“WHAT MAKES CUBA DIFFERENT IS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN AMONG THE AGING BUILDINGS WITH MUSIC, DANCING ALONG WITH A VI- BRANT AND GROW- ING COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS.”
Soviet Union, subsidies and oil/gas, Cubans faced an economic disaster called the “Special Period”. Cuba faced exactly what our modern so- ciety would face if we have a major electric grid failure. Gas stations closed, food was hard to find, pubic transportation was infrequent and crowded, there was no electricity— the country ground to a stop. Civiliza- tion, for most Cubans, retrogressed to a pre-1900s lifestyle. Rural com- munities still operate with a foot in the past; with their ‘transportation vesicles’ tied out in front yards, trot- ting in harness along four lane high- ways and with oxen yoked to plows. Everywhere young and hardworking people are bootstrapping themselves up from a very difficult generation of change. It’s hoped the new US regu- lations will not damage the related growth of a young middle class of Cu- bans whose lives depend on tourism and friendship. As each island territory or country had specific veterinary requirements, we took the most difficult entry coun- try, the British Virgin Islands for compliance. Once the necessary pa- perwork was completed, along with
was one of the people involved—but contact did not work in the two weeks we had available. Offshore and in the islands, communication is not easy! With this lesson learned, on our next Cuba visit, we will have months to co- ordinate; alternatively this would also be a wonderful area for collaboration by recognizedUSA groups such as the Havanese Club of America. What makes Cuba different is the people who live and work in among the aging buildings with music, danc- ing along with a vibrant and growing community of entrepreneurs. Due to tourism, your taxi driver/tour host may have a PhD in English or En- gineering; they find greater income from tourism as drivers and they are forming a new middle class. A stress on music and art has supported the wonderful sounds found in the local bars, the troubados at the paladars and is the salvation of the traditional Cuban music forms, dances and art. At all major tourism venues, both in the country and in the cities, its Cu- ban Rum bars, Cuban music played live by skilled musicians and Cuban tourist trinkets are scripted. In the 90s, with the collapse of the
Sadly the answer was no, but from all comments, they are desperately needed as well as heartwormmedica- tions. If there are no groups making an effort to provide the medications and vaccines, it would be an excellent out reach from the USA. The need is certainly there! Cuba has wonderful dog linages and in April, the FCI dog show showcases the breeds kept pro- tected in Cuba since the 1950s. Un- fortunately, due to USA regulations, we could not stay for the April 23, 2017 dog show, our time was up April 18!We do hope to be able to attend the 2018 show with at least one Havanese entry, if newUSA regulations allow. Because we went to Cuba rather sud- denlywhen the rallydecided topartic- ipate, contacting Havanese breeders, even the breeder of our one Havanese line was impossible. First, US email is severely restricted; we could not reach or, at least, did not seem to reach the contacts we were provided by our Canadian friends. Then when we arrived, there was no easy phone service, internet is controlled se- verely by the government. We knew there were Havanese nearby, there was an FCI dog show and my contact
48 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2019
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