dimanche 22 avril 2018

CUBANS WANT CAPITALISM AND THE AMERICANS WANT DEMOCRACY: NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET

The pundits on this side of the Gulf pontificate about democracy in the island of Cuba, make grandiose pronouncements (remember, The Final Hour of Castro, a book published in the early 1990s? by a Miami based futurist?), release poiltical prisoners, have free elections and make everything possible to achieve that aim by denying the Cubans in the island to improve their lives. Since the ascendancy of Trump  the Historicos (ageing cuban immigrants and their mouthpieces like Marco Rubio) have done their best to squash any chance of improvement in the lives of an ordinary Cuban in the island.
Obama opened up Cuba and the effects were immediate. Hope was in the air, thousands of people began to exercise their entrepreneurial skills and the general economic situation began to get better. American tourists began to pour in, mainly to Havana and Havana began its new life of cafe, clubs, restaurants and meeting places, much more than what democracy would have provided. 
 More than one million americans poured in and those of us who spend time in Havana at last had chances to eat like those who live under "democracy mongers" as well!
Average Cubans now could rent out their homes. Air BnB reported that since that December when Obama opened the gates, the fastest growth in Air BnB anywhere in the world was in Cuba!
This is an example of a private apartment for rent in Veddo a stylish neighbourhood in Havana. The owner does not have any connection with Miami, nor did they receive any funds from USA to begin their business operations.
this very busy private restaurant along the Rampa was begun by a humble Cuban student on his return from Mexico, he called it La Burrito Habanero (pun intended) and is very successful with visiting American students.
Other small businesses, taking into consideration the sweet tooth of the Cubans were bakeries and cake makers who made a decent living by made to order cakes at home.
The American policies of Trump which seems to be hijacked by Marco Rubio and the Historicos (old cuban immigrants, their children do not always support their views). 
Who is suffering?
The average Cuban in the island
Small cafes like this that sell coffe and home made sweets and cakes and small sandwiches depended upon the foot traffic of the tourists (who then become regular visitors as they know a bargain when they see one)
(PS This cafe is owned by a friend of mine, and note the Israeli flag which he proudly displays, my gift  which I had bought in Haifa streets for 5 shekels)

So, please come and visit the Island. I see that the frequencies of flights to the island nor the ubiquitous Cruise ship itineraries have been affected by the Miami Gang.

Make sure you stay at an AirBnB and not a hotel
Make sure that you engage a private taxi and not a state one.
Visit one of the numerous private restaurants scattered around
Go outside of the tourist ghettos of Old Havana, Varadero Beach, Vinales and Trinidad

CUBA IS NOTHING LIKE YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED!
BIENVENIDOS

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