Hope Mission Connection

Pray for Stauffer family

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:48:00 +0000

I receieved the following from Kelsie at Brightwood:

This morning we got the news that one of our campers was violently killed. Emily Joy Stauffer, 14 years old, was here, at Brightwood, for 4 weeks this August. She took part in our Assistant Wrangler Program.

Her dad is the pastor at the Edson Baptist Church. (He has a blog and is posting information. http://newlumps.blogspot.com )

Please pray for the family and community.

Lindy D's Black Cart

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:15:00 +0000

There was something of a flourish of returned black carts to the kitchen these past few days. It seems the black kitchen cart also known as "black wagon" went missing. And as the plea went out...the carts came in.

Lindy was all very thankful for your efforts...but then, well, it got silly.

She asks all the "helpful" staff members to please reclaim your black carts. All except the one from Joey. Oh, yes, and one pictured at the bottom of this list.

Lindy is expressly thankful for the "return" of this cart...

...witch of course perfectly suits her golf style.

HM Webpage

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:54:00 +0000

You'll have noticed I've been working on a new webpage. It's still a work in progress so suggestions are always welcome...even if they're not always used. Thanks.

Two valued coworkers move on

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:17:00 +0000

Post from Todd McLean

I'd like to inform everyone that this is the last day of work for 2 valued coworkers. Arsenia Naval is going back to school, and Hirut Haile is taking an extended trip to her homeland. If you're at the HJC today, be sure to wish them well on their new ventures. I will thank them on behalf of us all for their faithful service.

Farewell to Deb

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:17:00 +0000

August 11 was a sad day for staff at Hope Mission as it was Debbie Berg’s last official day here. Debbie has been a mentor and trusted co-worker among everyone here and her passion for staff care and care of Hope Mission as a whole will not be easily replaced.

We all wish Deb well in her new journey and let us all pray for her and her family as they enter this time of transition.

I think I speak for everyone when I say “We love you Deb!!”

(Posted by Holly Hutton)

Retirement Salute to Shirley Babad

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:30:00 +0000

In view of Shirley's retirement, here are a few "Shirley descriptors": Intentional, focused, determined, resourceful, energetic, realistic (owning a big slice of common sense), pragmatic, enduring, loyal, honest, kind, gentle, passionate, compassionate...

Once described as Edmonton inner-city's Mother Theresa, Shirley has tirelessly worked for the health and well-being of homeless men and women for close to four decades.

In 1971, Shirley was hired by Alberta Social Services to help bring costs down by closely monitoring prescription drug use by homeless men. But while working closely with the men, in what was then, Edmonton's Single Men's Hostel, she was moved to do more.

Impassioned and motivated by the desperation and poverty she witnessed, she set about to lobby for additional resources to ease the desolation of the the city's homeless.

Thirty-seven years later, at her retirement party, held in the shelter that houses the clinic she lobbied for, the clinic that is visited over 700 times a month by people seeking solace and healing, she said, "Over the years I simply wanted to bring some hope and new beginnings for people."

Rest assured Shirley, you've done that and exceedingly more. The HJC and the inner-city will profoundly miss you, but you've left us with a view of possibility and a mantle of promise.

From all of us at Hope Mission, may your retirement hold all kinds of blessings!

Meeting a person on the way to "helping people"

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:08:00 +0000

Post by Ryan McCormick

Yesterday at work an amazing thing happened. I helped someone. You might think I’m joking but I’m not. It seems that even in the “people helping” business a person can go weeks or months without actually helping anybody (or at least that’s how it can seem). Well yesterday I had the opportunity to actually meet a person in his need and connect him with the services he needed, in a genuinely loving way.

