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This year I traveled to Cuba. You know, it's that little island that's spitting distance from Florida and should not be visited without special dispensation. I wanted to see it before MacDonald's arrived. I'm so glad I did. I learned a lot and I met some wonderful people. It seems they like us. Now there's a change!
I'll add a short T/F quiz to each post the same as I did last year about Burma, and I'll post the answers to the questions the following day.
Answers to your T/F Quiz for C
FALSE 1.Unlike other Cuban notables, Castro is seldom seen in portraits or statues.
TRUE 2. Che was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1928. He was an avid marxist whose ultimate separation from Castro came because Che envisioned liberating all of Latin America.
D is for Dry-Feet
Cubans have a special category in American Immigration policy. If they can step onto U.S. land, they can stay and later apply for citizenship. Many Cubans have taken advantage of this policy, even risking dangerous waters and swimming to Guantanamo.
Before going to Cuba I read Swimming to Guantanamo by Jim Ryerson. It was excellent first hand information from the writer who has been to that island so many times he writes from a multi-cultural perspective. I recommend the book to anyone thinking of visiting Cuba.
Your T/F Quiz for D
1. Canada and Mexico have similar immigration agreements with the U.S.
2. There are about 1 million immigrants from Cuba in the U.S. today.
D is for Dry-Feet
Cubans have a special category in American Immigration policy. If they can step onto U.S. land, they can stay and later apply for citizenship. Many Cubans have taken advantage of this policy, even risking dangerous waters and swimming to Guantanamo.
Before going to Cuba I read Swimming to Guantanamo by Jim Ryerson. It was excellent first hand information from the writer who has been to that island so many times he writes from a multi-cultural perspective. I recommend the book to anyone thinking of visiting Cuba.
Your T/F Quiz for D
1. Canada and Mexico have similar immigration agreements with the U.S.
2. There are about 1 million immigrants from Cuba in the U.S. today.
I imagine many don't make it.
ReplyDeleteWill visit Juneta!
We take for granted what others risk for lives to obtain a small piece of.
ReplyDeleteDangerous crossing. Some make it, some do not.
ReplyDeleteI’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings.
Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs
That sounds like a very specific rule. I had no idea. It must encourage remarkably risky crossings by some people.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Hey, I got both of yesterdays questions correct! Another book to add to TBR list. I knew about Cubans being safe once they set foot on US soil, but I don't believe we have the same deal with Canada and Mexico, so #1 is False. And I'll say true on #2, though the number could be higher.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the risks people take to get their feet onto US soil?
ReplyDeleteI'll visit Juneta's place...
Writer In Transit
That would be a hard swim to make indeed. #1 is false.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be able to swim that far. Great posts, Lee and so pleased to hear you met some lovely people.
ReplyDeleteIf it's costing lives wouldn't it be best to make it harder? No, maybe not, just the hope of a better life would be enough for some. Sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm losing in the game of T & F - reminds me of school. LOL
With how dangerous it can be for Cubans to get to the states I feel like they deserve the chance at citizenship. How many of us would be willing to risk our lives?
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
For a start Lee I can't swim so I'd be useless there.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always.
Yvonne.
Like Alex, I believe many tragically do not make it. :-(
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that rickety boat would make it, but I guess that's the point; not many of them do.
ReplyDeleteFascinating post. Clever to visit before they get a Mcdonald's (I like that line!). Love the design of your website, by the way - those books on the home page are great. That's Purrfect
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Cuba and doubt I ever will go. I went to the Dominican Republic, and not the nice side of the island. The resort was gorgeous but you didn't dare leave to explore the rest of the island.
ReplyDeleteI believe one is false but two is true. My daughter if best friends with someone whose parents came here from Cuba.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
I've never heard of that policy, so I can positively say the answer to number one is false. I think number two is true.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that policy, too although I've seen a lot of YouTube videos on Cuba. I'll probably get the book, too.
ReplyDeletehttps://riandurants.wordpress.com/
Frightening to think how many do not make it. Canada and Mexico are part of the Free Trade Agreement, so I'm going to say their policies are likely the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks for your comment, you couldn't get through because I was hacked and it took me time to get my blog up and running. I had to submit the first three poems again but forgot to switch on the comment switch.....sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I can't imagine the courage it would take to jump on some sort of boat and risk my life. That alone speaks to how awful the situation must be.
ReplyDeleteNow I understand why so many people risk their lives.
ReplyDeleteUrszula Humienik from urszulahumienik.com
I would say no to the first question and yes tot eh second one. I knew that we were pretty easy on Cuban immigrants which makes me wonder why sons of Cuban immigrants can run for president on an anti-immigrant campaign... I suppose the last person in always wants to slam the door.
ReplyDeleteWe're so fortunate to take for granted what others need to struggle for.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, AZ cohost 2016
Great twist to the A-Z.
ReplyDeleteI am guessing no to the first, and perhaps to the second. Numbers of immigrants are so hard to pin down.
Interesting that the immigration policy is different.
ReplyDeleteYvonne V
Interesting Castro is seldom seen in statues or portraits. How old is he, I wonder.
ReplyDeletePioneer Women in Aviation A-Z
Very interesting about the American Cuban immigration policy. I never knew that. BTW, I never ever tire of getting to your home page and hearing and watching the books scroll to life!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about that policy. It makes sense, but I wish it applied to more people than just Cubans. I mean, I understand safety concerns, but when people are looking for a better life like Cubans? It's interesting to say the least how people view things.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of tragedies in the sea. I know about the policy from living in Miami.
ReplyDeleteThey sound very courageous.
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting and I didn't know they were able to stay as soon as they land here. I will say the the laws are different fro us Camucks to Mexico. I do say true to the 2nd one though.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they were allowed to stay as soon as they touched land. That explains why so many took such dangerous risks and tried boating/swimming the 90 or so miles to Florida. It also explains why so many died trying to make it to the land of the free. I'm going to say false we do not have the same agreement with Mexico, absolutely not. And I will say true for number 2.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book recommendation--I'm a huge fan of travel literature! I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this one pulled me in!
ReplyDeleteIts funny until recently people still tried to cross from Cuba but since all the changes I don't remember hearing anything new.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the post. You write good questions they all sound true.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I believe there are much more than a million Cuban immigrants in the United States. It seems like there are a million in Miami. As for Canada and Mexico having the same immigration laws as the USA, I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteI have put Jim Ryerson's book on my TBR.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange