What's up friends? We are already at the gates of a new year and with all my heart I wish you a happy end of the year and that by 2022 life will smile much more, that happiness is not lacking in your homes, that health is stronger to resist the new adversities, that the economy does not skimp and give you access to greater opportunities, that the expenses to invest in undesirable events do not exist or are the least expensive and temporary, that once and for all this damn pandemic disappears and lets us breathe without masks, that they do not limit them at all and not at all because they are not vaccinated, in order that only good and more good things come as never before.
And speaking of the end of the year, I will tell you that for us Cubans who, with a can and a stick, make a musical guateque wherever they want, this is one of the festivities that we most look forward to and enjoy. Families get together, the most longed-for and favorite dishes are tasted at the table, we make use of traditions that for many with a bit of luck have the desired effect or at least they ask the Lord for it. Normally, and I say like this because things have changed a lot, a week before December 24 or Christmas Eve as it is known here, you could already feel the joy and the desire to enjoy, after so much sacrifice and work throughout year. Dinner on the 24th was almost ready in terms of supplies, that is, the good stew of black beans to prepare as in the old days, the white rice, the yucca with mojo, the well-seasoned vegetable salads, the rum, the wine or beer, essential to raise the body temperature and the spirits of those who were still "fat" or nostalgic for some event that moved them. The main course, which could be chicken in any of its culinary manifestations, chilindrón de chivo, fried or grilled fish or the well-awaited roast pork although this was rather left for December 31 but if you could fatten two Well, much better, then one for Christmas Eve and another for the end of the year. They could not miss the sweets adorned with peanut nougat from jijona, alicante or yolk, although in the country areas it was more accustomed to savoring those prepared by grandmother such as buñuelos, grapefruit candy, coconut, sweet paleticas milk and others that in each region of the country were made at home as a family tradition. And to top it off and in a compulsory way, good Cuban music at full volume; the one that made the skeleton move and with a few drinks of alcohol in the body even the one who was left-handed for the dance danced well. Among the customs, when the clock struck twelve at night, all those present toasted, hugged, kissed, there were those who let loose a tear but this time of happiness for the reunion, they blessed themselves with holy water, they threw water as a form of dispossession or cleaning so that the bad things go away. The one who had his suitcase ready would pick it up and go around the block so that the long-awaited trip abroad would finally come to him; A trip that could be to improve their economy, to go see a relative or relative residing outside the country or as for many, it was the most anticipated trip and only one way, that is, without return. Anyway, it was a real madness in the good sense of the word. As you have been able to realize, I have told all this as if nothing was as usual. Well, I will not be so categorical and I cannot say that for everyone nothing is as before. Many are still lucky enough to maintain these customs but a large part of the families can only settle for the memories, with a long distance call. Others have not only been left with the option of staying at home, calm, in silence, watching what television "has prepared" for them to celebrate the advent of the new year and have dinner what they could buy with their salary if they managed to find something. And it is that many customs and traditions have been limited because of the very difficult economic situation that the country is going through, the level of inflation triggered by the rise in product prices, the scarcity of everything, the pandemic of the COVID-19 with all the limitations, among other things that it would be better not to mention so as not to ruin the moment. Among all these customs and ways of celebrating, I believe and it is a very personal thought, that this year with or without suitcases many are already planning to go around the block so that “luck” gives them the opportunity to travel and seek new horizons.
However, we Cubans have learned to laugh at difficulties and shoot at m…. Our problems and no matter how big they are, there is no one who takes away from us the ability to be UNIQUE and with an incredible adaptability to with NONE of resources, as we say here, to form our own. From Cuba I wish you a HAPPY 2022. CONGRATULATIONS.
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