Cuban Neighbours

When we bought a home in Cape Coral there were few homes in our area. There was however one home directly behind us and living there was a family of three. A young couple with a young son made up this very happy family. As we got to know our neighbours we were amazed at their story of survival. Leaving Cuba on a rubber raft put them in harms way and they risked death rather than bring up their very young son in a country which was not free.

Shortly after leaving the shores of Cuba a storm filled the raft in water and Yvette had to hold her son above water for several days. There were three other people on the raft which was made for two people. Without power and little food they drifted in the current and finally they were picked up by the US Coast Guard. They were returned to the naval base in Cuba and after processing were permitted to come to the USA.

They took up residence in Miami with friends but preferred to live in a less crowded city so came to Cape Coral. Gus was a master electrician and quickly built a lovely home and became a valued employee for his company. All this was done for their son. Time quickly passed and they became good friends of our and we share food and laughter together. When they become serious they recite their tale of their decision to come to America.

Their son turned eighteen this year and is a scholar. He was admitted to a university on scholarship to study space science. He begins in September and when he does the family will really live its dream of a free life in the USA. We have been enriched by their friendship and they have asked me to write their story for reference in the future. I was happy to oblige and will complete the task in the fall.

They are friends and neighbours and our life is better for knowing them. Only in America.

Visit To A Real Gypsy Camp

Photo of Lord Gordon Parry courtesy of Wikipedia (in public domain).

In the late Seventies I had the good fortune to be a guest of the country of Wales along with my family. Lord Gordon Parry and Lady Glenys Parry were our hosts and great one at that. Our friendship came as a result of a twinning situation between Pembroke, Wales and Pembroke, Canada. We hosted Lord Parry and his friends while they were visiting Canada, and we were invited to go to Wales for a ten day holiday at a later date.

Part of our visit was a tour through a Gypsy encampment to meet singer Tom Jones' mother, who lived there. The tour began with all of us piling in our twelve passenger van and heading to this abandoned gravel pit. As we entered the gravel pit we passed what seemed like hundreds of huge lorries. These trucks were used by the Gypsy men who scavenged about the area and picked up garbage.

Before entering this area Lord Parry explained that this area was allocated as the home for Gypsies. The gravel pit was several miles long and housed several thousand people who were called Gypsies. He explained that they did not have full citizenship but had lived there for years. The further in the gravel pit you lived, the higher you were up in the hierarchy of the Gypsy royalty. He said that it would not be wise to enter this area without permission. Everyone here lived in what we call house trailers on wheels which could be moved at a moments notice.

Many of these trailers were beautiful and decorated in the traditional style of Gypsy lore. Before we actually entered the gravel pit, Lord Parry assured the people of his intentions of showing his Canadian friends the camp and meeting Mrs. Jones. That was not her actual name but she was Tom Jones' mother. We travelled a long distance before stopping in front of this particularly beautiful and ornate trailer. Mrs. Jones came out and greeted Lord Parry warmly and he introduced us to this celebrity.

We retreated from this camp and I was astonished to find that there was a double standard for Gypsies. Lord Parry was an advocate for the Gypsies and was loved by them in return. He exercised what influence he had to get them the right to vote and have regular citizenship. He was only partially successful. We as Canadians were shocked but understood the dilemma under which these people lived for centuries. The overt prejudice was apparent but they still prevailed in keeping some semblance of dignity and self worth. Their music is unique and their spirit unbroken as they continue to live the Gypsy life.

This was another experience which helped shape my value system of believing in the equality and value of each unique individual who shares the earth.

You Are Out

I just returned home after watching an incredible minor ball game. The game started at eight in the morning and the weather was perfect. The ball diamond was prepared for the playoffs and was absolutely ready for the test. This game was between 13 year old boys. The large boys were nearly six feet tall and close to 200lbs and the wee ones were four foot seven and 85 lbs. The size difference caused some in the bleachers to call out rude remarks about the fairness as they thought that teams may have cribbed on the age of some.

The game was played in a fine manner with both teams scoring runs off of nice hits, and errors made by embarrassed players. Everyone seemed to be having fun and the coaches were friendly and cheerful in their remarks to their players. High fives and pats greeted the players from both teams as they reached their benches between innings.

These players play seven inning games in the tournament format playoffs. In three days the kids would be required to play up to six games if they went all the way to the championship game. By the sixth inning the tone of the game changed. With the score tied the coaches began to become more assertive and shouts from the respective benches began to harbour fears that the game would be lost if more effort was not forthcoming from their players.

Stomping of feet and mumblings between the coaches about changing some players because they were not playing as well as they expected, caused anxiety among the payers. Shouted advice from all on the bench as a 13 year-old got up to bat with two out and the game in the balance. What pressure.

The seventh inning only raised the tone some more and the coaches were no longer the happy care free adults helping kids enjoy baseball, but were in fact projecting their expectations into the game. The players no longer came to the bench to place their bat in the rack, but came to the bench a threw the bat after striking out. Gloves were thrown to the ground in disgust after missing a routine fly ball. The intensity was high. With two out at the top of the seventh the home team had players on first and third and the batter hit a good ball to the short left field.

The player on third rushed home and the catcher guarded the plate although he had not yet received the ball. The fielder threw a good strike from his position in the field and there was going to be a crash at home plate. However the ball was way late and the runner plowed into the catcher who still was waiting for the ball. The umpire called the runner out on a little league rule that states that a runner must not hit the catcher if he is without the ball.

The coach ran out on the field and began shouting at the umpire in an uncontrolled manner. The umpire took this treatment for a bit and the stated the rule and promptly threw the coach out of the game. The young player who was called stood up and threw his helmet on to the ground and shouted something like *&^%&^. The umpire had him removed as well. How quickly the young players emulate their coaches. Sad.

The team now without its head coach was able to regroup, and the assistant coaches managed for three overtime innings without incident - and won the game. The players, with the example of the assistant coaches, ended the game in a manner that brought back dignity to the game designed for just that -- playing the game by the rules and having fun. Some adults cannot get that through their heads. The game belongs to the kids and not the coaches.