An Uforgetable Afternoon with Joel

This morning, walking around the Plaza de Vieja we met Joel.  We had already heard his schtick several times from other men on the street -- did we know that today was a special day in Havana? There was a festival ten minutes away, beginning now.  Buena Vista Social Club was repeated often. When  we asked where, he said he'd take us.  Sometimes it is good to be inquisitive and trusting. Although there was no festival, Joel took us to a school where children studied dance and music.  There were no performances, but next door was a bar where the BVSC frequently hung out, as documented in the film.   An excellent band was playing and we ordered a round of drinks, not mojitos since Joel told us they are the drinks for tourists, but something with grenadine.  Somehow EM ended up behind the bar making the second round per the bartender's instructions. Joel's English was fantastic, he had a sense of humor and loves of American cinema.  The Godfather trilogy and The Patriot were among his favorites. He was unaware that his tee shirt, a man sitting on the toilet with ear buds with the word ipood, was a joke. Of course, the conversation turned to politics, and his point of view was quite different from Victor's. At 31, with a 6 year old daughter, he is eager for change.  He lives pay check to paycheck, not enough to save and often not enough to buy the food he needs.  He was critical of the Castros, pondered if they were still alive since their whereabouts are unknown.  "We don't have a White House like your president."  He did not believe change would occur without civil unrest.  Although we bought him drinks and wanted to tip him for bringing us to the bar and sharing his stories, he refused.  However, later he did ask if we would  buy him milk.  As non Cubans we could each buy two powered packages of leche, he would keep two and give two to his brother who had a young son.  We walked to the corner mercado, he ordered and we paid, no questions.  Surprising, the prices were in CUC the currency for tourists, locals  are paid in another currency which has less value, and were quite expensive at around $7 per package.  The afternoon with Joel was a high point.  Interacting, sharing conversation, learning things about other cultures is the reason I love to travel.