I have this whole blog in my head about Cuba, specifically ‘why Cuba?’ I have been asked that a lot, and there are multiple factors, but I sit to write it and I get disturbed, distracted or maybe it is not ready to come out yet. So in the meantime, I have started to unpack the photos. Tonight I share some of the people I encountered. These are only a handful of them. Cuba is people, I posted about this today elsewhere, I have the same feeling I had as I processed the Iceland trip. These are special to me, the journey itself is more important than the photos, yet the photos are precious. There is a distinct difference from the two trips, with Iceland the land was the subject, beauty as far as you could see, a beauty like no other. With Cuba, the people are the subject. It is an island of people, incredible, strong, kind people, and I can see the change in the approach to my photos I took in Cuba as I go through them. The early images I am trying to capture the scenes, the buildings, the cars, then there is a quick evolution, as I discover the people make up the island regardless of the scenes. I still photographed the other stuff, but my portrait lens was on my camera more than off, and I looked forward to strolling around the streets looking for subjects to talk with. We would see people, sitting walking, standing, they tend to notice people with cameras, a quick “Hola”, raise the camera “Foto?” Eight out of ten times you would get a smile or a shy grin and permission, I would take it and then show them. They would light up, “gracias”. Sweet is a word that comes to mind, they have a sweetness that is genuine. At the same time a toughness that shows in their faces. They are the country, no matter the politics, the elements that make the place up, it is the people who give the island a strength. They are so proud to share what they have done to get by. Invites to see where they live, what they make, who they are. I am better for having met them. I learned from them then I had to give. I am grateful to have these ‘fotos’. Tomorrow I will try to share why Cuba, also, I have been asked a few times, will there be a show of these. I am not sure, the Iceland show was a great thing and a huge success, but a lot of work. I would love to hear if there is an interest in a Cuba show, perhaps after the holidays.

tr/trp