I wasn’t looking for an opportunity like this, and I wasn’t even particularly eager when it was presented to me. See, I was in the middle of doing something important when a colleague came to me and told me of a conversation she’d had with a man outside who was making suicidal comments and was off his meds. Now, this colleague of mine has an annoying habit of getting involved. She seems to be available to people and actually listen when they have concerns or issues. Not only that, but she really tries to help them, I mean making phone calls, praying with them, advocating on their behalf etc. This is all fine and good for her, except that sometimes there are things that she needs help with, and then (can you believe it?) I have to get called away from my work! In this particular instance I was busy rearranging the front office when I was asked to help, as my colleague is a woman and this was a man and I am after all in charge of the men’s shelters in this building. So I begrudgingly responded.

In all seriousness, I did feel a bit disappointed that I would not get to complete my project, but I went out and talked to the man. He really was in a bad place, and my colleague had been correct in her estimation that this was one of those moments when a helping hand can really make a difference in a person’s life. I spoke briefly with the man and asked him if he was ready to go get some help. He was mildly drunk and upon being told that he should come with me to get some help he let out a few F sharps, but it soon became apparent that he was mostly just playing the part and really did desire to go get help.

We got about 10 steps when he came across his girlfriend, and for roughly the next 20 minutes I stood waiting as they consoled, argued, embraced and so on. She then walked with us to the Herb Jamieson, where we were going to see the nurses. On the way he had his last cigarette stolen which only made him more discouraged about his life. I convinced him to let it go and let’s move on. When we got to the Herb (at least ½ an hour now after leaving the Hope Mission Building), we saw a staff member who was kind enough to give him and his girlfriend each a smoke. So after one last cigarette and some more last goodbyes, he and I went inside. While we waited for the nurses we talked a bit. He told me a little bit about his life, and I tried to encourage him that rather than this being the end, it could be a new beginning for him. We went into the nurses intake area and waited some more, and out of the silence he asked me, “Do you believe there is a God?”

I answered him, “Yes, I really do. And I can’t say anything that will convince you that there is, and I won’t try, but me: yes. I really do.”

Shortly after that the nurses called us up and we explained the difficult situation that he was in. They agreed that the best thing for him was to have the Crisis Team come, and they graciously allowed him to wait in one of the rooms while they called. We said goodbye and hugged, and he thanked me and I told him that I was looking forward to seeing him again, and that I believed in him.

As I walked back to the Hope building, I was thankful for being given the chance to help someone. I was also thankful for and humbled by my colleague, who took the time to see a real need and opportunity in this person, and also took the time to be patient with me while I got around to actually caring. I made it back with enough time to finish all my rearranging too which was good, but not as good as the feeling I had, or the reminder that what we are here to do is to help change lives.

-R.M.

Hope Mission's Baby Boom

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:55:00 +0000

Congratulations!! to all our pending new moms! and to each couple!

Everyone here at Hope Mission sends their Blessings and Blossoms!

Congratulations!

Janelle Aker (and Dave)

Sydney Domning (and Mark)

Celeste Driscoll

Kim Loewen

Gina Miles

Sarah Krikke

For each of you, we pray for health, well being, energy and amazingly beautiful times ahead!

Councillor goes the extra hour

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:41:00 +0000

Ward 5 Councillor, Don Iverson, took a Ministry Van "ride-along" with Ed M. the other day. Edmonton's youngest city councillor wasn't concerned about the absence of media: said he wasn't doing this to score any points...just wanted to the experience.

Anyway, Ed gave him the full course tour, stopping for the "highlights" and "points of interest." But when Ed offered to drop him off around 8:00 PM, Iverson said he wanted to keep going…so he dropped him off an hour later…good on you Councillor Iveson!

Oh, about your offer in the if-there-is-ever-anything-I-can-do department. Well yes, as a matter of fact there is. Move to Ward 4.

Thanks for caring Councillor Iverson!

Why Cindy supports Hope Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Not long ago I received this note from one of our faithful donors. It calls to be shared:

On September 23, 2005 my nephew Chris was killed in a tragic accident. At 31 years old, Chris had two beautiful daughters, a loving wife, and a bright future open to him. To everyone who knew him, Chris was an easy-going, happy-go-lucky guy. To me, he was the nephew that could easily push my buttons and test my will, but just when I thought I might be on the brink of frustration, he would smile up at me with laugher and spirit in his eyes! However, the man that Chris became, one of integrity and honour, could have easily escaped him.

