consuming The Pernik is 3/4 of a mile up the road so I could walk and perhaps grab a private car or bici or something en route. I started my trek. Not a car in sight, in fact nothing in sight. In amazing foresight the Cubans built the two hotels not only out of town but in a cul de sac just off the well traveled road to the famous beach area of Guardalavaca (to guard the cow).I would have settled for a cow but they were not about either. It started to rain. Peachy. I arrived at the Pernik, fortunately found my Marlboros and cokes making me a much happier camper although a damp one. Then I noticed some people leaving the hotel in a van with bags. It was 1:15 AM.
I had made friends with one of the front desk fellows as we chatted about the sad changes of Holguin. What about those peoples rooms I inquired. Well they are just leaving now he said. We talked about computers (the new rage in Cuba).Humm. I knew that the Cubans we crazy about movies and I happened to have 40 movies in my knapsack at the Bosque. Now if you could find me a room I dangled. I would be happy to let you copy these. Well this got my new friend moving. Soon I was being introduced to El Jefe.(The boss) and why yes they would have a room for me just as soon as one of the front desk girls could clean it.30 minutes. You see the movies once copied can be resold making a tidy profit for the owner. This coupled with the always curious and looking for new things Cuban personality had done the trick. I paid for my room and was given an additional discount of 12 dollars by the manager. I split the windfall with him in the form of a tip. While waiting for a cab my room was ready and yes I would like to see it. Lovely room and Oh My GOD was that a modem for internet in my room? Yes it was the manager beamed. Woowhoo!!
I left for the Bosque and explained to my Driver he needed to wait for me. I had been gone an hour. Getting a refund in Cuba can be a challenge. However one I was used to dealing with. I got my refund and bolted back to the Pernik all smiles. This year Cuba had restricted the use of laptops in private homes to only those with business licenses. The prior two years one could bring a laptop buy a phone card(trajeta) and hook up in the casa. Now your laptop was virtually useless for internet unless you stayed in one of the very very small group of hotels the have in the room access. One can use the internet as a tourist in most of the tourist hotels but not on your own machine. You use their antiquated slow machines on a slow dial up connection. It takes forever. If you are staying in a private house and not in the hotel you may use this service as well. Along with the swimming pool at almost any hotel for a daily fee usually around 5.00USD. After 1 hour El Jefe had me hooked up it was now 2 : 30 AM.I needed to get my Norton Virus updates and Windows and basically work all night on the computer as this was a rare opportunity. I arranged for a 2:30PM wake up and my friend el Jefe had arranged for me to check out at 3 : 00PM My head hit the pillow at 6:30 AM exhausted I dreamed of Holguin and what I thought would be a great trip even though It had a rocky start.
I awoke refreshed and ready for the challenge of the day(or what was left of it).I jumped in the pool and swam a few laps. I showered and headed to collect my box. I was directed to a house with an apartment on the roof. Category two. without the key I fussed over this for a good hour and checked and rechecked my facts. Indeed there were no more independent houses in Holguin my God what a shame. I had also found out that the Governor had closed all the palladars(private restaurants) except for one and it was the worst not the best. Therefore I needed to ring the bell at night to get the key to enter my apartment. Now there is good reason for this. It gives the dueño control over his property. Supposedly now there are only three provinces where Cubans are allowed in private homes. They are Havana, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba. In other provinces Cubans are not allowed in houses. In actuality this is not a big problem. In Holguin it is the letter of the law is observed. Nowhere in Cuba so far is it enforced, except in Holguin. The law provides for one and one only Cuban visitor in your house. Additionally, the dueño is required by law to enter the guests name in the book. The reality of this is shocking. Should a Cubans name be entered in the book three different times(with three different Foreigners) They will be sent off to a rehabilitation center for two to four years!!. Same with the people who have AIDS (except longer) In other words they are removed from the population. Ghastly.
