Adios Fidel

[Croí na hÉireann]

When in Cuba a few years back, I somehow went with the impression that Fidel would be revered by the people.  In public, this was the case.  But a few of the locals were less than complimentary when they felt safe to talk.  Whenever you brought up Fidel into conversation, you could see their eyes shifting in a bit of a panic and trying to avert the conversation as soon as possible.  One fella, who took us on a donkey and cart tour of Havana, just came out and said that he didn't want to talk about Fidel Castro. 

Same experience. We were there when he was first taken ill and after arriving we enquired was their any developments the hotel manager asked us not to mention his name and would only refer to him as the president. He had a good luck around to see who was in earshot. He had excellent English and was a fully qualified barrister, thw work and red tape wasn't worth the hassle and he could earn more in the hotel and off the cruise ships. Another favourite of the Cuban people was the saying "Cuba is Cuba" when talking about the country.

[Zapatista]

Would like to see some softening of the relations between Cuba and america - the embargo is a disgrace to humanity.
Cuba is being kept poor and the people impoverished because of it.

Even if there was no embargo, I don't think Cuba would be much better off.
A country when you can't realistically start your own business, or buy property etc is hardly going to start thriving in a hurry.

The American embargo is petty, but it is the certainly has helped the Castro regime. Cuban people have a cause to rally behind and are less questioning of their own less than ideal living standards.

I'm sure Cuba would like a relationship with the US but the problem is the US want to own Cuba and leave it like a third world Country just like they do with other mid and south Americas.

You can't start your own business or buy property are you sure?

Cuban people are less questioning their own living standard because they now they have it much better than it was before Castro and than their neighbours have it currently. The vast majority of Mexicans would love to live in a place like Cuba with a fantastic health and education system rather than the slavery they currently live under. It's unfair to compare the living standard of Cubans and the US unless you compare all the citizens, many US citizens would live much better lives in Cuba. Cuba would look like a haven if compared to Bolivia for example.

[J70]

Its very hard (for me anyway) to have a clear opinion with all of the diametrically-opposed propaganda coming at you regarding Castro and the Cuban system, many lauding him because he pisses off the US and provides a supposedly excellent healthcare system, with others condemning his authoritarian regime, imprisoning of dissenters and adherence to socialism. All I know for sure is that I wouldn't want to live in a country with a leader for life and socialist system of government.

[Zapatista]

That's fair enough but you must remember Cuba was a capitalist state run by a dictator who was sponsored by the US. The Cuban people where the bottom end of the capitalist states with it's companys ownd by the US (e.g. as a popular soft drinks company operates in some of the worlds poorest countrys today with slave and child labour) as many in Africa are now. Cuba is now in the middle scale of effectively run country's.

[Aerlik]

What was the name of the brilliant Olympic High-jumper from Cuba?

Some amazing boxers from that nation too.

The cousin spent quite a bit of time in Cuba and was a fan of Fidel.

[Rav67]

A friend of mine spent a month in Cuba and says it was fantastic, he said there was basically no crime in Havana.  Apparently you can do great swap deals with the locals for things like whiskey for all the stuff that they have far too much of.

[Declan]

What was the name of the brilliant Olympic High-jumper from Cuba?

Javier Sotomayor is the guy Aerlik and he was the greatest ever - Of the 24 all-time best high jumps, 17 are his; he has cleared 2.40 meters more times than any other athlete and is the only person to have cleared eight feet.

[Croí na hÉireann]

A friend of mine spent a month in Cuba and says it was fantastic, he said there was basically no crime in Havana.  Apparently you can do great swap deals with the locals for things like whiskey for all the stuff that they have far too much of.

Havana is one of the safest cities I've ever been in, there's cops on every street corner, tourism means that much to them...

[his holiness nb]

A friend of mine spent a month in Cuba and says it was fantastic, he said there was basically no crime in Havana.  Apparently you can do great swap deals with the locals for things like whiskey for all the stuff that they have far too much of.

Havana is one of the safest cities I've ever been in, there's cops on every street corner, tourism means that much to them...

Jesus thats good to hear. I've been to 4 or 5 carribbean countries and one common factor is that the capital city is more dangerous than anwhere else.

Had a couple of close scrapes in these places, would plan to see Cuba in the next year or two so the prospect of roaming Havana (outside of a guided tour) is very encouraging.

Incidentally for those who spent time there, am I right in saying the Buena Vista social club is in Santiago?

[Star Spangler]

The vast majority of Mexicans would love to live in a place like Cuba with a fantastic health and education system rather than the slavery they currently live under.

In that case you'd have to wonder why hundred's of Cubans drown every year trying to get out of the place and into Mexico.

[Croí na hÉireann]

A friend of mine spent a month in Cuba and says it was fantastic, he said there was basically no crime in Havana.  Apparently you can do great swap deals with the locals for things like whiskey for all the stuff that they have far too much of.

Havana is one of the safest cities I've ever been in, there's cops on every street corner, tourism means that much to them...

Jesus thats good to hear. I've been to 4 or 5 carribbean countries and one common factor is that the capital city is more dangerous than anwhere else.

Had a couple of close scrapes in these places, would plan to see Cuba in the next year or two so the prospect of roaming Havana (outside of a guided tour) is very encouraging.

Incidentally for those who spent time there, am I right in saying the Buena Vista social club is in Santiago?

