See Cuba for Yourself and Challenge the US Blockade!

[roody]

IFCO / Pastors for Peace

Join our Friendshipment Caravan this July - See Cuba for Yourself and Challenge the US Blockade.

This year, through an exciting educational and cultural program, we will celebrate and honor the achievements of young people in Cuba, as well as learn about their daily lives and experiences as we visit organic gardens, neighborhood projects, health centers and schools.

We will also be commemorating and lifting up the life of Rev Lucius Walker, Jr., the founding director of IFCO/Pastors for Peace, who for 20 years gave prophetic and visionary leadership to our caravans to Cuba in defiance of the US blockade, and who died peacefully in September 2010.

In July 2011 our caravan will travel in school buses, trucks and cars along 12 different routes, visiting 130 US and Canadian cities. At every stop we will educate people about the blockade while collecting construction supplies and tools, medical supplies and equipment, educational and cultural supplies, to be donated to our sisters and brothers in Cuba. You can join us as we pass through your community, or you can join us when we reach the border in McAllen, TX on July 17th.

From Texas we will travel to Cuba via Mexico, without asking for or accepting a US government license, as a disciplined act of civil disobedience against the blockade and travel ban, and as ambassadors for a ‘people-to-people’ foreign policy based in mutual respect. When we return to the US, we will proudly declare our travel to Cuba and our opposition to the immoral blockade.

Join us on a voyage of friendship and discovery!

Cuba is well known for its rich culture and focus on human development – all which comes from investment in human beings. We will meet the young scientists, doctors, teachers, social workers, artists, musicians and community activists who are increasingly at the forefront of developing their own society, and participating in internationalist missions to assist the peoples of other countries.

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Join the caravan as a caravanista – contact us for an application form.

Sponsor a young person or encourage others to apply – distribute our brochure; sponsor someone from your community.

Get involved locally – help host a caravan event in your community: email us to get a local contact - if there isn't one, you or your organization can take the initiative to host the caravan!

Collect material aid - we can send you the aid information packet.

Make a financial donation. Donations are tax-deductible.

Checks or money orders should be made out to IFCO (write ‘Caravan’ only in the memo line) and mailed to our New York office - IFCO, 418 W 145th St, New York, NY, 10031.

CARAVAN SCHEDULE

JULY 2-16

Caravan routes - educational events and aid collection - US and Canada.

JULY 17-19

Participant orientation in Texas.

JULY 20-21

Border crossing into Mexico - travel to Tampico - load material aid onto cargo ship.

JULY 22-30

Fly to Havana - educational program in Cuba.

JULY 31

Return to Tampico - travel to Mexico/US border.

AUG 1

Reverse Challenge; cross back into the US.


www.ifconews.org

[Judi Lynn]

1. First year without Rev. Walker. Sad but good to be keeping this important work intact

There are probably more DU'ers who have gone at one time or another than the ones who've posted about it. This would be one important trip to take. No one who's gone already has ever seemed anything but enthusiastic about the event.

Thanks for posting the new information for this year.

Rev. Walker will be missed, but he'll be remembered for his priceless ideas, and contributions, and lifetime of work. The yearly effort seems to be continuing flawlessly. Hope it will go perfectly, in honor of the founder and his vision.

Recommending.

[naaman fletcher]

4. So are you going?

Maybe you can tell them how to make soap.

[social_critic]

2. I wonder if they will visit interesting sights

i wonder where they'll go. These visits tend to be so managed, the visitors don't get to see real things in Cuba, nor can they speak to people. Not that anybody in their right mind would speak freely to a communist from the outside. Why bother?

[Judi Lynn]

5. What about all the people who rent vehicles and tour the island by themselves?

What about all the people who rent bicycles and tour the island even more slowly? Or even skates? Or R.V.'s?

What about all the tourists who go any and everywhere they want in Cuba, on their own schedule, at their own leisure?

The days are approaching quickly when all the "exile" hardliner lies are going to be exposed nationally, as soon as large numbers of citizens start going to Cuba, and ALL U.S. Americans are going to know beyond all doubt we've been told lies continually about Cuba. They also never told the U.S. population that Cuba during Batista was know everywhere as the "Whorehouse of the Caribbean."

[roody]

6. I don't think Ignored is going on the caravan.

I have gone with Pastors for Peace and another group. I am not going to go with a group next time because I am always on time and I get tired of waiting for the late people. Also, I want to rent a car and explore on my own.

