Spring

[duke63]

https://www.adventurebiketv.com/blog/gr ... 5si8RNZrd0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is a great piece of writing. Short and concise and maybe an insight as to why there is so much unhappiness in the world.

Once you can have everything whenever you want, where do you go from there?

[Kwacky]

He's right.

When I was in Cuba I was chatting with one of the guides. He told me he had never been the UK, but his friend had. He was taken to a supermarket. He couldn't believe the choices. His host thought the Cuban was impressed with the selection and availability but he wasn't. Far from it. The Cuban asked why we need so many choices for the same thing?

"No wonder you don't appreciate things in the West". He's right.

[D41]

Because if there's only one option, it's no longer a choice?

[Kwacky]

But you don't need 12 or 15, do you?

How much food gets wasted because there are loads of options of the same thing?

[Blade]

I'm not sure it gets wasted does it?

People select the choice they personally want and what remains on the shelf gets sold to someone else who has that different preference. Or am I missing something?

I guess the choice for people who don't like choice, is choose to go and live in Cuba

[Kwacky]

You're kidding?

There's over 300,000 tonnes of food thrown away by our supermarkers each year.

Then we consumers thrown away even more, We buy stuff we don't need. It's incredibly wasteful, expensive and damaging.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/foodfor ... 48381.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable ... -fairshare" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.channel4.com/news/why-the-s ... food-waste" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[C00kiemonster]

I've been to Cuba a few times and it ranks with Nepal for me in terms of the people, happiness and society.

I've been away mostly from the UK for 6 years and the choice when we go to the supermarket in the UK is staggering. Other European countries don't have the level of 'choices' that the UK does. The ease of delivery, speed of delivery and ease of life is way beyond what other countries have. It is also one of the most miserable from what I've seen this last two months. The amount of people who want to race / shout / offend on the roads is saddening and people who don't say anything to anyone, even when you say good morning to them.

I moved to France because no one gives a shit what you have, how big it is, how shiney it is or even if you have any money. The western world and notably the UK has life so easy it really does, but it doesn't see it.

I like nice things but I get pleasure from what I have, not what I'm going to replace it with very often. Makes for a happier soul.

[Blade]

Ok I didnt know that Kwacky.

I thought the supermarkets gave the stuff which had reached its sell buy date to shelters for the homeless. But thinking about it I guess it may be only a few supermarkets and on a small scale.

Saying that I do like choice. Maybe that's greed and being raised in the West but I never waste stuff, I just like choice and good availability.

Saying that I can see a simpler life might be more tranquil and less stressful and is not to be knocked.

[D41]

Good point, Blade. You don't generally see a lot of Floridians fleeing across The Gulf Of Mexico to reach the Cuban "Promised Land".....

[Kwacky]

Cuba isn't ideal. Not many countries are. But I like their approach to things.

Want a new house? Enlist a group of locals to help you. The government gives you the funding and makes sure everyone gets the time off work. You have to repay with your time when you're asked to help out on the next project.

Got a crop that needs brining in quickly? Get the local school to send out the older school kids to the farm to help.

Need medical treatment? Walk straight into your doctors, go to see a specialist the same week, get an operation the following week.

Peoples views of places like Cuba are guided by what the outside press and governments tell you. You're sold a line that they're enshackled, with no choice, no democracy and no prospects to get rich.

Having seen what's gone on recently in the US and the UK, we're not involved in the democratic process and we're really not that free. Has anyone mentioned that we're all being denied access to pron soon unless you've joined a national register?

It's all about perspective. Sri Lanka is one of the poorest places I've been to, but it's clean, the people are friendly, happy and eager to share their time, food and drink with you without asking for anything in return. A bloke in Cuba invited me into his house to eat lobster with his family for $10. I got fresh caught lobster, he got some money, we both met new people and we both had a great time. I've got a memory for life.

How many people in the UK would invite a stranger to sit and eat with them?

[D41]

But would you go & live there??

[Cav]

Our local Tesco gives all left over bakery goods with today's date to local homeless shelters free of charge. I can't remember if it's Dominos, Greggs or Subway that also do the same. More should

[Kwacky]

But would you go & live there??

Cuba or Sri Lanka?

Yes to both.

[D41]

Cuba isn't ideal. Not many countries are. But I like their approach to things.

Want a new house? Enlist a group of locals to help you. The government gives you the funding and makes sure everyone gets the time off work. You have to repay with your time when you're asked to help out on the next project.

Yeah.....I just looked on Google Images at "Cuban Houses". You can tell they were built by the neighbors.

I'm fine where I am, thank you.

[Kwacky]

Cubans don't care what the outside of a house looks like. You live inside a house is their reasoning.

Depends what makes you happy I guess. I'm sure the house you own is a palace in comparison.

[D41]

Lemme guess....inside a Cuban house there's a lot of green, pink, orange, & yellow paint??
A straight wall is hard to find. It's overly ornate....yet worn-out at the same time?
The floors are bare?
A TV is considered a luxury item.
So is food.

[Kwacky]

You think all Cuban houses are the same?

Where have you got the ideas from that TVs are luxury and there's no food about?

[duke63]

Having watched a few of those Real Marigold on Tour programmes the reality of life in many countries which our Governments like to despise, is far different from that which is portrayed.

They visited Mexico the other week. Amazing how many wealthy Americans live in that ‘shithole’.

[D41]

You think all Cuban houses are the same?

Where have you got the ideas from that TVs are luxury and there's no food about?

I was joking. But it's worth bearing in mind that a doctor in Cuba makes about $30 a month. A factory worker- about half that amount.
It's not for me.

[Kwacky]

I see you've bought into the American ethos that you need more and more money.

Salaries are relative.

Cubans get free food allowances and are allowed to purchase additional rations of staple foods at cost price from government run bodegas and depots.

•Cuban utility bills are all highly subsidized. The monthly phone, electricity, and gaz bill is only about $2, which is basically nothing when compared to western bills.
•All medical coverage is provided free by the government.
•Gasoline is sold as subsidized costs.
•Education is completely free, even for older people wanting to return to school just for a few classes.
•Beer, alcohol, food is all sold by the state at cost or near cost.
•Rental rates for properties are controlled and most Cubans own their own homes.
•Property taxes and goods and service taxes are zero.

PS. A quick google and a Cuban doctor was saying he gets $350 a month. Health workers got a pay rise to $67 a month in 2014.