FIDEL CASTRO:HOW THE FATE OF A NATION HAS RESTED ON THE FATE OF ITS LEADER

I watched a NatGeo documentary on Fidel Castro last week. He has been in power since the late 50's (1959 if I heard it right) and to this day Cuba's destiny depends on what Fidel says it should be. I don't remember much about the Cuban Revolution but Fidel and his Communist guerillas overthrew the administration. Cubans who supported Fidel hoped that he would lead them to the prosperity they dreamed of. However, it was not to be. Fidel had a vision of great things for Cuba,but he only made promises. Anyone who openly criticized him was persecuted...or killed.

When Communism in Russia was finally dissolved,Fidel was in a dilemma. He had modelled his country after the USSR but now the model was gone! According to the documentary this was a great blow to Fidel. But what is more amazing is how come the Cubans have not managed to rid themselves of Fidel's strong man rule even after other countries have deposed their tyrants.

As one of the commentators mentioned, Fidel's charisma still exists. I saw a footage of him, old and haggard-looking walking up a podium to give a speech, wearing rubber shoes and a small Cuban flag on one hand. He didn't look very threatening...but still he is revered.

So maybe, the Cubans cannot blame anybody but themselves for the hard times they are experiencing. After all, they are the ones who have been tolerating Fidel all these years!

BRAZILIAN PASSION

I watched an Atlas Discovery channel feature on Brazil last night, and of course central to the film was something about the Carnivale. I learned that the word meant "to shun away from meat" (carne=meat) since the festival usually fell during the season of Lent,which in Catholic countries is observed with abstention from meat. "Meat" here though could also mean the "pleasures of the flesh," so in sensual Brazil, "carnivale" does mean a great sacrifice.

What was interesting to know though was that the preparations for Carnivale take place many months before the celebration and that many of the people who work on the huge floats and decor work for free.What motivates them simply is passion for Carnivale,and the thought that because of their contribution,their "school" might win in the annual competition.