Christopher's life was not always an easy one. Growing up his path crossed trouble more than once. His turn with drugs and alcohol was different from the experimentation many of his school friends undertook. Through the love and support of family and friends, Christopher chose a different road than the one that seemed to be ahead of him.

He chose life and chose to close the door to risk and addiction. Not everyone has this luxury. When Chris died, my heart was broken and I wanted desperately to honour his good memory. I chose the Hope Mission because it is an organization that helped those whose lives took the turn that Chris almost chose. I give money in memory of Chris so that the good work of the Hope Mission can continue, with the hope that some other young person's life may turn out differently, just as Chris' did. Behind every person receiving assistance from the Hope Mission is a story - perhaps it is like Chris' - at first full of despair, sorrow and neglect, but always the hope of something more.

Cindy C.

Long awaited apology to aboriginals

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:36:00 +0000

Submitted by Ryan McCormick:

Yesterday Stephen Harper, on behalf of the Government of Canada, issued a formal apology for forcing more than 100,000 aboriginal children to attend residential schools. In the schools aboriginal children were subjected to forced assimilation, prohibition of native languages and customs, as well as emotional, physical, sexual and psychological abuse. The Prime Minister also noted the role this had on the families, as generations were ripped from their parents arms, disabling the family and community structure.

This apology was televised at the Boyle St. Co-op. I announced at the Hope Mission’s lunch that this was happening, and then attended myself. The most interesting part of this event to me was witnessing the reactions that it created. In both centres reaction was mixed. There were white people complaining that this wasn’t enough and wouldn’t make a difference, and I also had one white person say (quietly) to me that this wasn’t his fault and that he shouldn’t be paying for something he didn’t do (there is a $2 billion settlement currently being administered to survivors and their families). Natives as well were split. Some applauded Mr. Harper’s words, while some shouted at the television in disgust.

Amidst all of this I felt as though I was witnessing something important. Regardless of whether this was long overdue or a pitifully weak display of contrition, or maybe even a genuine and meaningful gesture, I see this as an important moment. It’s important because it’s something. It is a part of moving forwards and hopefully moving together. I know that reconciliation will take a long time and may never happen, but the only way it ever could is through sloppy, faltering steps like this one. The other thing that gives me hope is that this is not the only step being taken. In addition to the apology and financial compensation, a truth and reconciliation commission has been set up, and counseling, emotional and cultural supports are being offered. These are all steps forward, and they all added to my impression that this was an important moment in Canada’s history. I don’t pretend that we’ll ever erase the damage done, nor would I want to. It’s important to take full account of the past and then use it to try to envision a better future. What this event did was encourage me that a conversation was starting that could bring us into a better future- together. -Ryan

(Left: Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan Indian Industrial School, ca. 1885. Parents of Indian children had to camp outside the gates of the residential schools in order to visit their children.)

Welcome Melody Mulli

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:31:00 +0000

Welcome Melody Mulli! Hope Mission's new receptionist. (Submitted by Holly H.)

Melody was born in Kenya and moved to Calgary to go to Bible College. After completing Christian Counseling, she moved to Edmonton to join the Hope Mission team. She felt it was God’s calling that brought her here.

One of Melody’s passions is music as she HAS to listen to it all day…sometimes even when she goes to sleep at night. She also plays the piano, guitar and can sing like a songbird! She may have to host a karaoke night here one day ;) Melody is also an master of disguise; changing her hairstyle every month so keep your eyes open!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif and our Radio-thon

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:50:00 +0000

One week ago we invited people to record radio spots for our annual fall radio-thon. Among those we invited was author Cheryl Kaye Tardiff.

Here (better late than never) is a link to a post she wrote about the experience. I know you'll find it interesting. Also check here for a previous post and learn why Cheryl has such a deep connection with Hope Mission.

