The latest contribution to the Memoir Showcase is another fascinating chapter from Captain Denis Dextraze's memoir in progress, Once upon a time in Cuba.
To read Dr. Guziec, an American plastic surgeon teaching in Cuba, click here.
To read Dr. Guziec, an American plastic surgeon teaching in Cuba, click here.
Author Bio
Canadian born Captain Denis Dextraze started traveling internationally at age 18 when he hitchhiked around Europe during the summer break. After graduating from two U.S. universities, he specialized in international high-tech marketing which took him around the world. He retired early to enjoy sailing his 45 ft. ketch. Between his career and his port-o-calls on Aventura, he visited more than 80 countries.
“Once upon a time in Cuba” is being written so that an interesting two years capsule of Cuban history, starting in May of 1998, will not be lost forever. All events reported in this book really happened no matter how ludicrous, illogical or incredible they appear.
These years were times of changes and uncertainty for the Cuban authorities. They wanted our money but did not want us because we were “contaminating” the communist indoctrination of their controlled population. We were living interesting times, sharing the docks in Marina Hemingway with an array of adventurers not representing any normal and organized society in the world. They ranged from millionaires, drug smugglers, Hells Angels members, pedophiles, smugglers, tough Vietnam vets, world class sailors, escaped refugees. We were pioneers living interesting times and loving it!
During those days as it is still today, the Cuban society was segregated into two categories. On the 0.3% upper side, the communist ruling party composed exclusively of militaries whether in uniforms or not were living in incredible luxury ironically just like their ousted predecessors of the Batista regime. On the down side were the other 11 millions slaving Cubans living in desperate conditions. We, as visiting foreigners, were odd-balls in this two class system. Since we did not belong to either class, we were tolerated and generally allowed privileges that were reserved to the Cuban military elite and forbidden to the population. [email protected]
Canadian born Captain Denis Dextraze started traveling internationally at age 18 when he hitchhiked around Europe during the summer break. After graduating from two U.S. universities, he specialized in international high-tech marketing which took him around the world. He retired early to enjoy sailing his 45 ft. ketch. Between his career and his port-o-calls on Aventura, he visited more than 80 countries.
“Once upon a time in Cuba” is being written so that an interesting two years capsule of Cuban history, starting in May of 1998, will not be lost forever. All events reported in this book really happened no matter how ludicrous, illogical or incredible they appear.
These years were times of changes and uncertainty for the Cuban authorities. They wanted our money but did not want us because we were “contaminating” the communist indoctrination of their controlled population. We were living interesting times, sharing the docks in Marina Hemingway with an array of adventurers not representing any normal and organized society in the world. They ranged from millionaires, drug smugglers, Hells Angels members, pedophiles, smugglers, tough Vietnam vets, world class sailors, escaped refugees. We were pioneers living interesting times and loving it!
During those days as it is still today, the Cuban society was segregated into two categories. On the 0.3% upper side, the communist ruling party composed exclusively of militaries whether in uniforms or not were living in incredible luxury ironically just like their ousted predecessors of the Batista regime. On the down side were the other 11 millions slaving Cubans living in desperate conditions. We, as visiting foreigners, were odd-balls in this two class system. Since we did not belong to either class, we were tolerated and generally allowed privileges that were reserved to the Cuban military elite and forbidden to the population. [email protected]
