In Cuba, \"Yuma\" is more than a movie

[Jimmy2]

Ray Sanchez/Direct from Havana

8:16 AM EDT,

Varadero, Cuba

The white-sand beaches of this resort city are teeming with sunburned "yumas," and the "enemy empire" just 90 miles across the Florida Straits is affectionately known as "La Yuma."

Many trace the term to "3:10 to Yuma," the classic Delmer Davies' western that played in theaters here shortly after its American debut in 1957.

That the word Yuma has become part of everyday conversation on the communist island reflects Cuba's longtime love-hate affair with the United States.

Adding "la," makes the term a specific reference to the U.S. But, by itself, yuma is broader in scope.

"People from la Yuma generally leave good tips," said Lionel, a seaside bartender, explaining the nuances of the phrase in Cuba's popular lexicon. "There, we're talking about the United States and, for some reason, North Americans tip better. But yumas can be Americans or foreigners from any country."

Cubans rarely refer to Americans as gringos, the slang term common in Mexico and throughout Latin America. Some Cubans, including ailing former president Fidel Castro, prefer the more derisive yanqui for Americans. But yuma generally is not meant to be offensive.

"The yuma is the person walking the streets of Varadero with third-degree burns from the sun," said Myladis, a restaurant worker, only half kidding. "No offense."

None taken.

Cubans have been referring to the United States as Yuma at least since the 82-year-old Castro took power in 1959. Some believe the term originated with the heavily accented pronunciation of the United States as "Yunay Estey."

In 1980, the term became popular again after a busload of Cubans crashed through the gates of Peruvian Embassy in Havana in a desperate bid for asylum. The bus driver reportedly cried, "I want to go to La Yuma!" The incident led to the Mariel boatlift, in which more than 125,000 Cubans migrated to South Florida.

Last fall's remake of the movie, starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, is readily available on DVD in Cuba's thriving black market, providing a younger generation of Cubans with new insight into the meaning of yuma.

But for younger Americans, the term can trigger an unintended reaction.

"Yu-what!" said Larry, 34-year-old American writer who visited Cuba through Mexico without U.S. government permission. He asked that his full name not be used to avoid American fines. "Yu-Ma. That sounds offensive. Leave my ma out of this."

[bassman]

» Ray Sanchez/Direct from Havana

» 8:16 AM EDT,

» Varadero, Cuba

»

» The white-sand beaches of this resort city are teeming with sunburned

» "yumas," and the "enemy empire" just 90 miles across the Florida Straits

» is affectionately known as "La Yuma."

»

» Many trace the term to "3:10 to Yuma," the classic Delmer Davies' western

» that played in theaters here shortly after its American debut in 1957.

»

» That the word Yuma has become part of everyday conversation on the

» communist island reflects Cuba's longtime love-hate affair with the United

» States.

»

» Adding "la," makes the term a specific reference to the U.S. But, by

» itself, yuma is broader in scope.

»

»

» "People from la Yuma generally leave good tips," said Lionel, a seaside

» bartender, explaining the nuances of the phrase in Cuba's popular lexicon.

» "There, we're talking about the United States and, for some reason, North

» Americans tip better. But yumas can be Americans or foreigners from any

» country."

»

» Cubans rarely refer to Americans as gringos, the slang term common in

» Mexico and throughout Latin America. Some Cubans, including ailing former

» president Fidel Castro, prefer the more derisive yanqui for Americans. But

» yuma generally is not meant to be offensive.

»

» "The yuma is the person walking the streets of Varadero with third-degree

» burns from the sun," said Myladis, a restaurant worker, only half kidding.

» "No offense."

»

» None taken.

»

» Cubans have been referring to the United States as Yuma at least since the

» 82-year-old Castro took power in 1959. Some believe the term originated

» with the heavily accented pronunciation of the United States as "Yunay

» Estey."

»

» In 1980, the term became popular again after a busload of Cubans crashed

» through the gates of Peruvian Embassy in Havana in a desperate bid for

» asylum. The bus driver reportedly cried, "I want to go to La Yuma!" The

» incident led to the Mariel boatlift, in which more than 125,000 Cubans

» migrated to South Florida.

»

» Last fall's remake of the movie, starring Russell Crowe and Christian

» Bale, is readily available on DVD in Cuba's thriving black market,

» providing a younger generation of Cubans with new insight into the meaning

» of yuma.

»

» But for younger Americans, the term can trigger an unintended reaction.

»

» "Yu-what!" said Larry, 34-year-old American writer who visited Cuba

» through Mexico without U.S. government permission. He asked that his full

» name not be used to avoid American fines. "Yu-Ma. That sounds offensive.

» Leave my ma out of this."

"Larry" sounds like a pindejo!