After my first day of shooting in Havana, Cuba I remember thinking to myself "Geez, there sure are a lot of nasty condoms in the streets here." I thought the same thing after my second day of shooting, and third, fourth and so on. Toward the end of my trip I began thinking "If I took a shot of every condom I saw on the sidewalk, street, alley, etc., that would have made an interesting story...too bad." But instead of giving up on the idea, I decided I would just photograph every condom I saw for the rest of the day and make that into a story. After two hours, I decided I had made my point and gave up. Below are contact sheets of condoms I saw on the ground in Havana during a two hour walk and exploration.
Now you are probably asking yourself the same questions I was. Are people having crazy sex all over the place here?? Is sex the national sport of Cuba?? Why are people not having sex in their own homes, there can't be this many horny homeless people can there??
I was going nuts trying to figure out what was going on here. I have traveled, lived in, worked in 60-something countries around the world but I have never seen anything like this. What is the answer to this mystery?
And then...
Finally...
On my second to last day in the country...
A clue came running through the street...
Obviously this one kid is not responsible for the massive amounts of condoms in the streets of Havana. Even if kids playing with condoms as balloons account for some of the condoms I saw on the ground, there still must be a lot of public sex going on here. Or is there some other answer to this mystery?
Interesting. I don't recall seeing condoms all over the place when I was in Havana. But I spent most of my time in Old Havana, which was kept pretty clean for the tourists, so that might be why I didn't see this.
Posted by: Adam Snider | October 21, 2009 at 17:46
Buildings and houses are so old sometimes, you wouldn't dare to shake it too much :D
Posted by: Heimana | October 21, 2009 at 17:59
Oh, and where was that? I don't remember neither seeing so much condoms there, even in less touristic places...
Posted by: Heimana | October 21, 2009 at 18:02
That's a LOT of condoms! What the heck? I am so curious now too...
Posted by: Roxy | October 21, 2009 at 20:12
i cant tell from the pics but are the wrappers found near most of the condoms? Maybe condoms are distributed for free (AIDS awareness etc) and ppl just rip em open out of curiosity and then chuck them wherever they open them? Could explain why the kid was using it as a balloon. Free distribution and easy access.Maybe.
Posted by: Kismet | October 21, 2009 at 20:23
It is very interesting...
Posted by: pd | October 21, 2009 at 21:30
Too funny! But weird too...though I'm sure there's some explanation.
Posted by: akinoluna - a female Marine | October 21, 2009 at 23:49
I have been to birthday parties in Cuba for both kids and adults and there were balloons made from Condoms as they cant get balloons as easily as they can get condoms. Guess its one explanation!
Posted by: Kelly | October 22, 2009 at 00:12
Hahaha, that is a lot of condoms.. These photos would make for a very, very strange coffetable book.
Posted by: Fredrik Berg | October 22, 2009 at 09:31
Very odd, indeed. Prostitution? Why the streets?
Posted by: Lisa | October 23, 2009 at 01:56
Too funny! I am so curious now too. And really, this would probably be a popular coffetable book oddly enough.
Posted by: Julie | October 23, 2009 at 19:32
I have a theory:
Here in Brazil, during Carnaval, we have massive free condoms distributions, as part of the government's anti-aids program... so, people that will not actually use them, tend to play with them... Now Brazil and Cuba are very different places, but maybe someone has been giving away lots of condoms... in this case, lack of sex (instead of to much sex) would be the explanation!
Posted by: Pedro Angelini | October 24, 2009 at 16:22
Interesing find!
Posted by: Enche Tjin | October 25, 2009 at 17:54
that's too funny man. That boy is standing with balloon condom. I think that it is a last level of prostitution in brazil.
Posted by: fathers day | October 27, 2009 at 11:07
Brilliant collection! i think any one of these photos of a used condom on their own may not be a very effective picture-but they have strength in numbers!
im curious as to what exactly they were all used for... ive heard of other uses for condoms..keeping water out of gun barrels, glue sniffing,water bombs etc-so im happy to see the last few pictures have a nice inocent use:)
great work
Posted by: simon harper | October 29, 2009 at 17:45
Extremely Bad news about Cuba. I think the people of Cuba should think over that. By reading the article it seems that Sex is the national sport of the Cuba.
