Comments on: Making ends meet in Havana: a socio-economic reflection https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion Piggy-back ride with A&Z Wed, 14 Dec 2022 22:03:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kevin https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-183978 Kevin Tue, 14 Jan 2020 03:35:25 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-183978 I'm an American who moved to Havana two years ago. I am married to a Cuban woman who is amazing. I was 60,did not speak Spanish, am permanently disabled and needed a caregiver to recover after a surgery. I arrived in a wheelchair. It was a professional relationship. We fell in love. We got married. I'm walking again - 3-5 km/day. I'm controlling my chronic pain with natural remedies, OTC meds and massage. I'm fluent in Spanish. In the new constitution all references to communism were omitted. There is progress. Cuba does not have access to investment or finance capital due to the sanctions of the US ("el bloqueo") which controls the IMF and World Bank. The US is using all of its influence to harass international aid, yet the EU, China and Latin America are finding ways around the sanctions. BRICS is also stepping up support. I have hope! Cuba does not want a repeat of high party officials becoming oligarchs. The emphasis is on small private businesses and building transparency in state run businesses. Black markets are turning gray, gray becoming white. It won't happen quickly. Trumplomacy is failure and is hurting people all over the world. Nobody in Cuba wants a return to Batista, those people live in Miami. My political philosophy is simple, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The past is behind us. Por adelante! ¡Si se puede! I’m an American who moved to Havana two years ago. I am married to a Cuban woman who is amazing. I was 60,did not speak Spanish, am permanently disabled and needed a caregiver to recover after a surgery. I arrived in a wheelchair. It was a professional relationship. We fell in love. We got married. I’m walking again – 3-5 km/day. I’m controlling my chronic pain with natural remedies, OTC meds and massage. I’m fluent in Spanish.
In the new constitution all references to communism were omitted. There is progress.
Cuba does not have access to investment or finance capital due to the sanctions of the US (“el bloqueo”) which controls the IMF and World Bank. The US is using all of its influence to harass international aid, yet the EU, China and Latin America are finding ways around the sanctions. BRICS is also stepping up support.

I have hope!

Cuba does not want a repeat of high party officials becoming oligarchs. The emphasis is on small private businesses and building transparency in state run businesses. Black markets are turning gray, gray becoming white.

It won’t happen quickly.
Trumplomacy is failure and is hurting people all over the world. Nobody in Cuba wants a return to Batista, those people live in Miami.

My political philosophy is simple, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The past is behind us.
Por adelante! ¡Si se puede!

]]> By: I know I am in Latin America when… | Backpack Me https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-55557 I know I am in Latin America when… | Backpack Me Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:27:20 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-55557 [...] in Cuba, when some people may have little money themselves, they always share. I believe this might be a [...] [...] in Cuba, when some people may have little money themselves, they always share. I believe this might be a [...]

]]> By: What are YOU looking at? | Backpack Me https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-18423 What are YOU looking at? | Backpack Me Mon, 27 May 2013 05:33:06 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-18423 [...] Cuba is a land of shortages and contrasts. But what there isn’t a shortage of, is pure style. [...] [...] Cuba is a land of shortages and contrasts. But what there isn’t a shortage of, is pure style. [...]

]]> By: Eating local in Cuba | Backpack Me https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-8153 Eating local in Cuba | Backpack Me Sat, 10 Nov 2012 01:26:57 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-8153 [...] and beans is the staple food in Cuba – and other parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Cubans get monthly rations by the Government, including rice, beans, cooking oil, coffee and sugar. Knowing this, it’s easy to picture the [...] [...] and beans is the staple food in Cuba – and other parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Cubans get monthly rations by the Government, including rice, beans, cooking oil, coffee and sugar. Knowing this, it’s easy to picture the [...]

]]> By: Putra https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-4929 Putra Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:08:01 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-4929 Yes, we can't stand black people in power. We don't have a black Supreme Court Justice; we don't have a black woman hondlig one of the most important offices in the executive branch and who currently holds the title for being the 7th most powerful woman in the world, according to Forbes; and let's not forget, we've never had black people in Congress. Oh, no we're very afraid of them. MSM's going to run rampant with this line, isn't it? You know, make people forget just who Fidel Castro really is?Reply Yes, we can’t stand black people in power. We don’t have a black Supreme Court Justice; we don’t have a black woman hondlig one of the most important offices in the executive branch and who currently holds the title for being the 7th most powerful woman in the world, according to Forbes; and let’s not forget, we’ve never had black people in Congress. Oh, no we’re very afraid of them. MSM’s going to run rampant with this line, isn’t it? You know, make people forget just who Fidel Castro really is?Reply

]]> By: Capture the colour | Backpack Me https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-3762 Capture the colour | Backpack Me Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:33:54 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-3762 [...] reflect about your life style and where society is heading towards, in the global scheme of things. Cuba makes you go back to basics. Riding extravagantly in a bright red car, this dog was a contrast to all of [...] [...] reflect about your life style and where society is heading towards, in the global scheme of things. Cuba makes you go back to basics. Riding extravagantly in a bright red car, this dog was a contrast to all of [...]

