EDUCATIONAL WORK (CUBA)

We’re about to start a journey here: me, with my 20 years living and working in Cuba; you, about to visit. I’m hoping you’ll comment, chat, post your own curious wonderings and diverse experiences. I hope you’ll feel inspired to be part of an adventurous, inquisitive and passionate group of travellers asking questions and sharing information about this extraordinary island, its people and culture.

Continue reading.. The New Cuba: So What’s That, written by Sue Herrod.

Last year, as I always do, I rang my mother on her birthday. But before I could say Hap, she said ‘Now where are you this time?’ She didn’t mean was I in Havana or some other, far-flung location. What she meant was – are you in a park or in a hotel? And if that makes no sense to you at all – and I suspect it won’t – do read on.

Continue reading.. All You Need to Know About Internet in Cuba, written by Sue Herrod.

What the Brits have to say about their love of bikes – which is often quite a lot – says much about their culture, tradition, and history. But in Cuba, most of these lyrical waxings about the noble two-wheeler don’t much impress. Start schmoozing about your cherished cycle and many islanders will roll their eyes heavenward, give you a stern look (or, more likely, laugh out loud) and declare you as mad as a box of frogs.

Continue reading.. On Yer Bike, Amigo!, written by Sue Herrod.

I have known this lovely, gentle woman and her family for more than 10 years now. During that time she has mended, repaired and patched up all my clothes – even when she sometimes thought I should throw many away! Not a very demonstrative woman (by Cuban standards) I was, therefore, extremely touched when, on telling her how special I thought she was, she answered, smiling: ´Love is the thread that binds us.´

So this blog is dedicated to my dear friend, Nelvis. Born in 1923, in the poor, eastern province of Guantanamo, she studied in the mornings and in the afternoons helped out in the house, and in the family finca. In 1960 she married and moved to Havana with her military husband. They have four children and four grandchildren, and seven of them still live together – three generations -in the same family house.
Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

Or, as I think she would prefer to say:
I’d rather be stitchin’
than in the kitchen!

Some things are so funny you just have to fall over – and knock someone else over in the process whilst you’re at it. In this case it was a clown who provoked such uninhibited mirth and glee and my good friend – Cuban composer, arranger and musical director, Denis Peralta (also a fine photographer, and with a recent exhibition at Havana´s Ludwig Foundation to his name) was there to snap the exuberance.

It just goes to show, then. No matter what the circumstances, if you’re a kid (or one at heart) there’s almost always something to chortle about. When did you last laugh like that?