Posted by: acai berry | November 07, 2009 at 04:19
I can't solve the mystery, but I know that condoms are cheap in Cuba. I saw them on sale for five cents each - 15 cents for a box of three - during a trip to the island less than a year ago.
Posted by: Tracey Eaton | November 18, 2009 at 23:18
Great job, there are to reson why. cubans are very hot, and condom are vey cheap as a measure to prevent aids and other sexual transmition diseases, remember that cuba is a poor country with high educational and sanitary level.
Posted by: kiki | November 21, 2009 at 06:34
Hii..i cant tell from the pics but are the wrappers found near most of the condoms? Maybe condoms are distributed for free (AIDS awareness etc) and ppl just rip em open out of curiosity and then chuck them wherever they open them? Could explain why the kid was using it as a balloon. Free distribution and easy access.Maybe...
thanks and regards
david
LATEST TREND
Posted by: David Baer | December 29, 2009 at 12:11
It's easy to assume there's just a lot of sex going on in Cuba (whi knows, maybe there is!) but the fact is, Cubans are just using condoms creatively...as balloons for parties, for fishing, to hold booze...you name it! Here's a pretty interesting article that may enlighten us:http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/cuba/100525/condoms
Either way, the pictures are quite thought-provoking! Amazing work :)
Posted by: Analu M | May 27, 2010 at 17:32
You tell us! That is why YOU are the photojournalist...
Posted by: Harper | June 12, 2010 at 19:43
If love isn’t a game, then why are there so many players? Are you one of these players?
Posted by: Jordan 6 Rings | August 04, 2010 at 03:59
well no matter if is public sex, homeless sex, lots of Sex the fact is that people in Cuba is practice safe sex, is better to have a lot of sex meanwhile is safe sex, what is worst a lot of people having sex or a lot poor people with a lot of children and STD's.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | August 04, 2010 at 22:07
Wow, that really peaks my interest. Quite provocative isn't it. Ha, just read that their using condoms to hold liquor, that's crazy, and awesome! At least their practicing safe everything.
Posted by: cure premature | August 29, 2010 at 03:38
I was born in Havana, lived there for 29 years and had sex as often as anybody else my age, even on the street a few times. There is no mystery here. Those pictures show a very real side of Cuba that not many people talk about. Besides the condoms being used by kids as balloons and by other people for other purposes, there are two main reasons for this phenomenon: First, homes are usually crowded. It means there is no privacy, and you can think the streets aren't better, but believe me, the choice between "sharing" that moment with the whole family or risking being caught in a dark alley or abandoned house is not that hard to make. Second, sanitation is a big issue, so no surprise if you find two or more adjacent condoms with years of difference between the dates they were used (the Cuban version of CSI could help with that, although they would only get involved if they are investigating a very important murder case at that scene). That doesn't mean that there are no homeless people (which don't care about safe sex or even sex at all) or that Cubans in general are exhibitionists and/or promiscuous, it's just a way to escape to conditions that are really difficult to imagine if you haven't lived there. By the way, you can get some condoms for free in some places, but most Cubans buy them. They are very cheap and available anywhere.
Posted by: Antonio N. | September 26, 2010 at 08:23
Well initially even i was wondering...why take so many of condem snaps......whats the story behind it?well a good social awakening cause of concern in place..
Posted by: Ranjiesh Nair | October 25, 2010 at 14:44
Thank you for the wisdom of proposals. I am very excited to try. I sincerely appreciate your ability to cope with such a short time to have such good advice. Thank you very much!
Posted by: cheap air yeezy | November 01, 2010 at 08:10
By the time. $ * $ ^ * ^
Posted by: Juicy Couture | November 18, 2010 at 02:43
You may think that the adult sex cat is not a solution to this, but here is the thing, private and secure way to meet people who have gone through what you have been.
Posted by: BDSM Toys | December 08, 2010 at 11:07
Have no cash to buy a house? You should not worry, because that's possible to take the credit loans to solve all the problems. Therefore take a short term loan to buy all you need.
Posted by: Kristina29Hamilton | December 09, 2010 at 04:35
Marzipan cookies sound absolutely delightful! I could not tell from your post if you were currently pregnant or getting ready to have your baby-Either way, CONGRATULATIONS.
