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- May 17, 2006
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Traveling to Cuba has been on my list since 1998 when I was supposed to go with a group of musicians to study Afro-Cuban Music. I never made it back then, but I always felt that I wanted to go there for the music, the people, nature, food, and all the photography!
With the embargo still in place, I wanted to see Cuba while it was still authenticbefore it loses its identity.
I have traveled through much of the world and have yet to find a place as disconnected from the influence of North America. I have to say, it sure was nice to see a place so authentic, and I never missed places like Walmart or any of the major franchises found globally. Back in 2009, I visited the pyramids in Egypt and could almost get the perfect shot of the Sphinx with a Subway and Pizza Hut in the photo, if I only had a wider lens! I seem to come across a reoccurring theme every place I go and I do believe that these three things are the most popular things on this planet: Coke, Mickey Mouse and Michael Jackson. Its true and I can prove it with photos. In Pisa, Italy there were stenciled spray paintings of Mickey Mouse on buildings and sign posts. In Rabaul, Papua New Guinea the island didnt have electricity after the volcano blew its top in 1994, yet Michael Jackson was playing everywhere and the they all drank coke mostly because there were no good coconuts on the Island after the ash started, which until this day has not stopped. In Alexandrea, Egypt in a fruit juice shop there was a big Mickey Mouse poster up behind the camera. Also in Egypt, traveling through the deserts on the way to Cairo there was burning trash everywhere and out of nowhere there would be these stands selling Coke!
Well not in Cuba. No Mickey Mouse posters or graffiti, no Michael Jackson blasting. I heard you can get coke, but it was the Mexican version, which is good. Imagine anywhere in the world, these days, seeing kids actually playing sports outside and staying out as late as they could, just running, playing baseball, footballbeing kids. Lacking were smart phones glued to peoples hands. There were no crowded restaurants full of the defining silence that comes from everyone texting and not interacting with each other. Not in Cuba! They did have cell phones and they called people on them. I read many articles prior to traveling to Cuba that back in March 2015 only 32 locations had wifinone of it free! Bookings for hotels and tours have to be done through a travel agent or private tour guide, once you are in the country. Its mostlt done by phone calls and some emails between travel agents.
The people in Cuba were very friendly and helpful. My first day I bought a TuCola (Cuban cola) for $1 CUC which is 1 to 1 with the US dollar, and a guy told me where I can get them for 50 cents. When I was looking for the Buena Vista Social club salsa show I had a look of, where the hell am I and I guess they could see it. I was pointed in the correct direction without asking, often told where better priced food was and advised on the better Cuban rum! I never once felt aggression or any hostility towards myself or seen fellow travelers being intimidated by locals in any neighborhood, at any time of the day. Even with a big DSLR camera and a boat anchor for a lens, I was never in any real danger.
For the most part, traveling to Cuba was like going back in time to a simpler time!
Habana, Cuba
The Capitol which closely resembles our capitol.
Teatro de La Habana
Catedral de La Habana
Museo de La Revolucion
Ironically, this was the Presidential building before the revolution.
The Spanish colonial architecture serves as a reminder of a time when the Spanish ruled.
A popular street scene with the Havana Cathedral in the back
The Malecon
Revolution Square
Daily Life in Habana
Music is everywhere!
There isnt a street you can walk down that doesnt have good Cuban music playing in the house or throughout the neighborhood. The same goes for restaurants and cabs.
Typical streets in Habana
The national drink is a Mojito
Old cars are used mostly as taxis
If you are eating food, then chances are, this is what youll be eating.
Art was everywhere, mostly in the form of paintings and music. There were some very interesting sculptures too!
Cienfuegos
Was just a one-nighter as I was on my way to Trinidad.
Trinidad, Cuba
In 2014 Trinidad had a birthday500 years old. Now, 501!
My favorite part of Cuba was definitely Trinidad, with waterfalls, big green mountains in Topes de Collantes, and lots of colonial architecture. It was a little hotter than Habana, say about 35Calways.
