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 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!
The flower man in Camaguey, Cuba..
If you don´t move yourself you´ll die! A cuban saying meaning exactly that! Centro Habana 2008
Chen is selling herbs, beans and rice at the central market in Marianao, Havana. As many Cubans he talks a lot. He is a big fan of AC Milan so that’s one of the main themes in his conversations with clients and colleagues! Nice guy!
I met Adrian Willington a couple of weeks ago when taking a bicycle tour around the Seychelle island of La Digue. He was walking along the sea-shore carrying a big octopus and of course my curiosity was awaken
He told me that he was working as a security guard at night but during the day he used to go fishing for octopus and had done so since he was young.
After chatting with him for a while I asked if I could go with him the next time he was going fishing. That’s okay, he said. Two days later he came by the guesthouse where I was staying and a little later we took off by bicycle towards the beach where he usually goes fishing.
His tools are a bit dated. The flippers are not in best shape and there is a big hole in his wetsuit. He uses a couple of metal sticks to dig out the octopuses! It’s a great experience to accompany and observe the Seychellois diver. We are swimming around a pretty extensive area during more or less 3 hours!
When Adrian spots his prey he is capable of diving down to ten meters depth and stay down for a couple of minutes.
The area where we hunt is also a superb snorkel spot and the place is steaming with fishes of all colors and shape. I see a couple of sea turtles, stingrays and so on.
Adrian says that he almost daily sees sharks when his out but makes no drama about that!
New year celebration in Havana 2006.
A big part of the city’s inhabitants gathered in Malecon to enjoy great music and dance all night long. Spirit is high. The Cubans knows how to party but things can get carried away sometimes.
The government seems terrified of disorder and therefore displays huge numbers of
military, police and other security officials to maintain a sense of safety and control.
Now.. I am sure this particular security guard (whatever that bottle contains?) is doing his best but….
Dr Schwalb rechaza acusaciones! Dr Schwalb denies accusations! one of the headlines that particular day in Lima, Peru 1984.
Llallagua is situated high up in the Andes at the end of the world . This is the mining district of Bolivia. One of the most important tin-mines is named Siglo XX (20th century). Conditions are hard!
The Bolivian government closed the production at Siglo XX 1987. Small groups continue to work the mine independently .
My hotel (when i was there 1985) charged half a dollar per night. No locks on the door and the roof was leaking!
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)
Håkan Rönnblad 