I'm going to Cuba for two weeks, the following thread will explain why and document the entire ordeal 🇨🇺❤️
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Day 4 of the Cuba Brigade
Sunday on 2025-04-27
CIJAM, Cuba (GMT-4)04:58
I got up, showered, washed my clothes, and felt sore from yesterday! But I'm really okay. Despite the experience of scorpions, huge spiders, and dogs which hunted me down last night, I felt well rested. I had NO sun burn nor mosquito bites, my methods worked.07:56
We gotta wait to go to the ELAM and subsequent work day (rescheduled for 45 minutes) as the British people arrived late and we need to go as one group.I had another walk with a friend of mine and showed him a section of the camp we were never introduced to (we never had a tour of the CIJAM, so basically everything we see needs to be “discovered” by ourselves). It was right next to the entrance where a security guard sits, a grass field with benches, and a memorial in front. The memorial was one of many, all sitting on bright red stars. It read “MUERO POR LA REVOLUCION” or “I die for the revolution” with a sculpture of someone's head on top. The other stars had signs, sometimes, heads, sometimes images on a readable height above them, detailing foreigners who died and showed solidarity to Cuba throughout their lifetime. I felt the importance of this ground and its history eminating from all around.
Right in front of it was a sign of the camp, so me and my friend filmed a small introduction to where we are and what CIJAM stands for: Campamentamento Internacional Julio Antonio Mela.
The breakfast was as yesterday: too little (a singular egg omelette inbetween a palm-sized soft bread). I inquired as to why this was, as I initially assumed there was a cultural reason, such as Cubans not valuing breakfast as much, but the opposite is the case: on Cuba breakfast is much more important than, for example, in Germany where we simply eat bread based food entirely. In Cuba, breakfast is a full warm meal. The reason we are served something that wouldn't suffice in either country as breakfast, is because they have to ration the food, even for us brigadists. I was told this situation was different last year.
Additionally, it turned out to be not so okay for me to ask for another portion yesterday. Technically, I asked our guide Marcos if it was okay to ask, and then he just did and gave the second portion to me, but I was told by the leaders of our brigade that there are no “leftovers”. Even if there is food left, the personnel usually takes it home for them and their families.
We interviewed a man named Greg who worked for Pastors for Peace and organizes Cuban film nights in America. He's been on 8 brigades to Cuba in total, this is his first May Day Brigade.
08:56
Now in the bus, the delay was pretty long. We are escorted by the Cuban police on motorcycles in a caravan of busses with all the other brigadists. Just looking around and seeing nature is such an experience for me. You can't appreciate it when constantly looking on your phone, as I am doing now, which is why I've been more silent on social media lately (next to the power outages causing us to not have WiFi or mobile data). The palm trees and other plant species I've never seen before, the warmth and the way the sun hits the ground, the bird species making sounds I've never heard in Europe, the general hue of the environment at morning or dawn, the mountain range and wavy terrain. Cuba will always hold a special place in my heart!12:07
We're in a bus from the ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine). We had firery speeches by many of the international students studying there Cuba, right after a quick introduction to the ELAM's history and purpose by its president. She said “We are the United Nations of peace and love.”The students speaking were formally representing all students from the different regions, it was a semi-official position that was democratically elected. There was one person for South America, one person for the Pacific, another for the Middle East and another for Africa. Additionally, one student representing all of them. While the president representing all students had a strong speech, the fiercest one gaining the most applause was that of the Palestinian student who came here midst genocide and hopes to rebuild Gaza if people are still left when he returns. He ended the speech mocking the US rhetoric claiming Cuba was a terrorist state. He said “it was the terrorists who educated us for free, who sent us aid when nobody would, and ideologically supported our anti-imperialist struggle all the way through” (in Spanish) met with fiery applause. Afterwards, another student sang a beautiful song.
We were about 200 people present from 15 nations, while the ELAM had many more students from over 150 nations throughout its history! The goal of the ELAM is for Cuba to educate world class doctors to go back to their home country to support a medical system (which is often underdeveloped). I find this a fascinating piece of international solidarity, and it once again shows that the success of the Cuban project isn't just important for the Cubans themselves, but the entire southern hemisphere.
After the speeches we went through a small museum like hallway cherishing art pieces from the different cultures participating at the ELAM. At the other side of that hallway was a large street festival like outside underpass with all the different representatives of the regions of the world having a stand displaying their region and culture in different ways.
We interviewed the speaker for the students of the pacific, who herself was from the Philippines. She had a perfect response to our specific questions regarding the meaning of international solidarity to her, as well as what we as parties acting in the west, the core of imperialism, should do. The interview went flawlessly, despite her saying that this was her first time.
