The afternoon before his arrival there were families looking at the horizon. Do you know if the Yankee ship arrives today?, I asked two couples that I looked. «We are waiting, that arrives », they replied with a half smile. And I looked at his side, For a few more minutes, that Havana sea from which Cuban joy hangs in some sadness, on the go and in sinking bodies trying to find some freedom.
What else gives what is on the other side, If it is better or worse, I guess no one is immune to be removed by decree for the ability to dream or even make mistakes. And then the sea, The waves, smoke and night. Without ship, without anything. That afternoon we saw a sunset in the boardwalk where music was heard, couples were seen wanting without wiring, Only with meat blows, And some children look between the sea rocks unusable to be able to throw elsewhere.
Couples were seen wanting without wiring, Only with meat blows
The next morning the San Francisco square was however a small party. On one side of the dock an immense cruise that waited 50 years to return. To the other a Toupe of Cubans, dressed from all possible and invented island stereotypes, to those that beyond those heated political discussions of good and bad political, that care about a fuck, Another ship arrived with a few dollars to feed their miserable families.
In Cuba there are many notable things I have understood in this brief stay: There is education, health, Security, Lack of freedom and hunger, Much hunger. There is a photo that I took, It is one of those who will see above, in which this sensation is summarized well: A Cuban is seen that receives a few dollars from a gringo tourist recent. The photo is symbolic, It could be used as an example of that expected delivery of the islanders to money Yankee, But the truth is that this is not a matter of Americans and Cubans, That same woman disguised as a dancer sings and dances for a samurai, an Inuit or a Tuareg if you pay for it. The controlled or prohibited internet and paid television I suppose they are a greater threat than that huge ship.
Sing and dance for a samurai, an Inuit or a Tuareg if you pay for it
The exciting thing that was lived with the arrival of the ship is that on the island they begin to think that the arrival of the "Morenito" (Obama), of a ship and a more formal embassy that Guantanamo can mean the beginning of its path to freedom and who knows if the abyss… In Cuba everything is spoken in a low voice, measuring heroes to venerate and wishes to fulfill. Nothing seemed black or white in a population that lives with pride and bored his victory over the empire and defeats in their homes. In any case, This is the little chronicle that was published in El Mundo's paper edition on that historic day that I lived in which the first gringo cruise came to Havana after 50 years:
The chronicle
«Cuba, Cuba, Cuba», Some of the dozens of people gathered in front of the International Port of Havana shout. Some had since yesterday, When the cruise was expected to arrive, Waiting for the return of a ship that means more than a symbol. «We have expected 50 years this. Cubans like people from all countries to come », It tells El Mundo Isabel, A Cuban who in a lower tone says "I saw some of that sea and now maybe I see them return".
?The Adonia Cruise, which brings twelve Cuban-American, The last stumbling block of the political enmity of both countries had to jump: The cover were prohibited from returning by sea to their homeland. A law of the times of the racks in which the boats that covered this route were tires and wood that swallowed the sea. The Cuban government changed its directive in the past 22 April allowing the island's natives to return by sea.
Also the United States, Now we are friends
?The expected arrival of the Yankees became a particular celebration every time a Cuban was recognized among the tourists.. A middle -aged man immediately was surrounded by dozens of cameras and applause as he bluff "happy to return home". Search, Gladys, He argued with a man who kept chanting "Cuba" and "homeland". «Also the United States, Now we are friends », She replied. Then, And again using the mandatory low voice, Loose: «They can come, Now it remains to leave us leave », To which a man adds "what cannot be done, It cannot be done until you can », With a shy smile.
?After arrival, Havana, in which it is impossible to find a rental car for the arrival of the Yankees, He dressed up. Men Guerrilla Dresses, Exotic dancers and musicians earned bulk dollars with a hot reception. "I danced and smiled at the demon to eat", A woman dressed just like the last time a group of Americans arrived here.
No far, In the Museum of the Revolution, an older man dressed in revolutionary fashion of "the bearded", See a tourist delegation. "The Americans always came to fuck", says. Will they bring dollars?, Some of his compatriots say. «I don't know what Fidel will think, But money is of course necessary », Answer while slowing the center of a city that celebrates a party that waited 50 years.
