I convinced myself that  dancing is a way of life for Cubans when I moved to Canada. It took me a while to get used to people not dancing at parties and to agree that the gathering was fun when I did not dance at all. How could you have a party at home without […]

This trip to Belgrade has been a preparation for the trip to Havana in June, an introduction to Cuba after two years. Sometimes I do not realize how much this Serbian city reminds me of my homeland, or perhaps many times I prefer to ignore it and just look at the pretty side of things. […]

May 1rst is a holiday in Belgrade. Unlike Cuba, citizens do not go to the Revolution Square waving the national flag. That kind of Worker’s Day celebration is history here. This morning the streets were completely empty and later the radio announced that the artificial lake, Ada Ciganlija, was absolutely packed with people. It does […]

We all know that these Castro hats are sold to tourists in Cuba. A couple of days ago I noticed that beer can tabs are used for closure. It made me think of how we recycle everything in Cuba, from plastic bags and glass jars to clothing and furniture. This is not the first time […]

In Havana there is a common expression for old facades that get repaired superficially: “vieja con colorete”. All the buildings in Cuba could be called old ladies but only a few are lucky enough to get the blusher. Most of the buildings that get painted in Havana have a strategic location, either for tourism or […]

Everyday of my life that I sit in front of internet I type the word Cuba to get the latest news or whatever is hot out there about my distant home. Sometimes I find some interesting article on an online newspaper, sometimes a small post on a blog (these are usually the most informatives and […]

Each April 4th, Cuban students celebrate all over the island the Pioneer’s Day and the OPJM (Organización de Pioneros José Martí) organizes all types of political and cultural activities that remind the young pioneer of his function in the communist society and the need to watch for the progress and the continuation of the Revolution in […]

It seems that I am big yucca fan among some of my friends as every time I meet them for dinner yucca with mojo is a dish they usually prepare for me. 🙂 Yucca is widely consumed in Cuba, specially during the holidays. In Havana, it is more expensive than potatoes or sweet potatoes so […]

Siempre que llega la Navidad y el fin de año pienso en los turrones españoles. En Cuba, el turrón de Jijona, Alicante y de yema tostada son una gran tradición navideña que ni las escaseces han logrado eliminar. Muchas tradiciones se han perdido pero la del turrón se mantiene, a pesar de no ser barato […]

It is Christmas Day and first day back in Canada! We will be visiting Toronto for the next three weeks and the city welcomed us with no snow and 2 degrees. Thank you, T-dot! 😉 I was afraid of a snow storm or -18 degrees, like when I moved to Canada in December 2005. Today […]