Cuba on my mind

I spent some time today immersed in the surreal world that is preparing for a trip to Cuba. I offered to take a friend, who is now on his way (of course the flight was delayed), to the airport this morning. Although the flight wasn't supposed to leave until 1:30 p.m., he had to be there at 9:30 a.m.

I have family and friends who have gone to Cuba and I'm aware that taking various items (you know, real luxury stuff: towels, medicine, toothpaste, dish-washing soap) is a requisite, but I didn't quite understand the logistics and planning that goes into this whole endeavor. I still don't. And it's not easy information to find. It also doesn't help that you have to worry not only about customs here in the U.S., but also the olive green brigade in Cuba as well.


In any case, it was a strange morning. Our arrival at the agency where his ticket waited for him (this ticket had been up in the air all week ... he was finally told he could pick it up here a half-hour before he was supposed to be at the airport) was welcomed by a brood of hens with a couple of roosters thrown in to the mix. Here are a few of them:


His two bags were deemed too heavy and everything was unpacked. A third, smaller bag was magically produced from the depths of a closet in the office and the lady at the agency helped him repack the bags, taking all the medicines out of their boxes, carefully taping them to make sure they wouldn't spill and that any necessary instructions weren't lost, putting them in the third bag that she then disguised (it had some inappropriate logo or something on the front?) and covered in tape. Advice was given on what to do with a large bottle of olive oil and a portable DVD player. It would seem that wearing a suit is a good idea. All of this took place in front of me as I sat there, completely baffled by how ludicrous the whole thing is and unsure how I could help, if at all.

The whole experience has left me thinking about all the things we take for granted: not only access to well-stocked pharmacies, but also food and freedom. Cuba is now a place where talking about the fact that you are hungry is a criminal offense.



For those of you who don't speak Spanish, this man, whose nickname is Panfilo, is video-taped, while drunk, saying that he's hungry, that everyone is hungry and that there is no food to eat. Consequently, the police start showing up to his home and questioning him. Scared, he then records a second video, saying that he was drunk and didn't know what he was saying. In the end, Panfilo has been arrested and will be imprisoned for two years for peligrosidad - being a danger to the state. Will they at least give him something to eat in prison?

Meanwhile, the bearded one just celebrated his 83rd birthday. What do you want to bet that cabron had a great meal to celebrate?