Quick search says it was in Havana. The place to go/tourist trap in Santiago is Casa de la Musica. Wasn't that impressed with Santiago, less police around hence more hassle on de streets, a good solid ignore always sufficed. Places outside Havana not to be missed are Santa Clara and Trinidad. If in Santiago check out Baracoa, lovely little village and the road through the mountains is one of the most scenic I've ever been on. Although if ur driving u won't have time to take ur eyes off the road, talk about nerve wrecking...

[DrinkingHarp]

Would like to see some softening of the relations between Cuba and america - the embargo is a disgrace to humanity.
Cuba is being kept poor and the people impoverished because of it.

Even if there was no embargo, I don't think Cuba would be much better off.
A country when you can't realistically start your own business, or buy property etc is hardly going to start thriving in a hurry.

The American embargo is petty, but it is the certainly has helped the Castro regime. Cuban people have a cause to rally behind and are less questioning of their own less than ideal living standards.

I'm sure Cuba would like a relationship with the US but the problem is the US want to own Cuba and leave it like a third world Country just like they do with other mid and south Americas.

You can't start your own business or buy property are you sure?

Cuban people are less questioning their own living standard because they now they have it much better than it was before Castro and than their neighbours have it currently. The vast majority of Mexicans would love to live in a place like Cuba with a fantastic health and education system rather than the slavery they currently live under. It's unfair to compare the living standard of Cubans and the US unless you compare all the citizens, many US citizens would live much better lives in Cuba. Cuba would look like a haven if compared to Bolivia for example.

Cuba: At crossroads of change?

A boy eats ice-cream next to a shop window with the words '50th Anniversary of the Revolution', in Havana 28 December 2008
Most Cubans know no other way of life than the communist one

By Michael Voss
BBC News, Havana

Cuba is facing the 50th anniversary of the revolution confronted by an uncertain future.

Fidel Castro, who led the revolution and ruled the country for almost half a century, has not been seen in public since undergoing major surgery almost two-and-a-half years ago.

His brother Raul Castro has pushed through some modest but symbolic reforms since taking over the presidency, but has also raised expectations which have yet to be met.

The majority of Cubans were born after the revolution and declaration of a communist state, knowing no other system or way of life. So what sort of future are they hoping for?

Three people all under 30 in Havana gave me their views, asking that that we did not use their real names or publish their photos.

'CLAUDIA'

Claudia, 28, is a receptionist at a hotel in Havana. Married with no children, she lives reasonably comfortably by Cuban standards.

Her husband has a car and since Raul Castro changed the laws, they have managed to buy a mobile phone.

"At the moment we have an impasse. We are waiting for change. We hope that the relation between us and the United States would be better and we hope that we have some economic change and social change."

Claudia dreams of opening a restaurant one day, and says she is prepared to wait.

Like almost everyone in Cuba, Claudia earns the equivalent of about $25 (£17) a month in Cuban pesos. But by working in the tourist industry, she gets some access to hard currency.

"I'm an optimist. You know it takes time to make big changes. Raul is new in power - he has had only one year and he has to move very carefully.

   
I think we have to continue as socialists
Claudia

One of the things that Fidel Castro tried to create with the revolution was an egalitarian society - everyone was paid roughly the same, from doctors to farm labourers.

"I think that this is a dream, but like all dreams it is impossible," she says, adding that people with better qualifications or who work harder should earn more.

But Claudia is less concerned about the need for political reforms.

"I think that we have to continue as socialists because we have some things that are good, like school that is free and medicine that is free...Cuba is also a very safe country."

'ISABEL'

If Claudia is optimistic about the future, 23-year-old Isabel is not.

An English-language graduate from the University of Havana, she feels she has no prospects of earning a decent living.

A street in Havana 29/12/2008
Many Cubans want economic reform of some sort

"I want to abandon the country. It's not because I don't like my country - I enjoy being in Cuba, but I don't think I have a future here."

She is dating a young Canadian, hoping this will give her a legal way out of the country.

Her dream is to work hard and send money home to her mother, a former teacher. Isabel's grandparents were peasant farmers who never had access to schools or education.

She is proud of her university degree in a country known for its well-educated but demotivated workforce.

"We don't have the opportunity to be well paid...If we had that motivation, everything would be different," she says.

Isabel is less worried about the political situation in Cuba.

"There is only one party, but I think it doesn't matter in the end. If we have the possibility to change the economy of our country, I think a lot of things can change at the same time."

But Isabel's patience is running out, fuelling her desire to migrate.

"But as soon as I can see any change in my country, I want to get back because I love being in Cuba," she adds.

'ALBERTO'

Tens of thousands of young Cubans are still fully signed up members of the Union of Young Communists, the party's youth wing.

A street with graffiti in Spanish, "Long live Raul" and "Long live Fidel" in Havana
Cuba has been led by Fidel and now Raul for 50 years

One of them is 21-year-old waiter Alberto.

"We don't want capitalism here, we want socialism," he says

"I want to fight to maintain the revolution. Fidel is our star. He's our leader. He's amazing - I think he's the best man in the world that's ever been, like Caesar or Napoleon only better."

Like everyone here, he proudly points to Cuba's health and education systems. But he too wants to see economic reforms.

He is hoping Raul Castro will move Cuba towards a Chinese or Vietnamese model with the Communist Party maintaining control, but allowing free market reforms.

"Vietnam and China are communist, they are not capitalist but they think like capitalists...It would make good sense here too."

Alberto would also like the right to travel abroad - he has family in Miami he would like to visit and dreams of going to Spain one day.

Even with party faithful, Cuba at 50 faces pressure for change.

[pintsofguinness]

She is proud of her university degree in a country known for its well-educated but demotivated workforce.

Hardly surprising.