Cuban Cars (part 2)

               Hello Again, I just got back from a short trip to Havana. I still have to organize my fotos and video but wanted to leave you with something before I lose myself.
                Many of you love the cars and send me lots comments, therefore I decided to post a few of the better pictures I took of them on this trip. I hope you enjoy them.

Finca Robaina

                 At least a couple of times a year I make the trip out to Pinar del Rio from Havana. I almost always make a stop to the late Alejandro Robaina's farm that's now run by his grandson Hiroshi.

                 When Alejandro was alive I would often wander around the property and explore. I felt at times that Alejandro was being crowded, so I did my part by leaving the pack. It offered me great opportunities to see life on the plantation outside of the few hundred square feet that most people occupy when they visit the farm. I would take pictures, of course. Here are some images taken from the area on and around the Robaina property. Please enjoy.

Off a main road in San Luis, Pinar de Rio, is the entrance to the Robaina's property. Up until Alejandro's death, there was no sign. You either knew where it was or you had to ask. Hiroshi has since put a sign up by the road. Once on the property you drive on a long, winding, dusty dirt road for several minutes before coming upon this gate. This is the entrance to The Robaina's homes.

                                                         Tobacco crop in Novenber.

The road that winds around the property.

                                                                      School.

Workers home.

Curing Barn.

Fixing a truck with whatever parts they can find to fit.

The Parts Department

Callejon de Hamel

                   Tucked away in Centro Habana is a barrio known as Cayo Hueso. A small street, Callejon de Hamel runs through it off of Calle Hospital, betwwen San Lazaro & Concordia. Here, a Afro-Cuban Art & Community have evolved.
                  It all started in 1990 when artist Salvador Gonzalez Escalona, from Camaguey, decided to express himself by making sculptures from junk or spare parts lying around the city. He also painted wildly coloured murals covering the street completely. The street looks like one big art gallery. When Salvador started all this he never imagined things would take off the way they did. The whole community came together to create this Haven in the middle of the decaying city. Strong feelings of the African Religions are felt in the air; Santaria, Palo Monte & Abakua.
                  On Sundays the street bands of the barrio come to play in the early afternoon. That's the time to come. There is a large percentage of black (the religions being African) people but there's still a varied mix because of the Asian and Spanish influence in the country. If you want a seat come early but I would rather be walking around. I would feel trapped sitting down & I wouldn't be able to get pics from different angles. The pictures in this post are actually from 2 different visits. The houses on this part of the street have become homes to artists who have converted their livingrooms into galleries displaying their Art. You won't be the only tourists but it seems to be mostly locals. It's perfectly safe and a must see if you're in Havana on a Sunday. The show ends around 3pm.

For video clips of last visit cut and paste the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_rZeVZ0RSk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH89bsigciQ&feature=relmfu

Exposicion Colectiva Marinas 'Galeria Palacio de Lombillo'

                On my last trip to Havana in May, I came accross an exhibition of Seascapes by a collection of young painters. It is an old artform that's hardly used anymore. These young artists are rejuvenating it.
                 The Palacio de Lombillo, also known as Palacio del Conde Lombillo, is located in the beautiful Plaza de La Catedral. It's a colonial building which was constructed in 1746. The paintings were being shown on the ground floor. Admission: free

Artist Unknown

 

Jesus Hermida

title Oleo lienzo

Rene Lopez

title Silvero Playita

Rensol Gonzalez

title La Playa

Nelson Gonzalez Pujol

title Baracoa

Sergio Hernandez Moliner

title Embarcadero de Cojimar

Roberto Alfonso

title Arraigados por Naturaleza

Artist Unknown

Cars of Cuba

             Ahhh, Cuba and it's cars. The thought of Cuba evokes thoughts of classic 50's automobiles in some people. They are also used as a backdrop for many tourism posters selling Cuba. Have you ever wondered why there are so many of these cars still around and why their owners love them so much and try to hang on to them for what seems a lifetime.
             After the revolution, Fidel decreed that no cars produced after the revolution could be bought or sold. What that meant was that the only cars that could be bought or sold would be pre-revolution. Russian cars, mostly Ladas, were available to people with government permission. Those people included government officials, atheletes, doctors.....
             Knowing this, it's now easy to understand why so many of these old cars are still around. Cuba is like a big antique car museum. At one time Cuba was the biggest importer of some of the most stylish and lavish of the American car models. However, more than 50 years have past and with the embargo still looming it's impossible to get parts for these cars. That's why in a lot of these cars you'll see Lada engines or parts from whatever fits. Cars can even be driving with 3 different size tires since they lack government controls. It's a free for all, as long as it drives it's ok. The black smoke that comes out of these things is enough to kill you. That's why so many city residents have asthma or other respiratory problems.
             Enough of that, I don't want to burst your bubble. Even though the government has recently changed the law to allow Cubans to buy and sell any car of any year, it will be a long time before Cubans abandon their classic 50s for a new model. Very few Cubans can afford to buy a car.
Enjoy the pictures.