I find myself lost in the glaze of the flowing velvet sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Feeling the breeze on my neck as I am suddenly reminded of my Country, I sigh! I’m sitting in front of the “Malecon” staring off into the horizon thinking that the USA is within a two hour reach and how different life there is. The emptiness in my glaze reflects my disappointment, I am truly uninspired! Uninspired, perhaps because I have discovered that the idea of Havana to me was much more than that of its reality! The lesson I have retained from these thoughts is that one should always be prepared to explore their own journeys and make their own decisions of what they mean to them. Although I am in a Country which has celebrated their 50 years of Revolution, I am uninspired by the surroundings and so I ponder and my thoughts again take me back to my Country. Sadness invites me, “What have we accomplished in all these years?”

The lack of inspiration overwhelmed me with grief and I can’t help but notice that although no one will die of hunger in this Communist / Socialist Country, how they will manage to overcome the effects of the “Swine Flu”! No, I will not refer to this as the “H1N1 Virus” because the reality is that it is a “Swine Flu”! I am aware that the statistics show that the quality of life in Cuba is marginally superior to that of the Third World; however in this fragile society lathering your body with soap or having access to alcohol for sterilization is a luxury in itself. How will they stop the propaganda, it is now October and imagine that the National Media requests that people maintain better hygiene, how does one living in Cuba oblige to this request when Septembers monthly ration for soap has yet to arrive on the market?

Feeling slightly pessimistic I want to express that although my lack of inspiration, I adore the heart of the Country and the kindness of its people. The music, the art and the faces of those who have created it all have touched my heart. I have faith in the future of mankind, and who am I to judge what is right or wrong, good or bad or what should be done in the process for I am not a Cuban, I am a humble guest in this Country and want to take back with me more than my thoughts on the situation and so here it is.

The initial idea for this project was for me to present my own spin on a vintage or retro present day Cuba and hope that you will find something to love in the mix of it all. Enjoy, please leave your comments and thoughts!

Equipment used in the project : (Digital)

Canon 50D
Canon EF 50mm f/1,8 II
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3, 5-5, 6 IS
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3, 5-4, 5 USM

Film:

Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim
Olympus xA2 (1979)
Holga 120W (1982)
Canon EOS 100 (1991)