Old Castro

There's a café at uni called Castro's. Something I could never figure out is why Cuba is so lauded by uni students and backpackers alike. Cuba is notorious for violating human rights and loves locking up journalists (mind you, I wish I could lock up a few too). My friend's brother, after returning from Cuba, said he saw no problems while there. Cuba's main income is tourism. Do you think they going to show tourists the torturing of "political prisoners"?

Despite this, it seems a lot of former Cubans are delighted at the news of Fidel's recent medical dramas:

The delirious first response here to the news of Fidel Castro temporarily ceding power dampened by Tuesday afternoon, as Miami Cubans quietly awaited updates from the island they fled and local officials watched for commotion on land and sea.

Spontaneous celebrations broke out after Cuban national television reported the development around 9 p.m. on Monday, with people honking horns, clanging pots and pans and shouting, “Cuba libre!”

And in great anticipation, the Yanks (who have not been reknown for following human rights conventions lately - maybe it's the Cuban Island?), have been drafting up a plan for Cuba:

A draft version of the report by the commission, a final version of which is due out next week, calls on President Bush to create an $80m pro-democracy fund to boost support for political opponents of the island's communist government.

Much is to be said about a country of which upon visiting it, you are inclined to bring soap for the locals. Still, wouldn't mind checking out some of those old yank-tank cars they still drive.