“Trump es Loco”

(I wrote this on the harrowing taxi ride to the Havana Airport the other day)

“Trump es loco” were the words from our taxi driver as he attempted to make the 3 1/2 hour drive to the airport in 2 hours. His Geely (Chinese auto manufacturer) was being pushed to the limits as was evident by every dashboard Idiot Light being lit up like beer signs in a liquor store. I believe he would have qualified for the Daytona 500. (To my beneficiaries who were not in this car, my Estate Plan and Will are up-to-date.)

At times I will share political observations from locals but this is not meant to be a political blog. There have been times I have voted Republican and times Democratic. I lean left of center on social issues and right of center on economic policies. Sometimes these conflict. What I try to do is be open to ideas and beliefs which differ from mine. Sometimes I do it well, sometimes not.

I had an interesting conversation with our Moroccan-born, Belgium-trained doctor, who has lived in Cuba for over 15 years. He was invited by Fidel Castro himself to live and practice Cardiology and met him personally.

He was a Castro supporter and felt Fidel  was an energetic leader and good for human rights. The rationale being that every Cuban had free medical and dental care. A Cuban doctors perspective. Free healthcare would not be worth the loss of so many liberties by living in a Communist state. This American’s perspective. I enjoyed our conversation and learned. Traveling is about getting a different perspective.

I was not surprised by our taxi driver’s view as I heard many Cubans were disappointed with Trump’s announcement. Of the few we spoke to, they felt the US tourist dollars were starting to help their way of living. Many felt it would be more difficult to visit relatives living in Miami.

Maybe things will change in a few years.