Octobers seem to bring us dark moments

HAVANA – In the wide range of nuances and beliefs that characterize Cubans we must not forget the superstitious element inherited from the Spanish,  from Africa, and even from our gringo ancestors with that fear of the number 13.

This was just confirmed by an instructional and widely watched Cuban TV show, The Restless Neuron. A young panel was asked a series of question regarding superstition. And few erred, which demonstrates culture and a little more.

Beyond the many superstitions that are part of our folklore, there are still those who react to spilled salt, Friday the 13th, or the swift pass of a black cat.

For these persons, October is a dark month in the history of the last 60 years of the Revolution. In October many years ago we lost Camilo Cienfuegos, one of the most charismatic and beloved rebel commanders; during that month we were once visited by Hurricane Flora who left more than 2,000 dead in the eastern part of the Island and where Fidel Castro himself almost succumbed atop a launch in the disaster zone; it was also the month of the Missile Crisis where we came closest to a nuclear conflict; there was the death of Che Guevara; and the horrific crime against a Cuban civilian plane leaving Barbados… just to name a few.

And this October, with the unknown comings and goings of the Island’s oil supply, which hopefully is normalized, in addition to the relentless battle against mosquitos and the giant African snails… they appear to be Trump allies. 

It’s a large load to carry. The most experienced psychiatrists and even those just starting in the unknown world of what happens inside our heads will tell you that if the problem has no solution it is best to bury it and remove it from the body like a flea from a dog.

In the midst of so many anxious moments, hard work and unlimited worries, some of us head off to the ballgame and others just plop in front of the TV and watch their favorite soap operas or a program provided by the “package”. Trying to forget what we cannot solve and sweating  the problems that wake us up in the middle of the night.

In the coming days, we’re expecting another surprise. We will have a prime minister, a vice president, and surely, a new president in Parliament. It should be another October to remember.