This summer has brought a lot of rain to Cuba. The first few days Cubans were praising the stormy weather and the cooler breeze, there was also a heavy drought so nature started to be kind to the island. After a week of showers, mostly in the afternoons and around the time people are finishing work, Habaneros began to feel annoyed about the weather status. I believe that as soon as someone had to leave the house more than once with an umbrella or proper shoes for the rain the return of the lovely weather became absolutely necessary. Let’s put it this way: Cubans cannot leave without the sun.

I heard a couple of friends talking on an almendron taxi and I had to laugh. The guy was telling his friend that he could not stand the rain and that he had spent the last couple of afternoons at home watching films, like if doing that was the end of the world. I imagined how different my beloved country would have been with another climate and how that would have influenced our personalities and behaviour.

To make things worse, the talks about cholera in the eastern part of Cuba began worrying people and not long after that a few cases were already developed in the capital. Unfortunately, the rain is affecting more than people’s mood. Now everyone is concern about eating or drinking outside. Seafood and salads are being avoided, shakes, juices or any other liquid not coming out of a sealed bottle will be rejected by many.

I hope this rainy season ends better than expected and Cubans can enjoy a sunny and healthy summer.