Real Time Cuban Socialism can be seen in public spaces all around town. In one sentence I would describe Real Time Cuban Socialism is, people helping people. Similar to New York, Havana is a pedestrian city, or as one fellow from Canada commented to me at the end of his first visit, “I have walked my feet off!”. Well yes my friend, I too have been walking everywhere.

On a daily basis I walk from the casa particular where I am staying in Centro Habana to my favorite Wifi connection in Habana Vieja. Then from Monday through Friday, my route includes a walk from my class near the Universidad de La Habana in Vedado, back to the casa particular in Centro. So on any given day I walk in excess of two miles, which in addition to being great exercise, walking everywhere has allowed me to readily observe Real Time Cuban Socialism in public spaces.

Por ejemplo, Yo vi:

A) People in clinic waiting rooms getting health care. No one looks disturbed because they are not waiting in vain for insurance authorizations. Free health care is real and very much alive in Cuba.

B) Nurses leaving the pharmacy, with patient prescriptions in hand. Can you imagine, a nurse in full uniform filling your prescription when you are under the weather?

C) Medical interns and doctors escorting patients between hospital buildings. Yes, that is right, doctors.

D) Raggedy-ass wheel barrels full of fresh vegetables, for sale on the corner in inner city neighborhoods. There appears to be no food deserts here. How about that for free trade!

E) Drivers yielding to pedestrians, bicycle taxis and animals crossing the street. Beep, beep, beep!

F) Random acts of kindness, Cuban Style. Even for me as a visitor, many people have been extremely helpful, whether with directions, ensuring my comfort or by making sure that I know where and how to get the best savings deal. People have made sure that I feel welcomed, safe and secure.

However the most remarkable experience thus far were the crowds that I encountered at the book fair, Feria del Libro, Habana 2012. So many people were trying to enter, that I stepped back because I was worried about a stampede. Yet there was no need to fret, because within minutes security forces were on the scene to “politely” organize the crowd, so that all who wanted to enter or exit the grounds were able to do so without incident. Once inside the fair, there were long lines of people queuing up to buy books. Yep, lines to purchase books! To be bought in CUC, and CUP. Stateside, the only time that I have ever seen these kinds of crowds were for entrance into music concerts or sports events.

Oh my goodness, WOW…There is so much to be learned.

Muy bien! So until next time, mis amigos…

Adventurous Journeys!

Briefly streaming wclk.com during the celebration of the legacy and musical contributions of the late and always great, J. Dilla on the Soul of Jazz.

Orisha blesses the traveler’s wifi connection, give thanks.

Traveling abroad without the comforts of tourist accommodations is more than a notion, not to mention the specter of homesickness. Ay dios mio!

So if you know Juana Negra, then you know that she has more feeling than the law allows. Though feelings are nothing that a good public display of tears, a walk down Calle Obispo, and a live stream from http:www.wclk.com won’t cure.

Orisha blesses the traveler’s wifi connection.

So I heed the lessons from nature. Give thanks y’all and enjoy the glory of this day, just like these dogs. No doubt I will.

Gearing up.

iPad Test

STUDY ABROAD CUBA — Roundtrip Miami to Havana, Santiago de Cuba to Miami.

LANDSCAPES,  ART, MUSIC, FOOD.

ACADEMIC CELEBRATION OF THE  CUBAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

CULTURAL TOURISM EXISTS IN THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM, RATHER NICELY.

VERY SMART, FUN, EMOTIONALLY FULFILLING, MENTALLY STIMULATING!

Education, Architecture, Tradition, Culture: CUBA IS FOR THE ADVENTURE TRAVELER INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING AN EXAMPLE OF 21ST CENTURY FREE SOCIETY.

ON DAYS 11 & 12 JUST OUTSIDE OF TRINIDAD de CUBA,

we gathered after 5 o’clock for a much needed evening break @PLAYA ANCON.

Rian-Ashlei took this picture, at this Beautiful Beach, which is why this iPhone pictures has come out so good.

