The
euphoria of the week in Havana was such that the intense search I was subjected
to by TSA (they were testing something or other in their CLT station). I joked
with the agents, who seemed to be annoyed at having to check me but went
through the procedure very well, pleasing for me to see this improvement in
American Border Security, remembering how lax it used to be before 2001. What
is this thing you have about turtle? One agent asked me, having seen a couple
of small turtle figures in my bag. I had to explain that if you view North
American Continent from the space, it is in the form of a turtle and the
ancients knew that, and of course it was very arrogant of the European
explorers to name their continent after a minor merchant who has long been
forgotten.
What
is this, hemp? An agent joked, I said if I had been caught in Cuba, it would
have been jail for me and it is quite legal in the USA, ha ha, but then told
him that it was the sacred tobacco my Ojibway brother had harvested with which
I recently prayed in the Bay of Brittany along with a young
Australienne-Bretonne.
It
is now back in the USA
My
chauffeur in Cuba, Yodel, drove me to the airport, said to me: Cubans don’t
realize that they loose their freedom when they move to the USA.. I thought
about it, he has reasons to say so, life in Cuba, once we accept the
fundamentals and the borders that is set, is one of contentment of the human
sort: friendships, family and the time to share your love and affection. He
said as I left the car: Te quiero, Hermano, nos vemos pronto,. I love you my brother. I will see you soon…
One
week of sheer pleasure being in Havana, fond of my portion of the street, L,
which once was the home of many of the Polish and Other Ashkenazi Jews. I feel
their presence, most of them dead now and some of them might be still alive in
Miami or other parts of USA?
Isaac
Gurevich was the name of the Polaco, who owned the apartment building in which
I live now. From the very beginning I felt something strange and strong.
Will
say Kaddish for him, as I was told by the President of the Jewish Community
that he migrated to the USA and died there.
Seven
days in Havana
In
my neighbourhood
Why
was I so euphoric?
In
just one word: Friends
Unbridled
affections
Tenderness
without agenda
Passion
with innocence
I
had six dinner parties; most of them for 7-8 people but one for my colleagues
was attended by 16, including my Cuban Mother.
Wonderful
times with colleagues, plans for the future, plans for our own lives in Cuba.
My
last night, I had a nice dinner, cooked again by the same person, my neighbour
across the callejon, alley, but with the absolute luxury of a Whitehaven
Sauvignon Blanc..
A
psychologist friend answered my enquiry into why I was so happy this time in
Havana
You
had one good news after another
You
came to celebrate the academic successes of two of your psychology colleagues
Two
recently graduated medical students travelled 1000 km to see you and you mad
their Internship year materially comfortable
Your
Neighbour, who cooks for you, her daughter’s pregnancy is going well, she is
receiving an attention, which would make even pregnant women in richer
countries jealous (PS Her Family Physician stops by on Saturday mornings to
check on her, compulsory checks, special diets, one a trimester interview with
the psychologist, emphasizing reduction of stress, and more)
You
are able to counsel people with your unique approach of biomedicine couched in
societal and psychological matters.
My
Landlady is extremely gracious and her husband dropped by to say hello, even
though they live in a further suburb. They also shared some good news.
This
on top of the good feelings from France and I must say, I was happy to see my
sister in Miami, less mired in stress.
It
is how I saw all these events, I looked at all of them very very positively,
cleared my mind about the conflict about France
More
importantly, I was grateful for all the friendships I have in Cuba
Felt
very humbled by the affections that I received
Now
to translate this euphoria into meaningful, lived in care of the wards under my
care, Indigenous peoples, to increase their sensibilities of their suffering
and how it can be overcome by our own vision of our world, our family, our
clan, our friends and our earth.
