Different Perspectives

We all had an early start this morning. We departed the hotel at 8:30 am and rode into the Municipality of Cumanyagua. While there we had the chance to see a Cuban health clinic. In line with their socialist ideals, all healthcare in Cuba is free. As we arrived, though, I realized that "free" did not necessarily mean "better." I was disappointed by the condition of the clinic. The medical tools and instruments were outdated, and it was extremely crowded. There was no air-conditioning (with over 95-degree weather!), and the place didn't look all that sanitary, but despite all that, the nurses and doctors seemed very happy with their jobs and gave us a warm welcome. We learned about the Cuban health and education systems, and toured all the departments of the clinic. I found out that all education was free, too, from elementary to advanced graduate degrees. All medicine was through the government, so doctors were paid government wages. These paltry salaries amounted to no more than $350 a month. It was shocking to find that most doctors here rode to work on second-hand bicycles (and not by choice).

After our health clinic visit, we went to the Botanical Garden of Cienfuegos. It was actually created by a Harvard graduate sometime during the 20th century. It was a "natural" botanical garden and focused primarily on tropical trees. We saw trees from South America, Africa, North America, and Asia. A few other students and I even had the chance to swing from a Tarzan tree.

At noon we arrived back at our hotel. We had about six hours of free time. So I spent it by ocean paddle-boating and kayaking mixed in with some swimming in the outdoor pool and on the beach. After this, we had to perform. We went to downtown Cienfuegos and had a public concert. We all sounded amazing. Kenji, our instructor, even had a few rockin' solos. Following our concert was a Latin fusion band that we had met a few days earlier. They were in their twenties, and I had really fun time. The leader was wearing a Jimi Hendrix shirt, which was cool. At the end of the night we had a very good dinner, and I got to try rabbit (it tasted pretty good).

Now we're back at the hotel, preparing for a busy day tomorrow.

-Malik Jabati '15