My Initial Thoughts on the US-Cuba Policy Shift

Like many Americans, I was overjoyed upon hearing President Obama announce his plan to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba. Although there has been some question (especially from the conservative end of the American political spectrum) around the negotiation strategy used by the President to strike a deal with the Cuban government to exchange prisoners and reopen embassies, lawmakers and citizens from both sides of the aisle have expressed sentiment that this was a necessary and overdue shift in US foreign policy. That said, upon reflecting on my experiences and observations having traveled to the country twice in the last year as the wife of a Cuban citizen, my excitement was quickly overpowered by strong feelings of concern and uncertainty for my family there with regard to how this policy change could impact their lives. 

If Congress decides to lift the embargo and the US begins trading with Cuba, it seems to me that the Cuban government will need to rework some aspects of the rhetoric of the Castro regime, which has historically placed blame for much of the country's economic hardships due to lack of resources (food, materials, technology, etc.) on the U.S. embargo. I have to wonder if the Cuban government will either shift the blame and maintain the status quo, or be forced to change the system. I hope it's the latter, and that there will be an increase in economic opportunity for the citizens. My concerns arise from the fact that the Castro regime has framed this as a victory for the revolution, hailed the released prisoners as national heroes, and emphasized in recent speeches that Cuba will remain communist and that the US should respect the Cuban system.  

So, what will this mean for the average Cuban moving forward? Cuba's system has some things that work really well - education and healthcare, for instance. But, the average Cuban's day-to-day life, really, no es fácil. 

One of the biggest sources of the problems I have observed for the Cubans is the combination of low salary, the inability to find ways to [legally] increase your income, and the two-currency economic system. Salaries are extremely low (equivalent to $10-20 monthly, on average), no matter what career a person has. It is possible to start a business now (if you have the money to invest, of course), but the government takes a huge cut (i.e. taxes). Many people sell items and services on the black market to get by. On top of that, everything in stores is sold in "chavitos" (Cuban Convertible Peso, CUC), but the people get paid in Cuban pesos (this is part of the two-sided economic system they have there). So, they have to convert their paychecks to another currency (for a fee) before they can make any purchases. However, items in stores are outrageously expensive even by America standards. I should write a separate blog post on "shopping in Cuba." Then, there is the food ration card issue. I think I'll write a separate blog post on that, too. 

In any event, only people who have money are either lucky to have a job where they can get extra money from tourists or if they have relatives who send remittances from abroad. Then, there is also this constant frustration of sometimes having the money, but not being able to get the things you need (or vice versa) - if you have money and things are available to buy at the same time, it is really your lucky day. Luckily, in the big cities they usually have things, but in the smaller cities and towns, it is very common to go to the store and repeatedly hear customers ask for things and then have the store workers respond with "No hay, mi amor" ("There isn't any, my love").

I am afraid if things open up and the economy doesn't change, things will actually get worse for the Cuban people before it gets better. Just as an example: Regarding travel, if there is a sudden influx  of American tourists, and the government doesn't prepare with improvements in the food supply and other necessary goods or improve the infrastructure, it's going to be a mess. It is already to hard to find things, what will happen when more of the products get funneled to the tourist area? There won't be anything available in stores and black market prices will probably skyrocket.

Also, selfishly, I am afraid the price of tickets to fly to Cuba are going to increase dramatically as well, and it will be harder for us to get down there and see the family. 

There are soooo many things. I have been holding out on blogging about Cuba for a year now. More to come... 

Visiting Vietnam - Saigon - October 2013

In the summer of 2013, my boss informed me that he didn't need me to teach in the fall and that he needed someone from the ELC to go to Brazil in September and represent ODU at a student recruitment fair.  Obviously, I was ecstatic to have that opportunity, as I hadn't been out of the country in 12 years - and that was to Canada, which doesn't really count. I had been on several other international trips as a teenager, but never as a solo traveler.  

While waiting additional word about the trip, I began getting my documents in order. As it turned out, my passport was about to expire within two months, and I couldn't get it renewed in time to get a visa to travel to Brazil in September. Fortunately, my boss told me he still needed someone to go to Vietnam in October and asked me if I was interested. 

Of COURSE I was interested!! For some reason, I had never thought about traveling to Vietnam or even Asia before, but I was immediately so excited to have the opportunity to travel to Southeast Asia for a week. I knew almost nothing about Vietnam and not a word of Vietnamese, but I was ready to pack my bags and go explore what I knew would be an amazing place.

So, I renewed my passport, applied for my tourist visa, got the recommended vaccinations, booked my hotels and flights, packing my bags, researching things to do and places to go in the two cities I would be visiting: Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon) and Hanoi.

I departed Norfolk, VA, USA on Thursday, October 3rd and arrived in Saigon on Saturday, October 5th at around 12pm local time. Of course, I could write all about my nearly 30 hour journey to the other side of the world, but I'll skip right to the good stuff.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)                    

There is no better feeling than arriving in a foreign country and being greeted by a friendly and familiar face. I had never met Duyen before landing in Vietnam, but she and I embraced like old friends when we met outside the airport where she had been waiting to for me with a colorful hand-drawn sign bearing my name. Not only that, but she had a SIM card for the prepaid cell phone that her sister (a student of mine) had given me back in Norfolk.  Not even five minutes in Southeast Asia and I was experiencing the gracious hospitality of the people. I won't lie, it was pretty awesome to have that personal connection through my sweet student as well.

