In La Habana it's commonplace to see or better yet hear a man whisper a "piropo" as a woman walks by him."If beauty were a sin, you’d never be forgiven."
"I’m now sure there is a heaven because I’ve seen an angel."
"Oh! If you could cook like you walk, I want to eat scraps!"
"So many curves, and me without brakes."
Pi-ro-po \pi-‘ro-po\n. pl-pos [Sp. Piropear]1. An amorous compliment 2: A flirtatious remark.
4 comments:
Piropos are fun, and they're not considered sexual harassment here in Cuba, as they would up there in the United States Which Models Perfection. Cuba is so much more relaxed a society in so many ways than is the United States.
Trust me, as someone who lives and works here in Cuba for long periods of time, there's no place on earth which can provide a model for everywhere else, but Cuba does have some positive areas in its social life. The piropo is one of them.
Too bad most people from the United States aren't allowed to come and witness this basically harmless and charming social phenomenon.
Cubans are not living in a relaxed society...there every day lives are watched by the Committees for The Defense Of the Revolution...when there is a march attendance is mandatory or it will be anotated in your record. Parents wonder where their teenage daughters and sons are doing all night long...knowing in reality but in denial that they are most likely looking for a way to make some money...young parents wonder how they will provide for the added responsibility that children represent with few options for improving their situation.
It's unfortunate that most Americans cannot travel to witness the lack of freedoms, choices first hand...it amazes me that you can support a system that would not allow any of those you consider friends in Cuba to visit you in California. But then your there with a passport and money and are probably treated with a lot of respect and importance...sort of like the Americans that visited Cuba pre Castro...with an air of arrogance and importance. You have $$$ and that creates a lot of friends.
Enjoy your time in Cuba...someone should.
Roy,
You are a remarkable photographer and essayist. It's important to provide rebuttals to the kind of ignorance displayed by WL, but I wouldn't waste my breath.
I just hope for his sake that I don't run into him in Cuba while visiting my family. The sight of these new colonialists is enough to drive me into a rage.
I don't feel that my breath is being wasted...some of those seeing this site may actually find truth in my words...pictures don't lie...it's important that one doesn't allow a site to be hijacked to serve ones purpose. I will always comment on comments. Thank you for your kind words and please tell others about this "Glimpse of Cuba"
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