Coming
Home to Havana
The
flight from Miami was a short 51 minutes today. The flight was mostly Cuban
Americans going to celebrate holidays or vacations, a sprinkling of foreigners,
remainder of the Hippie days and ideologies.
I
was sitting in Seat 4 C and there was no one sitting next to me.
Before
I knew it the captain was announcing that we are about to land.
I
was the first one off the plane and this time I carefully chose who would get
the privilege of being my Immigration Officer. No older black stern looking
ladies with ideology stiff of their necks, I chose a pleasant 30 something man,
looked of canary island origin. Even before he could ask anything I said; I am
a professor at the University and have a long-standing relationship with Cuba.
A
couple of quick checks and he said
Bienvenidos
a Cuba and stamped my passport.
A
young recent graduate was manning the electronic gate where they check your
hand luggage and the process was just anything but rigorous, I had two carry on
this time, so I was a little apprehensive but nothing happened.
Standing
at the carousel to retrieve my two heavy bags, one laden with food and the
other with presents of necessary stuff for my friends. The food-containing
suitcase had an AX mark that makes obligatory checking by the Public Health or
Fito Sanitary inspectors. I opened the bag, before that I gave them my card
saying that I am a Medical Doctor and a Professor. The usual questions, and a
check to make sure I was not brining anything that would be destructive to the
agriculture and cane sugar in Cuba… and within minutes I was out through the
throngs, some offering me taxi rides.
I
had already called my chauffeur from Miami and he would be there at our usual
place of meeting. I went to the Money Exchange place. There were four of the
agents sitting there, an unusual sight indeed in Cuba, I chose a young women
(in fact hey were all young women) and the first she said to me was L why don’t
you give me your scarf? No I said but I will give you a piece of chocolate, as
the previous time that was the request from yet another young lady at the
window. She shows it to others as if some trophy and I added to her loot by
donating one of the nice ballpoint pens from my travels. A quick transaction to
change some Euros into CUC...and to the waiting driver
My
driver effusively greets me and said the 1949 Oldsmobile is waiting.. He kept
on telling how much he liked to come and pick me up. This has gone beyond the
financial arrangements we have, as he has not increased the price of the pick
up in years plus he never asks for any gifts or extra money. For him, the
friendship has some deep meaning and sensibility.
My
landlady was already in the house, having arrived there earlier in the day, to
prepare my lunch.
The
menu was Yuca, White Rice and LOBSTER.. I called a visiting social scientist and
asked her to join me for Lunch and when she arrived, the three of us had a nice
chat and a slow lunch, and talking about our various positive views of the
Cuban society.. A nice welcome home,
after wandering around the world since leaving Cuba just three weeks ago.
PS
my Landlady is allergic to Lobsters..
