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flamingdem

(39,303 posts)
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 01:35 AM Mar 2016

On eve of historic visit, Cuba prepares for 'Hurricane Obama' -- and Mick Jagger too

http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-hurricane-obama-20160319-story.html

La Bestia "The Beast" is already in Havana awaiting Obama who arrives manana.

?itok=LumJVSGC

Cuba is preparing for a Category Five storm. Locals are calling it Hurricane Obama.

When President Obama touches down Sunday night in Havana — the first American leader to visit in nearly 90 years – he will find freshly paved streets and hotels that have been cleared of tourists to make room for his entourage.

Along with members of Congress, business leaders, and a Major League Baseball team, up to 1,200 journalists from around the world are descending on the Caribbean island, overwhelming officials at the Cuban press center who still fashion media credentials by hand.

Tourists who had reservations at the city’s top hotels were recently relocated — abruptly —to the beachside resort town of Varadero. Want a reservation at one of Havana’s hot new restaurants or a seat at a bar? Good luck.If the presidential fervor weren’t enough stress on Cuba’s aging infrastructure and relatively small tourism sector, consider the other minor events taking place here in coming days. Like a much-anticipated baseball game Tuesday featuring the Tampa Bay Rays, and a free concert Friday by Mick Jagger.

Cubans and visitors alike have been scrambling for tickets to see the Rays face off against an all-star Cuban team, a major event in this baseball-crazed country.

They won’t need tickets for the Rolling Stones show Friday night, but officials are worried about how many people might show up. Concert organizers, who added the concert at the last minute as the surprise last stop on the band’s Latin America tour, are setting up massive screens outside the concert venue and have told some local organizers that they hope for a crowd of 1 million.
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angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
1. I have always loved Cuba...their car preservation alone is worth a visit!
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 01:46 AM
Mar 2016

Well, maybe not always...there was that cargo from Russia...oh well, water under the dam

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
3. Let's hope it does not decimate what they have done for cars from the 50's
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 01:53 AM
Mar 2016

They may be poor, but no one is homeless! Or starving!

flamingdem

(39,303 posts)
4. Yesterday Obama appeared on a Cuban comedy show
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 01:56 AM
Mar 2016

using Cuban slang!

I've been there many times over nearly 20 years and feel that they really need help from the US. The infrastructure is falling apart. I think they'll keep some of the best aspects of the revolution and that they all agree on that.



Published on Mar 19, 2016

El actor Luis Silva, quien interpreta a Pánfilo en el programa de la Televisión Cubana, "Vivir del cuento" conversa con el Presidente Barack Obama en vísperas de la visita del mandatario estadounidense en la Isla. El video fue producido en la TV cubana y la Casa Blanca. El Presidente Obama ha tomado parte en algunos show de humor político en su país.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
5. I do love me some Obama!
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 02:10 AM
Mar 2016

The neo cons and the Cubans in Miami are frothing...which makes me that much happier!

Lisa0825

(14,487 posts)
6. "they'll keep some of the best aspects of the revolution..."
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 02:24 AM
Mar 2016

Interesting that you phrased it that way... I was there last March with a cultural exchange tour, and a Cuban economist that met with us used almost that very phrase! While no one I met denied the economic hardships that they have endured, I still heard over and over again how proud they are of the many aspects of their culture that are superior - their skilled medical professionals, support for the arts, etc. I hope they do preserve the many positives.

I was also assured that strong regulations seek to preserve the beauty frozen in time of the architecture - renovations and new buildings. So hopefully that feeling like one has gone back in time will continue, through all the changes that are coming soon.

flamingdem

(39,303 posts)
7. Some of that language is simply being political, knowing that the truth is a bit, well,
Sun Mar 20, 2016, 02:46 AM
Mar 2016

different. I've just learned to get along after a lot of time spent there. So many suffered, and still suffer there that it's important to point out what is positive. The poverty is so extreme, though not grinding really, but depressing for so many that they hold on to the few good things like health and education. They need an injection of cash, big investments, huge amounts of rebuilding. They know this ultimately and the USA is their best partner. Thank goodness this day has finally come that someone is truly their friend. President Obama. And he's practical enough to strip out the emotions and just do what is right, and in the right way.

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