I’m the Cristal Beer Girl, that’s right Cervezas for every one, Salud!  ;-)

Time at the Water in Cuba. Good fortune provides Full Ire.

*Itinerary*

Part I

Nine Days in Havana Vieja, visits to Regla, Vedado, Miramar, West Havana, Hotel Nacional, Riviera, Revolution Square, strolls on the Prado and the  Malecon. Hemingway lore and visit to the homestead. Buena Vista player sightings on the veranda at the Hotel Ingleterra.

Marcos, Yuleydis, Yunelis, Mimi, so many Brothers, and Sisters, Aunties…. Man… and of course Cool Papa was sighted everywhere…La Habana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Camaguey, y Santiago, en todo pais, yo miro mi familia!

Part II

Riding in a Turbo Volvo Bus Coach we embarked on a Eight Day Road Trip, south by south east through the Cuban countryside, we learned a lot about how to successfully share the road. Traveling from Havana to Santiago included overnight visits, to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Camaguey, y Santiago de Cuba.  As well we stopped in El Cobre , Bayamo and of course “the Oasis”, along the way.

Every where we went we were greeted by the knowledgable and gracious Cuban people. They are about it ’bout it.  Working together, pedestrians, horse and cart, bicycles, motor bikes, American cars,  Latta, transport vehicles and the super turbo Volvo Bus.

**BEEP**BEEP***

SHARING THE ROAD

Totally a lesson to be learned.

More pictures to come.

Please Stand By *

I am going to extend myself on a limb by saying that I have identified my lucky shirt. Okay so you don’t believe. Whatever, Next…
Anyway* Yes that would be my Living Goddess sweatshirt.

It was a birthday gift and I have treasured it ever since it came into my life because whenever I wear it, all kinds of sweet instances of possibly and random opportunity, finds its way directly to me.

For instance a spur of the moment lunch date with my sister from another mother, turned into a yummy fest of chat and light food. Conversation about family, easily lead to useful recipe ideas and onto more serious talk in recognition of karmic and political solutions as they are played out in our daily lives and in the wider world. Additionally, I received the gift of homemade ghee. YES!  Give Thanks for this dear and cherished friendship.

Then after we parted ways, I sighted a strong and handsome young man, sporting a Spelman College sweatshirt.
OMG…WHAT?!!
That’s right. A proud and self contained Morehouse Man wearing a Spelman College sweatshirt. Man!

Naturally Spelman Women have appropriated the Morehouse sweatshirt into the vast reaches of their casual wardrobe, long ago.

However, this was my very first time seeing the strength and deliciousness of Africano manhood, draped in the gear from my Alma Mater.

Oo wee Baby!!

Yes I was pleased. Very!

No I am not a Free Range Jaguar, but Mr. Tenderloni was Wearing that sweatshirt!

But most importantly, what I appreciated most was that this man was secure enough in his manhood, to wear a Spelman College sweatshirt on a Friday evening, in downtown Atlanta. Now that is Real Talk. It reminded me of manly man that I met years ago, who dared to sport matching pink Calvin Klein under garments. Now y’all, I will behave myself but trust me, there was never the need to question his masculinity.

So with my signature style of enthusiasm, mixed with my sparkle smile, I greeted him and shared my approval. Tastefully of course. Which is why I was easily granted permission to take his picture.

In hindsight I wonder…do you think that this man also subscribes to the belief in the power of the lucky shirt brigade of Casually Conscious fashionista/fashionisto wannabees?

Naturally we opted to appeal to the allure of mystery. Old school, I believe in leaving something to the imagination.  You feel me?

I invited Brother Tenderoni to come salute Spelman on Founders Day, and no doubt dressed in Spelman gear.

Spelman College, is a Liberal Arts institution that celebrates Founders Day during the month of April. For one hundred thirty years, Spelman College has provided education and opportunity for Africana Women.

Our Hearts To Thine.

Ballerina Clown

Everyday Randomness, Seen and Felt around LA

It has been a long time since I made an attempt to make–much less to Keep

a new year resolution.

