If you visit Cuba with your eyes open, you might see more than your heart can bear. That seems to be case with Bill Perry, a psychologist from San Francisco, who disillusioned by the ugly reality of life in castro’s hellhole, vowed never to go back. But, as exiles know all to well, it’s not so easy to say goodbye to Cuba.
From Blogetto:
I decided after my last trip two years ago that I wouldn’t be going to Cuba again in the near future. It was just too depressing — nothing works, everything is falling apart, and the agony of the Cuban people and their day-to-day living are hard to tolerate on a constant basis. That and Fidel Castro’s new anti-tourism efforts, such as charging people 20 percent of the money they bring into Cuba, made that decision easy.
So why did I go back in December? I have some very dear friends in Havana whom I missed. That and the fact that once Cuba gets under your skin, there is always a pull to go back. This time, unfortunately, despite things rather than because of them.
The situation has deteriorated and continues to do so. People are more angry, depressed and desperate than ever. During the ”Special Period,” when the Soviet Union left Castro high and dry, people had money but there was nothing to buy with it. Nada. Not even food. One day, or so it seemed, all the cats in Havana disappeared. Now, it’s the inverse: There are lots of things, but no money with which to buy them. If you think about this for a minute, it is easy to see how this is even worse. The people are tormented on a daily basis — seeing things, food and clothing that they cannot buy.
Why is it worse? It’s the decline in tourism and tourist dollars, much of which went directly into the hands of the Cuban people. With newfound oil reserves, Hugo Chávez and China, the government of Cuba no longer needs tourism, which it always accepted reluctantly anyway. Now tourism is actively discouraged. I mentioned the 20 percent fee on money. In addition, police are cracking down heavily on Cubans associating with foreigners. Cuban women being seen with tourists, no questions asked, are being put away for two to six years.
Yes, I said years. In the past, I couldn’t walk 10 feet without someone wanting to strike up a conversation with me (for better or worse), and this time no one would approach me, nor would people respond if I tried to talk to them. I just got a look that seemed to say ”I’d really love to, but I just can’t!” It was so different, and for the first time in my 12 visits to Cuba, I felt lonely there.
Why doesn’t Cuba want tourism? Because the last thing Castro wants is foreigners coming in and giving ”dangerous” ideas to Cubans — ideas like freedom, that sort of thing.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure is crumbling fast. I didn’t see any construction work on the decaying buildings and roads. I saw a lot of cosmetic work being done on tourist hotels, though, and the tourist section of Old Havana.
Do you want to know the truth about the Cuban medical system? It’s abysmal, unless of course you are a foreigner seeking treatment in Cuba (or Michael Moore). People are desperate for medications. Doctors refuse to see them without being bribed. If you want an ambulance, you better be prepared to bribe the drivers.
The people’s goodness
No money? Tough luck.
Sick? Go wait six hours at a clinic and get a prescription for something that you could never fill, even if you had the money. All this while foreigners get superb medical care and get to walk wherever they want and stay in hotels built by people who aren’t allowed near them.
Because of abject (and appropriate) fear of the police, I couldn’t go anywhere with my Cuban friends. The only places we could be together were secretly in their homes, like rats hiding in a basement.
Despite the above, the trip was enjoyable and meaningful for me, thanks to the goodness of the Cuban people. I finally understood the hatred that most Cubans feel toward Castro. I understood it because I now feel it myself. And I won’t be going back anytime in the near future. But I guess I said that before, didn’t I?
you “finally” understood the “hatred” Cuban people feel toward castro…and it took you TWELVE friggin visits???? TWELVE friggin visits of giving your friggin money to this asswipe system? And I’m supposed to feel enlightened by this post? I’m supposed to feel a sudden sense of releif that you had some kind of epiphany? My epiphany was in 1968 when they knocked down my fuckin front door, pointed bayonets at my mom and my 7-year old self and told us we were worms and that our number was up and that we were to leave in the morning….and you get to take nothing with you. castro didn’t give a a shit about his people then and he doesn’t give a shit now (IF he’s even alive). I don’t even need ONE visit back to tell me that. Forgive me if I sound venemous, but Christ Almighty, it takes TWELVE money commie funding visits to figure this shit out? AY!
