Soap, jabon

In many cultures soap may not be an important item, something you never think about. In Cuba it is unbelievable how important it is. We did not think about it either until it disappeared from our houses in the early nineties when the Russian subsidies ceased. We now appreciate its value, it is common to hear somebody shouting “you are wasting the soap”, almost as worrying as wasting water. You have to understand how expensive soap is in Cuba and how using water without soap will not remove dirt in a humid tropical climate.

The thing in my country is that when the Soviet Union’s subsidies disappeared a lot of products disappeared too, but then when things improved again, some products were available and better presented in paper wrapping and better quality. The prices were now much higher. Quality soap could be borrowed like you would borrow a book, in case of emergency, like before being admitted to hospital.

The wrapping paper did impress us so much we did not want to throw it away. Children started collecting it, and compete. I think it was the beginning of a desperate hunger for material things, well, in a crowded room a door was open.

Before we saw perfumed soap being sold, women became very innovative, giving life to butter soap, which was deadly to our skin and clothes. This soap battle made us feel stronger, like we could handle any problem.