The Special Period in Cuba can best be described as a time
             of struggle. The dissatisfaction of many Cubans has led to
             their emigration to the United States by traveling in rafts
             to the coast of Florida. The Cuban people have different
             views regarding the trip to exile as well as the motivations
             to stay or leave Cuba. In Alejandro Hernandez Diaz's book,
             The Cuba Mile, and in the movie "Guantanamera", we see some
             of the different ways in which Cuban Culture views the
             Special Period, the trip to exile, and the motivations
             The year 1991 marked the beginning of the Special
             Period and hard times have existed in Cuba ever since. Many
             Cubans are tired of the hardships and shortages of the
             Special Period. To try and make ends meet many Cubans have
             adapted to the tough times by making money in the Black
             Market. In "Guantanamera", both the cabdriver and Mariano
             use the Black Market to make extra money. As they travel
             across the island, they buy food to be resold at a higher
             price when they arrive in Havana. Many Cubans feel that the
             Revolution is no longer working and that it is time for a
             change. In "Guantanamera", symbolism of this idea is
             clearly demonstrated. In the movie, a story from the
             Santeria religion is told. The god of Olofin is represented
             in the movie, Olofin created life but not death. Therefore,
             everyone lived forever and the elderly people held control
             and influenced many aspects of society. Nothing ever
             changed much like the Cuban government which is old and
             unchanging. Then, one day Olofin made it rain for thirty
             days and thirty nights. The flood killed the old and only
             the young survived. The current revolution is old, and is
             not working as well as it did in the 1970's. The movie is
             calling for the need of a natural process, like the rain to
             come and wash away the old revolution's ideas so new and
             ...