We are back from Cuba. We had a wonderful, inspiring time and it was great medicine for the holidays and I am so glad we went.
Here's some advice when you travel. Have patience and accept that things will not be the same in the place you're visiting. Isn't that why you're travelling? To see different things? We arrived in Cuba with open minds and open hearts and we had a marvellous time. We met other people who complained it "wasn't like Canada". Well, if you want Canada, stay in Canada! It was terrifically NOT like Canada. Now, you all know that I love Canada, but not everyone does things the way we do here, and maybe we can learn from them.
Cuba has been declared (by the UN, I think) one of the most sustainable countries in the world. They have one of the highest literacy rates in the Americas (their literacy rates are better than the United States) and they have universal health care and post secondary education is free. Violent crime is virtually non-existent. In the face of the embargo, they live very frugally indeed (but not if you judge by the waste by Canadians at their all-inclusive resorts) with only 380 cars per 1,000 people (this is obviously partially because of the American embargo, which is now apparently at an end) and are excellent at repairing things and making them last. They have outstanding support for the arts and of course, they understand that the arts play a huge role in helping their tourist economy.
It is spectacularly beautiful and there is such energy, and warmth and passion there. The people we met were very friendly and accommodating. Havana is breathtaking. Of course, the buildings are dilapidated as I'm sure you've seen, but there is such grace and energy in the city that it seems like a beautiful old lady with a lovely colourful scarf, who has lots of wrinkles (and no plastic surgery) but a willingness to dance and sing all the way to her grave. And beyond.
The embargo seems to be at an end. We met Americans there who had flown directly from Los Angeles to Varadero (which must have been one of the first flights in over fifty years) and I imagine American money will really help many Cubans, but I hope they don't allow it to attack the fabric of their country. It would be a shame to see a McDonalds on every corner in Havana and a "food fair" on the Malecon. But time waits for no man.
I have made a few New Year's resolutions. I am going to bite the bullet and get myself a new car. Yesterday when I was out doing errands, the electrical system on my dash board shut off and I had no gauges! No speedometer, gas gauge, even the little indicator that says whether you're in drive or reverse! I know I need a new car, have known for some time, but the idea of car shopping is anathema to me.
I am going to blog every Monday, at least. It is good for me to order my thoughts and philosophize a bit.
Some time over the weekend, I am going to watch "The Rules of the Game". I PVR'd it a long time ago and haven't had time to sit down and enjoy it and this is the weekend for that!
I'm not going to resolve to lose weight or exercise more or anything like that because those resolutions don't work. I would like to eat more healthily, and I think I will resolve to try to prepare one meatless meal a week (like for dinner, because we already eat meatless lunches and breakfasts), because that is healthy for us and the planet. I think I will say that our meatless meal will be Thursday, because that way it is specific, which is apparently a recipe for greater resolution success.
See you Monday! Bright-eyed and bushy tailed!
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