I spent some of my time in Cuba exploring some of the different jobs that individuals do there. Many are similar to jobs in other developing countries, but one thing became fairly apparent: due to trade restrictions as well as Cuba's economy and remote location, residents have difficulties obtaining products that the Western world takes for granted. Therefore, items are almost always repaired and rarely discarded. Clothing with holes are patched, broken machines are repaired by electricians, cars that have not been readily seen on the streets of the United States fill the streets of Havana, many of which have just about every piece of their engine and body held together by spare parts.
Here is a look into the lives of a few Cuban workers.
A worker repairs an old, plastic radio in an electronics repair shop in Havana, Cuba.
A man gives a reading during a Santerian ceremony.
An elderly woman repairs holes in a pair of blue jeans.
A shopkeeper takes a break from work and visits with his girlfriend.
A man fishes on the boardwalk using just line and a hook.
Early in the morning, workers prepare for a long day.
A man works in a fruit and vegetable shop.
Walking to work early in the morning.
A woman watches as an electrician repairs her items in a shop specializing in repairing appliances and other electronic items.
Two workers pass time playing chess in a motorcycle garage.
A motorbike taxi driver navigates the streets of Havana.
Cooks take orders and prepare food in a street-side fast food restaurant.
A worker in a small factory.
Mechanics repaire a motorcycle in a large repair facility.
Zoriah,
I've noticed the common theme of decay and deterioration in your photos from Cuba. The buildings and streets often look like they are crumbling and/or dirty. The people look like they are struggling to survive under difficult conditions. In today's post, you specifically mention the trade embargo that seems to hang like a shroud over Cuban society. I've seen the kind of decay you pictured in other places in the world where I've been, e.g. the Dominican Republic and Bulgaria stand out to me, but parts of Mexico also seem to reflect some of this as well. However, the Cuba images seem more bleak than others I've seen. I'm wondering what your reaction to my observation is, and to what extent you processed the images to increase the bleakness. Thanks for doing the work you do.
Larry
Posted by: Larry Troy | October 01, 2009 at 21:51
Nice reportage... My impression, seeing yout photos, is that there seems as there isn't an interest about doing job fastly, maybe because the absence of a need of mass production... I've never been in Cuba, but that is the feel that yout work gave me.
Regards.
Posted by: Álvaro Román | October 02, 2009 at 13:59
Zoriah,
I love this. Quite by happenstance, we wrote a piece on the dying art of the cobbler in the States at about the same time as this piece. Serendipity.
Beautiful photos.
Posted by: Lisa | October 10, 2009 at 05:05
Nice photography. Love this post. You are doing great work. Keep it up.
I'll be visiting.
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The situation of citizens in restricted zone is looking very bad from the photos.
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