Octavio Paz’ interests were not limited to Mexico’s past and present. The writer also explored the works of great personalities, of renowned painters, writers, bards and politicians. Paz felt he was a part of the world and would express his sincere opinions on issues he considered at once political and human.

Today, Venezuela is a politically effervescent country, divided into two, well-defined camps: those who support Maduro’s presidency because they are followers of Chávez’ ideas, and those who support Capriles because they are detractors of Chávez’ national project.

It’s common in Havana to hear people talking about machismo and domestic violence, but that doesn’t mean these have been eradicated. In the countryside too there exists a high percentage of tolerance towards these evils.

A few days ago my dog died. He was a frisky dachshund about eight and a half years old. Yoqui, though, was the first being that I saw die. I was deeply moved when I realized how life is so ephemeral.

It was Saturday evening and I was walking back home after getting off the packed P11 bus. On a street in front of my building, people had set up food stands and installed service counters – so I knew something was going to happen the following day. (20 photos)

Cesar was turning six, so he wanted a birthday party with clowns to make him feel special. As for Cesar’s parents they had a compelling reason to feel stressed out: their pockets were emptying little by little as they had to keep buying things for the celebration.

It’s 10:00 am and raining every few minutes, but I’m merrily heading on my way home. I was just able to buy a gas canister. “Gas is here,” is the most common expression heard these days in Zones 7 and 8 in the Alamar housing project neighborhood.

I can give the following example for specialists to analyze and understand many things about the relationship between couples in Cuba: apathy, male sexual dominance, but especially the double and even a triple workday of women.

Yesterday I dreamed about Alexis, the friend who I once spoke about here. On that occasion I was talking about his housing problem, while today my anxiety (and his) concerns something else. Four months ago my old friend went on a government aid mission to Venezuela.

This past August, Australia passed a strict law against tobacco. Meanwhile, here in Cuba, we continue to show fine health, beauty and dangerous subliminal messages on the packs of Popular and other brands.