We tried to interview the speaker for the middle east, a Palestinian, as well. They took the whole ordeal very seriously, asked us specifically what our questions were, and then regrouped for more than 15 minutes to draft a response. Sadly, just as we would begin filming, a bit before 12:00, we were told that we needed to go. So whatever masterful response these students had democratically come up with, we'll never hear. I've messaged one of the representatives, maybe he'll send what they drafted via text!
12:30
We started driving back, technically there was supposed to be another work shift at the camp today, but it was spontaneously canceled.13:03
Back at the camp already! I've tried to Google something on the way, but sadly all the results were in Polish. I then went to WhatIsMyIPAddress.com and they told me I got a polish IP located on the border. I find that very interesting. Maybe the information is outdated and the IP address of the public 4G tower serving mobile data to peopleCurrently we got WiFi and electricity. My life is saved.
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12:07
We're in a bus from the ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine). We had firery speeches by many of the international students studying there Cuba, right after a quick introduction to the ELAM's history and purpose by its president. She said “We are the United Nations of peace and love.”The students speaking were formally representing all students from the different regions, it was a semi-official position that was democratically elected. There was one person for South America, one person for the Pacific, another for the Middle East and another for Africa. Additionally, one student representing all of them. While the president representing all students had a strong speech, the fiercest one gaining the most applause was that of the Palestinian student who came here midst genocide and hopes to rebuild Gaza if people are still left when he returns. He ended the speech mocking the US rhetoric claiming Cuba was a terrorist state. He said “it was the terrorists who educated us for free, who sent us aid when nobody would, and ideologically supported our anti-imperialist struggle all the way through” (in Spanish) met with fiery applause. Afterwards, another student sang a beautiful song.
We were about 200 people present from 15 nations, while the ELAM had many more students from over 150 nations throughout its history! The goal of the ELAM is for Cuba to educate world class doctors to go back to their home country to support a medical system (which is often underdeveloped). I find this a fascinating piece of international solidarity, and it once again shows that the success of the Cuban project isn't just important for the Cubans themselves, but the entire southern hemisphere.
After the speeches we went through a small museum like hallway cherishing art pieces from the different cultures participating at the ELAM. At the other side of that hallway was a large street festival like outside underpass with all the different representatives of the regions of the world having a stand displaying their region and culture in different ways.
We interviewed the speaker for the students of the pacific, who herself was from the Philippines. She had a perfect response to our specific questions regarding the meaning of international solidarity to her, as well as what we as parties acting in the west, the core of imperialism, should do. The interview went flawlessly, despite her saying that this was her first time.
We tried to interview the speaker for the middle east, a Palestinian, as well. They took the whole ordeal very seriously, asked us specifically what our questions were, and then regrouped for more than 15 minutes to draft a response. Sadly, just as we would begin filming, a bit before 12:00, we were told that we needed to go. So whatever masterful response these students had democratically come up with, we'll never hear. I've messaged one of the representatives, maybe he'll send what they drafted via text!
12:30
We started driving back, technically there was supposed to be another work shift at the camp today, but it was spontaneously canceled.13:03
Back at the camp already! I've tried to Google something on the way, but sadly all the results were in Polish. I then went to WhatIsMyIPAddress.com and they told me I got a polish IP located on the border. I find that very interesting. Maybe the information is outdated and the IP address of the public 4G tower serving mobile data to peopleCurrently we got WiFi and electricity. My life is saved.
16:00
We began the plenary session of the German brigade. Our topics included the discussion of a dossier by the Tricontinental Institute about the Bandung Spirit, especially in relation to what we've learned about internationalism at the ELAM today and BRICS. We wanted to be done 18:00, but ended up finishing half an hour later.Internationalism to me means understanding decolonial movements globally to be an opposition to imperialism from within the “belly of the beast”, which may lead to conditions that no longer hinder decolonial movements, makes them possible, or optimally supports them. In order to gain that knowledge, I am willing to throw away everything I know or believe in, if it means ridding myself of a deeply rooted thought structure dictated by western chauvinism. To support such movements, without turning to the fallacies of white saviorism or lecturing, should be everyone's goal.
18:24
We had pretty good lunch. Even with unlimited bread this time (not much rationing anymore)! I made an Olive Garden joke, but nobody got it, except the Americans.21:51
I just finished a Salsa course, we danced for ~1.5 hours. I got pretty okay at it at the end, proud of myself.Currently sitting at the bar at the center of the camp, not to drink something, but because the WiFi router is located here. Best connection everywhere, and I really gotta upload some images and videos! The electricity and WiFi went out inbetween, but about half an hour ago, mid salsa course, it came back.
