Parque Central

They comment, they discuss, they shout, they get passionate!

As I watched a crowd of about 20 men going face to face in this park near the Gran Theatro, I thought that they were discussing politics. Observing two Cuban policemen nearby, I wondered if they would move to disperse the crowd. It was as though they didn't even notice the torrent of shouting going on. This is certainly not the hallmark of a police state, I thought.

Later it was explained to me that the men were participating in a morning ritual of debating which Cuban beisbol (baseball) team was the best in the country. Most people know that Cuba produces some of the best baseball players in the world. They also produce some of the best and loudest debaters as well.