On Wednesday we took a new step on the long journey that began earlier this month.  Eleven participants, including seven authors of blogs, met in what we playfully call, “Café Blogger.”  We began with the article from Andrew Sullivan, “Why I Blog?” and the questions outnumbered the certainties learned from our brief experience on the… Continue reading Blogger Journey

A curious end of the year in which the surprises accumulate, Christmas trees return and sexologists start to use the language of the machistas [macho women].   Mariela Castro has called me gallita [female cock] and, in her language as a specialist in gender and sexuality, the word has homophobic connotations.  Perhaps because I am ignorant… Continue reading Gallita / “Cocky hen”

In one of those confusions so common in children, I thought for years that the logo of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution was an enormous eye carrying a machete.  As I was unaware of the origin of this aggressive iconography, I saw it as an indiscreet pupil, watching me on every block. … Continue reading CDR

While preparing extensive reports on the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, few ask themselves if the celebration is the birthday of a living creature, or simply the anniversary of something that happened.  Revolutions don’t last half a century I advise those who ask me.  They end up devouring and excreting themselves in authoritarianism, control… Continue reading Birthday or anniversary?

  For Miguel, who still dreams of being a Social-Democratic woman Yesterday I went to a conference on sexuality held at the Museum of Fine Arts.  For two weeks, there has been a series on erotic art accompanied by films and talks.  Just this Tuesday there was a chance to hear about the incorporation of… Continue reading Brief encounter with Mariela

December has started with the rare spectacle of Christmas trees adorning shops, hotels and other public sites.  After several years in which they were erected only in the living rooms of some houses, they have returned and their dusted snow contrasts with all the sun outside.   It seems that the ban on putting them in… Continue reading The trees sprout

Finally we are beginning the planned journey of the bloggers.  The shouts delivered at the police station, the constant agent we’ve had with us since last Thursday, and the prohibition on travel to Pinar del Río weren’t much use.  We ended up finding the cracks between the fingers of the censors, between which the fine… Continue reading Fine sand