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A Swedish man's account of his latest trip to Santiago de Cuba

This was posted at The Green Screen He gave me permission to post it here also. You can read more of what he had to say by clicking on the above link and on Saturday he had a new post also worth reading: Gastronomy is only a word

"Arrived in Santiago Nov 23 to find a huge heap of dirt and rubbish at our porch. There's one of those new "revolutions" going on. Now it's the water. Every home will have a water meter, and all tubing in the streets is replaced with new plastic tubing. They have built two new factories for all the plastic tubes that are needed, and most of the island's prisoners are working on the water system. First a large tractor with a huge saw makes a huge slit along the street, then a somewhat smaller tractor with a not so huge saw cuts slits across, for connecting tubes to every house. Ours was already connected when we got there.

All houses now shall have a water meter. The philosophy behind is that it will make people save water, thus saving the state huge costs for pumping. After three weeks without water, I check the meter, and it shows that more than 200 cubic metres of water has passed. It is still running, but not a drop of water reaches our tank. Somewhere under the pavement, thousands of gallons is seeping into the soil under our house, and we get no water. The neighbour's meter shows about 15 cubic metres, ours 204.

But there's still water in the old system, and we arrange a hose from the neighbour to fill our two tanks. One for the washing machine. We need to wash a lot, because the father of the guy that watches our house while we're away is very ill, and he needs special attention and wets his clothes. He's been ill for several months, prostate cancer, and he is in terrible pain, moaning and screaming any time around the clock. We decide to make room for him in the house after he has been to the hospital for a cat scan, so we host him in our back room. He needs attention 24h, and we hire hands for some of the time.
There's no way of getting morphine; the family doctor never shows up. We have a few friends that are doctors, helping us with medication, but the painkilling drugs we use are not sufficient. The poor man is suffering, and I'm frustrated that I cannot alleviate his pain. He has methastases in the column and cannot lie down. He's in his rocker chair, and he's been sitting in it for three months now, well into the fourth. One day the son takes all the clinical history to the oncological hospital and asks whether they might take him in there. He is told to bring in the old man, and we go there with an ambulance. The ambulance people are careless, so they scrape his arms against the walls while carrying, so he arrives to the hospital with a couple of wounds. At the hospital, they don't receive him, the doctors don't even care to look at him. He's a 91 year old gentleman that has served the "Revolution" most of his life, and now he's looked at as some animal we scraped up from the gutter. We're told that they cannot take him in, as we don't have the diagnosis from the family doctor or the policlinic. So we take the agonizing old man in a taxi to the policlinic where we are first taken to the urologist, where two doctors palpate his lower abdomen and conclude that it's not a case for them; he has no urine retention. Then we are taken down to "la guardia", where he's laid on a bed, still in agony. I adjust the bed so that his edema in the lower legs is relieved, in a kind of half-sitting position, and he's given a saline solution of dextrosis with vitamin B that takes a few hours. All the time in agony. By the end of that dripping intravenous infusion, he's finally given a dose of morphine.

In Cuba morphine has serious restrictions, and the vial must be returned to the pharmacy and there's a lot of paperwork. They don't readily want to do that, so they are very reluctant to give morphine. Anyway, it works, he calms down, we can even talk to him, and he wants to go home. Before leaving, he's given a catheter, and when he pees, we find that it is too small, he pees at the side and wets the bed and makes a little lagoon on the floor. We stay there another hour before anyone cares about cleaning up. That's when we are ready to leave. One of the clinic hands comes to make the bed for the next patient, and by now the sheets have dried, so he makes it with those old sheets... I tell him "esas sábanas tienen meao", and he removes them and gets some clean bedsheets.

We take him home, and keep him there till early, a few minutes into December 23, he gives up his breath. Me and his son lay him down on the bed and dress him neatly. I put his teeth in and we shave him. He really looks fine when we put him in the coffin. Now there's a struggle to get a doctor to make the papers we need for the funeral. It's raining all the time, and the son has to take a taxi to the clinic and back with the doctor and then back to the clinic again. When he gets to the funeraria, they discover that the papers aren't correctly filled, so the son must once again go to the clinic. The taxi bill was over 20 CUC. An hour before noon the old man is buried. There is one institution that is prompt, la funeraria. It is even cleaner than the hospital.

And that day I was crying. We were alleviated that we didn't have to wake over him any more, but I was so frustrated that I hadn't been able to alleviate his pain, and that the old man was treated in such an undignified way while still alive. Is it too much to ask, that an old man's pain is relieved the brief time that he'll still be alive? All we could do was give him TLC, but we could not relieve his pain. I'm so sorry. So; I'm back in Sweden. I have seen more than I ever wanted to see of Cuban health care. If I ever get into such a situation as the old man, I hope it will not be there. Here in Sweden, not even a dog is treated like that."

