Hoping for nothing special in the Cuban evolution

Worry drips from my friend’s voice as he tells me he may not have a job to go back to in October. He’s laid off right now, during the usual summer lull but, ordinarily, would be called back to work when the tourists begin their annual migration. Now, he’s not sure what will happen. Cuba is in flux. Change is afoot but no one knows what will evolve. The Cuban evolution could be like a dancer with two left feet, putting on the best possible show but stumbling a little.

I can hear the subtle anguish as he tells me this, despite the echoing static of the poor telephone connection. I listen between the lines of our conversation, amid the clicks and pauses of the phone lines, and I don’t know what to say. He doesn’t know what he will do to support his family. His wife, who is also seasonally employed in the tourism industry, is in a similar position but the odds are slightly better for her return to work this winter. That would be hard for his Latino pride, I think, even though he’d likely deny it was a problem.

Like most Cubans I’ve encountered, he is resourceful and resilient but, the reality is, there are few options in Pilón, his hometown. Where I live, tourism also fuels the local economy but there are other job prospects here in Huntsville (Muskoka). In Canada, someone with a dash of entrepreneurial spirit can start a business of his/her own. In Cuba, according to what I’ve read and heard, it is theoretically possible to start a business but it’s much easier said than done, especially in an impoverished rural region like Granma.

Under-the-table self-employment and sideline businesses have been common practice for decades, without authorization. Recently, however, the government has begun “encouraging” legal self-employment by cutting state jobs (about half a million so far) and offering licenses for more types of private businesses. I’m not sure if it’s a jump to the left or a step to the right but, it seems to me, the rhythm is quickening in these dances with capitalism.

Employment and the Cuban economic upheaval are frequent topics in Havana Times articles, a news and opinion blog I regularly peruse – it’s very well done and informative. Here are some relevant excerpts from today’s post by Patricia Grogg:

“...In the first quarter of this year, about 300,000 people in this country of 11.2 million moved from the state sector to the private sector, in light of the expansion of self-employment from 157 to 178 trades and activities and the drastic reduction of the state payroll. The authorities hope to encourage more people to apply for permits for self-employment, with rules aimed at easing the tax burden.”

“...The greater opening and flexibility in the self-employed sector is part of the reforms of the so-called ‘updating’ of Cuba’s economic model, and was designed by the government to help create alternatives to the cutting of more than one million state jobs between 2011 and 2015.”

My friend and his wife, as staff at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, are actually employed by the government, which supplies workers through its Cubanacan tourism agency, if I understand the structure correctly. Many people at this small resort, in the historical middle of nowhere, have already had their jobs cut or their hours of work trimmed. Some, like this couple, are holding their collective breath, awaiting news of their employment fate, their future.

What is the next step in this evolutionary dance? I’m not sure anyone really knows. My best guess is hard times, followed by an economic upbeat and a nice dosey doe. I just hope the upcoming period is nothing special and the hard times are merely a short caper, not a desperate tarantella.

Some of the entertainment crew at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, as of April 2011.

 

One day, we will celebrate my friend's birthday

Today is the day one of my dearest friends was born. He has chosen not to celebrate his birthday until Cuba is free. I respect that but still feel it is important to recognize his existence, so I am posting this poem I wrote with him in mind. I am glad he was born and I am confident that, one day, we will celebrate.

-----------------

Libertad

One day, my friend,
you’ll celebrate your birthday
as you wish.
One day, you’ll buy
a car and I’ll buy a house
and we’ll both sleep
like children.
One day, our friends
will march in the streets
with banners and signs and
rainbows in their hair but it won’t
make the news.
One day, we’ll all
have surf and turf picnics
in the park.
One day, you’ll call
and say, “I’m coming to visit!
Let’s go to Niagara Falls”
and, this time, I’ll be
the tour guide.
One day, Cubano,
you’ll have what we all want:
libertad.

– Jennifer R. Cressman
June 7, 2011

I can’t say enough good stuff about dear Marea

I am inclined to be effusive about the group that will be traveling with me to Club Amigo Marea del Portillo in October, as well as the resort itself. I’ve just booked 32 women for the All-Girl-Yoga-Posse Trip, departing from Toronto on Oct. 12. Most of them will be staying only for the week of Oct. 12-19, when yoga instruction will be offered, but a handful will be there for two weeks. And, my excellent pal Martine will be joining us for the second week, Oct. 19-26, during which time she will be celebrating a benchmark birthday! Woo-hoo!!

Some women in this posse have been to Marea del Portillo with me in the past; others hadn’t heard of the place until I started raving on about it and organizing group trips twice a year. I have known many of these women for many years, some better than others, and I’ve spoken with most of the new-to-me others by phone and/or corresponded by email. Although I haven’t had personal contact with quite all the women, I’m confident they’ll have a similar vibe to the majority, and it will be beautiful.

This group is shaping up to be one of the most mellow, profoundly pleasant and peaceable, blissed-out bunch of babes the little resort in Cuba’s Granma province has ever seen! Everyone I’ve interacted with while signing her up for this trip has been incredibly enthusiastic, to a woman, and they all seem to have very positive energy.

