And a good time was had by all
I didn't finish writing about yesterday, but I'm falling behind, so I'll write about today and try to catch up later. I'm writing off the cuff today, while yesterday I had written it out by hand first. I just came from an opening night reception, where we had a plate of Cuban style hors d'oevres (sorry, that's French; I don't know how to say it in Spanish) and a rum drink, and either a can of beer or a refresco (soft drink). There was a band playing for us by the name of "Dulce Maria y Son de Cuba," also known at the "Dulce Maria Rooftop Band," since that's where they usually play. They didn't have CDs with them, but will bring some by the hotel tomorrow. They have two, one of traditional Cuban music and another of more modern dance music, including salsa, which is the one I plan to buy.
The day started with my picking up my registration packet at 8:30, before I went in to breakfast. Only a short line then, and I was following the suggestion of Michael Kemmer, the Canadian who organized this conference, in order to avoid a line. But there was a problem; I had been given the wrong color coded name tag, which was supposed to indicate which days I had paid for, including one post-conference workshop. I got a green one and it was supposed to be red, and it was supposed to let the security guard know that it was okay for me to be there today. So Kim took my tag and asked me to come back later for a new one. By the time I finished breakfast, the line was down the hall, but I crowded in past those who were waiting and went to the head of the line. Another person who was waiting was Mr. Love Chile (pronounced like the South American country), who also had a name tag problem. He's originally from Nigeria, but lives in Auckland, New Zealand now and works with refugees and immigrants, people from Iraq, Afghanistant, etc., and even some from Viet Nam. Anyway, after waiting a little, I told Kim I was going to my room to get organized before the opening session, which was supposed to be at 10. When I came back, the tags were still not ready and we had to wait a longer time. Meanwhile, the registration line was long, and people were working two at a time to hand out conference packets and name tags. I finally got mine after 10, and as I started down the hall to the convention center, which is in the next building and connected by a pedestian bridge lined with art work and shops, I met some friends coming back who said the start time was pushed back to 11. Nevertheless, I continued on to the meeting hall, so I could get a seat with a strategic placement for photography, sound recording, as well as being able to see the projection screen at the front. In fact, most of the good seats were taken already, saved by people's jackets and briefcases, while they went out to the hallway to chat with others. The program was very interesting. There were a lot of speakers, some Cuban, some Canadian, including the Minister of Public Health of Cuba, Jose Ramon Balaguer, and the Alexandra Bugailiskis, the Canadian Ambassador to Cuba. One Cuban psychiatrist, Dr. Luis Calzadilla Fierro, talked about the Caballero of Paris, his most interesting patient, who lived on the streets of Havana, apparently having had a psychotic break after being jailed shortly after his arrival in Cuba. The talk was illustrated by slides that are published in the book he wrote about the man, something to look up when I get home. There was also a cultural presentation, i.e. singing and dancing that involved the whole audience, by the Cuban Children's Theater Company, "La Colmenita" ("The Little Beehive"). There was also a cultural presentation of Psycoballet by little children, a preview of a longer program later in the conference, and a film clip from the documentary "Cuba Mia,"showing the women's orchestra Camerata Romeau. There will be a performance by them at the end of the conference, but I'm leaving during the previous day. I heard that it's available on DVD, so that might be another thing worth looking for when I get home.
We had lunch on the lower level, in El Bucan, for 7 pesos, which included a piece of mystery meat that may have been a chicken patty, but rather tough, a heaping serving of rice, and a vegetable medley. Fresh rolls and butter were served and a small salad consisting of a couple of tomato slices and cucumber slices. We were each entitled to a drink--mine was Cristal, a Cuban beer--and desert was guava in the consistency of apple sauce, with a slice of cheese stuck in the side of the small bowl.
At 3pm we had the afternoon session, with the Cubans getting part one of an introduction to Narrative Therapy, and the non-Cubans having their choice of several workshops on Cultural Approaches. I went to the one on Wome's Issues/Women's Programs presented by a representative of the FMC (Federation of Cuban Women). It was interesting to see what the progress and changes were since I was here in 1993 and had a presentation at FMC headquarters. Alicia Gonzales, the presenter, said her powerpoint was available and she took m card to send it to me, so I might post it here later. I also took notes in the dark while she spoke, so I can add some of that later, perhaps when I'm not spending 5 Convertible Pesos per hour. The exchange rate, by the way is one peso to about 80 U.S. cents. All the other times I was here it was roughly a one-to-one exchange, but it's no longer the dollar that is desirable to Cuba, and they tax the exchange extra. One of the other workshops was Cuban Psychotherapy Approaches, but I couldn't be in two places at the same time.
Tomorrow, the foreign participants will go to site visits on buses, leaving at 8:45a.m. I'm thinking of going to a House of Guidance for Women and Families, thus continuing the theme of today. This is a community outreach project developed by the FMC, which is the largest voluntary organization (NGO) in Cuba. One of the other choices is the Psychiatric Hospital of the City of Havana, but I've been there twice before, so I'm looking for something different.