Let me give you some background. Cuba is and always has been a destination that attracts predominantly male visitors. Throughout it's history Cuba's women have been legendary. Now just like any other third world country there are Bad girls or prostitutes. There are good girls. Finally, there are girls on the border. These are women who have a little action with a foreigner once in a while to feed or perhaps clothe their family. Cuba has always had a disproportionate number of these gals. In fact many tourists rationalize their sexual activity by declaring they are helping the families. After all the money does not go directly to the government. While this rationalization does have its weak points. It is not my place to pass judgment. Suffice to say a totally good girl is hard to find in Cuba. Our North American puritanical values sometimes get in the way of the realization of what it means to be hungry, truly hungry. For years Cuba has been a socialist country. One becomes somewhat frustrated with paying the same price for one coke in the States of 75 cents and paying 75 cents x 24 or 15.30 USD for a case. For years anywhere one went every price was regulated.
The last four years have seen this disappear. Socialism is dying here. Even government products like say a bottle of rum now fluctuate from store to store. The first crack that became a gaping hole in Socialistic Cuba was not in my opinion the changing from a peso driven economy to the USD. It was perhaps the most famous of the Cuban movies. Fresa Y Chocolate Strawberry and Chocolate. This is a powerful movie describing the persecution of gays in the Machismo Cuban culture. It
debuted in 1994.Now I am going to take a considerable amount of heat for my commentary here among my gay and lesbian friends. But I believe as it is the turning point of socialism here it is rather important. Prior to the movie. The gay and lesbian community was treated horribly. They were jailed, ridiculed and molested regularly. Of course this was deplorable. After the movie Cuba transformed into perhaps the most openly tolerant nation in the world. Orders were given from the top to avoid molesting anyone of this persuasion. Shortly after this edict. The working girls began to be collected and placed in rehabilitation camps. Socialism is equality throughout the system or it does not work. For the last several years an aggressive gay can hassle me ( and they have on several occasions) in front of a policeman. I can complain and the policeman will perhaps shoo him off but no harm will come to him. He will be free to bother the next tourist. Now I am not saying that all or even a significant number of gays are aggressive in fact it is quite the opposite. Just that those few that are free to be aggressive. Aggressive behavior breeds more aggressive behavior. Now in Cuba we see gays and lesbians walking hand in hand in the parks and main streets
kissing and embracing publicly. A gay and a lesbian can be with and or solicits their sexual services without fear of
repercussions. Now a heterosexual relation is now viewed quite the opposite. The poor gal is sent off to the rehabilitation center. Where is the equality in this? Therefore it was the beginning of the end of socialism. Movies are a powerful platform of public opinion. So Socialism begins it's decay here in my humble opinion. The movie for it's cultural significance is a must rent. The house that is used is the most famous of palladars La Guardia
It is run by my pal Enrique and his charming wife. It is located in Central Havana off the beaten path on Concordia street between Gervasio and Escobar. Even the Queen of Spain Sophia has dined there. You will need a reservation to sample some of the best private food in Havana.
My casa in Holguin, I was allowed to have a Cuban in my room but only one and one whose name would be entered in the book and thus giving the Cuban one of the three strikes needed for rehabilitation. Faced with this moral dilemma I decided to forgo the delights of Holguin at least in my casa. Now there are Dueños who choose (normally out of necessity) to rent a room or house illegally for a night or several hours, They if caught lose their house. I found out that two months ago the people had thrown stones at the Governor's residence and office in revolt. I can hardly blame them. When the new Governor clamped down on the casas and palladars he also did a sweep of the city for girls he repeats these sweeps often. He has also removed all the local business who sell their various wares on the streets as street vendors. So much for the entrepreneurial spirit in Holguin. Perhaps his idea is to make this a family destination however, Holguin has no amusements for children other than playing stickball on the street corners or waiting for a movie to come on in your hotel room. Children are treated better in Cuba than anywhere I have ever seen. Although this is a poor country with little to attract capitalistic child used to modern toys, equipment and electronics. In other words the strategy is flawed unless Cuba finds some money for amusements. Good grief there are only two golf courses on the 700 plus mile long island. to put Cubas size in perspective for you it is 1/3 of the land in the Caribbean. It is as long as it is from Philadelphia to Chicago. It has 3 mountain ranges the largest being almost 8000 feet. Over 400 rivers,4000 islands the largest being about 50 miles across and 50 miles up and down. Baracoa Cuba's first capital had street lights and a museum 100 years before the pilgrims landed, It is the oldest colonial city in the New World.
