CUBA, NOVEMBER 2007

28 November 2007

At Charles de Gaulle Air port on my way to Cuba.  I have had a hectic two days at home it is just only two days since I came back from Argentina.  Got in late from London but at least got the plane luggage came at night.  I am working in the Internet room preparing for my lecture in Cuba.  Balluk from Pakistan came home with me yesterday and presented us with some gift he is going back on December 2007.

29 November 2007

Was met by Tania at Havana Airport. Our plane had to get some repairs done before we could set off so we were two and a half hour late.  I tried to inform Redimio and Tania but in Cuba hardly anybody has mobiles as use is too expensive.  So we went to ICA as soon as I came in to the Tropical Animal Production Meeting.  I gave the first paper this morning which went down well I believe, I sleep in the room with Redimio last night, met up with many old friends.  Then at the end  of the meeting there was a  band playing in typical Cuban style, and after that during  the whole afternoon everybody were dancing until it was dark.  I took part too of course and then late in the evening we took a car to Indio Hatey where we are now and tomorrow afternoon we were going to Camaguey and I have to give lectures here tomorrow at Indio Hateu.

2 December 2007

We are now going into Granma Province. The visit to Indio Hateu was very nice as usual; I met up with many good friends.  We had some big discussions about future research issues, taking into account some global issues such as doubling of grain prices, fossil fuels, their limitations, warnings etc. we went up of course with Felix who will receive some books from us.  They were very keen to extend collaboration and also interested in the Orskov Foundation.  Then in the afternoon we set off for a long drive of six hours drive to Camarguey.  We stopped in an interesting poor house that produced snack.  They were almost like Vietnam with chickens, ducks and pigs around everywhere chicken sitting in trees, even the toilets had chickens in to feed in there. 

I am now staying in Hotel Camarguey which was ok but I like a room with a fridge.  We found one but then the phone was not working so I got another one where the phone was working but we found later the fridge was not working and since the phone could not be used for international call I was the loser.  I got some ice from the bar.  The morning meeting saturday morning in Camarguey was with students and industrialists but then the electricity was not functioning properly so we could not use the projector.  So I had to use my computer.  I simply spoke directly.  It was in a way very nice as it made much more informal and I believe we had a good debate about future research issues.  Then the big thing I was given a large medal for my contribution to research and to Camarguey.  It was the 40th Jubilee of the university. The director was there to present the medal, it was very formal affair he gave a speech as well and I had to give a speech.  It was in the centre of Camarguey there are many monuments of Heroes   Even the pope had been there some years ago   So another medal in fact they apparently wanted to give me a Doctorate as well one time.  In the evening we went to a ballet in the theatre in Camarguey.  The best ballet I think I have ever seen, it was just a funny story expressed in ballet.  I was there with Redimio his wife and his daughter.  So this morning we went to visit an interesting farmer who was a Japanese, his father came from Japan before the Second World War but then he was put in prison because he was Japanese by the Batista Government.  For many years he was in prison so much injustice.  He was growing mangoes, kept some sheep and some beautiful Zebu cattle.  He was quite old and like me had three grandchildren, one daughter and two sons.  I spoke a few Japanese words to him.  Before we left Camarguey we had a meal but it became so Spanish speaking that it was a bit boring for me so I went outside and watched the dancing in the restaurant in the middle of the day Cuban style. 

Now in Bayamo where we are out of a sort of guesthouse Camarguey was nice, wonderful hospitality of Redimio and his family.  Have to go back in Scotland on the 6th December.  The meeting in Bayamo or Granma University was like the meeting in Camaguey very interesting.  The first meeting was mainly for university personnel, very good feedback.  Redimio translated, in the afternoon the audience was quite different with breeders and industrialist they gave me another certificate and a little present at the end of the meeting.  In the morning of the 4th we had to get up very early to go to Holguin and then get a plane back to Havana.  Managed to get to get a ticket to Havana. There were three people from ICA meeting me at the airport.  We went into ICA house in Havana and talked about experiments and then spent 30 minutes in the market.  Instead of staying in Havana we actually went back to ICA itself with the members a bit disorganised.  I had hoped to do some e-mail but that was not possible.  And in the morning Felix from Indio Hateu came with his wife and daughter to meet me.  We have bought some books for his daughter to study English and sit exams at British Council.  Then we go back to Havana.  I had arranged to meet up with Jenny White from British Council the Leader.  We had a very nice discussion.  She actually told me that Cuba imports about 70% of the food bought in shops.  Cuba could easily feed themselves and many more so there is still something to do in Cuba.  Plane back to Paris was a bit boring and a bit unfriendly Air France staff is not always friendly.