I only have 21 minutes left on this card, so i think I'll go and look at my email. I'm trying to figure out how to use the 3 minutes left on my card from yesterday, since I think it takes that long just to log in. Ciao!
The day started with my picking up my registration packet at 8:30, before I went in to breakfast. Only a short line then, and I was following the suggestion of Michael Kemmer, the Canadian who organized this conference, in order to avoid a line. But there was a problem; I had been given the wrong color coded name tag, which was supposed to indicate which days I had paid for, including one post-conference workshop. I got a green one and it was supposed to be red, and it was supposed to let the security guard know that it was okay for me to be there today. So Kim took my tag and asked me to come back later for a new one. By the time I finished breakfast, the line was down the hall, but I crowded in past those who were waiting and went to the head of the line. Another person who was waiting was Mr. Love Chile (pronounced like the South American country), who also had a name tag problem. He's originally from Nigeria, but lives in Auckland, New Zealand now and works with refugees and immigrants, people from Iraq, Afghanistant, etc., and even some from Viet Nam. Anyway, after waiting a little, I told Kim I was going to my room to get organized before the opening session, which was supposed to be at 10. When I came back, the tags were still not ready and we had to wait a longer time. Meanwhile, the registration line was long, and people were working two at a time to hand out conference packets and name tags. I finally got mine after 10, and as I started down the hall to the convention center, which is in the next building and connected by a pedestian bridge lined with art work and shops, I met some friends coming back who said the start time was pushed back to 11. Nevertheless, I continued on to the meeting hall, so I could get a seat with a strategic placement for photography, sound recording, as well as being able to see the projection screen at the front. In fact, most of the good seats were taken already, saved by people's jackets and briefcases, while they went out to the hallway to chat with others. The program was very interesting. There were a lot of speakers, some Cuban, some Canadian, including the Minister of Public Health of Cuba, Jose Ramon Balaguer, and the Alexandra Bugailiskis, the Canadian Ambassador to Cuba. One Cuban psychiatrist, Dr. Luis Calzadilla Fierro, talked about the Caballero of Paris, his most interesting patient, who lived on the streets of Havana, apparently having had a psychotic break after being jailed shortly after his arrival in Cuba. The talk was illustrated by slides that are published in the book he wrote about the man, something to look up when I get home. There was also a cultural presentation, i.e. singing and dancing that involved the whole audience, by the Cuban Children's Theater Company, "La Colmenita" ("The Little Beehive"). There was also a cultural presentation of Psycoballet by little children, a preview of a longer program later in the conference, and a film clip from the documentary "Cuba Mia,"showing the women's orchestra Camerata Romeau. There will be a performance by them at the end of the conference, but I'm leaving during the previous day. I heard that it's available on DVD, so that might be another thing worth looking for when I get home.
We had lunch on the lower level, in El Bucan, for 7 pesos, which included a piece of mystery meat that may have been a chicken patty, but rather tough, a heaping serving of rice, and a vegetable medley. Fresh rolls and butter were served and a small salad consisting of a couple of tomato slices and cucumber slices. We were each entitled to a drink--mine was Cristal, a Cuban beer--and desert was guava in the consistency of apple sauce, with a slice of cheese stuck in the side of the small bowl.
At 3pm we had the afternoon session, with the Cubans getting part one of an introduction to Narrative Therapy, and the non-Cubans having their choice of several workshops on Cultural Approaches. I went to the one on Wome's Issues/Women's Programs presented by a representative of the FMC (Federation of Cuban Women). It was interesting to see what the progress and changes were since I was here in 1993 and had a presentation at FMC headquarters. Alicia Gonzales, the presenter, said her powerpoint was available and she took m card to send it to me, so I might post it here later. I also took notes in the dark while she spoke, so I can add some of that later, perhaps when I'm not spending 5 Convertible Pesos per hour. The exchange rate, by the way is one peso to about 80 U.S. cents. All the other times I was here it was roughly a one-to-one exchange, but it's no longer the dollar that is desirable to Cuba, and they tax the exchange extra. One of the other workshops was Cuban Psychotherapy Approaches, but I couldn't be in two places at the same time.
Tomorrow, the foreign participants will go to site visits on buses, leaving at 8:45a.m. I'm thinking of going to a House of Guidance for Women and Families, thus continuing the theme of today. This is a community outreach project developed by the FMC, which is the largest voluntary organization (NGO) in Cuba. One of the other choices is the Psychiatric Hospital of the City of Havana, but I've been there twice before, so I'm looking for something different.
I only have 21 minutes left on this card, so i think I'll go and look at my email. I'm trying to figure out how to use the 3 minutes left on my card from yesterday, since I think it takes that long just to log in. Ciao!
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