Los Medicos Cubanos

I was looking forward to a relaxing Sunday after a long week. I went to mass in the morning. Francisco then asked if I wanted to go to Valera with him to visit some friends. I need to start remembering what this means. I figured he would pay for it, and I wanted to see Valera, so I said I would go with.

We were visiting some Cuban doctors living in Valera. Cuba supplies medical personel to many countries, especially in Central and South America. We got there about 11. Lots of fast Spanish in accents I struggle with (Francisco´s Maracucho and their Cuban). They did have a television though that stayed on in the background throughout, with the volume down. WHen I was exhausted from trying to keep up with the conversation, I just watched some movie with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jo...how is that spelled? Anyway, the volume was down but I could read the Spanish subtitles well enough. That kept me busy until around 8:00.

I have been growing very tired of the criticism of the US. I think there are many valid criticisms to be leveled at the government and people, but the way people here do it is very frustrating. They can have a one dimensional view of the country and criticise it. I don´t have that luxury. They seemed to assume that becuase I don´t agree with much of what goes on, I agree will agree with their criticism. Usually, they say "isn´t that right?" and I have to say "actually, no, because of these laws and these cultural norms...." I understand their side of it well enough I think, but it´s tiring, and there came a point where I was definitely ready to return to Carorita.

But, something very interesting came one the news. I should mention that they got a couple Cuban TV stations by satelite. Apparently, Castro offered Bush around 1100 medical professionals and Bush accepted. The news halted television in Cuba for two hours. I couldn´t find mention of Bush accepting it on CNN online today. There was a special on the damage from the hurricane, and then a long address by Castro to a theatre of the doctors, backpacks and all, before they boarded the planes.
\r\n \r\nEveryone with me was very excited. I´m not quite sure why. It might have been partly a vidictive justification, but I think mostly it was just excitement at the acknowledgement of their country. They were also excited because they knew many of the people in the audience, about to leavfe for Texas. I also see why you don´t seem much of Castro in US television. He´s a very likeable guy. I actually understood most of his address with just a few words filled in. \r\n\r\n \r\nI´m not entirely as optimistic about this as they were. It wouldn´t surprise me if they aren´t appreciated as much as they think they should be, or aren´t welcomed. BUt many the need is great enough that they will be. It could be a very important first step. \r\n\r\n \r\nRegardless, I think I had a very unique way or experiencing that small bit of this whole, large situation.\r\n\r\n",0]
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Everyone with me was very excited. I´m not quite sure why. It might have been partly a vidictive justification, but I think mostly it was just excitement at the acknowledgement of their country. They were also excited because they knew many of the people in the audience, about to leavfe for Texas. I also see why you don´t seem much of Castro in US television. He´s a very likeable guy. I actually understood most of his address with just a few words filled in.

I´m not entirely as optimistic about this as they were. It wouldn´t surprise me if they aren´t appreciated as much as they think they should be, or aren´t welcomed. BUt many the need is great enough that they will be. It could be a very important first step.

Regardless, I think I had a very unique way or experiencing that small bit of this whole, large situation.