Will Cubans Change Their Destiny?

On Sunday it is expected that Raul Castro will become the next President of Cuba and life will go on as before. The people I met while I was on the island all secretly expressed a desire for change, a hope for freedom from oppression but until they loose their fear and grab it with both hands, it will not happen. They have until Sunday to change their destiny.

"He flicked a switch to see if power had been cut, and turned a tap to check for water. He wondered whether the distribution centre would come through with milk rations for his two kids. Then he took the day off and went fishing."

That is why change will not happen anytime soon and the communists will stay firmly entrenched in Cuban society. They have lived under the communist boot for too long.

I loved the island and loved the people especially their easy going attitude to life, I mean what choice did they really have. But it is this easy going attitude that will stop them in the end from seizing the life they deserve.

We had planned on going there within the next few weeks and I had already started buying the goods that I planned to take with me to give away to hotel staff, stuff they can't get there or can't afford to buy, but the trip is now on hold. I will be watching the outcome with great interest.

Will Anything Change In Cuba - Not Anytime Soon

I have been to Cuba and I would like to go back. The beaches there were the most pristine I have ever seen (not that I've seen that many), and the Cubans are incredibly friendly. But I would prefer to go back only when the people are free. Will this happen anytime soon? Not as long as the population don't stand up for themselves like the people of East Germany did, to pull down the barriers to a better life. Maybe so many years living under dictatorship really saps you of your will, maybe you just can't fight back.

Of course there is much discussion as to whether the East Germans have a better life now or not, but they are free and that goes a long way.

Most Cubans don't expect much to change not with Fidel's brother firmly in power and the army and police at every corner. They will not have the freedoms that most of us enjoy and that is sad, from in my view. It would also not surprise me if Hugo Chavez was in there like a dirty shirt ready to help out Fidels' brother, you know, just in case he needs it. Of course bugging the Americans would be a little bonus and we all know how he likes to do that...