viva la revolucion!

Today we watched a movie about the history of the cuban revolution and then proceeded to go to the museo de la revolucion. It is really incredible learning about the revolution from the Cuban perspective instead of an American one. Honestly after that day I saw Fidel as an incredible leader; he gave so much to the people of Cuba and bettered many lives of those who were oppressed. 97% of Cuba is literate, the highest rate in Latin America. They have free health care, and education and the people here seem happy. Many people across the globe revere Fidel, like Nelson Mandela. Castro helped free the Angolian people. It is interesting talking to the people here about capitalism and such things, we told them they wouldn't want McDonalds here because it would ruin their culture and the guys told us "Why cant we decide that for ourselves, we don't know how it is, why not just give us the chance to try it and see if we like it or not?" I have never thought of it that way. Yesterday a group of black delegates led by Barbara Lee came to Cuba to discuss the measures of the blockade. So perhaps soon you may all have the chance to come visit. 

On a side note as we were touring old havana the other day my roommate Desiree got pulled over by the police (who are EVERYWHERE) and got asked for identification. Here all Cubans must carry a form of identification because they are not allowed to associate with tourists especially not Americans since the police view this as them bothering us. Jiniteros/ Jineteras are very common here, they are prostitutes or anyone who tries to swindle you and get some money from you. So the police patrol very heavily making sure the Cuban people are not "bothering" the tourists. The guys we hang out with could be thrown in jail just for talking to us. So my roommate Desiree got pulled over for being a Cubana and being with the Americans. She was let of the hook since she had her Casa de las americas card (our identification while studying here) and they apologized for bothering here. But its all really interesting being here. Everyone STARES at you like full on stares, they also know everything we do and who we are. I enjoy meeting people here and it is seriously full on spanish immersion all the time which is a bit intense since Cubans speak really rapidly and with heavy accents. However, were learning bits and pieces here and there and have picked up some slang. Got to go grab some mojitos with new friends before dinner, but I will write more later. Chao!!