Duyen only spoke a few words of English, but one of her family members was with her and spoke a bit of English, which was definitely reassuring. He promptly loaded my bags into his car and he asked me where I was staying, which was the Saigon Sheraton, and we merged into the organized chaos of the traffic.

So, there I was in Vietnam! I sat there in Duyen's cousin's(?) car wishing I could spin my head around 360 degrees on its axis in order to take it all in properly. 

After stopping at the hotel to check in and leave my luggage, Duyen and I headed back out into the rainy Saigon streets and caught a cab to the Reunification Palace to do the "tourist thing". Duyen and I could barely speak with each other, but we had no trouble communicating at all. We hit it off right away, and we had a great time! We both cried when we said farewell 36 hours later.

My time in Saigon went by in a flash. Because I was also expected to work while in city, I really only had [less than] a day to see and do things. After seeing the Reunification Palace on Saturday afternoon, Duyen and I walked around downtown Saigon a bit, visiting the famous Ben Thanh Market and catching a fantastic performance of the AO Show at the Saigon Opera House.  We also bought our tickets for a boat ride on the Saigon River for the following evening. 

Sunday was a work day for me, so I spent it at the recruitment fair being held at the hotel. It was really exciting talking to prospective students about studying at ODU, but it was a little slow, so I was excited to get back out and see things that evening. After my work commitments were over with, I had a little time to explore on my own, and then later in the evening, Duyen picked me up from the hotel and we went on that boat ride. After that, we had a really great dinner and then went to the mall for dessert.

Alas, my time there just was not enough, and I am sparing 95% of the details because I really could go on forever about the brief but amazing time I did have in Saigon. I'd rather let the pictures speak for themselves. In future blog posts, I will definitely elaborate... 

On Monday, I flew north to Hanoi where I spent several more days. More to come...   

   

  

Southeastern Summer Solo Road Trip 2014 - The Planning Phase - Day 1

A few weeks ago, my boss informed me that my contract would be changing to a 10-month contract, meaning that I'd have about two months off of [paid] vacation each summer. In realizing that I haven't had two full months off from work or school since high school - in other words, about 14 years - I, needless to say, immediately began thinking of ways to get out and do some exploring and adventuring in this seemingly vast expanse of free time laying ahead of me.

First, I thought about visiting Cuba, but I think I'd rather save that for when my husband is able to travel with me - maybe we could go for the holidays again this year.

Well, today I had an epiphany.  Actually, I think this epiphany might have stemmed from some things I learned in this book I just finished reading: I Could Do Anything If Only I Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher. For instance, in Chapter 6 "I Want Too Many Things; I'm All Over the Map," I sort of identified myself as someone who is what she refers to as a "scanner."

In this chapter there is a short exercise that walks you through a thought process to help yourself realize that you can do all the things you want to do - but sequentially, and in their own time. I've always wanted to take a summer and travel around the U.S., but I've never done it. Well, now is my chance! And really, I need this! Lately I've been practically overcome by feelings of restlessness and wanderlust. My plans to travel abroad didn't pan out, but I really feel like at this very moment I am in serious need of some time to explore new places and, at the very least, temporarily feed my free-spirited nature.

So, here's what I'm thinking:

I definitely still need to tweak this plan a bit, but this will be my approximate route.  I'd like to head southwest and check out Asheville.  I've heard it is a really cool little town, and that I'd love it.  Then, I'd like to head over to Nashville and try to hear some live music and check out some must-see attractions there.  After that, I'll make a possible detour to Cadiz, KY to meet an old friend before heading down to Memphis, where I'm hoping to take in some music, food, and drinks.  I'd also like to see if I can go fishing on the Mississippi River either in Memphis or on my way south to Jackson, MS.  Honestly, I have no idea what to see in that city, but I'm sure I will discover something!

The part of the trip I'm most excited about is New Orleans - I have ALWAYS wanted to visit there! I want to eat seafood and busk on the street - even if it's just for 5 minutes. I just want to be able to say that I busked on the streets of New Orleans before I died - and if I can make enough dollars to buy myself a beer, even better!

After, Louisiana, I'd head back east through Biloxi and Mobile before heading north toward Atlanta.  Then, I'll make my way toward the coast and hit Savannah before passing through Charleston, which will be my last stop before heading home.

I figure it this way - that's 7 cities. If I take 15 days for the trip, I'll be able to spend about a day and a half or so in each city. It will be about 40 total hours of driving (that's about 5 hours over the estimate according to Google Maps, adjusting for traffic and detours).

I want to go camp, fishing, hiking, and biking; I want to get lost in used bookstores, drink coffee in locally owned cafes, eat fresh fruit and vegetables from farm markets, buy some local art, and listen to live music while drinking seasonal microbrews; and I want to learn, meditate, and just generally recharge my batteries.  [Hipster alert. Ha!]

But seriously, I want and need to do all of those things.  I'm really excited about this idea, and I'm hoping I can make it happen.