Fidel Castro to retire?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Fidel Castro, Cuba’s dictator since 1959, hinted yesterday that he may be willing to hand over power to younger Cuban leaders. In a letter discussing the Bali summit on global warming, Castro wrote, “My elemental duty is not to cling to positions, or even less to obstruct the path of younger people, but to share experiences and ideas whose modest worth comes from the exceptional era in which I lived.”

Castro, now 81, handed over power to his younger brother, Raul, 16 months ago, and has not made a public appearance since that time in July, 2006, though he remains Cuba’s official president. Castro didn’t offer any specifics on when, or to whom, his power would eventually be transferred, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that Cuba will soon see fresh leadership.

While Castro’s Cuba has been occasionally praised for its health care system, Cuba has extensive economic problems (in part because of a US embargo) and Castro’s government has been intolerant of political dissent.

The next few years in Cuba will undoubtedly be times of great transition, so those wanting to see Castro’s Cuba should act fast. However, US travelers wishing to visit Cuba are out of luck (wink, wink), as travel there is strictly prohibited (nudge, nudge).

Local Bloggers Revealing Country Secrets

by Abha Malpani on

The political situation of many countries doesn’t allow much freedom of press; what gets printed is thoroughly watch-dogged. That’s kind of messed-up when you realize that the media is the one thing that keeps us connected and informed about the rest of the world.

I remember when I lived in Dubai, I saw journalists fearing to write about anything outside the standard protocol of the publication. I would get bored senseless reading the local publications and as a budding writer, would get itchy palms when some meaty news would come to me through the grapevine, that of course, would never see the day of light. Until we started blogging!

I think blogging has taken to new levels our insight into otherwise forbidden cultural information of cities. Secret Dubai Diary, UAE Prison blog (blocked in Dubai) and Neurotic Iraqi Wife, are some blogs I read for raw insight into lives of people and culture in these countries. Others such as Sex and Dubai and controversial Beijing blog of Zhao Jing have unfortunately now been shut down.

There was great story in the IHT recently about underground bloggers in Havana who are screaming out to let people know the realities of life in Castro’s city.

My only contribution to the free press cause is being part of Global Voices and Reporters Without Borders. Both blogs are fighting for freedom of press and doing their best to provide untainted feeds and news from around the world.

It takes solid guts to blog on the edge, as it could result in imprisonment and/or deportation. I don’t know if I’d have the balls.

US Government fines Travelocity for Cuba Trips

by Neil Woodburn on

How serious is the US government about their Cuba travel ban?

Serious enough that they recently fined Travelocity.com $182,750 for booking 1,500 trips to the forbidden isle between January 1998 and April 2004.

A spokesperson for the site claimed that the bookings were the result of a technical failure (i.e. a failsafe that was supposed to prevent anyone with an American IP address from booking a trip to Cuba). I’m not sure I entirely believe this excuse.

Nonetheless, it’s pretty cool that 1,500 Americans were able to take advantage of this loophole. Unfortunately, now that records of these trips have probably been subpoenaed by the US Government, I’m sure these under-the-radar travelers can now expect a nasty letter from the Treasury Department.

And you thought you got away with it!

Literary Gadling: Hemingway’s Cuba, Cuba’s Hemingway

by Iva Skoch on

Paging through the August 2007 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine, I found an article about Ernest Hemingway’s impact on Havana. It is written by Hemingway’s last personal secretary, Valerie Hemingway, who later married his youngest son Gregory (hence the same last name.) Hemingway lived in Cuba before 1960, when the US Ambassador advised it would no longer be safe for him to live there. He kept a presence there for 30 years.

Apparently, the Hemingway image–Bohemian, with a cigar–has become a Cuban export. Havana has museums dedicated to him and anything from soccer teams to cocktails named after him. A part of the America vs. Cuba rivalry, she suggests.

Although Valerie made me cringe with her use of “city of contrasts“, possibly the worst travel expression cliche there is, I still found the article about Hemingway’s life in Cuba and his current presence fascinating. It made me want to pack my bags and go there right away. Not being a US citizen, I actually can!

One for the Road (04/04/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

Alfredo Estrada’s personal tribute to Havana was released last month. Havana: Autobiography of a City tells the story of Estrada’s hometown from its’ 1519 founding to present day, covering such topics as cigars, slavery, gambling, rhumba, Hemingway and baseball. Publisher’s Weekely says “Estrada is at his best chronicling Castro’s revolution…and pays particular attention to…Che Guevara’s authoritarian streak and talent for guerilla warfare.” PW does note that the book is a bit too fact-heavy to make it an enjoyable read for some, but history buffs should find it a useful primer on this fascinating place.

And again (I’m three for three this week!), it just so happens that we’ve got information on an appearance by the author, taking place tonight at 7 pm, deep in the heart of Texas. Austin folks, head over to Bookpeople on North Lamar to see Estrada for yourself.