Street Games

These boys were intensely playing cards along Simon Bolivar and initially did not notice the camera. Once spotted, they begged for candies instead of money.

Going Places

A school girl and bicitaxi driver go about their daily lives. Bicitaxis are relatively new to Cuba and are not legally supposed to carry tourists.

Reading Break

With access to quality, free education for everyone, Cuba has a surprisingly high literacy rate of over 99%. It might help that until recently most Cubans have not have access to personal computers or the internet, leaving reading a primary source of entertainment. However, many of the books available are socialist propaganda or outdated and modern books can be hard to come by or even banned entirely.

Finding Nemo

Surprisingly, Cuba has lower infant mortality rates and longer life expectancy than the United States. Everyone in Cuba has access to free healthcare and there are a high proportion of doctors to the entire population.

Town Gossip

In Havana, it's common for neighbors to check in on each other day to day. An open window is an open invitation to catch up on the day's events.

Portrait of an Artist

Art in Cuba has a distinct blend of influences from Africa, Europe, South America and North America. Angel is a local artist who sells his unique sketches on the streets of Havana. Though he struggles to keep a steady hand, he continues to put his sharpened pencils to paper. When approached, he held up a self-portrait from a younger, better time.

Art Gallery

Art galleries in Cuba tend to be government sponsored, giving artists an opportunity and place to present their work and giving the government a cut of the proceeds. While there are no restrictions on street art, to take art from a gallery out of Cuba, the government requires an official receipt or an export permit. But don't let that dissuade you, a piece of Cuban art is a piece of Cuban culture. Author Rachael Weiss once wrote "Every Cuban is an artist and every home is an art gallery." From our experience, it's hard to disagree!

Cuban Son

Cuba is home to be some of the most influential and vibrant music in the world. Merging the rhythm of Africa and the melody and harmony of Spain, Cubans have taken traditional music and developed some incredible new genres like Son and Rumba. Everyone loves music in Cuba and it's common to hear lively music break out any time at almost every street corner in Havana Vieja. This particular gentleman has been making a living in this location for some time. There are numerous photos around the internet of him passionately playing his trumpet to passing tourists.

Three Fishermen, One pole

Fishermen hope for a good catch along the Malecón at twilight. Recent common practice is to use government subsidized condoms as "balloon fishing," to catch bonito or red snapper. The condoms cost less than a cent and the large fish can be sold for an average month's salary. A great example of Cuban ingenuity, solving problems without wasting money on them.

Sparks Fly

A welder replaces a rusty fence with a new reinforced one at a children's park along the Malecón. Despite the dangers of welding, this man chose not to wear a protective glove on his right hand for reasons unknown.

New Money

Tourism is the hottest market in Cuba. Driving taxis, renting rooms, and serving food for tourists is providing a "new money" class. Taxi drivers can make more than 30x the monthly salary of a physician! Since the government provides education, the professional is almost indentured, earning paltry amounts. Taxi drivers must pay steep tax and strict licenses but have a great opportunity to earn well beyond the average government wage, the equivalent of $20/month.

Roadside Assistance

Owning cars, let alone repairing them, is such a rare luxury that their owners are some of the most cautious drivers you'll ever meet. We only witnessed one accident during our time in Cuba, and though only a fender bender, had enough emergency personnel on scene for a serious accident. Taking care of your car means less maintenance costs, that you have the potential to earn money and more importantly, that you have a car.

On the Line

Though public pay phones are still used in Havana today, many people now have access to cell phones.

Coffee Snob

With only one item on the menu, you won't be getting any spiced lattes here. Instead, enjoy the simplicity of a sweetened dark roast. Buy some Cuban coffee on the way through the airport and you can easily make it at home! Just add the first few drops of espresso to a teaspoon of sugar in a teacup and mix vigorously. Then add the remaining espresso to the creamy, light brown paste and mix. The light brown foam layer on top is called "espumita". Alternatively, one can add sugar directly to the espresso pitcher, hydrolyzing sucrose with high heat. Both methods create a syrupy buzz base for breakfast or dessert. Enjoy!