Monday, May 19, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
30 Days of Cuba: Day 6 "It's complicated"
30 Days of Cuba: Day 6 "It's complicated."
There is a saying in Cuba, "Don't try to understand my country. Just enjoy it!" One of the things I find compelling about Cuba is that it is perplexing and complicated. As soon as you think you have summed up Cuban culture and society, it will surprise you with a new puzzling delight. The simple act of me, a U.S. citizen, traveling there in June is complicated. Trying to understand Cuban history, politics, and society is complicated. A simple transaction, such as renting a room in Havana, is complicated. And raising money to help deserving people in Cuba is very complicated.
So why do I continue to pursue my passion for this complicated place? In one word - the people (la gente). There is a genuine hope and love emanating from the people that inspires me. There is a vitality in Cuba that I have to look hard for in my country. There is a refreshing attitude of optimism and trust that we seem to have lost in the U.S. and I want it back.
I was hopeful that I could use Indiegogo.com to help the young Cuban economist Juan Triana raise money to attend an international economic summit in London in September, but it is complicated. The Indiegogo staff have been wonderful, caring, and helpful, but there are many rules and regulations that they have to abide by to stay in business. Cuba is not one of the countries that they can easily support. So now I am back to the drawing board trying to help Juan without a crowd funding site. Cuba is being left behind the rest of the world on the crowdfunding trend that raises millions of dollars annually. What a shame. Que lastima!
I urge you to share Juan's story with others, donate to his cause if you can, and email me with your ideas at jcrowe13@gmail.com I do not want to show up in Cuba in June empty handed. This young man will help determine the future of a country that I believe will become an economic and social model for the world.
Juan's Story and How to Help
Juan Triana is a brilliant young Cuban economist who teaches at Havana University. I met him on a recent trip to Cuba and was impressed with his passion to help his country move forward. Cuba is on the verge of great social and economic change. Juan is an emerging leader who is working to advance the future of the Cuban economy.
He needs your help to raise $1500 for airfare to attend an international economic summit at Nottigngham University, London in September 2014. Cubans do not have access to crowd funding websites and there are very few people within the country who could afford to donate to help Juan. It is essential for Cuban economists and other scholars to interact with their peers from around the world. In Juan's own words, "It is very important for Cuba and Cuban economists to share with people that can help us to learn how to lead our country to the 21st century with economic stability and prosperity."
You can send your donations via Pay Pal at: https://www.paypal.com/
Send To: jcrowe13@gmail.com
You do not need a Pay Pal account. Simply enter my email and make your donation via credit card or debit card. Email me if you wish to donate by check, cash, or money order.
Any amount of money you can give will help Juan reach his goal. I will make sure Juan receives the money in the proper manner and will keep you updated on his journey to London and progress in his career. This will be Juan's first trip outside of Cuba.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
30 Days of Cuba: Day 5: The Food (La Comida)
Day 5: The Food. La Comida. The photo above is a typical produce stand in Havana. They call it the "little table on wheels" (una mesita con ruedas). Fresh food is not easy to come by in Havana and therefore it is highly valued. Every evening the little table on wheels rolls through the neighborhoods offering a bit of fresh produce for family dinner. The woman in this photo is most likely negotiating the price of the tomato with the vendor. Every bit of food is so valuable that it is worth negotiating for a fair price.
Most of the nation's food is exported to other countries or used to feed tourists. Regular Cubanos survive from a government operated food rationing system established in 1962 called Libreta de Abastecimiento (literally, "Supplies booklet"). Below is an example of a typical food ration for one person for a month. In contrast, Americans throw away nearly half their food every year, wasting roughly $165 billion annually.
| Product | Quantity | Price (CUP) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 6 pounds (2.7 kg) | 0.70 / lb |
| Beans | 20 ounces (570 g) | 0.32 / lb |
| White (refined) sugar | 3 pounds (1.4 kg) | 0.15 / lb |
| Dark (unrefined) sugar | 3 pounds (1.4 kg) | 0.10 / lb |
| Milk (only children under 7 years) | 1 lt / day | 0.25 / each |
| Eggs (*) | 12 | 0.15 each |
| Potatoes/bananas | 15 pounds (6.8 kg) | 0.40 / lb |
| (*) Only from September through December. | ||
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
30 Days of Cuba: Day 4
Day 4: More about the people
What do I find refreshing about the national spirit of Cuba? First, it has a national spirit, characterized by a sense of solidarity and a deep pride in being Cubano. The Cuban people endure more on a daily basis than most of us experience in a lifetime, but they don't tend to deal with it by lashing out at each other. I admire Cubanos' resilient joy. There is a saying in Havana, "If you have a problem, drink a mojito. If you have 2 problems, drink 2 mojitos. If you have 3 problems, you are drunk and they don't matter anymore."
As a tourist, I experienced a genuine warmth from the Cuban people, a natural curiosity that belies a trust in your fellow human. That is good place to start a friendship. I am finding that the small things really matter in Cuba. I am learning that, as a nation, the spirit of the Cuban people is turned towards love rather than fear.
What do I find refreshing about the national spirit of Cuba? First, it has a national spirit, characterized by a sense of solidarity and a deep pride in being Cubano. The Cuban people endure more on a daily basis than most of us experience in a lifetime, but they don't tend to deal with it by lashing out at each other. I admire Cubanos' resilient joy. There is a saying in Havana, "If you have a problem, drink a mojito. If you have 2 problems, drink 2 mojitos. If you have 3 problems, you are drunk and they don't matter anymore."