But here in Holguin The government has ruined the city. Never ever did I think to see the remarkable Cuban spirit repressed. I have often remarked to friends of the unbreakable Cuban spirit how with nothing in their pockets they are puffing out their chest not walking but strutting down the boulevards. Smiling saying hello perhaps throwing out a witty saying called a piropo. They might say "Hey fatty, I might take you home if you can cook" "or are you looking for me? Or you are made with the hand of God. Or your eyes light up the sky" They have thousands of these piropos. No one takes offense they are a kind of sexy compliment. Truly a uniquely Cuban and very special part of Cuban culture. There are no piropo in Holguin, no strutting no smiles, no girls, no houses, no central hotels, no private restaurants .No spirit. My heart is broken with this change. All that is left of my favorite Cuban town are memories.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
Guantanamo
|
Apr 13, 2006 8:43 pm
1680 Views
|
Guantanamo
Guantanamo has never been a great tourist town. However it has been accommodating to the U.S. servicemen who used to frequent it before Fidelismo came into power. Since then it has been off limits for servicemen. The town does have a lot of history with the Haitians and Frenchmen settling here. There are a whopping 7 casa particulars and of course the Hotel Guantanamo. Guantanamo is the province name as well as the name of the provinces capital city. The other major town in the province is the charming seaside resort of Baracoa. Guantanamo does have many English speaking Cuban residents. Perhaps this is from the Grandparents handing down the language generation to generation. Like it's neighbor Santiago de Cuba the racial mix here is heavily skewed toward the Mulatto or black. There are whites too but they tend not to be as visible.
Guantanamo's seven Casa particulars would make any dueños mouth water. First because with only seven, they are always full. Mostly though because they are almost all located in huge Cuban mansions and some have as many as seven rooms to let. This is the only place I have seen in Cuba with casas with seven rentable rooms. Gosh it is close to a mini hotel. Most rentable houses have one room or apartment, many have two and occasionally you will see three. But seven? only in Guantanamo. The with family casas rent for the hefty price of 20-25USD.Supply and Demand. The situation in Guantanamo is slightly better than in other parts of Cuba due to it's lack of tourism. Therefore, although new law prohibits Cubans in casa particulars it is not as yet strictly enforced. There is a heavier police presence than in most non tourist towns perhaps that is because of it's size of 195,000. Or perhaps it is it's proximity to Santiago de Cuba 83km.Or perhaps it is due to its closeness to the U.S. Navel base that bears it's name. Entering Guantanamo you will notice along the coast huge spans of brilliant water and what seem to be pools or small harbors nestling together. These are salt refining plants or stations. Guantanamo produces most of the salt for Cuba as well as for export. There are a few parks most notably Marti, located in the center of town. The town seems to lack the facilities or for that mater the uniqueness of most other Cuban cities. Other than the center of town near the park Marti the architecture is unremarkable. Frankly there is little to write about Guantanamo other than the presence of the U.S Base. The town does have cheap eats but nothing to write home about. Unless you are passing through on your bicycle or a huge military buff Guantanamo is
probably not for you.
So I suppose here is where I put in my two cents worth about the military base. Many a history has been given from an international perspectives always I encourage you to read not the Cuban viewpoint nor the American viewpoint but a fair third party view. These tend to be less biased and with many fewer ulterior motives. In this case the international view tends to side more with the Cubans. After all they do not want us there. It is their property not ours. Closing the base in Puerto Rico is a good example. Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory (or something) and they don't want us there. I think we still give Puerto Ricans food stamps and welfare as well as grants for housing and education. Or the Philippines or Manila. We help foot the bills so, would it not make sense to have our bases there? The short version of what happened with this base at GITMO is this.
