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A holiday a long time ago...































Now for our younger viewers
A long time ago I went on holiday to Cuba. I took this shot (once again I have had to take a photo of a paper photo) just off a market square in Havana - I believe they were local prostitutes, but I was unaware at the time, I just loved their expressions, their style, the woman's tough eyes. Hard eyes.

As I said before I am not a political animal, so have no wish to comment on the last posting, but I do remember from my experiences in Cuba (as a holiday maker) the fear of speaking about Castro amongst the ordinary folk, also that the market square had lots of booksellers, but all of the books were about Castro or Che. I also recall being told by our hotel bar man that Coca Cola was imported through Spain, in order to avoid the embargo on American goods (how true this is, who knows). At the time, from my limited experience of the country, it seemed like the stereotypes were not based on myth.

Of course I remember the beauty, the friendliness of the people, the elegance of the old (incongruous) American cars, the run down palaces along the coast/port in Havana, the fanatastic graveyard (main one, can't remember the name - but I think the architect that designed it died just as it was completed and he was the first to be buried there). And of course the feeling of being in a country where history was alive, if that makes any sense. There was so much to admire.

Comments

DomzaNet said…
I must say that I don't like thing of saying "I am not a political animal but here are some pictures of Cuban women and I don't know but I assume they are prostitutes and I remember I was afraid to speak about 'Castro' just like I was afraid of a demo in London on the Embankment and aren't the crumbling palaces and the ancient cars so wonderful".

For God's sake, why is there nobody else here who can stand up against this dreary type of stuff? Is TQB a sacred monster? Why? What's the story here?
Sunday, 10 January, 2010
The Quiet Busker said…
I said to Phil, perhaps I was not the person to contribute to this blog and it appears I was right. I explained I would put up a few photos and add a lighter touch (like Dan Pearce) to the sometimes dry/theoretical political cut and pastings (and postings). I always felt it was probably the wrong arena for me and DomzaNet, whoever that is, is right, so I will cease. No one needs to stand up to me, please remain seated at your PC's and macs.

This is not a sulky, oh I am so offended response, or a cowardly one, it is a pragmatic one. The dreary writing was always on the wall.

Just for the record DomzaNet, I wasn't afraid of talking about Castro, it was the local people.
Sunday, 10 January, 2010
Philip Hall said…
What a shame TQM. Blogging is like this everywhere.

I like your photos. I think, though, that the image of prostitution and Cuba is a very unfortunate one.

The resonances go back to the time of the corrupt regime of Batista.

The phenomenon is an embarrassment to socialists who hold Cuba up as an example to follow.

It many respects it is an example, but not in all respects.
Sunday, 10 January, 2010
DomzaNet said…
"I wasn't afraid of talking about Castro, it was the local people."

How do you know?

Maybe they just didn't trust you politically.

I wouldn't.
Monday, 11 January, 2010
Philip Hall said…
Actually, blown up it's a good picture. Painful to look at, though.
Monday, 11 January, 2010
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