Here’s to a great AtoZ!
Join in the FUN. |
This year I traveled to Cuba. You know, it’s that little island that’s spitting distance from Florida and should not be visited without special dispensation. I wanted to see it before MacDonald’s arrived. I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot and I met some wonderful people. It seems they like us. Now there’s a change!
I’ll add a short T/F quiz to each post the same as I did last year about Burma, and I’ll post the answers to the questions the following day.
Answers to your T/F Quiz for D:
FALSE 1.Canada and Mexico do not have similar immigration agreements with the U.S. as does Cuba. As you can imagine this has caused some hard feelings. They ask, “If Cubans can set foot on U.S. soil and stay, why can’t Canadians and Mexicans?”
TRUE 2. There are about 1 million immigrants from Cuba in the U.S. today. In 2013, the number was 1,144,000.
E is for Etymology
Look at those clothes. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Talk about cultural clash. |
It’s always interesting to know where names come from. The answer to where did Cuba get its name isn’t that straightforward. Some linguists say it came from the Taino indigenous word Cubanacan meaning “where fertile land is abundant” cubao or “great place” coabana.
When Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba he christened it “Juana,” in honor of Prince Don Juan, son of Queen Isabella. That didn’t stick, but the indigenous one did. Score one for the natives.
If ever there was a time this group was needed it’s April.
- Will I make it through an entire month of blogging daily?
- Will I screw up my posts?
- Will anyone care about my theme?
Talk about insecurity. April has them all in a neat bundle, so whether you’re part of this brilliant insanity or just dropping in to see if I’m holding up, lend your support here before going on to give other A to Zers some love.
Juneta Key says
Your theme is great and interesting, I don't know a lot of the answers but I check back to see which were right. You're doing great.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Birgit says
This is interesting and I bet the people all decked out in their finery were aghast at the natives…and vice versa!
Chrys Fey says
"If ever there was a time this group was needed it's April." Haha! Isn't that true? I'm glad I didn't join the Challenge this year. After last year I felt like I needed a whole year to recuperate.
Michelle Wallace says
Will you make it through an entire month of blogging daily? Yes, with the help of our twitter parties, you WILL make it!
Will you screw up your posts? No!
Will anyone care about your theme? It will be their loss if they don't care…it's a wonderful theme!
Writer In Transit
Yvonne Ventresca says
Interesting about the linguists. You picked a good theme!
Yvonne V
Michael Di Gesu says
Your theme is great, Lee~ DON'T WORRY!
I would say false to both questions…
Tyrean Martinson says
I love your theme! I might not be able to keep up, but I learn something new every time I stop by.
And for the trivia . . . hmm. I don't know.
Kelly Hashway says
I'm hoping number 1 is false.
Donna McDine says
Keep the interesting words coming! I'm enjoying the learning process!
Julie Flanders says
You'll make it through and end up rocking the Challenge!! And your theme is excellent. So interesting to learn about the name Cuba. I'm glad the natives won that round.
Jemi Fraser says
I hope it's not true about the First Nations people being gone from Cuba – that would be sad!!!
Mason Canyon says
Learning about Cuba has been interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more as the challenge continues.
J.L. Campbell says
It's like in Jamaica where we wonder if there are any Tainos left. Yup, running behind already. April is turning out to be a crazy month.
Kim Lajevardi says
I'm jealous of your travels. I'll have to check in tomorrow for the quiz answers.
You'll be great blogging daily. Good luck from an A to Z bystander.
Terry Lee-Rosing says
Definitely lending support! You've got a lot of people admiring your work…
A-Z…wow!
Gwen Gardner says
So cool you got to go to Cuba! Good luck on the A – Z. You can do it!!!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
You have my support, Lee. I don't know how you keep up with everything you do. You do a marvelous job however. I'm struggling now. Think I'll take a nap. Great topic for IWSG and for Cuba. It is interesting where names come from. Relax. Rest awhile.
M Pax says
Best of luck with the challenge! How cool you visited Cuba! I loved the Caribbean. They're sweet people.
