2/8/10

Spanish class today and then met with the Federation of University Students- Federacion estudiantil universitario. It is the student body group that Fidel was involved in (I believe) as the revolution picked up. It is definitely cool and inspiring to see a student body so influential and integral in the makings of a revolution. It is something to be inspired by, though less applicable in Tufts U.’s riot-proof dormitories. I was reminded a lot of Thailand, today because Veronika (who is taking a Cuban culture class rather than language) told us about the superstitious beliefs held by some Cubans.
-Most Cubans don’t wear black because they believe it brings heavy/dark things
-Some Cubans pay thousands of pesos (aka hundreds of dollars) to become saints if they believe it will make them have better times.
-Santeria, a common religion, sometimes uses voodoo.
-Some people will seek and follow advice which leads them to stop working or change careers, stop eating a certain food, or following certain routines to improve aspect of their lives. Obviously, this could be very difficult in a place where money does not come easily.

I had experienced similar things in Thailand, where, following the advice of a monk, people would avoid driving, change jobs, or follow other instructions for several months. Of course, a lot of Cuba is not religious at all, and would prescribe such behavior as silly. To each his own.

The day involved Spanish class (subjunctive, I wish that you were easier!), meeting students from the FEU student union (we will be having continued contact with them and they seem very nice!), strawberry ice cream, and a bus ride home. Venezuelan news on tv again. They don’t have the much praise for the United States, just in case any one is wondering.