One day leaving the guesthouse where I stayed in Viñales/Cuba for a walk, I almost immediately stumbled into this scene. The horse, probably fatigued and mal nourished had slipped. The owner eventually got some help to put the horse on his feet and a bit later they continued to wherever they where heading….
In Cuba Fidel Castro is often refered to as “El Caballo” : The Horse
A little bit outside central Viñales, Cuba there are three houses in a row. This is the Nodas territory. Not much earthly possessions but lots of warmth.. I think it shows in the faces!
Read more about the Nodas. Click tag “Noda clan”
Pedro Noda, my old fishing buddy from Viñales,Cuba enjoying the last fragment of his home-made cigar.
A tobacco farmer in Pinar del Rio, Cuba taking a brake contemplating his efforts with the fragil tobacco plants. This is the origin for the Cohibas, Partagas, Monte Cristo and so on. Only the best!
Every time I visit Viñales in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, I make an excuse to pass by the house of Demetrio.. He is a likeable man!
Cock fighting is a serious activity in Cuba. Illegal, hidden away in the forest. The participants put their entire soul in the training of the combatants. Doping, money, violence and legendary fighting cock champions.. It´s a messy business.
In a hard to reach place somewhere behind the mountains in Viñales, Cuba the men of the community gather to gamble the little money they have on the WINNER.
I was lucky to meet Yaniel! He is the kind of friend you need when you come to an unknown place . Born and raised in Viñales, Cuba. He knows the valley as good as his own pocket. Lots of adventures thanks to him.
These are the tobacco leafs of Viñales and Pinar del Rio. Does not get any better than this! The quality of the Cohiba, Montecristo, and the Partagas cigars, all depend on the meticulous work of men like this guajiro!
Viñales valley, Cuba. (Click on Viñales tag to see more pictures)
One day when walking around the Viñales valley in western part of Cuba, I met these guys. They did not say much but gave me a pineapple as a gift.
The three guajiros represent the male core of the Noda family. They work the land all day long and
when night falls they go home to their numerous family’s. Three houses in a row, very basic. They are poor but generous. I have returned to the Nodas several times. I especially remember the day when Pedro (on the right side) took me fishing.
We where quite a few persons that set off for the adventure. Pedros wife, two daughters, a son some boyfriends etcetera.
Pedro as head of the family described extensively all the elaborate moves you need to apply to catch fish in that lake. The kids did not bother much.
After several kilometers walk we arrived. With a serious look on his face Pedro stepped out in the water and began his quest for the first fish.
He struggled for an hour or more trying all the tricks in the book but NADA, nothing!
Meanwhile his twelve-year-old daughter started to pull up one fish after another.
She caught 11. Her father got nothing!!
Anyway.. Pedro is not the sulking type. While we tasted the delicious fish prepared on open fire, he took charge of the entertainment by singing, with lots of feeling, a poem to “Mother”
Nice day indeed!
Håkan Rönnblad 