Thank you! Cheryl (and everyone else) for supporting the Mission in word and deed.

Hope Mission Welcomes John and Troy

noreply@blogger.com (Janelle Aker) — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:32:00 +0000

We have two new fabulous people that have joined the ranks here at Hope Mission. Lets dive into their world and find out who they are....

John Friesen-Maintenance Tech-

John can’t seem to get enough of coffee and chocolate…he will be a great fit around here!
John came to Hope Mission after he and his wife prayed for direction. They looked on the internet at summer camps and stumbled upon Brightwood’s website which then led him to discover Hope Mission. He felt this was his calling and 10 days later had the position in maintenance! We're glad your part of the team!

Troy Deibert-IT Coordinator-

Troy reads the Bible in Esperanto (meaning-one who hopes) – a language invented by a Polish man named L.L. Zamenhof in 1887. His goal was to create an easy and flexible language that would serve as a universal second language to foster peace and international understanding.

He cycles for MS from Leduc to Camrose in 2 days (150K). Hats off to you! Maybe you can show us how it’s done!

Written by Holly Hutton

Quality Comfort

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:28:00 +0000

...just thinking of your bodily well-being.

...so when the rain falls and the temp dips and you inexplicably slip into 1973 the first thing you'll want to do is robe yourself with a button-up horse blanket. After all, you deserve comfort, and comfort comes in bolts of pucker-free, wrinkle-free, and fray-free fifty-weight nylon-satin-poly blend, yardered together using worsted yarn and packing needles.

Mind you, there's a reason why none of our models are sitting down (Well, almost, the one wearing the brush-fire has been rammed into position). A small oversight in the comfort department--Sears promises that the 74 model will include flex-tube at the places where people bend.

In the mean time, should you desire to lounge, just get someone to push you over; then, while your lying down, you'll be able to surreptitiously observe everyone in the room without them knowing...because they'll think you're the couch.

Women's Drop-In Open

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:06:00 +0000

Karen Nelson, Sarah Krikke and Jessica Dyck have worked hard at preparing a space for women who need a safe place outside of the overnight hours. And now with the opening of the Women's Drop-in (open to guests Monday-Friday from 8:30-11:30 AM -- breakfast to lunch) they have have added another component to Hope Mission's 'community of care.'

Although, as Sarah has indicated, they aren't equipped to handle extreme crisis situations, or large numbers of people at once, they will be present to listen, refer and otherwise give care to women who require an extended time and wider form of attention.

Way to go Women's Drop-in!

"Disorder sparks crackdown"

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Here's a link to a story--from yesterday's Edmonton Journal--that concerns Hope Mission. (Click here)

Regarding the state of our inner-city, the term "disorder," is used. Well, nothing too much out to the ordinary there really...but you may be interested to know that, "In an effort to crackdown on the "disorder," for at least the next two weeks officers will be reassigned to boost police presence in Boyle-McCauley."

Starbucks Log: Earth Day

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:55:00 +0000

It’s Earth Day! Now if we could only see the good earth it would certainly help work up a conscious appreciation. Currently, our slice of earth is covered by great sheaves of snow…snow that’s still coming down at a cruel slant. (Did you need me to tell you this?)

But one thing that did help was my morning coffee. Since I normally dispense with paper in favour of porcelain, or in Starbuckian parlance, a-for-here-cup, I got it free–in honour of Earth Day. So if you get a chance, take a few minutes off, head to Starbuck’s (where they’re doing their part), order your coffee to-stay and enjoy a free cup…and think about the lovely earth under all that snow.

Hope Mission Church

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Hope Mission Church is well into its second year of service. Pastor and Chaplain Alan Pysar, Chaplain Norm Weatherly, Darryl Tymchuk and a team made up of guys from our Breakout, continue this labour of Christian love. Every Sunday they offer that love in worship, through word, drama, music, and prayer to our inner-city.

Please keep Hope Mission Church in your thoughts and prayers.