But in 2011, the idea of a renewed commitment to something positive

sounds like fun*

Prepping dinner,

washing peas,

counting blessings,

looking forward and going with faith.

IMANI.

I stand dedicated to the Craft.
Amen, Awoman
Ase*

Kwanzaa challenges the materialism of the year end holiday season. That is a paraphrase of what Michel Martin said this evening on her NPR radio broadcast, “Tell Me More“.

Today the principle of distinction is Kuumba, which emphasizes Creativity. It is followed tomorrow by the seventh and final principle of Kwanzaa, IMANI, which is defined by our dedication to Faith.

The principles of the season, my recent solar return and my most pressing and immediate concern,NIA or purpose that weighed heavily on my mind was to meet my farm connection to get fresh Collards for New Year’s Day dinner. So many thoughts and ideas were stirring around in my mind, while I listened to music and drove Downtown.

December 31, the last day of a hardcore yet thoroughly enjoyable 365 days. Yet again I found myself thinking about how much had changed during the month of December and of course making the Collard Greens connection.

It was ironic how so many events in December summarized the totality of the entire year. (…grant me some latitude here…) In the greater universe Michael Vick successfully made a come back from disgrace and that was a nice enough story of triumph. Yet in my neck of the wild kingdom “Our Fair Lady” Sheba Diva said her final farewell and her parting still leaves me feeling broken hearted.  Another metaphor to illustrate the extremes of the year 2010 can naturally be observed in the weather. Here in Atlanta, the last week of 2010 began with Christmas snow and ended with an lovely and mild 66 degree high on New Year’s Eve.

December like the whole of 2010 was a sensory mash-up. A mix bag of Fun, Adventure, Knowledge, EXTREME Passion, Understanding and Universal LOVE. My world alone featured or was influenced by so many projects and interest. Auburn Avenue. British Petroleum. Fly Sister Fly. Esoteric Lore. Memory Flash. Middle Georgia Blueberry Project. Martha’s Vineyard. New York.  More Than Enough Scandal From Christian Clergy. New Relations and California Connections. Mindful Community. Wordsmithing and the beauty that is WordPress.

December came strong and so did 2010. And now they are both gone.

Oh yeah…so I went downtown to make my farm connection to buy fresh harvest Collards and I found myself psyched-up and turned-out by the sight of Truly Living Well Wheat Street Garden. WHOA!

Urban Agriculture takes another step in 2011 that requires we Think Differently. “You can’t eat pavement and you can’t eat grass!”

There is so much backstory to this landscape and I was delightfully thrown off and unprepared by the magnitude of the experience. In my quest to get ‘greens’ I was introduced to a urban garden oasis nestled within the downtown built environment; raised beds, original re-crete pavement, squat stairs and terraced landscapes that course the terrain and all surrounded by mature trees bare in the winter light and guarding the perimeter. Deep Preparation for the 2011 Growing Season.  BRAVO!

TLW Wheat Street Garden is center city acreage that is dedicated to Food Sovereignty and bordered by the downtown skyline. To witness the transformation of this inner city land from a blighted plot, to a landscape dedicated to food cultivation was & is very powerful.

So, as I customarily do when I am awestruck and fall in love; with a profound swiftness, out came my iPhone camera and from the ground up…post haste…I started to capture a 360 degree view of my immediate surroundings.

But before the photographs. To fully understand my level of excitement…check this out!

TEXT: Just got turned out by the Wheat Street Garden…the soil was being delivered and OMG it smelled like fresh tobacco_ Ohmygoddess****Heaven. Erykah’s singing, “Window Seat”…all is good for sure 4 sho’

Reply: Right On!

THE WORLD STARTS WITH YOU

MAKE 2011 COUNT

*HAPPY NEW YEAR*

The International Style, 1939

Architect: Amaza Lee Meredith

Leisure, Mindfulness and the Dream Broker.

Understanding mid twentieth century resort land development.

American Women in 20th Century Architectural Design and Landscape Development.

ON LOCATION: Field Research, Virginia State University, Petersburg/Ettrick, VA.

AZUREST SOUTH