Rather than repair pipelines, the roadway is excavated and backfilled with gravel. This prevents potholes from increasing in size. But the precious life-giving water escapes down the street and eventually spills into the ocean, not unlike many of the Cubans who have fled the country in makeshift rafts. The day is very windy and rainy because a cold front has stalled over Cuba. Brittle power lines collide with one another in the wind.
Sparks fly and entire blocks lose power.
When the power returns, news reports on television indicate over 1,000 power outages have occurred in Havana alone over the last twenty four hours. You find that the lights are off more than they are on. An elderly man who is a hard-line communist explains that the government shuts the power off intentionally to protect the people, of course. You know better, but simply smile and nod in agreement. The rain continues and water stands in the streets.