]]> By: Zara https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-1682 Zara Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:00:17 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-1682 Right now, Cuba is probably like no other country on Earth. You see an image of Cuba and you can instantly recognize what country it is. If foreign investment opportunities would be made available, this would certainly change of all this character, as you say. On the other hand, regarding the real estate: it's great that Havana's buildings have this old charm, but some of them could really use some restructuring. While we were in Havana, a building came down and 7 people died. Some locals were commenting this is somehow common, and that's definitely not a good thing. The buildings' structures won't last forever, so it would be great if the Cuban government would do something towards the preservation of some buildings (for the sake of the people living inside them!) while maintaining the characteristic looks as much as possible.  And yes, I would also love to own an apartment at the Malecon... what a view! :D Right now, Cuba is probably like no other country on Earth. You see an image of Cuba and you can instantly recognize what country it is. If foreign investment opportunities would be made available, this would certainly change of all this character, as you say.

On the other hand, regarding the real estate: it’s great that Havana’s buildings have this old charm, but some of them could really use some restructuring. While we were in Havana, a building came down and 7 people died. Some locals were commenting this is somehow common, and that’s definitely not a good thing. The buildings’ structures won’t last forever, so it would be great if the Cuban government would do something towards the preservation of some buildings (for the sake of the people living inside them!) while maintaining the characteristic looks as much as possible. 

And yes, I would also love to own an apartment at the Malecon… what a view! :D

]]> By: Zara https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-1681 Zara Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:53:10 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-1681 Actually, we did use one of those vintage cars as taxi (not collective, though), getting in near the Capitol itself. The driver asked if we needed a ride and we accepted. This wasn't a labeled taxi or anything, so I guess it's just a way of making some extra income. As long as there is creativity, one should always be able to put food on the table! :) Actually, we did use one of those vintage cars as taxi (not collective, though), getting in near the Capitol itself. The driver asked if we needed a ride and we accepted. This wasn’t a labeled taxi or anything, so I guess it’s just a way of making some extra income. As long as there is creativity, one should always be able to put food on the table! :)

]]> By: Nanda https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-1625 Nanda Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:02:30 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-1625 When I visited Cuba in 2003, the use of vtgnaie cars as taxis was one of 10 permitted private businesses. They were collective taxis for five passengers at 50 pesos each. We saw a sizable rank of them near the Capitol with groups of individuals gathering until there were five passengers for each fixed route. This was another creative Cuban solution which not only permitted the owners to earn their own money but addressed the general shortage of transportation as well. When I visited Cuba in 2003, the use of vtgnaie cars as taxis was one of 10 permitted private businesses. They were collective taxis for five passengers at 50 pesos each. We saw a sizable rank of them near the Capitol with groups of individuals gathering until there were five passengers for each fixed route. This was another creative Cuban solution which not only permitted the owners to earn their own money but addressed the general shortage of transportation as well.

]]> By: Aurenio https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-1616 Aurenio Sun, 25 Mar 2012 10:45:38 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-1616 partly esacube a larger group of Cubans fear that Cuban Americans will simply descend en masse and repurchase the island end to end.I have absolutely no doubt this will happen, if real estate is privatized and foreign investment reopened.Not necessarily just former Cubans, either; I would love to own a building on the Malecon I wonder how much those ruined, but picturesque buildings would sell for. Oceanfront property on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach is valued in the low millions even after the current real estate recession A free economy would rip all those old relics down and replace them with 40 story high rise buildings faster than you can blink (see Miami for examples). But that would ruin the deep character that makes Cuba so attractive as a place to visit.It will definitely be interesting to see how a (hopefully) freer government and people will handle this.D partly esacube a larger group of Cubans fear that Cuban Americans will simply descend en masse and repurchase the island end to end.I have absolutely no doubt this will happen, if real estate is privatized and foreign investment reopened.Not necessarily just former Cubans, either; I would love to own a building on the Malecon I wonder how much those ruined, but picturesque buildings would sell for. Oceanfront property on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach is valued in the low millions even after the current real estate recession A free economy would rip all those old relics down and replace them with 40 story high rise buildings faster than you can blink (see Miami for examples). But that would ruin the deep character that makes Cuba so attractive as a place to visit.It will definitely be interesting to see how a (hopefully) freer government and people will handle this.D

]]> By: Ashray https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-953 Ashray Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:36:50 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-953 Actually one of my first thoughts there was that YOU would be very happy over there :P When you can discuss political theories even with your taxi driver (everyone's highly educated in Cuba) while having a 1 peso (0.04 USD) coffee with the locals :D Actually one of my first thoughts there was that YOU would be very happy over there :P When you can discuss political theories even with your taxi driver (everyone’s highly educated in Cuba) while having a 1 peso (0.04 USD) coffee with the locals :D

]]> By: Anita Catita https://bkpk.me/making-ends-meet-in-havana-a-socio-economic-reflextion/#comment-943 Anita Catita Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:33:55 +0000 http://bkpk.me/?p=906#comment-943 My thoughts on the political system in Cuba, Communism and Capitalism can't fit in the comments section, so I'll just say, nice post. It's thoughtful and touches on a lot of important points about Cuba's situation. Sim senhora, Zara. My thoughts on the political system in Cuba, Communism and Capitalism can’t fit in the comments section, so I’ll just say, nice post. It’s thoughtful and touches on a lot of important points about Cuba’s situation. Sim senhora, Zara.

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