Posted by: Coach Outlet Stores Online | December 27, 2010 at 08:24
tiffany & coスウォッチ グループ ジャパンはこのほど、東京?銀座のニコラス?G?ハイエック センター内に「ティファニー ウォッチ ショールーム」をオープンした。男性向けの「アトラス ジェント スクエア クロノグラフ」、女性向けの「ティファニー ジェメア」をはじめ、希少性の高いアイテムも展示、販売される。Tiffany Rings
Posted by: Tiffany ネックレス | January 17, 2011 at 08:31
I came home from Havana yesterday. I walked all over Havana and can confirm there were a lot of condoms...but also a lot of other random stuff on the streets. I think partly if is because animals and humans tear open the trash bins looking for food and things to sell (they can make money collecting tin cans for scrap metal)and this is how the condoms end up all over the streets, as I also noticed feminine hygiene products littering the streets and animals trying to get them them.
Posted by: Victoria | February 07, 2011 at 21:09
I really agree with the facts that you have shared on this post. An interesting topic like this really enhances reader's mind to have more effective decisions over a certain issue.
Posted by: Penis Enlargement | March 09, 2011 at 02:53
SUMOMAX, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, is produced in hygienic conditions without human touch, you can find the professional help to nutritional supplements to gain weight. Sumomax take it you expect the product to help lose weight, gain weight, depending on the constitution and use help. This great product, a great way from the first day you start to use you to feel hunger and eating 2-3 times the normal range will help.
Posted by: sumomax | March 24, 2011 at 14:50
媚薬:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/63.html
夜の健康食品:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/69.html
早漏防止:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/14.html
滋養強壮:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/15.html
漢方薬:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/2.html
ED治療:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/12.html
ED改善:www.chinakanpo.com/catalog/12.html
Posted by: 媚薬 | March 31, 2011 at 09:55
Microsoft Office 2007:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-3-b0.html
Office 2007 通販:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-3-b0.html
office 2007 完全版:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-3-b0.html
Windows OEM:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-13-b0.html
Windows OEM 通販:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-13-b0.html
Windows 7 OEM:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-13-b0.html
Windows XP OEM:http://www.linksinfostore.com/category-13-b0.html
Posted by: Office 2007 通販 | May 06, 2011 at 11:39
I was so fortunate to encounter the ll,thank you very much .
Posted by: dress bag | June 16, 2011 at 07:51
I have been researching a lot about this today and I stumbled upon your site. Great post!
Posted by: shelf hanging organizer | June 16, 2011 at 07:51
This is so awful. My sister (ten years older) and I were not all that close growing up due to our age difference, but I cannot imagine my life without her. The 8 years we shared in the same home were some of my fondest childhood memories.
Posted by: glass bottle | June 16, 2011 at 07:54
I can see that you are putting a lots of efforts into your blog. Keep posting the good work. I appreciate your idea here. Definitely it has a niche content. Thank you for imparting more of your own thoughts.
Posted by: dust mask | June 16, 2011 at 07:56
Wow, that really peaks my interest. Quite provocative isn't it. Ha, just read that their using condoms to hold liquor, that's crazy, and awesome! At least their practicing safe everything.
Posted by: pembe maske | June 22, 2011 at 17:09
I always read your posts with interest!
Posted by: orjin krem | June 22, 2011 at 20:55
Read this last night but had trouble commenting at the time, so I'll chime in now to say good job of relating your experience here.
Posted by: solar-energy-factory | July 29, 2011 at 11:04
If we guys spot a good fish, we will cast long and hard to get her to rise to our fly. I got one halfway across the country.
Posted by: solar-energy-in-china | July 29, 2011 at 11:06
Your wonderful post is both a meditation for the practicing artist and an exemplary work. You continue to expand my horizons in both areas and I am so grateful.
Posted by: solar-collectors-supplier | July 29, 2011 at 11:08
This idea will form a wonderful series that I look forward to very much. Great idea John!
Posted by: power strip | July 29, 2011 at 11:12
Louis Vuitton "from scratch" minimalist philosophy
Posted by: renlewei | August 31, 2011 at 05:14
No matter how many times I read it, it never gets old. You definitely hit the nail on the head on this one. This is something people need to know about.
Posted by: cheap air jordan shoes | September 24, 2011 at 08:24