The first topic on KUOW's Weekday program today was travel to the Caribbean, particularly to Cuba. I was struck by how the two guests described the island. Both described its people as friendly and living very picturesque lives. I have no doubt the people of Cuba are friendly, but I beg to differ about the quaintness. The first guest described his life with a local cabaret singer and how charming it was that they would get to ride in '50s vintage cabs -- no acknowledgement that perhaps the locals would rather be able to get newer cars. The second described visiting a village and meeting a farmer on a bicycle ("everyone rides bicycles" -- aren't they eco-conscious!) and spending time at his home, where there was no electricity or running water. He and his sons enjoyed roughing it and riding the farmer's horses. I'm sure the farmer would rather get water from a tap than his colorful well.
Basically, time stopped in Cuba when Castro took over, and these travellers think it's cute that the people live in poverty. Communist peasants are charming. But if the government weren't trying to build a workers' paradise, I'm sure they would be the first to demand rural electrification, blaming the central government for its lack.