How sad! I wish that Michael Moore could read what you wrote about health care in Cuba for regular Cubans.

New book about the Cuban rebellion of 1952 - 1959

The website below contains information on a research/writing project initiated more than 20 years ago: “Rethinking the Cuban rebellion of 1952-1959” Three books have already been published. Would you add the website as a link to yours and/or make a special announcement? I will appreciate it. José (Pepín) Alvarez, Emeritus Professor at the University of Florida http://josepepinalvarez.com

We are glad to fulfill your request. George

Young reader was not aware of how bad things were in Cuba

Hello, my name is Ashley White I'm 21 years old and I have been researching the conditions in Cuba. I have always known that Cuba was a communist country ruled by Fidel Castro for years upon years. After looking at your site, I honestly didn't know how truly bad the conditions are in this country. The way the people are treated, how bad the hospitals are...I'm in tears right now. Many Americans just live in their own world and refuse to see how other people are living-this needs to change. This needs to be taught in schools, what a communist dictator can do to his country and citizens. Castro has tricked the Cubans into a lie, saying that quality free health care is provided-after looking at your site, this is a lie! Also, Michael Moore is a pig! I have never liked him. I just wanted to let you know, that my prayers go out to Cuba and it's citizens and also for you and your family. Stay strong and keep reporting the truth. Sincerely, Ashley White

Thanks for writing. It is incredible how Castro's propaganda machine has been able to confuse so many people for such a long time. I'll continue to do everything that I can to expose the real Cuba. And yes, Michael Moore is a pig. May God bless you and your family.

From someone who thinks that I built a "set of Havana"

I must say that this website is the biggest piece of shit on the internet. You actually put up those photos. That is not Havana; it's some set that you and your followers have managed to build! It's clear to me that you're a capitalist. The problem that you and everyone else have with Fidel, Raul, and Che is that they're all against capitalism. I can understand why the American government would hate Fidel because people in America have to put their house up for bond to pay their medical care when, 90 miles off the coast of Florida, the Cuban people have free universal healthcare. It's true that Cubans live longer than Americans because there's no stress. There are no 80-hour work weeks in Cuba. There's none of this "I'm busy" lifestyle. Americans are the ones that are slaves, not Cubans. Americans, like my family, have to scrape and scrounge to pay rent while Cubans have free housing. College students, like myself, are up to our ears in student loan debt while, 90 miles off the coast of Florida, the Cuban people are going to university for free! Americans are forced to get up at 4 AM to work $7.50 an hour jobs and scrape and scrounge to pay rent and feed their children. I call that SLAVERY!!!! You probably drive around in an Escalade. If you notice, it's not the Cuban-Americans who are doing manual labour. That's why everyone in South Florida votes Republican; they like the fact that George "Dubya" has killed thousands to hand everything to the rich capitalists. Chris Farrell

I must say that your letter is the funniest thing that I have received in the 5 years that I've had this website. I'm still laughing at your claim that I built a Hollywood set to imitate Havana. That is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I will post your letter in the Feedback page so that my readers can also laugh at the stupidity of those who support the Hitler of the Caribbean. By the way, since everything is so wonderful just 90 miles away from Florida, What are you waiting to move there? When you go to Cuba to live as another slave, send me an e-mail and let me know if you found the paradise that you expected. Oh, I forgot, your idol won't let you connect to the Internet. Sorry!

Wants to make sure that everything in therealcuba.com is true

I was turned on to your website through Atlas Shrugs. I must say that you present a totally different picture of Casro's Cube than some of these people who love Fidel Castro. I think you might understand who I'm talking about. Those pictures of how that once thriving country has been turned into a slum are just awful. I find it very fasinating when I see some of our young people wearing these "Che" T-shirts and think he is somekind of hero or what have you. And they have recently made a new movie about "Che" starring Benicio Del Torro. I think you may have heard of it already. Well my 20 year old son watched it a few days ago and he told me that he loved the movie. I asked him if he liked "Che" and he said yes and he thought it was wrong what happened to him in the end. I don't want to be the one to tell him that that portrayal of this man is inaccurate. So I told him to check out your website and then tell me what you think. Are there any more websites that you might recommend to us. I have referred people to your website because of this current debate on this healthcare issue. I am constantly arguing with people and I'm always hearing how wonderful Cuba's healthcare system is. I just want to know that I am showing something that is for real. I believe these pictures and articles, as difficult as it is to believe, but can you just reassure me that everything on your website is true? To me, this is just mind blowing. Ed Arredondo

Thank you for writing. All the pictures shown at therealcuba.com have been taken in Cuba and present the reality of the island, a reality that is ignored by tourists and by those who travel to Cuba invited by the Castro regime. Many of the pictures at the hospitals in Cuba were taken by Dr. Darsi Ferrer, who was recently arrested and is now facing an 8 year sentence. Some of the other photos at the Marina Azcuy senior facility in Pinar del Rio province were taken by two independent journalists, Adela Soto and Luis Alberto Pacheco. They both had to leave Cuba after the photos were published. This website has been visited by over 2 million people and no one has ever found anything that they can point out at as being not true or inaccurate.

