Havana, Cuba - Plaza de la Catedral, one of the most beautifully maintained squares in the city, and just outside the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana. Tourism is very important to the economy.
He looked quite lost and maybe forlorn, but a few minutes after I made this image, was privileged to see him perform a wonderful folk song. Couldn't understand the words, but I definitely got the passion behind them.
When I found out the ball was merely socks bound together with some rubber, I felt instant regret at not packing some balls and maybe even gloves along with the toothpaste, toothbrushes, aspirin, razorblades and other sundries in my suitcase. It is common in Canada that many people pack to bring and leave such items to Cuba.
Wandering down yet another side street, I spotted this car at the corner and ran to get an image. Since there were quite a crowd lingering around on the other side of the street, I asked someone who responded they are waiting for the bride to appear. Say no more! A bride and a red car! I waited in the gathering crowd of Cubans. Of note, the yellow licence plate designates taxi.
A short distance from the grand "Capitolio Nacional Cuba" buildings, I found some wonderful old engines appearing to be under restoration, but fenced off. The Capitol buildings are still visible rising above and to the right of the old buildings in the forefront.
They gather for socializing while waiting for their customers ...they are the eyes, ears
- and the communication to the outside world. Many university professionals such as teachers, doctors and others have chosen this occupation to hope to get ahead in life. One of the few occupations allowed to be a business, although taxed very heavily.
Cardenenses" and their ancestors built a small village on Cárdenas Bay into a prosperous and progressive city.
The city has suffered mercilessly during the Castro years. Not many can afford a vehicle.
The Avenues once teeming with commercial activity and automobiles have become silent, giving the city an erie quiet appearance except for the passing of occasional bicycles or horse-drawn carts, and more recently, the advent of the taxi.
Cardenas, the first railroad station in the Province of Matanzas, the 1st place that the Cuban National flag flew and oddly enough, the first place the US flag flew. Once a vital transportation hub, the train only runs once a day.
A short trip to Cuba, 2 days spent with a taxi driver taking us to see what we call the real Cuba. So many conflicting thoughts and feelings about this Caribbean island nation. Beautiful,lush, stark, and crumbling. An island inhabited by such kind, friendly, patient people, I just don't understand how things could be this way.
This is one of many abandoned sugar cane factories, so many lost jobs, so much lost economy. The image of Che Guevara is a constant reminder.
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