Erika Barris

Then this week, after several months preventing any oil tanker from reaching Cuba, President Trump changed his mind, decided, yes, yes.

he would let a tanker from Russia land on Cuba's shores.

U.S.

foreign policy is choking off much of the help the Cuban government gets from its allies.

And Cuba's big industry, tourism, requires tourists who either can't or won't visit a country whose antiquated Soviet electrical system definitely cannot survive a U.S.

oil embargo.

And the U.S.

is turning out to be a very ferocious frenemy.

The voice notes Yaser keeps sending me are sounding pretty hopeless.

No one is paying for bike tours.

he feels a responsibility to keep holding these biking events, just free ones, teaching Cubans to bike.

Like, even with the blackouts, he recently held a big bike gathering in a park.

He and others grilled food, they had music.

And he says people were grateful to have something during these days where they have nothing.

He doesn't want people to think of bikes as just how you get around when there's no gas.

He wants people to think of them as a way to engage and interact with the world, a way to be together.

Something that can bring joy, even during this very difficult time.

I am so excited that we are going to see you in person on our book tour.

I am going to be on stage in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 22nd.

The book is called Planet Money, a guide to the economic forces that shape your life.