HU/PD

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:21:00 +0000

Welcome to the my human understanding/personal development class.

Class has now ended.

Meet and Greet

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:10:00 +0000

For those who couldn't get to our meet and greet just the other day, here's a thumbnail:

Holly our new receptionist, "flipped" houses (she does credit her dad for helping with the renovations) and put herself through college. She likes reading thought provoking socio-psychological non-fiction. (She counts the Bible at top of the list.) As a result, she has a library of self-help books. Not that she needs them mind you...she just has them.

You might be interested to know that Karen Nelson, our Women's Shelter Manager, before entering her vocation in nursing, was a trucker. (She used to haul boats from Florida.) Her calling makes sense: Truck stops are hotbeds of psychological intrigue and are there own kind of clinic, come shelter. Don't you think?

Lindy Dowhaniuk, Hope's Kitchen Supervisor, has been to India, Malaysia, and Thailand more often than she's been to Calgary. (Sounds like the right decision and direction.) As well, she left home at 14 and put herself through High School and post-secondary education. It paid off, she reads Dostoevsky.

Tambra Britner (Volunteer Coordinator) spent four years in Africa (primarily Malawi) caring for impoverished kids and children with AIDS. She was a co-founder of Benny's Hope, the mission/foundation through which this ministry was offered. Her own variegated history was a trajectory into ministry and social care work.

Hope Mission welcomes all these amazing women!

How to be The Perfect Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Janelle Aker) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:28:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to Natalie Amyotte and her FIANCE Ryan! Natalie celebrated her birthday two weeks ago and for her gift, Ryan took her snowboarding to Jasper last weekend. While they were riding, Ryan stopped on the side of the mountain and proposed!
(I sure hope I got the story right!)

Here are some helpful tips from from Helen B. Andelin's Fascinating Womanhood, published by Pacific Press in 1965. The course was designed to teach women how to be happy in marriage.

GET YOUR WORK DONE
Plan your tasks with an eye on the clock. Finish or interrupt them an hour before he is expected. Your anguished cry, "Are you home already?" is not exactly a warm welcome.

HAVE DINNER READY
Plan ahead, even the night before to have a delicious meal, on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

PREPARE YOURSELF
Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. This will also make you happy to see him instead of too tired to care. Turn off the worry and be glad to be alive and grateful for the man who is going to walk in. While you are resting you can be thinking about your Fascinating Womanhood assignment and all you can do to make him happy and give his spirits a lift. When you arise, take care of your appearance. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. in a bucket or wastebasket and put them in the back bedroom for sorting later. Then run a dustcloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order and it will give you a lift too. Having the house in order is another way of letting him know that you care and have planned for this homecoming.

PREPARE THE CHILDREN
Take just a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small) comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them look the part.

MINIMIZE ALL NOISE
Especially give heed to this if your husband has to join rush hour traffic. At the time of his arrival eliminate noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet at the time of their father's arrival. Let them be a little noisy beforehand to get it out of their system.

BE HAPPY TO SEE HIM
Greet him with a warm smile and act glad to see him. Tell him that it is good to have him home. This may make his day worthwhile. If there is any romance left in you, he needs it now.
SOME DON'TS
Don't greet him with problems and complaints. Solve the problems you can before he gets home and save those you must discuss with him until later in the evening.
Also, don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as a minor problem when compared with what he might have gone through that day.
Don't allow the children to rush at him with problems or requests. Allow them to briefly greet their father but save demands for later.

MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE
Have him lean back into a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to massage his neck and shoulders and take off his shoes. Don't insist on this however. Turn on music if it is one of his pleasures. Speak in a soft, soothing, pleasant voice. Allow him to relax - to unwind.

LISTEN TO HIM
You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first, then he will be a more responsive listener later.

MAKE THE EVENING HIS
Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and to relax. If he is cross or irritable, never fight back. Again, try to understand his world of strain.

