Our guide in Cuba, Yuni, kept answering many of our questions with the phrase "Social Property". I do not pretend to understand the depth of it and probably will never understand it, but here is what I understand from our experience there when we traveled with Grand Circle Foundation from Oct 29-Nov 10.
We asked about homelessness. There is no homelessness according to Yuni. If you need housing the government provides you with it. If you need food you are provided for. It seems not only the government but others provide as well. If you have extra you give it to others who have a need. Sounds pretty idealistic at first blush.
Our most interesting visit was to a ration store. We tromped into the small storefront, all 21 of us and patrons started to arrive to buy their grocery items. We parted the way so they could approach the counter and our guide engaged them in conversation. EVERYONE in Cuba has a ration card with which they can buy staples like rice and beans. There is a chalkboard with all of the current prices listed and from what I understand it is very reduced. It seems more like food stamps than like rationing to me. Down the street was a ration store for meat. We also went around the corner to a store which looked like it was mostly bottles of rum. If you did not know where these stores are, you would walk right past them. No advertising, and they are pretty small. The clue is a clerk behind the counter.
We did ask why there were cigarettes in the ration store, and it seems like there are items not on the ration list that you can buy in the ration store.
As an aside at one point Yuni mentioned that the Cubans have developed a vaccine for lung cancer. My questioning husband still needs to research that.
On our return we have been using the term social property. I am not sure if we are using it correctly but an example is: In an organization some people volunteer to help it run because they have the energy and resources. Others do not volunteer, but those that can do to provide the non volunteers with an organization. Those that pick up trash on the street do so to provide others with a cleaner street.
It appears that the US culture and economy is much more used to greed and profit as opposed to social property. Again, I am not sure if I am using this correctly or not. These are my current thoughts.
On our trip one woman suggested that she would not be able to go on an OAT/Grand Circle trip again soon, because she would have to unpack this one. That is exactly what I think I am doing right now with this social property concept.
