Toño invites me to sit at his side. Are 20.10 and like all night watching the news on TV. "This is Ortega, Chavez and such that there Raul." Me points to them one by one as they appear on the screen. I nod, saying that I know who they are. I notes with his two eyes smart, reflects, makes sure he understands what he says and then a flood. This sprightly seventy-eight with an exceptional memory I speak with passion and detail the history of his country and the Revolution where he fought as a stowaway in a pueblo ...
Skip a report on infant mortality in Cuba is almost equal to 0%, smiles at me and says. "Are these human rights? Are no human rights have a house, work, education and health care? The yanquee say that this is not respect human rights but these things to them, for us granted, do not. They are the ones that do not respect human rights "
We meet in the aftermath, are the 20:30 news is over and is now going to rest. I spent three days in his house, three short evening spent talking to José Martí, Julio Antonio Mella, an encounter he had with Fidel. His happiness in explaining increased after discovering my degree in history and passion for Americalatina. We leave you with a big hug and the unforgettable note 3 pesos, the one with the face of Che, which gives me and who kept.
El truck is full. I leave the seat to a pretty girl who travels in the company of her sister and a friend. The schools are closed today and go to the sea. Two female students close to graduation. "After the summer we return to our cities and start working." We explain that here, you've already completed the university workplace, of course, related to studies and so a few months will begin to make the pharmacist.
sitting comfortably sipping coffee in the kitchen of Mariela, a retired professor of chemistry. Her husband is a teacher of English and the daughter in law. A family of academics, very friendly and easygoing. "You know, in Cuba, education is completely free as well as mandatory. There is a primary, secondary and finally the university. All children are required to attend school without paying a peso, even for books. Provides for all the state. " There are then, by province, special schools for sport or music, like that which attended his niece, which is accessed after a selection and you pay a small fee of a few pesos.
few seconds and initial quell'imbarazzo is already over. I had gone there to bring greetings and a gift for girls and in a moment we are sitting on the couch to chat with everyone. Osvaldo is a taxi driver, speaks of his land that he shot wide and long giving us advice on places to visit. The family is almost complete, in fact as well as he and his wife live there for now, his son and two grandchildren because his daughter in law, being a doctor, is in Venezuela for one of the many exchanges of solidarity of the Cuban government.
of questions we are harassed because they were very concerned about the earthquake that destroyed L'Aquila. In a short time also comes the other niece, a lively girl starts talking to my sister asking for information. Time is not enough for us and come back the next day, now we too are family.
offer us a drink and we can not refuse, then show us several photos and finally back to talk to Cuba We salute you with great sadness, our journey must continue. We exchanged contacts and we pray to call before leaving for Italy to know that everything went well. Osvaldo before we break open a drawer and takes out a book. "This is for you, read it's important," is a collection of writings by Fidel Castro.
The cultural festival in the association is over. An evening spent in the company of young Cuban artists, listening to music and watching short films. Drink and talk. In a few hours will be May 1 and will start the parade with thousands of workers, but many of these young people will go there, and I will be present.
Yoani did 34 years ago and the actress of theater, this is the profession she wanted to do since childhood. Pedro is the director of the company and has its own age. Are not known, but their performances are staged for the theaters of Santiago. For them, this activity is not only a passion but has also become a job.
I'm not thrilled to Cuba and would like to go off the island as did several of their friends. Speaking, however, appears unlikely in Italy as in another country that their love could be transformed into an occupation would end and rather do the waiters or bartenders, as happened to many of their acquaintances. Pedro greets us, walked quietly through the narrow streets of the old town hand in hand with her boyfriend and while I think the same scene in Rome and what might have happened instead.
"I go away from here but I do not think I would find a better place to live. " Manolito involves us in a thorough economic discussion. Former university professor of economics now manages a nice casas particular. There is plenty of questions about the cost of living in Italy, then we talk about the country of Denmark where he was for three months, and they probably would return. It is surprising to discover how we live with our low wages compared to the enormous cost of products and services. "Italy and Spain countries are beautiful, but it sure is hard to live there. There never would come "
concerts fill as the sport life Cubans, none of them could do without it. The music comes from every town square and there are even exhibitions of paintings and sculptures. We can not lose and we throw into the fray.
"Everything here is a joy and pleasure. We have fun and we're fine. " "Quiet here there is no danger, no one is safe and will never hurt you." "The solidarity and respect for the common good." "I turn and see other countries, but why should I go out of here?". "El bloque forces us to sacrifice enormous." "Obviously, we have economic problems and we want to feel better, but will not give up never in all this. " "The revolution will be made day by day."
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