THE GOAL
Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit. Then add to this the application of all the principles of Fascinating Womanhood and your husband will want to come home. He will rather be with you than with anyone else in the world and will spend whatever time he can possibly spare with you. Try living all of these rules for his homecoming and see what happens. This is the way to bring a man home to your side, not by pressure, persuasion or moral obligation.
http://users.rcn.com/bendesky/about/cbta/50swoman.html

Sandwiches! Sandwiches! Sandwiches!

noreply@blogger.com (Janelle Aker) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Thank you St. Jerome School! Staff and students prepared 200 bagged lunches equipped with a sandwich, fruit, granola bar and juice bar for our clients. The students also decorated the brown paper bags with an array of colour and warm phrases of hope.

Not only is their hard work appreciated by the men and women who will receive these bags, but our staff especially appreciate all your hard work.

Welcome Tambra Britner

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:02:00 +0000

Please welcome with me, Tambra Britner, Hope Mission's new Volunteer Coordinator.

Although Tambra is still acclimatizing, she nevertheless has already been making the rounds. This past weekend she travelled with the Ministry Van and quite enjoyed her time with Trudy and Ed. (However, haven't heard from Ed or Trudy yet:)*

Welcome Tambra!

And so you know, Sarah Krikke is moving over to assist with the still-new Women's Emergency program. Thank you Sarah for more than capably managing the Volunteer Coordinator position these past number of months.

*(By the way, congratulations Ed & Trudy! This past weekend (March 9) they celebrated two years at Hope Mission, and, they celebrated their 36th anniversary!)

"Panhandlers" in Cuba

noreply@blogger.com (Hope Mission (Steve Berg)) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:42:00 +0000

I wasn’t prepared for Havana. While Revolution Square is a sensory blight, Old Havana is mostly marvel. And even though it has decayed, and is decaying still, you can nevertheless absorb centuries of Old World wonder. It comes up through the stone in Cathedral Square, and through the dark-with-age rock walls of the nearby monastery. And it hangs in the air of the porticoes and patios of long-gone family mansions.

But Old Havana–colonized by Spaniards as early as 1510 and designated a city in 1592 by Spain’s Prince Philip II and decreed “Key” to the New World–has been forgotten, its fallen walls symbolic of generations of neglect. Only since the USSR’s abandonment, because of its own dismantlement, has Havana been “remembered.” And this, of course, is only because of its “turista peso potential.” You feel conflicted in the knowledge but the pull to see and experience inner Havana leap frogs principle and jump starts the tourist in you.

Walking the narrow “Spanish” streets you will need to navigate the posers. I was completely taken in by the first one I saw. A “classic Cuban,” I thought… dressed in a natty coordinated suit and hat and smoking a cartoon sized cigar. Then, on the next corner was an ancient woman with a caricature scale cigar, and across the street was another creased old man…with a cigar. Take their picture and they’ll ask for a peso. Fair enough. Also, for a peso or two you can have your picture taken with a nubile, olive-skinned girl, clothed in bright layers of saffron and ocher dyed silk…yup, also smoking a cigar the size of a Taber corncob.

On the wharf along the Ave Del Puerto that runs along Old Havana, I tried my few Spanish phrases out on a fish monger, a seller of bait–fingerlings mainly. I had remembered that Che Guevara had a residence across the bay not too distant from the Christ monument and so I pointed, shrugged, and gestured, indicating a question about whether or not what I was pointing to was Guevara’s residencia. Unfortunately all the gentleman understood was my “Che Guevara.” He then dug deep in his front pocket and produced a three peso coin...not the convertible peso currency I had but a Cuban coin with the likeness of Che stamped on one side. He offered it to me, repeating, “Si, Che, Che, Guevara.” I took the coin and attempted to give him something in return but he was having none of it and waved me off. I tried giving him his coin back and realized that I was insulting him so I gave up, smiled, and stuttered several gracias’. I took out my camera and held it up, he smiled and positioned himself, holding up his swordfish head. I snapped a picture. He waved and so did I as I walked on. In my mind at least, I’d made some kind of an old Havana connection.