Yosef is a 34-year-old tattoo artist from Centro Habana
His apartment is built on the roof of a three-story building. He lives better than most because he has a skill that is in demand.
A skinny stairway begins the trek to his apartment.
On the roof.
Yosef
A typical bachelor’s habitat.
I met Juan Carlos when I noticed him sitting next to a welder and, being a welder in my previous life, I tried to make conversation. Fortunately Juan Carlos’ English was better than my Spanish. He was waiting for someone to pick him up and take him to a job.
Juan Carlos fabricates doors, windows, and railings. What I would call ornamental iron work. In Havana many people have bars on windows and outer doors with padlocks for security. https://wp.me/p4fUlX-w1
Juan Carlos has become a good friend of mine over the last two years. He has let me photograph his apartment, taken me to meet his 92 year-old grandmother, let me photograph from the roof of his building, and introduced me to many people in his neighborhood.
Last year I purchased an electric grinder for him on the black market. Now he doesn’t have to borrow (rent) one when he has a job to do.
A modest, but clean and efficient kitchen.
A comfortable living area.
Stairway to a loft where his daughter and grandson sleep.
He keeps the welder in his bedroom.
Stories and photos of a dozen others in this series can be found here: https://wp.me/p4fUlX-AT
Give me a balcony anytime. Forget the casa on the ground floor. I want to hang out above a busy street, smoke a good cigar, sip some good rum, and watch the world go by. Of course, I always have a camera close by.
Slow down
Wait
Observe
Savor the moment
Something will usually happen.
If not, move on.
I was enjoying the artwork on the wall when this man walked by, stopped, and turned around.
I waited for someone interesting to pass by this wall. The color and stripes on this man’s clothing complimented the background.
Kids will always do something interesting.
I liked the blue truck against the blue background and then a woman in blue walked into the scene.
I was trying to document the construction in Havana. This woman shows the difficulty people had just to walk the streets.
It was interesting enough to see a trailer of fans being unloaded, but then I got a wave.
There is this attraction to the “Beatles” in Cuba. I stood across from this poster in Camaguey and simply waited for subjects to pass by.
I loved the colors and patterns framing this old couple in Havana.
Sure enough, this woman stopped right in front of this wall. I could not have placed her better, myself.
Hmmmm …..
One Saturday in Havana I noticed a young girl awkwardly wielding a broom. She saw me with my camera and smiled. Soon another girl appeared, also with a broom, then another, and then a young boy. When the father emerged with a broom, I realized it was cleaning day in his house and …. everyone sweeps.
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