Aunt got back from Cuba

[Angie]

The thing that makes me curious is how on the one hand, the people can say that they want to get rid of Fidel and Communism, and how on the other hand, they still see Che as being a hero, and honour him, etc.

I was always under the impression that Che was more radical than Fidel ever was, hence his being continuously sent overseas so he didn't have much of a say with Cuba's domestic issues, etc.

Don't know. Sort of seems a bit hypocritical. Though it's understandable if all Che is remembered for is his part in the Cuban Revolution, and little of any negative value.

It's almost like they don't seem to realise that were Che to have had total power, the U.S would have been even more against Cuba than it already is today ...

During Che's life, all the evidence pointed to the U.S's primary enemy of that region being Che, more than Fidel.

[Kez]

I thought the cuban ppl bummed FIdel and communism

[Maaja]

If those children want to be like Che why they want communism to be gone? Che was a communist... I don't see the point...

[IzmSchism]

I think and as the post in the Che forum will attest to (JayZ wearing a Che T-shirt), that Che himself has turned into a mainstream idol representing values that people see as strong and virtuous at the most superficial level. He has turned into a tee shirt, a photograph, a coffe mug, et cetera, that the very thing he fought against his image has been used to employ a minor form of imperialism. On the other hand, for the people that have read up on him and have some inclination of this mans life, we have come, at least I have to fell that he represents the very spirit in which everyone who is righteous fights for, TRUTH. I have never been to Cuba so I cannot comment on it, but I am not suprised to hear Cubans wanting the american lifestyle, they want what they cannot have, maybe...?

[bleed3r]

very interesting... I'd like to visit some time and see it for myself.

seremos como el ché.

[queen of diamonds]

it's easier for cubans to praise guevara than castro because they don't know for sure how their country would have turned out had che not been killed...

[PunkRawker677]

gah.. you got alot wrong..
i've personally been, plenty of times, and will go many more times..

I've never had anyone try to sell me a cigar, ever. VERY few people drive cars period because of the lack of fuel and gas stations.. and furthur more, not everyone wants fidel out.. the majority (i'll say 60%) admire him and understand what he has done for their country. There is also a strong dis taste for the U.$. and i have often heard people (during black outs in the early nineties, due to lack of fuel), say that the black outs because of the U.S. are better than being their '*****'. People often use alot of cursing in cuba, its widley accepted and not at all looked down upon..

che guevara is definitly seen as a hero in cuba and so is the 'communist' ideal. i often saw people reading books by che, and other July 26th members. There is strong support for the 'revolution' among the majority of the people. although some people just dislike not having democracy.



p.s. why didnt she bring u back the 3 dollar bill with Che on it?

[queen of diamonds]

there's a three dollar bill? with che on it?
hey, you learn something new every day

[Domino]

Yeah, it's a 3 pesos bill, I want one, dammit! I wanna go to Cuba too, hopefully this summer, I'm still saving.

[pastradamus]

It would be a lot fucking richer if the so called trade "embargo" wasnt still in place.

[hobo]

how can they still justify the trade embargo when Castro met all the points made in the missile crisis treaty. America met none of their which would benifits cuba and then Bush goes a shoots his ignorant mouth off about how without Castro the people of Cuba would be living in better conditions. A trade embargo for 50 years must be doing their state of living the world of good

[rosario fc]

In reply to punk rawker.......
I have been a regular visitor to Cuba over the last 9 years, I have been in every corner of the island and everywhere you go, every time I have visited you are ALWAYS offered cigars.
I have also been able to gauge opinion over this period and I would say that as much as the people still admire " the old man with the beard" their is a definite felling that he should step to one side. (incidently I retuned from my last visit less than one week ago)

[rosario fc]

Oh I forgot to say...if anyone can tell me how to do it , I'll post an image of the three peso note on the site !

[lennon]

Ive been to Cuba too, and got the 3peso note and Che coin. peolple are generally unhappy with the situation, but the blame lies in america. US govnt sponsors TV and Radio propaganda to Cuba ( Dubya has just given more money to this for new channels) So many Cubans think the US is some sort of haeaven. I also thought the US was a nice place till I went to NY and saw all those homeless and drug adddicts, which are totally absent from Cuba. All Cubans should be shown UN figures on education and health ( get them at Encarta) and even without considering their thiny national income thanks to embartgo) Cuba still scores as well as G8 countries. Also view the medal table of any Olympics, another measure of the well being of a nation. This too is impresive , especially for such a small country. Some are restless and want to leave, but what awaits them?????