Here is a post about two unrelated Cuban experiences.
Wi-fi
“Do you need a wifi card?” a young man on a bench asked as I approached the plaza. Looking up, it was clear that this was a wifi park. In every shaded part of the square, people sat on benches, roots of trees, or stood waving their arms as they talked into their phones. Some were making video calls, others texting or catching up on emails. Everyone was in their own world, ignoring the people coming and going and the children kicking around a soccer ball.
Cubans generally access the internet at these public squares which are found in every neighborhood. It costs about $1 for a 60-minute card. This may sound cheap, but remember that a Cuban doctor earns an official salary of $35 a month.
I grew accustomed to not having 24-hour access to the internet during my trip. It was nice to wake up and not reach for my phone, getting lost in reading the news and emails. It was a refreshing break for me to not be bombarded by headlines of every latest tweet by our president and other depressing news.
As nice as it was for me, however, I was reminded that for Cubans, lack of access to the internet is a problem. Imagine trying to rent a room in your house and not being able to check your email at home. It is a luxury for me to have a break from the internet, but it is a real disadvantage for Cubans to not have regular access.
Ballet
Our guide Luis arranged a photo shoot with two Cuban ballet dancers, Brenda and
I learned that Rihanna did a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair in this mansion. The pressure was on to capture some great shots, but I really had no idea what to do. Luckily, Brenda had experience modeling. She led the way, doing pose after pose for just the right amount of time. She instructed Brandon, who was on his first shoot, exactly where to stand and how to move. We moved from room to room, stopping for frequent breaks for our subjects to wipe off the sweat and get ready for the next pose. It was hard work for them and for us. It was incredibly hot and humid, as it was every day in Cuba.
In between
Linda Wight
August 20, 2018 at 22:32
Beautiful pictures!
Tim Flanagan
August 21, 2018 at 15:13
Thank you, Linda!
Temel Elaine
August 21, 2018 at 02:58
Wow!!! Those pictures are incredible, Tim! What an amazing experience!
Tim Flanagan
August 21, 2018 at 15:15
Luis and the dancers made it easy. Thanks.
Pam Young
August 21, 2018 at 08:13
Amazing shots! Sad that the house is in such disrepair.
Tim Flanagan
August 21, 2018 at 15:16
They’re still living in it, too. So many buildings in Cuba look like this.
Lori
August 21, 2018 at 09:38
The pictures are absolutely breathtaking, Tim!!!!! The stories….break my heart……thank you for sharing.
Tim Flanagan
August 21, 2018 at 15:19
It was a surreal experience. So worth it! Glad to share.
Julie Aquilizan
August 21, 2018 at 23:26
Hi Tim,
Your pictures are so gorgeous! How fun that must have been.
I can relate to the no/limited access to WiFi. I was on a live aboard snorkeling boat in the Maldives for six nights this summer. It was so refreshing and felt like such a healthy thing to do for myself. Glad you were cool with it too.
So how did you get to Cuba? Did you travel with a group? Please share!
Are you teaching this year? If so, good luck with the beginning of the school year.
Take care,
Julie
Tim Flanagan
August 27, 2018 at 18:00
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the comment. I went solo, but I was funded by Fund for Teachers. Check them out! You can design your own professional development opportunity anywhere in the world, and they will pay for it. Back to school in two days!
Diane
August 22, 2018 at 10:07
Tim, those are fantastic pictures. What a great juxtaposition to have young beautiful models/dancers and old beautiful mansion as the backdrop.
Tim Flanagan
August 27, 2018 at 18:01
Thanks, Diane. Yes, it was very surreal and beautiful. Hard to take a bad picture there.
Vicky Ann Deledda
August 25, 2018 at 09:28
These photos are some of your best! What amazing dancers and photography! Are you really still teaching?
Tim Flanagan
August 27, 2018 at 18:01
Always teaching and learning!