Author Topic: Re: Photos taken in Banes and district (Read 2478 times)

bellagio · « **on:** January 30, 2006, 04:15:00 PM »

This is the real Cuba. Not what you see from the resorts. This is how the people live. I have been careful not to show people I know because I think it is unfair of me to do so, therefore many of my photos I am unable to publish, but I hope what I have shown gives you an insight into this town which to me seems stuck in a time warp.

Obviously I could not take half the shots that I would have liked to. I would have liked to photograph in the convertible peso stores so you could see how expensive things are in the shops, TV's, stereos, fridge freezers and the lack of variety and the small amount that was on display.

Walking around Banes on Friday and Saturday I did not see one shop selling food and now the market has been closed it is not easy for anyone to buy food.

I really feel for these people with no running water - their water tanks are nearly dry at the moment as the water has not been on for three weeks now. No wonder so many of them are ill with stomach complaints. Despite all their problems they still dress well and I was treated royally by all my many friends who life in this wonderful town.

The atmosphere here is amazing - people are chatting away with their neighbours, music is always being played somewhere, everyone is so friendly. Wow - I really love visiting Banes. I could sit in the porch all day and just watch the world go by and be so very happy.

My photos can be seen at:

Banes photos

Milli · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:23:00 PM »

:eek: Thanks for sharing these very special pictures.

mojitomiss_cuba · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:35:00 PM »

B, thank you for sharing those pics with us.

We could take lessons from the cubans. We have so much but they seem to know how to make the best of what they have and enjoy life to the fullest.

Milli, that suicide shower gave me the shivers too :eek:

debmich · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2006, 06:37:00 PM »

The little girl blowing bubbles is so cute!
Thanks for sharing!

Debbie

MCB · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2006, 07:23:00 PM »

Thank you bellagio,

We also spent a day in a small Cuban village with some of our Cuban friends.
Sat on the front porch and literally watched the rice dry (which they put out on blankets) on the street..very little traffic in this town.
It was a simple scene ..with music and chatter in the background..really made me question our values and lifestyle at the time.
Could I live there?..obviously the answer was no..but for a brief moment in my life I was happy with very little.
Love that memory.

:)

tsagaert · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2006, 09:13:00 PM »

Awesome Pictures, it really does reinforce that just because a person "has more" does not automatically guarantee happiness. On all the trips we have been on after going out of the resort area, we have both commented on the fact that most of the locals have nothing but they seem so happy and they have no stress. Sometimes it seems like the more you have the more stress that comes along with it. :th:

Bulldog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2006, 09:43:00 PM »

Thanks Bellagio for showing me a little bit of what "real" Cuban life is like ;)

Bulldog :s: :s:

flopnfly · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2006, 09:47:00 PM »

Great photo's Mr B. thank you for sharing them with us, and giving us a small glimpse into the reality of the Beautiful country we all enjoy so much.

Charmainiac · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2006, 11:15:00 PM »

Mr. B...
Your photos take me back to some very special times and memories! As I was looking through your images, I could smell my friends' cooking and hear the creeks of those wooden chairs commonly found in Cuban homes. Your images reflect my own Cuban experience more so than images of the AI's. Although, I have now been to an AI often enough that your photos make me long for the 'real thing'!
Thank You!
Charmaine