In 2012, for the first time since the Revolution in 1959, the Cuban government legalized the purchasing of personal automobiles and established automobile dealerships. Suddenly, American news sources are becoming more and more interested in Cuban automobile ownership and use. The first car arrived to Cuba in 1899, coinciding with the end of Spanish rule. […]
Finding what you need in Cuba
Tyler Wayne Patterson My life in Cuba has been exiting, lively and active. But now that initial excitement has wore off, the lines for banks and inconsistent stocking at tiendas are becoming starting to feel more mundane. Here are some basic needs (perhaps wants) that one will have, and how to come across them. Water […]
Paris Hilton, Cuba and you
Paris Hilton was just touring Havana, Cuba. Before you blow this off as a trivial care of American celebrity culture, hear me out: Celebrities like Paris Hilton and Beyonce Knowles, with their close proximity to powerful individuals and large fan bases, have the opportunity to make a political statement regarding the ineffective embargo against US-Cuba […]
School begins
We have started classes at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. We take our classes in a pre-revolution country club turned school of art. Though unfinished and neglected due to financial limitations, the buildings are a beautiful and grand. On our first day upon arriving, our trip leader told us that in all […]
Rationally, I get it
By Tyler Wayne Patterson “Wait, what is fork in Spanish again?” I asked my sister, shocked I could not remember. “Tenedor!” she told me. Oh yeah. I should know that. I’ve been taking Spanish for six years. You see, I’ve been trying to translate everything I hear, see and think into Spanish to prepare for […]