Last week's news that Fidel Castro is passing part of his duties to Raul has caused me to take another look at my projected move to Mexico. I need to keep the Cuba option open.
Let me explain. Several years ago, my alumni association sponsored a one-week trip to Cuba. The purpose of the trip was to attend a series of lectures on Cuba law. (In true Cuban fashion, one of the students in Cuba responded when I told him why I was there for a law conference: "A law conference? In Cuba? Isn't that like attending a chastity conference in Gomorrah?" No one will outdo a Cuban for cynical humor.)
But I had a second purpose. The Salvation Army officers find it very difficult to import Salvation Army uniforms. We always have excess uniforms in Salem. I stuffed a large suit case with pants, skirts, shirts, and blouses. The officers in Cuba were extremely pleased to receive them. The work of the Salvation Army is restricted by the Cuban government, but they do what they can -- and they do it well.
When I returned from that trip, I decided I was going to sell my house, move to Cuba, and do what I could to assist the Salvation Army there. I immediately ran into two problems. Even though I could obtain an American visa to go to Cuba, I could not take any money with me. And, even if I could take the money, the Cuban government was not interested in allowing a long-term visit. So, that plan went on hold -- until changes occur on both sides of the Florida Straits.
Maybe that is now happening. If there should be any major change during the next year, I may be on my way to Havana. Of course, I could still move to Mexico and leave my options open for Cuba.
