Friday, June 6, 2014

Day 10 - Vinales & Trinidad (Cuba)

TV Programme in Cuba.

Obviously, my CASA host is considered well-to-do (ie. Sony Flat Screen TV), and he watched lotsa TV shows. He loved watching Spanish Football league, and other sporting events. In fact, only these programmes are shown on the TV, and they do not have much international news.

I was discussing with him about the world affairs and he was particularly interested to know the development of other communist countries. In particular, he was horrified to hear about the development in North Korea - starving people, political concentration camp, treatment to the family of the deserter etc...


We waited 3 hours for our taxi. Time seems to be more malleable in Cuba (just like another developing countries). 

Entrepreneurship - Private gas station.
 You can't stop people from being enterprising. 



"Unidos, Vigilantes Y Combativos"

"United, Rangers and Combative"



"Fieles A Nuestra Historia"

"Faithful To Our History "



"La Patria Grande Que Crece"

"The Growing Big Country"

Wondering why Nelson Mandela is part of the propoganda, until I read this link:

"Nelson Mandela on How Cuba "Destroyed the Myth of the Invincibility of the White Oppressor"

In 1991, Nelson Mandela traveled to Cuba to thank Fidel Castro and the Cuban people for supporting the fight against apartheid and colonialism in southern Africa. "The decisive defeat of the aggressive apartheid forces [in Angola] destroyed the myth of the invincibility of the white oppressor," Mandela said. "The defeat of the apartheid army served as an inspiration to the struggling people of South Africa."

NELSON MANDELA: We have come here today recognizing our great debt to the Cuban people. What other country has such a history of selfless behavior as Cuba has shown for the people of Africa? How many countries benefit from Cuban health care professionals and educators? How many of these volunteers are now in Africa? What country has ever needed help from Cuba and has not received it? How many countries threatened by imperialism or fighting for their freedom have been able to count on the support of Cuba?
I was still in prison when I first heard of the massive help which the Cuban international forces were giving to the people of Angola. The help was of such a scale that it was difficult for us to believe it, when the Angolans were under attack by the combined forces of South Africa, the FALA [Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola] who were financed by the CIA, mercenaries, UNITA [National Union for the Total Independence of Angola], and Zaire in 1975.
In Africa we are used to being victims of countries that want to take from us our territory or overthrow our sovereignty. In African history there is not another instance where another people has stood up for one of ours. We also acknowledge that the action was carried out by the masses in Cuba and that those who fought and died in Angola are only a small portion of those who volunteered to go. To the Cuban people internationalism is not only a word but something which they have put into practice for the benefit of large sectors of mankind.
.....
I should mention that when we wanted to take up arms, we approached numerous Western governments in search of help and we could only talk with the lowest level officials. When we visited Cuba we were received by the highest authorities who immediately offered anything we wanted and needed.
That was our first experience with Cuban internationalism. Even though we took up arms, it was not our preferred option. It was the apartheid regime that forced us to take up arms. Our preferred option has always been to find a peaceful solution to the apartheid conflict. The combined struggle of our people in the country, as well as the growing international battle against apartheid during the 1980’s made possible a negotiated solution to that conflict. The decisive defeat in Cuito Cuanavale changed the status of forces in the region and reduced considerably the capacity of the Pretoria regime to destabilize its neighbors … within the country
It is in this context that we value our friendship with Cuba very, very much. When you, Comrade Fidel, yesterday said that our cause is your cause, I know that that sentiment came from the bottom of your heart and that that is the feeling of all of the people of revolutionary Cuba."



"Me gustaria continuar como participe en la noble y elevada tarea, de la que ustedes son ejecutores, situar la universidad cubana a la altura de su tiempo y del soclialismo...
- Carlos Rafael Rodriguez"

"I would like to continue as part of the noble and lofty task, which you are executing, the Cuban university place at the height of his time and soclialismo " - Carlos Rafael Rodriguez


"Por La Revolucion Y El Socialismo
Vivan Los Trabajadores!"

"By The Revolution And Socialism 
Workers live! "


Road sign


Dilapidated Buildings built in the 80s (a common sight)



"Revolucion Con Energia
Habra un antes y un despues de la Revolucion Energetica en Cuba - Fidel"

"With Energy Revolution 
There will be a before and after the Revolution Energetica in Cuba - Fidel "



Boy on Railway track


To America with Love.


"Puede decirse que Cienfuegos
Nunca Ha Fallado"

"You can say that Cienfuegos 
Has Never Failed "


"Imagen Del Pueblo"

"Image Of The People"


TRINIDAD

UNESCO Link: "Trinidad, located in the central Cuban province of Sancti SpĂ­ritus, was founded in the early 16th century but owes its existence and its historical raison d’ĂȘtre to the sugar industry that flourished there and in the nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) from the late 18th century to the late 19th century. The exemplary city of Trinidad’s prosperity during this period is clearly legible in its existing built environment, its buildings ranging in expression from modest, vernacular variants to elaborate, luxurious edifices. The Valley de los Ingenios is a remarkable testimony to the development of the sugar industry. A living museum of Cuban sugar production, it includes the sites of 75 former cane sugar mills, plantation houses, barracks and other facilities related to this vulnerable industry, which has witnessed a gradual and progressive decline."


Sunset in Trinidad


Playing on the Cobbled Street

Kids


Colourful Houses


Quiet Small Town =)


Chilling out along the staircase in the evening.
Really enjoyable.

Dinner (mainly tourists) with Live band


Salsa Dancing in the public

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