Cuba Trip VII

February 9: Wrapping things up....

We are getting ready to go to the United States Interest Section to meet with the Chief of the Interest Section, Michael Parmelee. Since the United States and Cuba have no formal diplomatic relations there is no ambassador here, nor in DC for Cuba. But the countries have extensive informal relations--immigration, limited trade, and so forth, and the so-called interest section handles these matters as an embassy would in other countries.

Today was packed, but the event which was most affecting was the Solidaridad con Panama School, which we have helped over the years. This is one of Cuba's 'special' schools for physically disabled children. Severely handicapped children here receive daily physical therapy and an environment of emotional support. A majority live on the 'campus,' a small parcel of land with an old school painted white and red, from the age of 5 years old.

In some ways this is an excellent example of something Cuba does well: give life opportunity to children who would otherwise have severe limitations.

Job training and then direction with ACLIFIM, the national organization of disabled adults. In others, it isn't: though it appears poor by American standards, it is far better resourced than other schools I have visited here.

The sunny day continued with a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and our annual meeting with the National Library director, Eliades Acosta.

What a pleasure to learn he has just published a book called Hotel Tampa Bay, a murder mystery that takes place in Tampa, circa 1897. My family arrived from Cuba at around that time. In general terms, one salient difference between Tampa Cubans and Miami Cubans is this difference in emigration...it reflects on many aspects of the two groups political differences.

Now, to the interest section and tomorrow, back to Boston!

Jarrett Barrios

Comments

[roulette en ligne]

Cuba is one of the place that I want to visit.

[Maria.sunmoon]

Hi! Congratulatiosn for your blogs and efforts. I'll suggest everyone a motorcycle dream tour in Cuba! Beautiful places and adventure! Check www.worldmototour.com and tell me about it!

[Spanish Course]

What you're doing now is good for the rapport and improving relations..

Likewise, if one day i can visit Cuba, it will be a great opportunity!

Mason

[Billy Floyd]

How do the Cubans feel about Fluffernutters?

[Jeanne DeGenova]

Oh my! How did my name get into the comment posted by Mr. Weebles on 12 February?? I think I may have scrolled something inadvertantly. Those are not my sentiments! Please view my email of 16 February!

Jeanne DeGenova
[email protected]

[Jeanne DeGenova]

Greetings Senator Barrios,

I'm a constituent from Everett. I enjoy reading your blogs. Your visits to Cuba to connect with its people build good will, peace and understanding.

I hope one day to have the opportunity to travel to Cuba as a visitor to enjoy its colors, ambience and to hear its wonderful music.

Sincerely,
Jeanne DeGenova

[Mr. Weebles]

Greetings, Comrade Barrios! I hope you learned much during your trip to the glorious Communist country of Cuba and that you can use those lessons to complete the transformation of Massachusetts into a Communist state as well!

Your Socialist brethren in the Commonwealth await your return!

Viva la Revolucion!