In Miami, it is not just the cars and other vehicles that clutter the air with the noise but more odious is the noise created by the thinking of the people. Every one who has access to a phone or TV news show seem to have become an expert without a true understanding of what is happening.. to their country but not to their minds and of course what happens in other countries are of no interest to an ordinary Americans..
I will never forget what my first Native teacher, Dr Brown of the Meskwakia said to me
You have come across the best of this country, US the natives..
True to her words I have been with the Native population of the USA and also in other parts of the world .
When i was a student, people were all curious to know to satisfy their ego: what is the best thing about USA ? they would ask, expecting a reply to gloat by
Mexico, I would say. It is so close that I can spend more time there.
Yesterday I spent the day with a Native American group and it was thoroughly satisfying day.
It was a good day to leave the United States of America. Not to get away from their cheap glamour and unhealthy food but to get away from the NOISE OF THEM THINKING ..
During the covid, to save money they had fired or laid off many workers who went on to find less oppressive jobs and there is a tremendous shortage of people who do actual work to make our lives comfortable in airports: people who man the desks, people who load our luggage, flight attendants and of course pilots and then planes (one of them caught fire in the Miami airport, a low cost airlines) If legacy airlines cant keep up , what do you expect low cost and ultra low cost to do ..
I have never seen Miami airport so full of people. and of course amidst of all these, elderly people were looking to check into flights to Dominical Republic (good luck), lines and breaking of lines and 30 minutes for security and even the TSA pre check which is a privilege was longer but moved swiftly. The other side of the airport offered a little calm especially the Lounge of the airline.
10 20 am was the departure time came and went. after multiple delays we left at 11 55 and reached our destination in 45 minutes. The flight was full to the brim and i was able to get out quickly and arrive at the Immigration line early enough to clear it quickly.
Then another interminable wait began for the luggage. You do not travel to Cuba without a LOT of luggage. I can go on a round the world trip with a hand luggage (a RImowa Salsa pull on) and a backpack (Coach) . On this day, i had to check in two suitcases (the Cubans going home had all Bultos which come in all shapes always wrapped in nylon with Jorge, Yanepsy written on them on bold black letters.. hundreds of them) Suitcases such as mine , one weighing 62 lbs and the other a mere 50 lbs come last and today that meant. 2 hours..
People compare this short journey and the gulf of the culture that separates them as the journey from the western Europe to the Communist bloc of the olden days
On my round the world trips I can manage with the blue RImowa carry on and the Coach backpack but Cuba is not the rest of the world.. To love Cuba is to sacrifice for her
Once the luggage arrived within two minutes I was out of the customs hall and warmly greeted by my Cuban sister..
who had prepared a nice lunch for me
A gentle walk along the Malecon
this is the callejon or alley that leads to the apartment where i live
Not much noise
occasional cars tearing through making an unduly sound
i walked back to my house, 100 metres from the sea
a quietness, so calm, body and mind felt calm
It was so good to get away from the NOISE OF PEOPLE THINKING...
mostly about themselves
not about women among their midst
not about the people who are poor for no fault of their own
Discreet charm of the bourgeoisie
but those who think to hurt others are not bourgeoisie but petite bourgeoisie .. without substance, like an empty bottle making too much noise
my body is tired but i have not felt my mind so calm in a very long time
Keep the noise of your conservative thinking on the other side of the Florida Straits..