As a tourist, I experienced a genuine warmth from the Cuban people, a natural curiosity that belies a trust in your fellow human. That is good place to start a friendship. I am finding that the small things really matter in Cuba. I am learning that, as a nation, the spirit of the Cuban people is turned towards love rather than fear.
30 Days of Cuba: Day 3
Day 3: The People.
The people I met in Cuba are warm, friendly, and welcoming to U.S. tourists, despite the problems between our governments. One of the many things I didn't know about Cubanos is how well-educated they are. Illiteracy is almost non-existent in the country and many people have college degrees. It is difficult to make it as a professional in Cuba. A skilled artisan or laborer can earn more than a doctor, dentist, engineer or professor. If you ask a Cuban child what they want to be when they grow up, they often say "an artist" or a "worker in the tourist industry." I actually met an academically trained engineer who became a ceramic artist/farmer because he couldn't make enough money as an engineer. I've never heard anyone say that in the U.S.!
The people I met in Cuba are warm, friendly, and welcoming to U.S. tourists, despite the problems between our governments. One of the many things I didn't know about Cubanos is how well-educated they are. Illiteracy is almost non-existent in the country and many people have college degrees. It is difficult to make it as a professional in Cuba. A skilled artisan or laborer can earn more than a doctor, dentist, engineer or professor. If you ask a Cuban child what they want to be when they grow up, they often say "an artist" or a "worker in the tourist industry." I actually met an academically trained engineer who became a ceramic artist/farmer because he couldn't make enough money as an engineer. I've never heard anyone say that in the U.S.!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
30 Days of Cuba: Day 2
For a person from the U.S., Havana (La Habana) is like a dream or a movie set, with its stunning but decayed architecture, old automobiles, and lack of consumer culture. I was in Havana for a week and I never saw a general store or convenience store, much less a commercial retail chain. I can't tell you where to buy a bottle of water in the city. The lack of goods in Cuba is glaringly obvious. Imagine if you were an artist and you had no where to buy paintbrushes. Imagine if you were a builder with no hardware store. Imagine if you were a mother with no where to buy diapers, bottles, or toys. Many Cubans rely on family and friends in the U.S. to bring them basic necessities. Every day at the Havana airport hundreds of Cuban expats are bringing in bundles of goods for loved one called, "pacotilla". When I return, I will bring as much as I can to my friends there. You could call me la pacotilladera!
Friday, May 2, 2014
30 Days of Cuba - Day 1
Leading up to my second trip to Cuba in early June, I will be writing one blog post per day for 30 days. I give to you 30 Days of Cuba:
El Día Uno:
The first thing that captivated me about Cuba when visited in March 2014 was the music. Ever since I traveled to the Emerald Isle (Ireland) 14 years ago, I have been searching for a country equally as musical in its national identity. As soon as I arrived in Cuba, I knew that I had discovered a land of music. The people dance as they walk, sing as they pray, and awake with a melody in their minds. Every night I walked the streets of Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) and followed the sounds of the music to their origins, where I would dance with people in the streets until I was exhausted with ecstasy. By the time I left Havana 7 days later, I could feel my heart beat in my feet.
El Día Uno:
The first thing that captivated me about Cuba when visited in March 2014 was the music. Ever since I traveled to the Emerald Isle (Ireland) 14 years ago, I have been searching for a country equally as musical in its national identity. As soon as I arrived in Cuba, I knew that I had discovered a land of music. The people dance as they walk, sing as they pray, and awake with a melody in their minds. Every night I walked the streets of Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) and followed the sounds of the music to their origins, where I would dance with people in the streets until I was exhausted with ecstasy. By the time I left Havana 7 days later, I could feel my heart beat in my feet.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Supporting the Future of the Cuban Economy
Juan Triana is a brilliant young Cuban economist who teaches at Havana University. I met him on a recent trip to Cuba and was impressed with his passion to help his country move forward. Cuba is on the verge of great social and economic change. Juan is an emerging leader who is working to advance the future of the Cuban economy.
He needs your help to raise $1500 for airfare to attend an international economic summit at Nottigngham University, London in September 2014. Cubans do not have access to crowd funding websites and there are very few people within the country who could afford to donate to help Juan. It is essential for Cuban economists and other scholars to interact with their peers from around the world. In Juan's own words, "It is very important for Cuba and Cuban economists to share with people that can help us to learn how to lead our country to the 21st century with economic stability and prosperity."
You can send your donations via Pay Pal at: https://www.paypal.com/
You do not need a Pay Pal account. Simply enter my email and make your donation via credit card or debit card.
Any amount of money you can give will help Juan reach his goal. I will make sure Juan receives the money in the proper manner and will keep you updated on his journey to London and progress in his career. This will be Juan's first trip outside of Cuba.
Thank you in advance for your support.
He needs your help to raise $1500 for airfare to attend an international economic summit at Nottigngham University, London in September 2014. Cubans do not have access to crowd funding websites and there are very few people within the country who could afford to donate to help Juan. It is essential for Cuban economists and other scholars to interact with their peers from around the world. In Juan's own words, "It is very important for Cuba and Cuban economists to share with people that can help us to learn how to lead our country to the 21st century with economic stability and prosperity."
You can send your donations via Pay Pal at: https://www.paypal.com/
You do not need a Pay Pal account. Simply enter my email and make your donation via credit card or debit card.
Any amount of money you can give will help Juan reach his goal. I will make sure Juan receives the money in the proper manner and will keep you updated on his journey to London and progress in his career. This will be Juan's first trip outside of Cuba.
Thank you in advance for your support.
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