Sunday November 3rd
I still had gifts to give so I employed my routine once again, hoping to find Louis I was again unsuccessful. This was my last chance and not seeing him again was probably the most disappointing thing of my entire trip, as I so much wanted to have further helped Louis. I even asked a few trumpet players that I met elsewhere but no one knew him. Maybe next year? I hit the marketplace for the last time and went back to my room. Amazingly, I didn’t lose power that day, so I chilled in my air-conditioned room and worked on this documentary. Marcelo and I chatted on the phone and he invited me to come to his Airbnb to have dinner and play dominoes with Nora and Melody. It turns out dominoes are by far the most popular game in all of Cuba, likely because one set will last a lifetime unless the dominoes are lost or stolen. I gracefully declined because I had made arrangements to go to a church and offer most of what was left of my gifts. In the past few days, Marcelo and I suggested a few times that we would meet here again next year. Meeting Marcelo to guide me through this adventure was a blessing. Karma.
I set Google Maps for 1658 Industriale St. That was supposed to be a church where a man named Lionel was expecting me. I passed a baseball field on the way and planned to return via the same route because I had my well-broken-in baseball glove and a baseball that I planned to find a kid to give it to. Google Maps said it would take about 25 minutes and I got there at about that time to find I was at 858 Industriale. I followed the numbers for a while, up and down hills in yet another broken down neighborhood. I was happy to finally see a sign saying that I was in fact on Industriale St. I kept riding as the numbers went up finally hitting 1658. It was a closed garage door blocked with a locked, caged, pull-up gate. There was an open window above and I began to call out “Lionel, LIONEL.” No answer. I walked a few doors down where an old woman was sitting in the door in a chair. I Google Translated again and asked if she knew of a man named Lionel. She said “Si,” and brought me over to a bell near the door. She rang it and moments later another old lady magically opened the door.
She invited me to sit in a chair and I waited a short time before Lionel appeared with a big smile. I passed on the gifts and we jabbered back and forth on Translate. He then held my hand and spoke for a while. I expect it was a prayer, and both happy with the results, Lionel took some photos that I later received through our mutual contact that I display here. I was off on my bike.
I passed the baseball field and saw four teenage boys hanging out. They looked about the right size to fit my glove so I harassed them asking, “Comprende Englase?” As expected, they shook their heads no. I pulled out Google Translate and asked them if they played baseball. All said yes. I then had them get in a circle and tried to explain that each of them had to put out one or two fingers when I said “Go!” This took about five times as one would put out three, or a fist, or all draw two. Finally, one boy had a one and the others had a two and I announced that he was the winner. They still did not understand until I gave him the glove and ball. He put on the glove with his middle finger outside. That indicated that he knew how to use a baseball glove. He said “Thank you” and the four of them walked down the hill with him tossing the ball in the air and catching it. Mission accomplished!
Finally time to wrap things up, I returned the bike, went back to the same restaurant that I ate at with Andrew on my first night, and went to my room to do more work on this documentary.
Sunday November 4th
The next morning, I had breakfast with Andrew and Julio showed up early. He got me to the airport with plenty of time to check in for my flight to Miami, to Charlotte, to Albany. Having traveled the world on various occasions in my life, whether for a wonderful vacation or a humanitarian mission, it’s always a wonderful thing to get back to the United States of America. Truly the best country in the world! Tomorrow was election day, but I had already voted weeks ago. This was the most contemptuous election in my life, and I was glad to be out of the country avoiding all of the hype. The only thing that I will never understand is why so many people in our country dedicate so much time complaining about our lives here?!?
END
AFTERWARD
One week after this story hit the internet it received over 7.5k hits. Awareness for this humanitarian crisis is intended, but my actions have resulted in unintended consequences. It is against the law to say bad things about the Cuban Government, and though they will continue to starve their own people, they will maintain resources for their cybersecurity authorities who have certainly identified me. Going back to Cuba would likely subject me to apprehension, interrogation, stripped of my rights as a tourist, and deportation. This has happened to others that did far less to condemn the Cuban Government than I have in this story.
Here’s a link revealing an example of what Cuban authorities will likely do to me if I return.
Now that I may only help from afar, I can only hope that YOU will do what you can for these people. Research, spread awareness, contribute, or do what I did by bringing them some relief. And if you see Louis, give him $100. His serenade was worth it. He needs it. He deserves it. And I will reimburse you.
Rich Citro Adventures 