Rebeca Monzo, Translator: jCS
If you think about it, Cubans really have very little to celebrate. But
the mere fact of being alive, being healthy, and feeling real desire for
change, are sufficient reasons to do so. Let us decorate our houses to
make ourselves feel better and joyfully welcome visitors, and under no
circumstances allow ourselves to lose the few traditions that we have,
those traditions, which, despite wind and tide, have remained alive in
the hearts of all.
Last night, walking down some of the neighborhood streets, I observed
with satisfaction that, despite shortages and high prices for Christmas
items, many homes are decorated and lit in celebration of the holidays.
Even just a few years ago, few people dared to do this; the majority
placing flags in front of their homes to celebrate another anniversary.
In the past, we alone adorned our balcony with garlands. Now, on my
block, at least four houses are decorated with lights and that was
sorely missed.
Besides handing out flyers advertising gastronomic offerings for the
24th and the 31st of December with Santa's face on them (grapes and
more!), the new paladares are all decorated with Christmas themes,
adding some life to the neighbourhood. Even five years ago, this was
unthinkable. Now, I hope and believe that this will be unstoppable.
Every time you meet someone in the street and you greet them, even if
they don't know you know, they will greet you with: To your health, and
to change. It might be said that in these times the greatest desire of
all Cubans is that these openings continue and that a great
transformation take place in our country, once and for all.
The door of totalitarianism has finally been opened just a crack; our
duty is to continue to keep on pushing so as to open the door wide. We
still have time, it's coming to an end.
Translated by: jCS
December 21 2011
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