Habana, Cuba. In the states we refer to the city by the name Havana. But it is their country and it seems they should receive deference in how to spell it. Long forbidden to U.S. citizens, it is a place like no other. Just 90 miles from the United States, it is shrouded in mystery.
The sunrise over Habana Harbor on the second morning of our visit was as dramatic as the city. The sun was an intense reddish-orange and the clouds were dark as night.[1]
As I watched, the sunlight produced a softer image of the city around us illuminating the sky and the Atlantic Ocean in muted shades of grays and blues.
Within just a few additional minutes, the colors and the texture of the city were in full view. This photograph reveals the contrast of the beauty and the decay that have enveloped Havana since Fidel Castro’s revolution. A revolution that has resulted in changes that continue to dominate life in Cuba more than 60 years later.
I had anticipated our trip to Cuba would be an exciting and a constantly changing experience for me, and for all the members of our tour. I was right.
Our journey had really just begun.
[1] These photographs were taken with my Nikon D5100 camera using a Tamron telephoto lens. They are not altered or enhanced. Their beauty and their flaws are all my own. To stabilize my camera for these slow shots, I leaned against the railing on my 17th floor hotel room and held tight.
Shifting the Balance 
The third picture fascinates me. The shapes, colors, textures and juxtaposition of the conglomeration of structures are punctuated by the dots that are windows. It belongs in a modern art gallery. Nice work!
I HAVE BEEN THERE! it was ten years ago and i went with my high school. i was there for 11 days and it’s the only time i have been outside of the usa… i would love to hear what you saw and compare pictures of the places you went! my mom made you and meg book marks… i have a bunch of pictures of meg for you while she’s been away from the blog. check out my link on my twitter @jerikc510
link for the lazy or people that don’t like twitter… https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A45WXqd9Jslaaf
Part of my desire to visit Cuba is a rule of Meg’s trip to Cuba in 2001. Your small group of Pembroke students went to a conference on the indigenous tribes of Latin America. It was a significant experience in Meg’s life.
Meg probably hasn’t even sen your comment. I will tell her to read it. Tell your mom hello. Hope all is going well.
dear ann,
i just told my mom hello on behalf of you.
my story to getting to cuba is almost as interesting as the time i had there. my school at the time (berkeley alternative high school) had a meeting about going with the main school (berkeley high school) and we had 17 people interested in going from BAHS. well… i helped in all the fundraisers and tried my best, and some how during all of this i was able to pass my classes and graduate on time (that was a big deal… i had many credits to make up). when it was time to go, i was the only person from BAHS to go along with one person from the independent study school. we had about 30 students and it was the greatest time i ever had out side of the united states.. thank you for taking pictures of your trip, i really enjoyed seeing recent images of cuba.
keep up the good bloggings and have a wonderful thanksgiving!
Really appreciate your comment. We had the best time in Cuba. I am glad you were able to visit there as well. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.