They want to see this three-star gem of a resort I can’t shut up about. They want to meet the people I’ve grown exceedingly fond of in a few short years. They want to help me take things for the community – free clothing, bicycles and other gifts, including many household necessities that are hard to get in the Marea del Portillo and Pilon area. They want to join me in doing whatever we can to assist and empower the people of this special place.

What is it about this place that has charmed me and so many other visitors? It could be the landscape – a quiet beach on a picturesque horseshoe bay, against the majestic backdrop of the mighty Sierra Maestra Mountains. It could have something to do with the warm saltwater, the nearly perpetual sunshine or the abundance of blooming flowers. It could be all of that, along with other physical things, but I think the less tangible elements are really the key.

I’m talking about the people. The generally genial, welcoming attitude of the staff is what elevates this humble resort far beyond the three-star ranking. They work hard to keep the resort clean and in good repair – although parts and supplies are often difficult to get in this out-of-the-way rural region. They truly want guests to feel at home at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo and sister hotel Farallon del Caribe, which is a short walk up the hill from the beachfront Marea hotel and cabanas.

As well, when you venture beyond the resort grounds, you will find yourself exchanging smiles and nods with many friendly local people. Since the resort is the single most significant employer in the area, it’s likely you’ll see resort staff in the nearby villages, if you go for a stroll or hire a horse-cart driver to give you a tour. Either mode of transportation – foot or horse power – works well to provide a more up-close exploration opportunity, as does a bicycle.

Bikes are useful for both tourists and locals, but foreign visitors don’t usually consider them a necessity; Cubans do. It costs just $30 to ship a bike to Cuba via Sunwing, the operator of the resort where we’ll be encamped. I think this group will be taking several bicycles in October, which should be fun!

The yoga posse will be an active gang, I think, but we’ll all go at our own paces, since the group ranges dramatically in age, from 16 to 73. All but a few of the women intend to participate in Yoga on the Beach with instructor Wendy Martin, owner of the Sacred Breath Yoga Studio in Huntsville. She is planning to lead scheduled yoga sessions and to encourage spontaneous ad hoc yoga as the spirit moves. On most days, scheduled classes will be offered twice – at sunrise on the beach and during the late afternoon or early evening, depending on group preference. As well, Wendy welcomes resort staff to join in, free of charge!

I’m quite excited about this trip because I think this is going to be a phenomenally warm and wonderful crew of women, and the Cuban people they’ll meet at Marea del Portillo are the same – warm and wonderful. I think I’d better start practicing my group hug.

Abrazos,
Jenny
[P.S. I can still add a few more women to the posse but the price may be a little different. Contact me for details, if interested: jcgb@vianet.ca.]

Better yoga posse price for Oct. 12 women's trip

All-Girl-Yoga-Posse TRIP UPDATE

NEW & IMPROVED PRICING:
        $548 for 1 week, Oct. 12-19
        $858 for 2 weeks, Oct. 12-26

SAME DEADLINE & DEPOSIT:
        June 17, 2011, by 2 p.m.      
       $150 non-refundable deposit required
       VIP Cabana pkg. at Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba
        - includes flight, taxes, accom., food, beverages, lobster lunch,
           asstd. excursions, etc., etc.

Amigas,

I am still learning the nuances of the Sunwing booking process. I knew we needed a minimum of 10 for our initial booking and that we could add more on later but I didn't fully grasp that we can only add on 25% of the number we initially book. What that means is we need to book as many people as possible by June 17 - so that we'll be able to keep the door open for late-comers.

I learned this when I contacted my Sunwing rep yesterday, thinking I could go ahead and book our group, since we now have 13 women who have paid their deposits. In the process, I was able to get us a slightly better price, so I hope that will be further inducement for signing up by the end of this week! If you know someone who wants to go but has been procrastinating, please give her a nudge and remind her about the deposit deadline.

To book someone for this trip, all I need is the woman's name as it appears on her passport, her date of birth and the $150 deposit. The balance will be due in late August, when I will also host an info./get acquainted night for participants. For those signing up for Wendy Martin's Yoga on the Beach, the fee is $60; contact her directly to pay.

For those who have already paid the deposit - thanks! Even though you signed up when the price was $578, you will get this new, great rate. If you feel you can spare the $30 discount money, I would ask you to consider this: $30 is the cost of shipping a bike to Cuba. That's one of the projects I use money from my Cuban Friends' Fund to cover; I take bikes to give away every time I go to Marea del Portillo. If you want to help, just let me know.

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you, via email (jcgb@vianet.ca) or phone (705-788-1791). Deposits can be dropped off at my store (reVIBE!) or Wendy Martin's studio (Sacred Breath Yoga), both in Huntsville. Or, you may want to use the PayPal ("Donate") link on my blog but, if you pay this way, please add $5 to cover the service charges.

Adios,
Jenny

P.S. Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested - the more, the merrier!