Mario, you know there are people who travel to Cuba year after year, and never get it. How many times have we heard the argument that if you end the embargo and alllow Americans to travel to Cuba they will somehow overwhelm the regime with their democratic ideas? How did this mans many visits change anything in Cuba? It didn’t. The point of the post wasn’t to enlighten you, but those who are maybe reading Babalu and don’t believe things are so bad in Cuba. Here is an American, not an exile describing conditions in Cuba, how often do we see that in the news?
Should we not correct the post as he incorrectly states that tourism dollars went directly to the Cubans. He also claims that tourism is good for hurting socialism. Are these not things that this blog opposes? So is the fact that this guy says some of what we like that we will ignore the rest? As Mario says “12 visits”? How many times do you have to stick your head in the sewer before you realize it REALLY stinks?
Sometimes, I wonder if reality can truly be real. Sometimes, it simply boggles the mind that so many people could be (or act) so blind for so long about something so obvious.
Not years, decades. Coño, it’s been fkng 50 years and people don´t get it. This story is one of the very few I¨ve seen where the tourist sees beyond fidels disney version of Cuba, so yes, I let his comment about dollars going to the people slide, knowing that you readers wouldn´t. How many times have we read tourist accounts of the “happy natives” dancing, meanwhile the buildings are crumbling all around. Thats how blind people are. Henry’s post above is more proof. Right near Varadero, they´re evicting residents of a fishing village and confiscating boats. Where are all the foreign reporters? Has even one of them written anything about what really goes on in Cuba, no, so how can you expect more from Mr. American tourist?
As long as this is not a free pass for him then okay. He possibly abused Cuba for 11 Varadero filled visits. And now his conscience got the better of him? MANY will say when the regime falls that they just saw the light as well. I just see it as a bit fishy that after 11 visits he FINALLY saw injustice.
No free pass, his writing about what’s wrong
with Cuba is valuable for what it is, but it ends there. Guys you have to follow the link – his blog profile says he is Cuban American,I’m surprised none of you have left comments there.
WHAT? He’s Cuban-American? Tell me you’re kidding, please. I need to take more heartburn meds. Unbelievable. UNBELIEVABLE.
I wish I were kidding, here is an except from his blog profile: Go see for yourself. http://blogetto.wordpress.com/about-me/
Name: Jairo.
* Race: Hispanic.
* Cuban-American.
* Gender: Male.
* Astrological Sign: Sagittarius.
* Industry: Military.
* Occupation: Software engineering Area.
* Location: Miami-Florida-United States.
Ok guys, I’m the one who wrote that article. First, I am not a Cuban or Cuban American. Second, I have no political agenda, I was only writing about my own experience and perceptions during my last trip. I’m not saying what’s right or wrong, only what I saw and felt. Third, no, of course it didn’t take me 12 trips to see how miserable things are there! Remember that no one can control how a paper edits their submissions. I saw how bad things were from day one, in the middle of the “special period.” And in my perception they have gotten worse ever since.
Finally, I welcome all feedback, and no one has to agree with me. I hope to contribute things of value here and I thank you all for having me.
By the way, just to be very clear – whoever you found on that blog is not me. My own blog address is http://www.drbillsblog.com.
Thanks.
Bilito, welcome and thanks for the clarification.
Thanks Ziva, and all. Can someone tell me how to use this (sorry, I’m a cyber-idiot). Do I just bookmark and go to this page to check for posts and make them, or do I go to the mail babalu page first? Sorry to take up space with procedural questions, but thanks.
I’ve posted some questions/comments about my article and my responses on my blog at http://www.drbillsblog, in the Cuba archive, if anyone’s interested. Thanks all!