Topes de Collantes
Thanks for looking.
Part 2 will have Jungle treks and show the countryside of Cuba.
-RB
With the embargo still in place, I wanted to see Cuba while it was still authenticbefore it loses its identity.
I have traveled through much of the world and have yet to find a place as disconnected from the influence of North America. I have to say, it sure was nice to see a place so authentic, and I never missed places like Walmart or any of the major franchises found globally. Back in 2009, I visited the pyramids in Egypt and could almost get the perfect shot of the Sphinx with a Subway and Pizza Hut in the photo, if I only had a wider lens! I seem to come across a reoccurring theme every place I go and I do believe that these three things are the most popular things on this planet: Coke, Mickey Mouse and Michael Jackson. Its true and I can prove it with photos. In Pisa, Italy there were stenciled spray paintings of Mickey Mouse on buildings and sign posts. In Rabaul, Papua New Guinea the island didnt have electricity after the volcano blew its top in 1994, yet Michael Jackson was playing everywhere and the they all drank coke mostly because there were no good coconuts on the Island after the ash started, which until this day has not stopped. In Alexandrea, Egypt in a fruit juice shop there was a big Mickey Mouse poster up behind the camera. Also in Egypt, traveling through the deserts on the way to Cairo there was burning trash everywhere and out of nowhere there would be these stands selling Coke!
Well not in Cuba. No Mickey Mouse posters or graffiti, no Michael Jackson blasting. I heard you can get coke, but it was the Mexican version, which is good. Imagine anywhere in the world, these days, seeing kids actually playing sports outside and staying out as late as they could, just running, playing baseball, footballbeing kids. Lacking were smart phones glued to peoples hands. There were no crowded restaurants full of the defining silence that comes from everyone texting and not interacting with each other. Not in Cuba! They did have cell phones and they called people on them. I read many articles prior to traveling to Cuba that back in March 2015 only 32 locations had wifinone of it free! Bookings for hotels and tours have to be done through a travel agent or private tour guide, once you are in the country. Its mostlt done by phone calls and some emails between travel agents.
The people in Cuba were very friendly and helpful. My first day I bought a TuCola (Cuban cola) for $1 CUC which is 1 to 1 with the US dollar, and a guy told me where I can get them for 50 cents. When I was looking for the Buena Vista Social club salsa show I had a look of, where the hell am I and I guess they could see it. I was pointed in the correct direction without asking, often told where better priced food was and advised on the better Cuban rum! I never once felt aggression or any hostility towards myself or seen fellow travelers being intimidated by locals in any neighborhood, at any time of the day. Even with a big DSLR camera and a boat anchor for a lens, I was never in any real danger.
For the most part, traveling to Cuba was like going back in time to a simpler time!
Habana, Cuba
The Capitol which closely resembles our capitol.
Teatro de La Habana
Catedral de La Habana
Museo de La Revolucion
Ironically, this was the Presidential building before the revolution.
The Spanish colonial architecture serves as a reminder of a time when the Spanish ruled.
A popular street scene with the Havana Cathedral in the back
The Malecon
Revolution Square
Daily Life in Habana
Music is everywhere!
There isnt a street you can walk down that doesnt have good Cuban music playing in the house or throughout the neighborhood. The same goes for restaurants and cabs.
Typical streets in Habana
The national drink is a Mojito
Old cars are used mostly as taxis
If you are eating food, then chances are, this is what youll be eating.
Art was everywhere, mostly in the form of paintings and music. There were some very interesting sculptures too!
Cienfuegos
Was just a one-nighter as I was on my way to Trinidad.
Trinidad, Cuba
In 2014 Trinidad had a birthday500 years old. Now, 501!
My favorite part of Cuba was definitely Trinidad, with waterfalls, big green mountains in Topes de Collantes, and lots of colonial architecture. It was a little hotter than Habana, say about 35Calways.
Topes de Collantes
Thanks for looking.
Part 2 will have Jungle treks and show the countryside of Cuba.
-RB
