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It’s Sunday so it is fitting that we see a
little of the religions of Cuba: Christianity, baseball and rocking chairs. As we passed
through towns, the churches were open and the parishioners were filing in and out. In the
town squares and sandlots baseballs were being thrown, caught and batted. |
Most rural houses have a
covered porch with two large rocking chairs. Today, most all of these were occupied and
rocking.
My favorite town of the trip is Minas de Matahambre. It sits in the hills with the main
parts of towns follows a series of wooded ridges that provide views of other sections of
town and the surrounding forest. Quaint, beautiful, delightful and a gem are not usual
adjectives for a mining town, but I would use them to describe Minas de Matahambre.
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We got an interesting geology lesson at Caverna de Santo Tomas (Moncada). In different
geological periods the river that eroded the tunnels through the lime stone hills was at
different levels. There are now seven levels of tunnels. We climbed up to explore level
five, from the Jurassic Period. The interior has its requisite stalactites and
stalagmites, but also its own zoology with blind or eyeless mammals and amphibians. |
Having been here for a week,
had a few discussions, observed some behavior, seen a bit of at least Pinar del Rio, and
dozen of hours of think while cycling rural roads give me a chance to reflect a bit about
Cuba’s environmental practice. On some tallies Cuba ranks high on environmental
policy. But what part of their success is a default not initiative? In sectors where the
U.S. embargo or inept development policy might have had a role there seems to be greater
level of environment-friendly practice: lot of organic fertilizer and a wide variety of
non-motorized transportation. But less obvious are any widespread positive environmental
initiatives. There is little use of: solar power (photo-voltaic, water heating) and wind
power (a few rural wind mill for drawing water, but more in disrepair). Use of fluorescent
lighting (especially in the light-intensive tourist hotels) is irregular. And recycling of
aluminum cans (they are not using reusable glass for soft drinks and beer) and waste paper
is unfortunately nil.
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