Fairfield Harbour's Dennis and Jackie cruise to Cuba. Part 2
Continued from Part 1.
Dennis and Jackie Howard experience the trip of a lifetime when they cruised to Havana, Cuba, in their sailing yacht, Last Resort.
Every household has a food ration book in which the bodega (grocery store) clerk records each purchase. The household ration book, clerk’s book and government records have to match. Food rations last only about 10 days out of every month. For the rest of the time, Cubans must buy in markets with much higher prices. Each Cuban is supposed to receive a monthly ration of seven pounds of rice, half a bottle of cooking oil and beans. Children get one liter of milk and some yogurt.
A new wave of private restaurants have cropped up in Havana known as Paladares. Many are operated out of the owner’s home. The Howard's party enjoyed a Paladar dinner in a home with a thatched roof. A meal for four included appetizers, two drinks, a main course, beans, rice and dessert with a cigar and free flowing rum for $118 – a bargain by American standards. But with no spices to cook with the food in most restaurants is rather bland.
Next year President Raul Castro steps down from power and Cubans are anxious about what will happen. Will communism continue to reign or will changes lead towards democracy? Many families are broken, some in exile. Will they be able to reunite in their homeland as free people?
Orlando, the Howard’s faithful tour guide, asked them what one word they would choose to describe freedom. A member of their group answered – “opportunity”. Orlando felt that freedom would best be described by the word “choice” – something he never had. Although he was educated to make decisions, the government did not offer him that opportunity. The Cuban government makes most decisions, even down to the home a citizen lives in.
Cubans will tell you there are some good results that came out of the “Revolution” that brought the Castro family to power, including some of the best medical care for free, a superior education system, also free, and the eradication of the crime, gambling, and prostitution of the past. But it is clear that there has been a lack of progress in infrastructure, economic progress and productivity as a result of the government policy and oversight.
Jackie felt a special kinship with the Cuban people. She said, “It is heartbreaking to witness their lack of basic freedoms and opportunity. It makes you really appreciate the free market we have in America. I thank my lucky stars I live in the USA. But I would not trade the Cuban experience for anything in the world. The Cuban people won my heart."