J.H. Moncrieff says
Of course you can do it! You're a pro. You've got this, Lee, but I feel your pain.
My guess is that both are true.
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I had no idea we can't stay in Cuba. I thought Cuba liked us. Hmm. Never been there. Want to go. I'm guessing #2.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
Your theme is interesting as usual. And I got the quiz right yesterday! I think both are true today.
Susan Says
Debbie D. says
Guessing "false" on the first question and "true" on the second. Loved your line about getting to Cuba before McDonald's! âș Canadians love this economical vacation destination.
Jennifer Hawes says
How exciting! You visit a lot of interesting places. Good luck with the challenge!
Chemist Ken says
Your theme for this year's challenge is certainly interesting. Great job! And only 24 more posts to go!
emaginette says
I've heard many a good thing about Cuba. Their beaches are the best or that's the rumor. đ
Anna from elements of emaginette
DEZMOND says
and is the island abundant in fertile land?
Shah Wharton says
Yes, Yes, and Yes! đ Best of luck for a smooth April! đ X
shahwharton.com
Pat Garcia says
In reference to your IWSG post, I am enjoying your Cuba theme and yes, you will make it through. I know it. You have what it takes to do this.
Keep charging, Lady.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Pat Garcia says
I promised I did not look at your answers before I wrote my comment to D. Now here is E.
I don't think all the native Indians are extinct. At least I hope not.
I do believe that there is a population of African/Spanish mixture but I don't believe that is the majority.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Nicola says
I'm feeling the pressure today and it doesn't help when the Internet has been behaving badly! I'm off to bed early in the hope tomorrow will be a better day đ
nashvillecats2 says
This is great to read Lee, wonderful theme.
Yvonne.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I love your theme if that helps. đ And YaY! An indigenous victory for a change.
Thanks for your comment on my blog. It made my day. Glad you liked my post!
A Tarkabarka Hölgy says
I know Taino is still an existing ethnicity/language, but I am not sure if they are on Cuba… Interesting tidbit about the name, though! I didn't know that đ
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
lorilmaclaughlin.com says
I know very little about Cuba, so this is very educational. Good luck with the insanity!
Yolanda Renee says
Brilliant Insanity! Love that! Yes, score one for the natives!
Your theme is brilliant, stole your word, LOL. Truly, it's history and who doesn't enjoy learning? You've done a beautiful job of posting just the right length too! Perfection!
My guess is false! Love the quiz! Nice touch!
Pat Hatt says
Number 2 is true? Fine posts indeed. Guess the original name stuck.
Christine Rains says
Don't worry. I find your theme fascinating! And I think both questions are true, sad as that would make #1.
Bish Denham says
Yeah! The second time I've gotten both answers right! I love that Cuba retained its native name. I'm going with True on #1 because I believe there are still pockets of Arawak/Carib/Taino Indians in places like Santa Domingo, so why not Cuba? And I saying a definite TRUE on #2, it the same mix as the Puerto Ricans.
Remember to breathe.
Natalie Aguirre says
Yes, you will make it through this month! And your topic is interesting and timely. Glad the original name for Cuba stuck.
L. Diane Wolfe says
I'm guessing the second one is true.
Nick Wilford says
I'm going to chance false on the first question (hopefully) and true for the second. At least the indigenous natives still live on via the name.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – love the etymology bit … I include snippets quite often or even go and check things out …
I hope the Native Indians have not all gone … but their lives in any part of the world are not easy or thought about too much – it is getting better … cheers Hilary
Crystal Collier says
#2 is my guess. I love etymology! I'll spend hours looking up how words evolved–you know, all that time most people spend watching youtube videos?
Crystal Collier
Natasha Duncan-Drake says
It's nice to see one place that didn't have to reinstate it's local names after the Europeans had been đ
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
sage says
I have no idea of the first question, but I will guess it is true. As for the second one, I think it is true.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I'm enjoying your theme! No worries there.
Be sad if all the native Indians were gone…
S.A. Larsenă says
Ooh, great E topic! I love learning about the origins of words.