About

What is Havana Life Project?

Well the history of Havana Life goes back to 2008 my first trip to Havana. It started out like any regular trip, I did a little research I bought a copy of the rough guide to Cuba, but little did I know that this experience would change my life forever.

My senses stimulated by things that should be familiar to me, but strangely not. I’m not sure where I’m heading I have no agenda. I am here to discover, to learn and to share, and right now I feel overwhelmed if a little lost. I observe my surroundings with deep interest and with a smile making eye contact with those that pass me, eager to learn. I have that same excitement as a child, opening presents on Christmas morning. The smell of diesel in the hot Caribbean air my first real taste of Havana; the cars polluting the air from an era before my time. A man steps out of a Bodega and heads towards me, angry because its out of rice, he tells me he has visited several now and all of them are out. He says “I can’t afford to buy it from the store”. I ask if I can help, but when I do, instantly he knows that I’m a stranger, (extranjero). He apologises for troubling me, and says “thanks, but no, I will just keep trying”.

I stop to look at the food in the window of a cafe; I’m hungry but don’t recognise what most of it is. The waitress notices my curiosity and smiles at me. I feel obliged to buy something so rather than ask I buy a small cake. It’s nothing more than a bite and considering the heat I’m surprised at how moist it is, setting me back just a few pence. Since I know I’ll be walking for a while, although still hungry, I’m on the lookout for a place to buy some water. I’m heading towards Habana Vieja (old town) and it’s not until I get there I spot some shops. I cross a busy road to my right the Capitolio building, the atmosphere here completely different, and people shouting from all directions. ‘Taxi my friend?’ ‘Cigars’? ‘Cigar factory?’ I politely refuse these requests and continue along the main road towards the Capitolio. I walk along Parque Central (Central Park) which is now to my left; when I reach the end, on the corner there is a small fast food outlet, built into the corner of the block.

I’m presented with some ready-made burgers sat sweating under cling film, alongside a few very dry looking cheese and ham sandwiches neither of which are really crying out to be eaten, but as I’m low on energy I ask for a burger. The waiter asks me something which I don’t quite understand, he then points to the grill, and I reply ‘Si’. He places the burger in the sandwich grill and asks me where I‘m from. I reply in Spanish but he continues to speak in English. He asks what I’m doing here and what my plans are; I said ‘right now I’m just working things out with no real plan’. The taste of the burger considering its initial appeal wasn’t too bad; it could have been because of the amount of sauce, the fact I was distracted by the waiter, or even that I was famished. Before I left I took an orangeade instead of water as I could really do with the sugar.

It’s now midday and getting warmer all the time. I head towards what I think is the tourist district and Plaza Vieja. Progress is slow as there is so much to take in, and the sugar still needs to work its way into my blood. Lined up in front of the Capitolio a row of classic America cars, exactly how I imagined Havana to be. Not sure why, maybe it was a picture that I saw in a copy of the Rough Guide to Cuba; I feel at this point I need someone here with me to share this moment. I am surrounded by tourists all eager to get that iconic shot.

More about me

I have travelled much of the world, capturing it through my passion for photography. There is one place in particular, more than others that I wanted to share, Havana. It’s not a place for everyone but through both my book, Havana Life, and Havana Life Project I bring Havana to you, a fantastic resource if you are visiting for the first or hundredth time. See you there!