[Judi Lynn]

7. They'd probably want to stop and let him out soon, give him a ticket home.

It simply wouldn't be a good match.

[Downwinder]

8. Skates, are he roads smooth enough, sidewalks; can you use the streets?

Inline skates are one of my therapies.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Here are some photos, websites :

http://media.lonelyplanet.com.nyud.net:8090/lpimg/26835/26835-81/preview.jpg

Two young boys inline skating along the Prado (Paseo De Marti).

Location
Havana, City of Havana, Cuba, Caribbean

http://farm1.static.flickr.com.nyud.net:8090/33/43746381_626b85a173.jpg

inline skating
Havana Vieja

http://1.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_p0Ky0eMmXNo/So9Ms0YoOXI/AAAAAAAAVF0/Kl2wP9CTt9Q/s320/cuba-skaters-2.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_p0Ky0eMmXNo/So9MmEVXRwI/AAAAAAAAVFs/9bXP_9qX1Z8/s320/cuba-skaters-1.jpg http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com.nyud.net:8090/WI/223/1525/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1525R-34481.jpg

http://www.skatelog.com.nyud.net:8090/photos/skaters/joaquin-gonzalez/el-patinador-solitario01-350x300.jpg
EL PATINADOR SOLITARIO
"The Lone Skater of Havana"

by Kathie Fry

My first trip to Cuba was in 2001, when I flew there to report on an international speed skating competition in Havana. I had become good friends with several Cuban skaters over the Internet, and when they invited me to visit Cuba to report on their competition and learn more about skating in Cuba, I welcomed the opportunity. That trip only lasted a few days, but during that time I met many of the skaters, families, and federation members who would become my very close friends in future years.

During my second trip to Cuba, in 2002, the Cuba Cup included an inline skating marathon in the streets of Havana. Most of the skaters an that event were at the pro and elite level, but quite a few of the local street skaters also participated, including a professor in his mid 60's, known as "El Piti" who skated the marathon in quad roller skates, and one of the great treasures of Cuba, 74 year old Jaoquin Pedro Gonzalez, known to everyone in Havana as "El Patinador Solitario". or sometimes "that crazy old man on skates".

"The Lone Skater of Havana"

I first met Jaoquin Pedro Gonzalez Cabrera in 2001, when the Cuban National Speed Skating Team took me on a special sightseeing tour of Havana on skates. The team members wore their national skin suits and I wore my "SkateGRRL She's Hot" T-shirt, so needless to say we attracted plenty of attention that day. Many of the local street skaters joined our fun roll, including 74 year old Jaoquin Gonzalez. I was very surprised to see a skater his age in Havana, so he caught my interest right away. After talking to Jaoquin for about 10 minutes, I knew I HAD to interview this man for an article, so my interpreter and I made arrangements to visit Jaoquin the next day at his apartment on the outskirts of Havana.

Jaoquin did not really start skating until he was about 50 years old. One afternoon he just decided to build himself a pair of roller skates that he could use for developing physical fitness and for transportation around Havana. Those skates were only attached to his shoes with leather ties, but not long after he built them, he skated all the way from Havana to Guantanamo in those handmade quad roller skates to commemorate a special memorial holiday in Cuba. While I was at his apartment, he brought out an old newspaper clipping to show me, which honored him and five other skaters for their achievement in skating such a great distance. I can't explain why, but for some reason reading that old, tattered and yellowed newspaper clipping brought a few tears to my eyes. That is something that almost never happens to me, but I was really feeling very touched by this man.

One of the most amazing things I have ever seen is the pair of inline skates Jaoquin made for himself after he saw some of the local kids wearing them in the early 1990's. He was very intrigued by those skates and he was especially interested in the inline arrangement of the wheels. He decided it would be no problem at all to build himself a pair of inline skates using sheet metal and some leather straps. I find it almost impossible to believe, but it is very true... Jaoquin skated on those handmade inline skates for many years, until finally some family members outside of Cuba sent him a pair of modern, off-the-shelf, inline skates.

More:
http://www.skatelog.com/skaters/joaquin-gonzalez/


DISCOVER CUBA
ON INLINE SKATES!

