Okay so recently, the U.S. had made the decision to re-establish relations with Cuba and personally, I am against it. It is true that Cuba has free education and free health care for its residents, but I don't think its fair to reward a government where doctors make $40 a month and where people are given food that typically lasts them like two weeks! (not exact but it's a close approximate). The process to own a car is nearly impossible (an average car can cost $46,000 when your average monthly wage is $20). The government even controls what is seen on TV. If you are arrested and persecuted, the lawyer provided for you works for the government and if you commit a crime "against" the government, what type of fair trail do you think you would receive? The only employer in Cuba is the Cuban government. Protesters, such as the ladies in white, fights for civil rights of the Cuban people. Since 2013, more than 1 million Cubans migrated to America! There are countless news stories of cuban escaping to America due to the wet foot dry foot policy, which gives Cubans the right to stay in America as long as they reach U.S. soil. if they are caught escaping from Cuba before hitting U.S. soil, then they are sent back to their country (check out the story that WSVN channel 7 news just recently reported:
http://www.wsvn.com/story/30475704/record-numbers-of-cuban-migrants-coming-into-the-country).
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| Protestor in Miami, Fl |
A New Perspective
However, ever since Local 10 (a news channel in south Florida) started doing a special report on life in Cuba, I have been really excited. The special report, given by journalist Hatzel Vela, gives us viewers a chance to see what daily life is like on the island. On the news site there are pictures, news reports, clips that gives us a glimpse at Cubans' daily lives, and even an interactive map that shows you the exact province that you are learning about.
Cubans truly have a rich life. They may not be financially rich, but they have a rich and deep culture and history. They believe in family and in God (in the early 90's, it became legal to be a Catholic). In fact recently, Pope Francis made a visit to the country, where he visited various parts of the country and spoke with church goers and children and he's even met with Raul Castro.
To help earn extra income, Cubans rent out their homes,
Casas Particulares, to tourist to stay in during their stay (for about $30 a night, they drive around in their private cars to use them as taxis called
Almendrons, and they have turned their own private kitchens into restraints called
Paladares (sometimes using no electricity). They must learn to make due with what they have.
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| A snapshot of the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba |
A snapshot of Cuba, Protests, and a couple of Cuban singers
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| Pope Francis (along with Raul Castro) visiting with young children |
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| Cars that are sometimes used as Taxis |
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| A busy street in Cuba |
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| The Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz |
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| Children playing on the street in Cuba |
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| Heated Protest in Miami against normalizing Cuban-American relations |
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| Popular Cuban singer Gloria Estefan |
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| The Ladies in White Protesting |
Honestly, the special report has made me want to visit the country one day (of course I will travel by Cuban taxi and stay in the home of a Cuban to support them, not the government). It has made me understand just how much the need is there for Cubans to have more access to the luxuries we enjoy here in America. If normalizing relations with Cuba is truly to benefit the Cuban people but if not, then I am still against it.
If you would like to look at the interactive map or get a peek at what life is like on the island, check out the link below:
http://www.local10.com/news/cuba-coast-to-coast/35966878
If you are interested in traveling to Cuba, then you can check out these sites:
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Cuba
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147270-Cuba-Vacations.html
