<https://www.facebook.com/ConnerGo?ref=stream> Havana Good Time<https://www.facebook.com/ConnerGo?ref=stream&hc_location=stream> Any readers out there? I published two pieces today one on comida criolla, the other on what you know about Cuba. Check 'em out; let me know whatcha think http://insightcuba.com/blog/2013/05/24/live-from-cuba-feasting-on-trad itional-comida-criolla <https://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/http%3A//insightcuba.com/blog/2013/05/24/live-from-cuba-feasting-on-traditional-comida-criolla%26h%3Diaqhagilyaqet_dyxpuar3vt7dpe6nzmb3jfobf1-mph12a%26s%3D1/-?pip=false&premium=true&client_uid=3207531162&client_ver=3.6.1.193&client_type=IEPlugin&suite=true&aff_id=0&locale=en_us&ui=1&os_ver=6.1.1.0>
[PICTURED: my favorite cajita] [image: Any readers out there? I published two pieces today one on comida criolla, the other on what you know about Cuba. Check 'em out; let me know whatcha think http://insightcuba.com/blog/2013/05/24/live-from-cuba-feasting-on-traditional-comida-criolla hereishavana.com/2013/05/24/cuba-what-you-know-but-dont-realize/ [PICTURED: my favorite cajita]] <https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=579795745393914&set=a.190047637702062.40874.139270972779729&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf> http://hereishavana.com/2013/05/24/cuba-what-you-know-but-dont-realize/#comment-22156 Cuba: What You Know but Dont Realize<http://hereishavana.com/2013/05/24/cuba-what-you-know-but-dont-realize/> Over the years, Ive dedicated (probably too) many hours analyzing, writing, editing, and commenting about the differences between here and there. The there of which I speak is the US from where I hail but could easily be anywhere North, whither Big Macs and reality television conspire to make people fat and stupid. Did I just say that? You betcha. Im sorry if that applies to you, but my internal editor has been on sabbatical ever since a guy richer than Croesus got all up in my grill dissing Cuba like he actually knew what he was talking about. Which is part of what sparked this post. Theres a type of visitor here usually imperious, moneyed men skidding down the hill of middle age towards moldering (and the aforementioned rich * fulano*fits the bill) who has Cuba all figured after four days here. Sometimes even*before* getting here. Cuba is more complex than you could have imagined, youre more close-minded than you care to admit, and your facile analysis belies the intelligence Im sure you evidence in your back home life. For those in this category, Ive crafted this post to clue you in. Just a little. First, were facing a wave of economic, paradigmatic change here without precedent. It roils with an energy confusing, contradictory and encouraging (in its way), towards our shores. Indeed, already its breaking on our eroding sands. Like a tow surfer <http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tow-in_surfing>(see note 1) whose very survival depends on accurately calculating wave height, speed, and interval, while accounting for hidden (i.e. underwater) and surface (i.e. other surfers and their support crews) factors, were gauging the wave, trying to maintain balance, remain upright, and most importantly, keep from being sucked under. But as any tow surfer will tell you: surviving a 75-foot wave and *riding* it are two entirely different experiences as different as summiting Everest with throngs of weekend warriors as attaining the peak without oxygen. One simply takes money and some machismo and motivation; the other requires experience, training, skill, meticulous preparation, and a measure of karma and respect born of intimacy with the context. So as this monster, freak wave feathers and breaks over Havana, I want to ride it, not simply survive it. And to do that, I we have to measure and analyze the conditions, bring our skills and knowledge to bear, channel positive energy, and ensure our fear is healthily spiked with faith. The first step in successfully positioning ourselves to ride this wave, it seems to me, is to understand the culture, in all its contradictory complexities, which brought us to right now While many emphasize the differences between here and there, between the land of Big Macs and the *tierra de pan con croqueta*, I take this opportunity to explain how we are the same: *Opinions vary:* One of the questions I field most often is: do people like Fidel/Raúl/socialism/the revolution? This is as absurd as asking do people like Obama/capitalism/federalism? Setting aside the fact that the question itself is unsophisticated and dopey (governance and mandate are not about like or dislike but rather about measurable progress and peace within a society, plus, any ism is just theory; its how it works in practice that counts), I posit that it all depends on whom you ask. Up there, a brother from the Bronx is unlikely to share views with a Tea Party mother of two. Similarly, an 18-year old from Fanguito wont agree with a doctor from Tercer Frente. Its obvious, but visitors tend to forget that here, like there, you must consider the source when posing such questions. Less obvious is that here, it also depends on *how* you ask the question. But thats a more advanced topic beyond the purview of this post. *People like stuff:* On the whole, Cubans are voracious shoppers<http://www.hereishavana.com/2010/09/07/tales-of-pacotilla> always have been, always will be. Whether its shoes, books, handbags, wooden/porcelain/glass/papier mâché tschotskes, fake flowers, clothes, or packaged food, Cubans will buy it. Or at the very least browse and touch and dream of buying it. Some folks like the ones who inspired this post deny capitalist, consumerist culture ever existed in Cuba before now, revealing their lack of knowledge. Im embarrassed for them; on the upside, it means many up there are clueless to fact that if you dropped a *jaba* bursting with a new pair of Nikes and Ray Bans, iPod (or better yet, Pad), some Levis, a pound of La Llave<http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://absolutecigars.com/images/T/xctmphKWzSE.png&imgrefurl=http://www.cubancoffee.com/cafe-llave-coffee&usg=__xE4ZlCNAZaHJODxwvyMtLZoQnak=&h=191&w=191&sz=60&hl=en&start=8&sig2=3xRVtva-0Hb3-DxFCSw5Kg&zoom=1&tbnid=4QCSculNiJgTpM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=103&ei=O52eUfb6Eq3-4AO4xYHYDg&um=1&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CDsQrQMwBw>, gross of Trojans, and a couple bottles of Just For Men on every Cuban doorstep, with a note instructing them to come over to the imperialist dark side, a lot, the majority even, would do it. Being Cuban, a lot would pledge to ditch and switch just for the swag, of course, but that too, is an advanced topic beyond the purview of this post. Until that day, folks here are gobbling up stuff as fast as the shelves can be stocked. In short, *todo por un dolar *is rivaling *hasta la victoria siempre *as most popular slogan around here. *Its all about the kids:* Here, as there, parents want a better life for their kids. While what constitutes better (again, here as there) depends on whom you ask, this desire to leave a more comfortable/equitable/safe/luxurious life and legacy to ones kids is human nature. It drives people to rickety rafts, May Day parades, and long, hard overseas postings. It makes parents compromise their own mental health, spend beyond their means and completely subsume their own lives to their childrens. Case in point: have you ever seen what a Cuban goes through psychically, financially to celebrate a daughters quince<http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era>? Hundreds, thousands of dollars and days, months, years of preparation are spent for the all-important photos, party, clothes, and gifts for their darling little girls. Families living six to a room in Centro Habana spending $5000 for their 15-year olds celebration remind me of US folks who scrimp, struggle, and sacrifice to pay for their kids wedding/down payment/tuition. Children first at all cost and any price, here as there. *We are the best in the world:* Drop in anytime, anywhere in Cuba or the US and whomever you encounter will profess their country is the best. Greatness or weakness such bravado and pride? A little of both, I figure. That such hubris has contributed to where we are today, riding the wave, I have no doubt. *Notes* 1. Ive just finished reading *The Wave<http://www.amazon.com/The-Wave-Pursuit-Rogues-Freaks/dp/0767928857> *, a spectacularly, adventurously researched and highly readable book on giant waves and the guys tow surfers who live to ride them. Check it out. -------------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
