4/12/10

Sunday Veronika and I went to the bus station to go downtown again- this time with more of a plan, and more of a back up plan. On the one hand, we want to take advantage of downtown Havana more while we are still here, but on the other hand, we find ourselves more and more occupied with classes, readings, and visits. Such is life, is it not? It is strange, but I find myself wishing we had a more extensive bus system in Portland and Boston. In Cuba, the bus costs about two cents per person- it is often packed(!) and unpleasantly stifling, but it is also always an adventure. Sometimes you see some really sweet, or really funny, or really interesting things on the bus. Of course, frequently, all you see is someone’s elbow dangerously close to knocking you in the face at the next abrupt stop. Anyway we arrived downtown and Veronika led me to this artist’s gallery. It was really cool. The buildings were covered with his colorful murals. Weird sculptures and benches were in the street and funny or bizarre sayings were painted all around. Evidently he has some gallery spaces in the United States. The artist updates the area from time to time. I really enjoyed it.
My half of our adventure was a little less successful. There is a café/ movie house called Fresa y Chocolate, which was featured in the eponymous classic Cuban film. I had heard it was a hangout for an artsy movie buff crowd so we walked there on the way home for some coffee. The place was empty. Inside they had advertisements for Havana club rum and an empty room with chairs that they featured in the movie. There were posters of movie scenes on the walls too, but it was certainly not a happening place. We walked on past the city cemetery (which was closed) and headed home. We did stumble across a bookstore/café on the way however. It seems like a good place to bring some reading to in the future.

12 March 2010

Katie and I decided to travel independently of the program to Viñales for the weekend after our two visits on the 12th. The visits were pretty cool. First we went to the center for genetic biological study. This is where a lot of genetic research is being done. A variety of projects are chosen to study, some address illnesses that can be cured in the following few years, then some require more time for research, and other long term projects are also taken on, such as a cure for cancer and AIDS. It is pretty incredible. The most lasting thing I took from the center was the motivation behind developing this research. 1) the primary goal is to eliminate the problem in Cuba. For example, they have essentially eliminated Hep B because they vaccinate all new borns. The next phase is collaboration and to take the drugs/research to the market. 2) The personal motivation for being a doctor is very different in Cuba. It is true that there are some in the tourist industry that may make even more money than a family doctor. Not only this, but patents are granted to the institutions for whom the researchers work, never to the researchers themselves. The guy we talked to worked on three of the now globally marketed projects, but when he leaves, he will have no proof of his contribution besides a personal satisfaction, which brings me to 3). Our genetic researcher who showed us around explained that he feels an immense sense of guilt that when he isn’t researching, he could be curing fellow Cubans. If the team of researchers at the center do no perform well, do not discover enough genetic mutations or cures even, they all but loose their jobs, demoted to less primary researching positions. It is very interesting to me, especially as I think about perusing biological research. We also visited a similar center of immunology medicine. Then, we got dropped off at the bus station for a three hour ride to Viñales.

2/6/10

Its fairly early in the day but I thought I might just blog a bit now. I seemed to get my sickness out of my system efficiently yesterday. Hopefully THAT won’t happen again.

Unrelated, I feel like I’m not getting a very honest impression of Cubans. This morning we went to the grocery store. It is the largest and most well stocked grocery in the country- and this is the second time they have not had cheese of any sort. I hate going to that grocery store. It used to be a place where you literally had to show your passport to get in, locals weren’t allowed. On Thursday the group went to a government building to hear about the Cuban constitution and method of assemblies of the public. He explained how in Cuba everyone has equal access to things: they all have the ability to transport themselves, to work, to have a house, and to get groceries. I argue, however, that there is still a large distribution among these abilities. For example, the majority of Cuban people can not shop at the market here in the tourist district. And the rations for food are not enough for meals to last the month. It is a difficult problem. I definitely understand the failures of our capitalist system, but I’m still not sold on the effectiveness a socialist organization.

Anyway, in the grocery some guy says: cual pais!? He holds his arms wide as if he is going to give us a hug. Katie and I stop walking. We exchange a quick glance with no answer. We are sick of everyone asking where we are from as the first encounter of discourse. Why does it matter!? Also, when you say ‘the United States’, you usually are responded to with, ‘oh really? Oh, we love the united states, Miami right!?’. I’m sure this is not true for everyone who as told us so. Italy? He asks Katie. At the same moment she says yes, and I say Canada. ‘For me’, I add. Sometimes it is just easier this way.

End of day update: feeling more comfortable using the bus system. Can get to school, old Havana and back home with ease. We found a wonderful art market that is evidently a weekly Saturday event. Upon returning ‘home’ to the hotel we found that neither our soap or toilet paper have been replaced. Please don’t let this be the beginning of a shortage again!

Feelings: infinitely better than yesterday, but the city makes me tired. Thinking beach tomorrow for my reading.