Cuba
anonymouscuban
Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
I just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Cuba. I spent 8 days visiting with family who live in different parts of the province of Havana. It was almost 7 years since I had last visited. I saw some changes. Mostly the restoration of many of the historical buildings and hotels in Old Havana. Also, I saw many more tourists, mostly from Europe, Canada and China. I ran into only 2 other Americans during my whole time there.
Unfortunately, much hasn't changed, especially for the Cuban people. They still don't have internet. And basic necessities like toiletries, fruits and vegetables, to name a few, are just too expensive for most to afford. Only those lucky to have family outside of Cuba, that send back money, are able to afford these "luxuries".
I still have many photos to go through. I will start with sharing a few highlights and add more to this post as I get to them. Hope you enjoy them and thanks for looking!
1. Havana at sunset, with the bay off in the distance. I shot this from the rooftop of an apartment building.
2. Shot of a young boy who lives in my Uncle's neighborhood. I saw him a few times, always with his birds in hand. He posed for me with his two fighting roosters.
3. Classic Havana. The "almendron", what Cubans call the old American cars. Almendra is the Spanish word for Almound. They call them this because they are tough like an Almond. The building in the background is the Teatro Nacional. This is one of the buildings that was restored since my last visit. The street was also recently paved for Obama's visit.
4. A cocker spaniel waiting at the door. It was not unusual to see dogs sitting in doorways or in windows like this.
5. The drive along the Malecon (sea wall) in the city of Cienfuegos which is southeast of Havana.
6. Another almendron in Havana. The church pictured was renovated a few years back to ready it for the Pope's visit. I like how the car and the church match.
7. Another cool door. And more color coordinating!
8. One of the many interesting faces that crossed my lens during travels.
9. A shot of the city of Trinidad from up high. This is one of the oldest and best preserved cities in all of Cuba. It was founded over 500 years ago. A lot of tobacco pressing goes on here. Although I venture that now, most of it's economy comes from tourism. The most tourist I ran across was here.
Stay tuned for more....
Unfortunately, much hasn't changed, especially for the Cuban people. They still don't have internet. And basic necessities like toiletries, fruits and vegetables, to name a few, are just too expensive for most to afford. Only those lucky to have family outside of Cuba, that send back money, are able to afford these "luxuries".
I still have many photos to go through. I will start with sharing a few highlights and add more to this post as I get to them. Hope you enjoy them and thanks for looking!
1. Havana at sunset, with the bay off in the distance. I shot this from the rooftop of an apartment building.
2. Shot of a young boy who lives in my Uncle's neighborhood. I saw him a few times, always with his birds in hand. He posed for me with his two fighting roosters.
3. Classic Havana. The "almendron", what Cubans call the old American cars. Almendra is the Spanish word for Almound. They call them this because they are tough like an Almond. The building in the background is the Teatro Nacional. This is one of the buildings that was restored since my last visit. The street was also recently paved for Obama's visit.
4. A cocker spaniel waiting at the door. It was not unusual to see dogs sitting in doorways or in windows like this.
5. The drive along the Malecon (sea wall) in the city of Cienfuegos which is southeast of Havana.
6. Another almendron in Havana. The church pictured was renovated a few years back to ready it for the Pope's visit. I like how the car and the church match.
7. Another cool door. And more color coordinating!
8. One of the many interesting faces that crossed my lens during travels.
9. A shot of the city of Trinidad from up high. This is one of the oldest and best preserved cities in all of Cuba. It was founded over 500 years ago. A lot of tobacco pressing goes on here. Although I venture that now, most of it's economy comes from tourism. The most tourist I ran across was here.
Stay tuned for more....
"I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."
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Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
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My two favs as well.
Thanks! I'm lucky that my travel partner (wife) is so patient with me. For shots like #7, sometimes I got lucky it was happening. Other times, I would hang around a bit until someone interesting walked by.
Thanks Denise. I'll be added more soon. Have some headshots I have to edit first. Then I'll be posting more. Probably Weds night.
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10. Forwarding a bit in our trip to the part in Santiago de Cuba. This lady was putting on some sort of street performance while the guy in the background played the congas. Her dance was a cross between ballet, tribal dance and twerking. It was impressive how well she moved for her age.
11. Lots of talented artisans in Cuba. No matter what city, there were small galleries filled with work. From sculpture to painting to intricate leather work. This shot is of a gallery in Trinidad where you can buy artwork made by local artists.
12. Another old relic. An old Chevy I found while walking around in Trinidad.
13. Close up.
Keep coming back. I will add more as I go through my shots.
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#1 tells quite a story... Mas, mas, mas!!!
14. The battlefield! No-look shot with an 85mm held above my head. Would love to take this shot from overhead, maybe from a ladder. Think I have to include one in my pack moving forward. HAHA
15. The trash talker.
16. The thinker.
17. The hustler.
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I'm also from Cuba, Ciego de Avila to be exact. I love your photos and i have no CC, however just want to share the pain that i see on those photos, our lovely home, cities and people are just just looking so rough. It just hurts to see it, even though that is run down is still beautiful and i miss it everyday! the family and friends we left behind, the memories the food the warmth. Sorry i just had to share, its been a very long time since i have visited.
Thanks for sharing!
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I greatly admire the artistry of your Cuban photos.
On my trip to Cuba in April I used video to good advantage, highlighting Cuban music and dance.
With help from another website I was able to identify the year, make and model, of a great many Cuban classic cars that are in my video.
Dave
The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer
Phil
Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity!
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