Part 2: The story
of Cuba
This delves into the history of Cuba, the culture and how it
became what it is today. This is meant
as an informative framework to the info on Cuba as explored on this cruise,
however if you wish to skip the history lesson the next 2 parts of the blog are
the “meat & potato’s” of the journey.
~ LOOKING
BACK TO WHEN HAVANA AND CUBA CAME INTO BEING AS A EUROPEAN SUPERPOWER TERRITORY
AS WAS THE CASE FOR ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE
TO GO WAY BACK TO THE VERY EARLY 1500’S. ~
The Spanish Conquistadors we learned about as children,
famous explorers such as Cortes, Pizarro, De Soto and more sailed between the “new
world” and Spain, discovering the immensely deep and large natural port where
the city of Havana began more than 600 years ago. Spanish Flotillas assembled here for
centuries, using the safety in numbers maxim as they scurried back and forth
across the Atlantic.
The Spanish has kept pretty tight control over their island
outpost for centuries, which I feel adds considerably to the charm here. The Spanish Colonial and Baroque Architecture
that exists here dating back several centuries, and the subsequent style that
evolved with newer buildings maintained that similar style. Thankfully the several decades of Russian
influence did little to alter the architecture and landscape much. Very little evidence of Russian occupation, only
a handful of utilitarian Russian style structures visible.
~ CUBA WASN’T
ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNDER THE RULE OF SPAIN.
INTERESTINGLY, THE BRITISH INVADED AND CAPTURED HAVANA DURING THE SEVEN
YEAR WAR, IN 1762. THIS QUICKLY OPENED
UP COMMERCE AND TRADING / SELLING OF SUGAR CANE, COFFEE AND TOBACCO WITH THE 13
COLONIES. JUST 10 MONTHS AFTER WINNING
CONTROL OF HAVANA THEY TRADED IT BACK TO THE SPANIARDS FOR FLORIDA, WHICH WAS
ATTACHED TO THE 13 COLONIES AND MORE DESIRABLE TO THE BRITISH. ~
After 1776, trade still continued with the new United States
of America.
The French did not have much influence within Cuba, with some
exceptions but never complete rule.
French settlers into Haiti fled that tumultuous island in the early 1800’s
and re-settled into Cuba. Also, more
French from New Orleans interestingly, as they were fleeing the new control of
the USA over their former French controlled enclave in Louisiana after that
region was purchased by Thomas Jefferson.
Of course the indigenous people living on the island when the
Spaniards arrived are an influence. The
Taino people, along with Africans, some French and many Spaniards have mixed
together to become the people of Cuba today.
The U.S. has been interacting with Cuba at many levels for
centuries. Moving forward to the end of
the 1800’s; the Spanish – American War brought about the Spanish sinking of the
U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor. The
subsequent outcome of this war resulted in U.S. control of Guantanamo Bay.
Middle of the 1900’s, Havana became a world renown nightlife
mecca, with nightclubs and hotels sponsored by money from U.S. interests, both
legal and otherwise. Tourists flocked
here from the U.S. and elsewhere, and to the white sand beaches at Varadero,
about 1 ½ hour away.
Early 1940’s the elected President Fulgencio Batista started
his climb to power which ultimately became a dictatorship destined to be
overthrown. He did little to take care
of the people of Cuba, focused on increasing his wealth and the wealth of his
chosen few, including many foreign cohorts.
Enter, Fidel.
~ WHEN FIDEL
CASTRO SWEPT INTO TOWN ON HIS SECOND REVOLUTION ATTEMPT HE WAS TRULY TRYING TO
FREE HIS COUNTRY FROM THE OPPRESION OF A DICTATOR. HE WAS WELCOME, IMMEDIATELY STARTED
IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR ALL CUBANS AS HE HAD PROMISED. ~
Well, at the time of Fidel’s revolution, Cuba hadn’t set
itself apart from other neighboring islands, so their economy wasn’t doing so
great besides the Varadero Hotel zone and the Havana Nightlife district. That, along with the new directive to
nationalize U.S. business interests in Cuba and ban land ownership by
foreigners, that didn’t create great economic opportunities for Cuba with the
US and others. With his socialist
leanings, his philosophy seemed more in line with Communist principles than the
Free Enterprise system of the Democratic West, and he started cozying up to the
Soviet Union.
What followed was three “glorious” decades of prosperity and growth. Russian technology was brought to the island
in the form of agricultural equipment and more that was immediately put to good
use. Easy access to inexpensive fuel,
training and education. Fidel made good
on a promise to provide everyone education which he accomplished fairly
quickly. Standards of living rose, new
cars and ovens, etc. came flooding into the country.
Then it all came to a screeching halt in 1991 with the
collapse of the Soviet Union. Waugh – Waugh
– Waugh… This brought on what they call
the “Special Period”, where standards fell back to previous levels as not only
was their support eliminated but their big neighbor to the north not only doesn’t
get along with Cuba, they have a shipping embargo in place.
Fast forward to modern day, where you have seen of late the
ease of sanctions and removal of restrictions pertaining to U.S. – Cuba relations. Tourism has been possible with other
countries; Canadians and Europeans have been visiting Cuba for decades. Tourism revenue is very lucrative, and to
have this market open up to Americans will bring oodles of much needed cash
into Cuba. This is happening quickly,
with signs large and small that this is a force in motion, not easily stopped potentially
by a new US President in my opinion. I
spoke with some Canadians on board who did the same trip last year. They noted that last year one did not see a
single construction crane, however this year there were dozens. Since the communist ideology is not working out in reality, Cuba is moving very slowly towards a socialism with some private enterprise. Income taxes are about to start up along with the removal of subsidies / rations. There is plenty of opportunity in new Cuba for entrepreneurial ventures, yet still controlled by a somewhat cumbersome bureaucracy and rigid political ideals.
~ CHANGE IS
HAPPENING HERE, SOMETIMES AT A RAPID PACE, SOMETIMES MIRED DOWN IN BUREAUCRACY. THE CUBAN PEOPLE HAVE
EVOLVED INTO A VERY CULTURED, MUSICALLY INCLINED AND FUN-LOVING PEOPLE WHO HAVE
SEEN SOME SEVERE UPS AND DOWNS. THEY ARE
EMBRACING NORMALCY IN RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE US, AND FOR THE OLD SCHOOL
POLITICS TO BECOME SECONDARY. ~
This is my encapsulated version of Cuban history. A long blog on their musical heritage and
love of music would be in order as that is such a strong part of who Cubans are. The next two parts are on the cruise itself,
and on Cuba port experiences. There will
of course be some music intertwined in those parts!
For pictures of my Cuban experience, check out my Google Plus
profile through the link to the right.
