The last two hold-outs in Central America, Costa Rica and El Salvador, have announced their intention to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba.  Articles in the BBC and El País.  This from BBC:

They were the only two Central American countries to maintain a diplomatic freeze on the communist island-nation.

In El Salvador, the winner of this week’s presidential election, Mauricio Funes, said ties would be re-established as soon as he takes office.

Announcing a similar move, Costa Rican leader Oscar Arias said: “We have to be capable of adjusting to new realities.”

Thousands of papers stored in the basement of Hemmingways house in Cuba are being catalogued and archived.  From the BBC

An important collection of papers belonging to the American writer Ernest Hemingway has been saved for posterity, thanks to a unique joint rescue mission involving communist Cuba and the United States.

The spending bill that just cleared Congress contains measures to relax restrictions on  travel  for Cuban-Americans and on sending food and medicine.   Articles in BBC, El País, and Miami Herald.  This from the BBC:

Cuban-Americans will be allowed to travel to the island once a year and send more money to relatives there.

Curbs on sending medicines and food have also been eased. The measures were part of a $410bn bill to fund US government operations.

The legislation was approved by the Senate after clearing the House of Representatives

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Filipe Perez Roque and Carlos Lage have resigned from all positions in government and the party. This from BBC

The two ousted men had been seen as possible future presidential candidates.

In the letters, Mr Lage and Mr Perez Roque acknowledged “mistakes” and accepted “responsibility” for them.

Following the reshuffle, Fidel Castro is believed to have referred to the men when he described two high-profile politicians recently dismissed from office as “unworthy”.

The two had become seduced by “the honey of power”, Mr Castro said in an online article.

Mr Perez Roque

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4/7/2009 – 4/11/2009 Camagüey From Portal Cultural Principe

Small format theater also known as Intimate Theater is sparse in scenic elements but rich in acting interpretation, owing precisely to the fact that the actor forms the motivational axis of the act.

It is guerrilla theater and close to the skin of the public, where we also encounter Oral Scenic Narration.

Project EJO counts on the technical support, the dedication an the public necessary to bring about this annual event.

The Project pays tribute also to Karen Okendo, a young woman whose physical presence…

On discovering the essence of a fine Cuban cigar

“Just say no,” is the prescription offered by moralists
“Don’t smoke,” that’s good advice, except . . .
When one encounters the essence of Cuba, in the rolled product of Cuba’s land
When one experiences the spiritual uplifting that comes with a deep draw
When one sets aside standard proscriptions and considers another path to nirvana
When one sits backs, lights up, accepts, as intimately as a lover, the engagement
When one infers from the burning leaf messages from the…

 Travel Prep
The total cost of the trip we paid to Marazul, the travel agent was around $1,150. We originally authorized Marazul to charge up to $1,000 on our credit card for each person for the trip. We had to give 2 additional authorizations as charges were added that exceeded the $1,000.

• A plane ticket for

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This very promising tidbit from El País:

The government of Barack Obama is preparing an ambitious initiative toward Cuba with the objectives of putting an end to 50 years of confrontation and of facilitating — in dialog with the actual communist authorities — a path toward democratization of the island.  Although, no concrete steps have yet been taken in that direction, various diplomatic and political sources in Washington and Miami confirm that the groundwork is being laid for a significant near term change in relations between Cuba and the US.

The Administration’s approach

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