Ever thought of putting your inline skate skills on pratice in Cuba? Well, here you go, the reality is you can experience colonial cities, enjoy a visit to the Inline Skate Sports Associaton, skate on speed rinks and cross country roads with fantastic sightseeing as well as "almost float" across the caribbean sea with a gentle breeze on your back. How? We show you - make your dream come true!

1. Day - Arrival in Havana
Arrival and transfer to our hotel, where we will have our introductory meeting and later can enjoy an evening stroll through the Old Town of colonial Havana.

2. Day - First Inline skate moves in Havana and speed rink training when visiting the Cuba Inline Association
Today we visit our friends, the members of the Cuban Inline Associaton on their own turf! Try their speedskating rink where we offer technical training with their members and a good time to make friends. In the afternoon stroll through the allies of the Old Town of Havanna with lots to see and you will be able to be part of the relaxed lifestyle of the Cubans in their colourful and busy capital.

3. Day - Beach paradise Varadero
Today we are heading for one of Cubas most renown beach paradise, Varadero. Our transfer will be to Matanzas, from where we will put on our inliners and go for it. A ride on even surface till the beaches of Varadero! The afternoon awaits us to relax and enjoy the beaches. (40K)

~snip~
14. Day - Experience Havana
Todays last day is at your disposal. A good time to have a look at the arts and crafts markets for souvenirs or do it as the Cubans do when not working, stroll around and enjoy the city. You shurely stumble across music groups playing their tunes in some the many bars and restaurants. In the evening we provide a transfer to the airport from where you will catch your flight home. Your luggage: A marvellous experience on inline skates in Cuba and plenty of great memories!

http://www.cubastartravel.com/es/patinaje/patinaje.htm

http://www.supradistribution.com.nyud.net:8090/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/GregCrooksHavana-400x287.jpg
Post #8 from a page in a Lonely Planet message board:

8
Believe it or not, I am speechless, almost. Great info and without a whit of sniping.

Ten days is not a lot of time. Given your last post, I would recommend you focus on Vinales/Pinar del Rio - a rest on the beach for some days. We are open to visit small uncrowded villages -, as a place to linger and Havana Vieja/Centro as a place to view "history", however "Disneylike" it has come to be painted.

Linger in Vinales, dip into Las Terrazas, and skate through Havana's "Disneyland".

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1895612

http://4.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_WiKwuqNxVaA/SjXD_Dno2ZI/AAAAAAAAAM4/O-QbAEzlqFo/s320/SGF+140409+Sof%C3%ADaMaldonado+0001+web.jpg

Sergio Gonzalez, a friend photographer from Cuba, as part of Red Bull crew kindly send us this great pictures from the La Sala Polivalente Ramon Fonst (skatepark), in Cuba. This site-specific painting over the ramps was part of Sofia's art project, "Skate My Patria".
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
WALL STREET JOURNAL (video)
Cuba's Skateboard Scene Has Scrappy Charm
In contrast to America's glitzy and over-marketed skateboarding scene, the young skaters in Cuba embrace a do-it-yourself, scrappy aesthetic. Kelly Crow reports from Havana, Cuba.

6/4/2009

http://skatemypatria.blogspot.com/
- photos -

http://cubaskate.blogspot.com/

(Skateboards) blogspot.

Cute photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrypayne/4046300427/

http://www.common-talk.com.nyud.net:8090/Common_Talk_Material/CommonTalk/old/050126/images/r_wyy0501271.JPG

Skating for 73 years
古巴:老人溜冰

Cuban Juan Jose Diaz Delgado, 77 years old, and known as Juanito,
on his Winchester 1953 model roller skates on January 14, before
the beginning of his three weekly hours of skating routine, in Paseo
del Prado, Havana. Diaz Delgado has been skating since he was 4 years old.

http://www.be.wvu.edu.nyud.net:8090/divecon/econ/trumbull/cuba/skaters.jpg

In-line skating is very popular with kids in Havana.

