AP PHOTOS: Farmers market bustles on Havana's edge

[Judi Lynn]

AP PHOTOS: Farmers market bustles on Havana's edge

The Associated Press
Posted: 10/01/2013 09:14:37 PM PDT | Updated: a day ago


[font size=1]
In this Sept. 30, 2013 photo, farmer Asley Cruz, 35, wears a string of garlic
on his shoulders as he yells prices at the 114th Street Market on the outskirts
of Havana, Cuba. The market s bustle is a result of economic reforms begun
in 2010 by President Raul Castro, which includes relaxing rules on private
farming. In another reform, Cuban authorities recently authorized small
farmers to also sell directly to hotels and tourist centers beginning this month.
((AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))[/font]

HAVANA—Trucks crammed with produce travel hundreds of miles from every corner of Cuba each weekday to form long lines at the 114th Street Market—a teeming open-air bazaar on Havana's outskirts that has become a key hub for getting farm products to people in the capital.
The market's bustle is a result of economic reforms begun in 2010 by President Raul Castro, which includes relaxing rules on private farming. In another reform, Cuban authorities recently authorized small farmers to also sell directly to hotels and tourist centers beginning this month.

Produce is brought in by growers themselves and by transportation specialists who make a living by buying crops far away and hauling them to Havana, the island's biggest and most important market.

Some sellers show up with the trunks of their 1950s Chevrolets stuffed with garlic, onions and other produce.

More:
http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_24219538/ap-photos-farmers-market-bustles-havanas-edge

[Socialistlemur]

1. As time goes by the "Communist Party" sure loses legitimacy

I guess it must be striking to see the way things change for the better once old stale communist practices installed by Castro get thrown out and a market economy emerges. What may be escaping those of you who defend this dictatorship is the fact that it has lost whatever legitimacy it may have had back in 1959. Today it's just a regime loaded with fat cats and oligarchs who sit at the top rubbing their hands and trying to shift direction as they implement capitalism. They are a bunch of fascists, trying to cloak their utterly degenerate nature.

[Judi Lynn]

2. That would mean they are the kind of people the U.S. has always supported.

You need to take some time to think about what it is you are attempting to say to Democrats.

[Bacchus4.0]

3. and this type of organized private market activity has been going on forever elsewhere

So this is a big whooptyfuckingdoo for those of us who venture beyond the computer screen. Good to see Cuba moving into the 20th century at least though

[roody]

4. So degenerate that they send

doctors all over the world, and train people to be doctors from all over the world.

[FrodosPet]

5. And then the doctors go get "real" jobs to live on.

Cutting sugar cane, selling plumbing supplies...

[Judi Lynn]

6. That's their choice, isn't it? n/t

[FrodosPet]

7. I suppose when the roof collapses on that poor woman's house

If they live, they will have great medical care.

Perhaps Cuba can work on training, equipping, and supplying some carpenters, bricklayers, and roofers so the people won't have to continue to live in squalor?

[Judi Lynn]

8. Very sad. Thanks for trying.

Last edited Sat Oct 5, 2013, 03:57 PM - Edit history (1)

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[roody]

9. They do that too. Have you seen the

squalor or did somebody tell you about it?

[FrodosPet]

10. It was from the BBC documentary I posted.

Last edited Sun Oct 6, 2013, 10:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Cuba is a beautiful country with beautiful people. But it should be a warning that any monopoly of power - be it commercial or governmental - is a bad idea that invites abuse.