A Living Room in Cuba

 
 
 

Vocabulary

guest	stranger	old fashioned
Quran	original	write by hand
lamp	among	entertain
hope

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Centro Habana, District of Havana.

Hello, I’m Gabriel Calaforra. I live in Cuba. Please come in.

This is my living room. I entertain friends here, but I also work here. And this is my desk.

I’m a bit old-fashioned: I always write by hand. The great works of world literature were also written by hand.

That’s the first surah of the Quran. It says that there is only one god, Allah.

That’s an original there. The small pictures are copies. When my mother died in Denmark, I found them among her things. They are by a Danish artist who had lived in Italy.

He had lived for five years in Denmark.

This is a Korean lamp that I’ve had for many years. I took it with me to Europe, and then it came back here with me.

I’ve lived and worked in a lot of countries. And I never felt like a stranger. Right from the second day, whether in Delhi, Tokyo or New York, I’ve always felt at home.

Thank you for your interest in my home. Until the next time, I hope we’ll see each other soon in Cuba.

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Questions

1. Gabriel rests and relaxes in his living room, and works in a study room. True or false?

2. Does he write books and letters using a computer?

3. He is not interested in religion. Is this right or wrong?

4. Did Gabriel buy the paintings in Denmark while on vacation?

5. Has the Korean lamp traveled with him?

6. Gabriel frequently experiences culture shock when he traveled. Is this correct or incorrect?

7. Has he only traveled in the Caribbean?

 
 

A. Where do you study or write in your house?

B. I never write by hand. Yes or no?

C. Do you live in Cuba? Are you from Cuba? Have you ever visited Cuba?

D. Have you met anyone from Cuba? Who were they? What were they doing?

E. Describe the geography and climate of Cuba.

F. Describe its economy. What does it import and export?

G. What are some tourist attractions?

H. What is Cuban food like?

I. Does Cuba have any problems?

J. What comes to mind when you think of Cuba? What do you associate with Cuba?