Photo taken from a tourist's website:
http://www.be.wvu.edu/divecon/econ/trumbull/cuba/more.htm
Inline Skating Marathons in Cuba
http://www.skatelog.com/countries/cu/marathons.htm

Cuba
Adventurous travelers and photo journalists from around the world love visiting Cuba, and it is also the home of the fabulous international beach resort of Varadero Beach. Havana is one of the most romantic cities in the world and if you visit that city in April of 2003 you can skate in the Havana Inline Marathon. During that same week you can watch, or compete in, the Cuba Cup of Inline Speed and Artistic Roller Skating. Skaters visiting Cuba should plan to spend at least one day visiting the town of Cienfuegos on the south coast, which has a skating track in a beautiful location, only steps from the sea.
http://www.skatelog.com/events/marathons-fasst.htm

Tiny videos:
In-line skating in habana vieja - Habana Cuba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19uYCfDoXiQ

Longer video:
Cuba on wheels

Date MAY 26, 2010About this Video
A Cuban skater, a BMXer and an Inline skater share their experiences practicing their respective sports in Havana. See how different sports come together and fight the same fight...

http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/Red-Bull-Manny-Mania-2010-finale-a-Lyon-021242852798076?p=1242745950125

[social_critic]

9. Communist regimes tend to be nightmarish.

One, visitors are not allowed to go everywhere. Two, most people don't tell visitors what they think because they're afraid for their jobs and their living conditions can be made a lot worse. I myself was approached by foreigners at La Rampa and I told them how great the revolution was blah blah. How does one know they're not followed by chivatos? Or how does one know they are not chivatos working for the secret police?

Then there's the group issue. These guys travel in a large group. And this means it's more likely they'll be followed and those who try to speak to them will be punished if they say something. Furthermore, we know groups like this, full of communists from abroad, are not going to listen. They suffer from cognitive dissonance, and they'll shut out the truth anyway. They're like religious fundamentalists.

I don't know what you are, but I'm Cuban. And I was there. And I lived through it. And I still have nightmares about it. And I know a lot more about than you will ever know. Communists, like fascists, install a suphocating, controlling system in which there's no justice whatsoever. One is at the mercy of government bureaucrats. The truth can not be told, one can not complain too much, and one's life is cheap. And the little monsters who thrive in the informer corps (the chivatos), the secret police, and the communist party officials (and their family members) make sure they let you know they own your life, that you are their slave, and that you had better behave or you're toast.

[Festivito]

12. Sounds like where we are heading.

Here, visitors are warned to not go into the ghettos.
Our jobs oft depend on keeping quiet.
We're told how great is more unfettered capitalism ... blah blah blah.
.. saying anything different will not be heard.
Explaining that some things, such as health care, are better and cheaper, yes cheaper to run and with better outcomes when run by government is ignored in favor of, again, cognitive dissonance.

But, we do have it better inasmuch as our government is separate from, even competing with, the corporations. But, that will end, along with ending justice, as soon as the right wing drowns government in a bath tub.

[social_critic]

13. There's a slight difference

The degree of control the Cuban government has over the people is much stronger than the US government control over its people. When it comes to corporate control, I think you are right, in the sense that corporations are ruled along the same lines as communist regimes - "management" becomes the "party leadership", and there's little free speech, and of course no democracy. But in a capitalist society you do have a choice, you can quit. And in a communist society quiting means leaving the country - which they tend to view as treason.

Another problem arises when the government shuts down the free press and there's no way for people to express themselves openly. At least in the USA one can speak out and the consequences aren't nearly as bad as they are in a communist regime. There are some issues in the USA which are clearly taboo. Some are so taboo I can't even bring them up here in DU because if I do I will have my posting privileges dropped. But it's DU's business to stop me, and I can always pick up a sign and say what I have to say by standing around on the street holding the sign up.

The perversion of the ruling class in a communist society is indeed similar to that seen in a corporation - the ones on top look out for number one. My impression is that corporations can indeed be incredibly corrupt, but they also face a darwinian struggle, so if they get too far out of line (see BPs case), they are punished by the government AND the market. A communist system has a much slower response time. Eventually the inner corruption rots the system, but the process can take decades. The system rots from the inside because the leadership becomes riddled with people whose main interest is to feed number one, and there's no way out other than a radical change back towards a form of capitalism. Problem is they change only in part, so we see a strange hybrid, in which the communist party cadres become business leaders and the whole system reeks of fascism.

[Festivito]

16. And, another slight difference in "aren't nearly as bad."

When our government finally drowns in that bathtub, we're left without health care, retirement, food and shelter, and by then, not even jail will provide these.

For that, we get to hold up a sign until the police come along and move us, or eventually jail us for disturbing the peace.

Whether communism, capitalism or a mix inbetween, we in the US have lost our primary focus, imperfect as it is, of establishing justice through an imperfect system.