An upcoming opera about Reinaldo Arenas

My name is Wes Mason. I am an American opera singer who will be portraying the late Cuban Poet, Reinaldo Arenas, in the world premiere of the operatic adaptation of his autobiography Before Night Falls. I came across your website during my research and found it very interesting and powerful. I am trying to speak with as many Cubans as possible on their feelings towards Cuba, their stories, their memories, their opinions of great Latin American writers like Reinaldo. Do you have anything to offer? Any direction to point me in? Thank you very much for you time...I'll be sure to check the website often. Best, Wes

Hi, I saw the movie, Before Night Falls, and found it to be a pretty accurate account of some of the things that happened in Cuba. I don't know what kind of information are you looking for, but would be glad to answer any questions that you may have, or try to find any additional information that you may need.

Paid spammers?

Hi, I just found your website, it's great. This website is exactly people should see to understand that their belief, that there is no poverty, racial discrimination or class differentiation in Cuba, is utterly, utterly false. Comment on the Canadian lady who claims she is in Cuba: You probably already know but many Cubans are paid to send these messages around the world and diffuse false information. Students from Cuba who go abroad to study are often working for the intelligence. 20% of the hotel employees in Cuban hotels also work for the intelligence, and all phones are wired, mail read and internet hacked to find dissidents. But you must already know that your website is being read by Cuban intelligence. ZJ

Letter from an American who consider Cubans his friends

I am a friend to Cubans because they were friends to me when I had no friends. Born and raised in New York City, I left home at 19. I found myself in Pasadena California. My first friends were Cubans recently exiled (1963) from Havana. They had little but all members of the family worked (mostly for Farmer John Pork Company) in Los Angeles. They helped me get a job, a home and they became my surrogate family for the next three years. Today most live in Miami and I visit every chance I get. After 45 years, they are all prosperous and have lived the American dream. They all chipped in and collectively paid to get all of their family members out of Cuba. I have listened to their stories of false imprisonment, poverty and being overworked to the point of feeling like slaves. They talked of the spying of good neighbors on each other to curry favor with local authorities. No one in this world should be made to live like this. When I see President Obama, wanting to let the past die and "Can't we all get along". He is out of his mind. Communism has made Fidel Castro the Richest Dictator in the World. Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, and Warren Beatty are just a few of the dirt bags that visit "Castro's Terminal Island", and come back saying he is a great guy. Your site gives a true picture of the Real Cuba. Propaganda is all that comes out of Cuba. If I hear anyone extolling the virtues of Fidel Castro, I will always look for the gun to their head. Michael Moore told us about the wonderful medical programs and treatments in Cuba. Cancer is a death sentence in Cuba. Your use to the Party determines your medical care. Too old, not working, you are a drain on the medical system; well you can't get an appointment to see a doctor. Die now and you will be burred for free. I could go on and on. Ray York Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for writing and for sharing your experiences with those Cuban friends

Learned about the real Cuba health care from a neighbor

Hello, I came upon your site after I did a search about Cuban Healthcare - I was prompted to search when an idiot congresswoman praised Castro and talked about his great healthcare system at a recent town hall. I knew about the real Cuba because my neighbor went on a missions trip a few years ago and told me about her experience. But seeing the photos on your website really broke my heart. I really can't understand how anyone with an IQ higher then 50 can believe that Castro is "brillant" and Cuban life is "good". Those photos of Cuba "BC" show life, people out on the street, cars, typical city life of the 50's. To see those streets now, desolate, broken buildings, and broken people. It makes me sick to think these dictators ever get any control. Now Venezuela is nearing the same fate. I fear that this is Obama's plan for us. I hope that someday the Cuban people will experience freedom once again. Regards, Theresa

Thanks Theresa, and make sure that you keep visiting and writing to us and also tell your friends about our website

From a Canadian friend

George: As always I have been monitoring your site for the latest news. It is discouraging that the Castro Regime has not taken the opportunity the Obama has presented them to move forward with reforms, however, I can’t say I’m surprised. Anyway, keep up the good work. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas. I’m sure you wish you had our snow now - but we wish we had your sun! lol -- BARRY W. MCMULLAN Edmonton, Alberta

Thanks Barry! Merry Christmas and all the best in 2010 for you and your family.