We invaded Cuba during the Spanish American War to "liberate " the poor Cubans from Spain. The Cubans did not ask us to "liberate" them we took this upon ourselves. The Cubans did ask us for munitions. We had already tried to invade or buy a Cuba. In fact every President's administration from Adams through Kennedy is documented to have wanted to invade or buy Cuba. In the months leading to the Spanish American War we were negotiating with Spain to buy Cuba. Spain was suffering from the same fate as most colonizers. The Colonies were too far away and too expensive to maintain. Two exceptions were President Harrison who was shot early on in his office and Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe Lincoln is revered here in Cuba as almost a saint, Schools and buildings bear his name. In return for this "service" along with the territories we won from Spain including, Manila, Guam, the Philippines Islands, Puerto Rico and a cash settlement from Spain. The war took less time then the Iraqi War and by the way, cost a lot less. Also there were less battle fatalities. Of course we have "invited" the Iraqis recently to visit Cuba(but that is yet another story).
So here is what happened. The Cubans were fighting Spain and were doing quite well on their own. Victory was in sight Generals Antonio Maceo (The Bronze Titan was a mulatto),Calixo Garcia, and Maximo Gomez each had all preformed heroically for Cuba. José Marti, Cuba's leading figure had sacrificed himself early in the war as he chose to be a martyr. His writings are quite interesting particularly those with regard to the imperialistic goals of the United States and well worth a read. The Cubans had on their own liberated 80% of the island. Teddy Roosevelt did charge up San Juan Hill in Santiago de Cuba to end the war. The Americans did sink several of Spains navel vessels. Teddy Roosevelt was not alone in his famous charge. The Cubans fought at his side. To our great
dishonor as a country. We shamed ourselves and our Cuban friends by insisting that Spain surrender Cuba to the United States not to the Cubans. Furthermore, we forcibly denied the Cuban Generals, leaders and government officials access to the surrender ceremony. Later, at the formal cutting up of the spoils at a the Treaty of Paris ceremony, we rejected summarily the Cubans ardent requests to attend this as well. Manifest Destiny was a concept that all of the other nations taken from Spain bought into except the proud Cubans. The Cubans
for their part now finally realized that we had betrayed their trust. Of course to prevent any sort of uprising we decided to occupy Cuba to "provide a smooth transition of power" This lasted four years! Not because of unrest because of our greed.
Meanwhile, Washington now had it's prize jewel Cuba. During the four years the Cubans tried unsuccessfully to reason with their new hosts. Congress as always happens finally got caught up in the economics of what the occupation was costing. Therefore they decided that it was time to cut loose this expenditure. First, Washington not Havana wrote the Cuban constitution. Then as we have often done, we decided who the first President should be. We had our man in Tomas Estrada Palma not surprisingly the Americans rather than the Cubans paid President Palma's salary. Originally we wanted not just Guantanamo but the Isle of Pines (now called the Isle of Youth) about 1500 square miles. A rather large addition being the largest of Cuba's 4000 plus islands in territory waters. The Cubans flatly refused this to their credit. They would not ratify the constitution. The GITMO site was added as the Platt amendment named for a U.S. Senator. The slick Washington lawyers added this amendment. Basically it was a lease of land to the U.S. for the paltry sum of 2000 USD per year. Ahhh, but in order to have their independence the Cubans were blackmailed into not only this part of the Platt Amendment but the perhaps even more interesting part. The U.S. also reserved the right to invade Cuba at anytime to ensure order. Not a bad paycheck for a war that lasted from April 25 1898-July 17 1898.
Personally, I can understand the other spoils of the Spanish American war. All of whom choice to become various designations of the United States of America .Cuba did not. I would like to share with you a quote from Christopher Baker's Moon Handbook of Cuba. If you are interested in learning more about Cuba, his book frankly is head and shoulders above the rest. Not only packed with useful information it provides a well researched, exhaustive, no holds barred view of Cuba .In fact if you were going to buy one book on Cuba, This would be my choice. Here is the quote from Baker/Moon but it is from the Teller Amendment(attached to the U.S. Declaration of War):
"That the United States(of America) hereby disclaims any disposition or intention
to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said island except for
pacification thereof, and asserts it's determination, when that is accomplished,
to leave the government and control of the island to it's people."
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
To link to this blog (bilingual) use [blog bilingual] in your messages.
|
|
|
| Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
| |
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
62
|
7
|
8
|
92
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