22:59
As I'm finishing writing and fleshing out my documentation for today and yesterday, the music playing for the salsa dancing circle next to me accidentally turned to Gangnam Style, and... they... just continued. Dancing Salsa. To Gangnam Style. Truly big things are happening at the CIJAM.00:05
I'm fully done with writing everything and catching up on some messages. Thank you for reading
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00:17
While posting the results of this day on Mastodon, the power and hence internet went off. As the (no longer just Salsa) dancing crowd was angered by their music suddenly stopping, in complete darkness except for the loud chirping, they began shouting “Cuba Si! Bloqueo no!”.CIJAM, Cuba (GMT-4)
Monday, 28th of April 2025
----END OF DAY 4 OF THE CUBA BRIGADE---- -
16:00
We began the plenary session of the German brigade. Our topics included the discussion of a dossier by the Tricontinental Institute about the Bandung Spirit, especially in relation to what we've learned about internationalism at the ELAM today and BRICS. We wanted to be done 18:00, but ended up finishing half an hour later.Internationalism to me means understanding decolonial movements globally to be an opposition to imperialism from within the “belly of the beast”, which may lead to conditions that no longer hinder decolonial movements, makes them possible, or optimally supports them. In order to gain that knowledge, I am willing to throw away everything I know or believe in, if it means ridding myself of a deeply rooted thought structure dictated by western chauvinism. To support such movements, without turning to the fallacies of white saviorism or lecturing, should be everyone's goal.
18:24
We had pretty good lunch. Even with unlimited bread this time (not much rationing anymore)! I made an Olive Garden joke, but nobody got it, except the Americans.21:51
I just finished a Salsa course, we danced for ~1.5 hours. I got pretty okay at it at the end, proud of myself.Currently sitting at the bar at the center of the camp, not to drink something, but because the WiFi router is located here. Best connection everywhere, and I really gotta upload some images and videos! The electricity and WiFi went out inbetween, but about half an hour ago, mid salsa course, it came back.
22:59
As I'm finishing writing and fleshing out my documentation for today and yesterday, the music playing for the salsa dancing circle next to me accidentally turned to Gangnam Style, and... they... just continued. Dancing Salsa. To Gangnam Style. Truly big things are happening at the CIJAM.00:05
I'm fully done with writing everything and catching up on some messages. Thank you for reading️00:17
While posting the results of this day on Mastodon, the power and hence internet went off. As the (no longer just Salsa) dancing crowd was angered by their music suddenly stopping, in complete darkness except for the loud chirping, they began shouting “Cuba Si! Bloqueo no!”.CIJAM, Cuba (GMT-4)
Monday, 28th of April 2025
----END OF DAY 4 OF THE CUBA BRIGADE----Just had a talk with ex CIA agent Raúl Antonio Capote — what a fascinating figure.
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Just had a talk with ex CIA agent Raúl Antonio Capote — what a fascinating figure.
Another mural at the CIJAM made during our stay here, commemorating friendship between the nation of Angola and Cuba! Carlota was a memorable leader of the slave uprising in Angola, supported by the Cuban army leaving 2.385 of its soldiers dead.
In Africa we are used to being victims of countries that want to take from us our territory or overthrow our sovereignty. In African history there is not another instance where another people has stood up for one of ours. We also acknowledge that the action was carried out by the masses in Cuba and that those who fought and died in Angola are only a small portion of those who volunteered to go. To the Cuban people internationalism is not only a word but something which they have put into practice for the benefit of large sectors of mankind.
— Nelson Mandela, 1991
Cuba then recovered all of the remains of its soldiers in “Operación Tributo”. Leaders of Angola and the African continent agreed: this move was unprecedented. Never had another country intervened in Angola, left, and only asked of the remnants of its soldiers, instead of its rich resources, like oil, gold, or gemstones.
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Another mural at the CIJAM made during our stay here, commemorating friendship between the nation of Angola and Cuba! Carlota was a memorable leader of the slave uprising in Angola, supported by the Cuban army leaving 2.385 of its soldiers dead.
In Africa we are used to being victims of countries that want to take from us our territory or overthrow our sovereignty. In African history there is not another instance where another people has stood up for one of ours. We also acknowledge that the action was carried out by the masses in Cuba and that those who fought and died in Angola are only a small portion of those who volunteered to go. To the Cuban people internationalism is not only a word but something which they have put into practice for the benefit of large sectors of mankind.