Letter from Argentina

It's a shame but I ask myself why nobody stop this kind of regime like in Cuba, the same thing will be found in the next years in Argentina, as our unconditional Hugo Chavez the most important friend of Cristina Kirchner President of Argentina.....MY GOD!!! another terrorist!!!, All right I liked so much the web site of Cuba, it's really graphic the way that you show the reality of the Cuban people.... My regard from Argentina. Sergio

Thanks, Sergio, and I hope that Argentineans can get rid of the Kirchners before they destroy the country and its democratic system

The truth about health care in Cuba
Hello, My name is Cristina and I’ve been visiting your website for a few years now. The other night a close family friend & I were discussing the American health care system & she mentioned she’d seen Michael Moore’s Sicko. She said she would prefer to have Cuban health care as opposed to racking up thousands upon thousands of dollars in debt here in medical bills. I haven’t seen Sicko in its entirety I but advised her that what she saw is not an accurate portrayal of the real Cuban health care system nor did it show the poor quality of it either. I didn’t go into much detail about it except to say that it was very dated and was below acceptable standards. Then I visited the site today and saw the video taken of the “room” in the maternity hospital. That is deplorable and heart breaking. Thank you for posting it. I immediately sent it to my friend to show her what is really going on with the health care system in Cuba. By running The Real Cuba website it shows that you are a very brave and admirable individual. I pray that God will keep you safe and protected. Happy Holidays and God Bless. Sincerely, Cristina

Thank you Cristina for visiting therealcuba.com and for your nice comments. On the website I have a page about Health-Care in Cuba and there are several videos that were shown on ABC 20/20 and on Fox News' Hannity. These videos were taken by Dr. Darsi Ferrer with a concealed camera, precisely to demonstrate that what Michael Moore had portrayed in Sicko was a complete lie. In one of the videos Dr. Ferrer and a patient go to the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital where MM took his guests, and they are told they have to go to a different hospital. The fact is that that hospital is only for foreigners who pay in hard currency. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to write back.

From the daughter of a Cuban doctor performed the autopsy of Thomas Willard Ray

You have a very interesting website. I have been able to show my friends the Real Cuba. I wanted to let you know that my father, Dr Mario G Martinez Jr. Performed the autopsy of Thomas Willard Ray. It was the highlight of his career. My father was a teacher at the University of Alabama in Birmingham for 40 years. He had a Masters degree in Pathology . We came here from Cuba in 1961 and my father got his American degree in Birmingham. Thank You Lourdes (Martinez) Mulligan

Thanks for writing and for the very interesting story. For those who are not aware, Thomas Willard Ray was an American pilot who was killed during the Bay of Pigs invasion. Ray is believed to have survived the crash of his plane inside Cuba, but was murdered by Castro's militiamen. Here is an earlier story about him in The Miami Herald

A quick summary of what happened in Cuba

Early in 1959 Fidel Castro came down out of the mountains and sent the despotic Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista packing. The people were thrilled to be rid of Batista, but unsure of what they had instead. Castro was dashing and charismatic, an eloquent speaker. He could have been a rock star or the hero of a Hemingway novel, but he was surrounded by people who had close ties to some of the world's most influential communist leaders. He visited our country and vehemently denied he was a communist and told some of our legislators he had no communist connections. He made a speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors and told them, "I have told you plainly that we are not communist." Our government immediately granted diplomatic recognition to his regime. He returned to Cuba and had an Agrarian Reform bill passed, and began "spreading the wealth" around by taking people's property and giving it to others. Five of his cabinet members resigned in protest. He had bills passed making it a crime punishable by death to criticize the government. He then began filling jails and graveyards with his opponents. He then declared he had been a communist since college and aligned Cuba with the Soviet-Chinese Communist Bloc and nationalized all American holdings in Cuba. Some of the things taking place in Washington are alarmingly similar to things taking place in Cuba a half-century ago. Bob BarfieldNewellton

Unfortunately, Castro only "spread the wealth" between himself, his family and closest friends and spread suffering and terror to the rest of the 11 million Cubans

A photo brings old memories

Looking up my Grandfather, I somehow stumbled across your website. I truly have no idea how I discovered it. But thank you very much. On your photos page I located pictures of the Sears Building in Havana, I believe. My Grandfather opened and managed that store if my information is correct. I am in the process of verifying it with my mother. Thanks again for the site. Well done. Best wishes, Brooks Carson Knoxville, TN

I'm glad that you found the photo and also our website