Discovering the past

Where better to organise a photography tour than on a roof-top bar in Havana. The tour consists of just me and Yari a Cuban photography student and English speaking tour guide. We were introduced by a mutual friend and after seeing her passion for photography I decided to take her on a tour of her city, an experience to inspire her further more.

In Cuba good employment opportunities are difficult, but with a growing tourist population and interest in the country increasing all the time, the industry is always on the look out for speakers of foreign languages. Tourist jobs are sought after but only seasonal, leaving 8 months of the year a struggle. Moving away from tourism for something all year-round can be difficult, as getting a position back in the tourist industry is not so easy, since supply now outstrips demand.

If you have a little investment and are industrious, then there are opportunities for self employment, this can provide you with a decent income, but not necessarily the career you long for.

After assessing her skills I’m not sure Yari is ready for street photography, well not just yet, so I start to look for interesting places from the rooftop bar. I see a building close to us and point it out to Yari as the place we can go try and explore.

Havana Life as we head to the building which is just a few blocks away

The building we are heading for is in a dilapidated state but nothing like what we were prepared for. Hurricane Irma had hit Cuba just a few weeks prior and the affects of her still visible, a country already struggling to keep its colonial architecture, its long standing heritage alive.

The charm that attracts millions of visitors to this wonderful city just crumbling away. This imposing building sits along San Miguel, Amistad, and like many large residential buildings in Havana a former hotel from the pre revolutionary days.

The hotel name still clearly visible in what would have once been a grand lobby.