— Nelson Mandela, 1991
Cuba then recovered all of the remains of its soldiers in “Operación Tributo”. Leaders of Angola and the African continent agreed: this move was unprecedented. Never had another country intervened in Angola, left, and only asked of the remnants of its soldiers, instead of its rich resources, like oil, gold, or gemstones.
This is what the nation wide internet cards look like! Next to mobile data, there's a nation wide WiFi, which like 25 Cuban pesos each (~0.083€) and can be accessed in most public areas like parks, hotels, or libraries.
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This is what the nation wide internet cards look like! Next to mobile data, there's a nation wide WiFi, which like 25 Cuban pesos each (~0.083€) and can be accessed in most public areas like parks, hotels, or libraries.
Currently in a health clinic in Caimito, Cuba and the question of trans healthcare came up! It's shocking that it's easier to get a gender reassignment surgery in Cuba than in Germany or the US, but not surprising.
The knowledge and technology isn't here yet, which is why the amount of people who had such a surgery is very small, yet if you're interested it's as free as all other medicine.
They even took the words “man and woman” out of their constitution in 2019 and replaced them with “human”!
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Currently in a health clinic in Caimito, Cuba and the question of trans healthcare came up! It's shocking that it's easier to get a gender reassignment surgery in Cuba than in Germany or the US, but not surprising.
The knowledge and technology isn't here yet, which is why the amount of people who had such a surgery is very small, yet if you're interested it's as free as all other medicine.
They even took the words “man and woman” out of their constitution in 2019 and replaced them with “human”!
That's how I manage my Mastodon servers from the Cuban outback!
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That's how I manage my Mastodon servers from the Cuban outback!
Just this moment we've given multiple luggages of medicine to the health clinic in Caimito, bypassing the international blockade that has tried to crush this country and its spirit! ¡Viva Cuba!
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Just this moment we've given multiple luggages of medicine to the health clinic in Caimito, bypassing the international blockade that has tried to crush this country and its spirit! ¡Viva Cuba!
There's a fire close to the CIJAM, but I've been told it's under control (fire trucks are supposedly already there)! When I first saw it, I thought it was the sun going down.
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There's a fire close to the CIJAM, but I've been told it's under control (fire trucks are supposedly already there)! When I first saw it, I thought it was the sun going down.
I just ate a (cooked and seasoned) ant. All is well!
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I just ate a (cooked and seasoned) ant. All is well!
Currently in the Memorial de la Denuncia (Memorial of the Complaint) — there's many signs, art and info pieces explaining the state terror by the United States and its effect on Cuba.
Did you know that the United States spread disinformation about fake plans of the Cuban government, claiming they're trying to take away parental rights and send children to indoctrination camps? These claims were completely made up, yet US secret services created the channels and the “care programs” for when these children (aged 8 – 18) arrived in Miami, sent by parents fearing what may happen to their kids and told to do so by local agents.
All of this was in collaboration with the catholic church, which is why the relation between the Cuba government and the church has only become better much later.
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Currently in the Memorial de la Denuncia (Memorial of the Complaint) — there's many signs, art and info pieces explaining the state terror by the United States and its effect on Cuba.
Did you know that the United States spread disinformation about fake plans of the Cuban government, claiming they're trying to take away parental rights and send children to indoctrination camps? These claims were completely made up, yet US secret services created the channels and the “care programs” for when these children (aged 8 – 18) arrived in Miami, sent by parents fearing what may happen to their kids and told to do so by local agents.
All of this was in collaboration with the catholic church, which is why the relation between the Cuba government and the church has only become better much later.
So many bullets, so much war, all to punish the slaves for revolting.
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So many bullets, so much war, all to punish the slaves for revolting.
At a restaurant in Havana!
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At a restaurant in Havana!
On the topic of LGBTQ+ rights: I've seen signs like these all across Cuba by the national center of sex education (CENESEX), saying people should be against homophobia and transphobia!
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On the topic of LGBTQ+ rights: I've seen signs like these all across Cuba by the national center of sex education (CENESEX), saying people should be against homophobia and transphobia!
1 AM! Time to get up for MAY DAY!
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1 AM! Time to get up for MAY DAY!
Getting ready
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Getting ready
️In front of our weird bus with murder eyes, getting ready to drive to Havana
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In front of our weird bus with murder eyes, getting ready to drive to Havana
why does it do that
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why does it do that
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This post did not contain any content.
We are close to the Plaza de la Revolución, which is where the parade / protest for May Day will begin today!
