From Cuba to México

To come from a country where almost nothing is for sale to a place where everybody is selling something is quite a shock. Instead of tv commercials, Cuba has public service announcements; instead of billboards for casinos or cars or Coke, Cuba has political slogans. On the extremely pastoral Isla de la Juventud, where we spent three nights, bicycles and horse-drawn carriages outnumbered private cars. It was very quiet, in the evening, without the sound of traffic. (You can read the history of the island (formerly called the Isle of Pines) by clicking on the blue link right here or an even more indepth excerpt from a book on google called Cuba´s Island of Dreams: Voices from the Isle of Pines and Youth It will work, I promise, Dad! Click on the highlighted part to get the link.)

Havana was everything the photos promised. Old Havana was beautiful; talented musicians play Buena Vista Social Club-style son in the bars and street corners (paid by the government, so you don't even have to tip them); gorgeous mansions are indeed in states of incredible decay; multi-story portraits of Che and Fidel adorn the government buildings; and many times I saw cars I expected my grandfather to be driving.

Organizing and uploading my Cuba photos from an internet cafe seems problematic but eventually I will succeed. Please be patient.

Meanwhile, I arrived in Cuernavaca last Thursday, settled in with my host family, visited the school, met the other students, and traveled to Taxco with them on Sunday. Today was my first day at CETLALIC language school.

For all its strangeness, Mexico is familiar. The paleta carts, people selling elotes, the old trucks straining under loads of scrap metal, plastic and cardboard that will be sold, the enchiladas and tortillas, even the accent all remind me of....Chicago!

Once I transcribe and digest my 15 pages of notes from Cuba, I´ll venture some opinions on the country and its situation. Finding time to do so will be tough cuz my schedule is busy and yes, I have homework.

Signing off with 300 photos in my camera that you still can't see....
Anita de viaje