How are you doing? I just read an Article On Cuba in Sign Craft that you Submitted on The signs in Cuba. I know that Americans are not permitted to go there by your Government.. That's a whole other story. I visited Cuba for 10 days 2 years ago, and loved every second of it, I found the people to be extremely Intelligent and friendly. But the one thing that I'm having trouble with is that you said that they don't like for people to take Photos? Who Don't? This is asked with all honesty. I travelled all over Havana, And a few other smaller towns as well, I took Dozens and Dozens of photos, at Night, as well as daytime, I never encountered any problem at all, with anyone at anytime. Has things changed there in the last couple of years? I hope not cause I'm planning on going there again in the very near future.
It's really sad that they get paid so very little, but they keep smiling and smiling, and Dancing and Dancing. I love the cuban Music, you can't keep your feet still when it's playing can you.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Hello Neil, sorry for not responding sooner. I've been gone all day. To answer your question about the photo taking. First let me explain about the story that was printed in Sign Craft. I have a much larger story I had written about my stay there. but like most magazines, things get edited. Sign Craft did a great job on what I wrote. but it's a brief of the story. So not to confuse anyone about the people don't want there picture taken, some people do and some don't care. I'm sure when you was there, you probably heard some people speak of Castro one way and others were very hush. I went to Regla (by El Morro) with a guide I had met. I was given a business card of an artist whos work I had saw at the open air market in Habana Vieja. So when we went to his place, he seemed peranoid about something, who knows. So he didn't want for me to take any pictures or for me to see his studio. Anyway I also met a lady who worked at a TV station on the jet from Cancun at the Hotel Habana Libre, her and a professor from the university came to join us. Me and a retired art professor from here in Fresno went to meet them. We had a big conversation, but when I said I would like to have some shots of us, I noticed that little paranoia again. So that's what I meant about "some people" don't want there picture taken. and the main reason is...about Castro. Other than that, I had a great time over there. Also a big difference is you can go there, us being from the USA, are not really allowed to be there. I'll leave it at that. Did you go to Pinales? That's where they have a HUGE Mural of a prehistoric painting on a cliff side, and Lobster dinners for $10. Did you go to any of the caves? I saw one place that would be one dynamite place for a Letterhead meet, it's called El Palenque, it's about 120 miles from Havana? Be neat to stop there to see the Mural, as part of a tour. But there is alot of music, and lot of fine "chicas" If I got married again I think I would like to marry a Cubana so I can buy one of them nice houses and fix that baby up, then when the emabargo is over I would have a nice place to retire. yeah that the ticket! Ah well, who knows when I can go back, seems like things got sticky for us after 911. Anyway Neil thanks for reading the article, I also shot lot of film, around 25 rolls, if anyone has any questions go ahead and shoot.
[ September 24, 2003, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: FranCisco Vargas ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes Cisco.. The woman are indeed Beautiful, Yes I visited the Caves just outside Jibacoa, also went to Mantanzas? City of Bridges. went to revolution Square, that is where Castro gives some of his 16 hr Speeches, interesting indeed. I Can't wait to go back. The beaches are Beautiful!
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If I got married again I think I would like to marry a Cubana so I can buy one of them nice houses and fix that baby up, then when the emabargo is over I would have a nice place to retire. yeah that the ticket!