That Darwinian struggle tilts to the big money for as long as they can live without us. And, that is already rotting communistic fascism whether from the inside or outside.

EDIT TO ADD: By then we won't even be able to leave the country. We'll have no means to get there and nowhere to go.

[Mika]

17. Judi, let them expose themselves

Plus, don't feed the trolls. DU's Ignore function is your friend. Cognizant people can easily tell who's who.

:bounce:

---

[amyrose2712]

3. +

[Judi Lynn]

11. Here's a Lonely Planet guide. It mentions you can also take a bus, a train,

you can rent row boats, motor boats, kayaks, etc.

Interesting for someone with time to scan the pages.

It also mentions those little bug shaped vehicles are more fun for people to use than are taxis.

http://books.google.com/books?id=AQkS5MU0q-4C&pg=PA111&lpg=PA111&dq=Cuba++rent+skates&source=bl&ots=hFL7ov4_RM&sig=Un3PJo5Xi9VAUeugCVGKKRAkIpQ&hl=en&ei=6oQtTZOcE4P98AaB84yFCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Learned years ago that you can most definitely rent even Recreational Vehicles and go everywhere. They've been doing this for many years.

~~~~~
Renting a car
You have to overthink a few things before you decide driving in Cuba.
Be in time if you want to make a reservation on forehand. Cuba does not have enough cars during high season (Dec/Jan/Feb and July/August) besides this, most car rental agencies have to ask availability in Cuba by email which takes time, sometimes even weeks.

Renting a car in Cuba is expensive but the other side is you can stop where you wanna stop and have all the time for your own, its well worth the money.

Viazul Bus
Most easy and cheapest to go around Cuba is by the Viazul Bus. A modern airconditioned bus with video and toilet

For a good price you can travel between all the big cities of Cuba p.a. a ride from Havana to Varadero will cost you 10 cuc.
One suggestion is to bring a sweater because it can be a bit chilly inhere.

Make your reservation a day before your departure by phone, online through their website, or just go to the busstation.

Astro bus
The regular National public transportation Cubans will pay with CUP, foreigners in CUC
This bus drives all over the island, a bit cheaper than the Viazul Bus but less comfertable and reliable. The Astro bus has a few places for tourists per bus!
Since 2005 The old Astro bus is replaced by this new bus (see picture) These busses come from China.
We do not have a schedule from the Astro bus, if anyone is able to help us please send it to us

Train
Since the last years the Cuban railways bought French first class airconditioned trains. Train schedules in Cuba are not reliable, you have to have some patience. I must say it is a real Cuban experience to go through Cuba by train, in specific for train fans, back-packers, and people who love to mingle with locals.

The nr 1 and 2 trains from Havana to Santiago de Cuba v.v is 4 hours faster than the Viazul Bus!
Remind that all other trains besides the number 1 and number 2 are never on time

Domestic flights

Taking a domestic flight saves you a lot of time to go p.a. from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. Besides this, if you would like to go to Cayo Largo you have no choice and have to take a domestic flight simply because there is no ferry transfer to this part of Cuba

Flights on Cuba-Junky are ready for purchase and will be confirmed instantly. Via Cuba-Junky flights can be booked 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The entire booking process only has 5 simple steps and can take as little as 5 minutes.

More:
http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/cuba-transportations.htm

Transportation:
http://www.hicuba.com/eng/transportation.htm

[social_critic]

15. Yes but

The subject is whether the visitor can really get a sense for the regime's repressive nature. I know when I was in Cuba there was no way we could deal honestly with visitors. First we didn't know if they were being followed by secret police informants. Second we didn't know if the visitors themselves would inform.

This isn't a joking matter for people whose quality of life depends so much on a "big brother" regime used to controlling people as if they were serfs. First comes survival, and telling outsiders the truth is a very low priority. I write a lot here, but I would never dream of writing anything like it to my relatives in Cuba, or saying anything openly when I think somebody is listening. And to be honest, some of what I tell people are things I hope will eventually land in Raul's ear. I'm trying as much as possible to help him deal with Fidel - the big problem is the dinosaur thinking he continues to advocate, and the entrenched communist oligarchy which is really afraid of losing its perks, or having its theft of government resources revealed. These things usually end up with people getting shot, and they know it.

[Bacchus39]

14. don't forget to bring plenty of soap!!! n/t

s