Havana Cuba: Leaving

I didn’t write yesterday.
I was too busy going to the beach, drinking white rum & sprite and taking pictures. I got burnt for the first time this trip. Now I’m muy rojo.

Leaving
This morning... I was nearly screwed over big time.
But Jesus must be looking out for me. I set my alarm for 7 am, but forgot to factor the hour time difference! Ahh! I woke up at 6 am and couldn’t sleep. I tossed & turned for 15 minutes by needing to go to the bathroom really REALLY bad. While I was in the bathroom it dawned on me the time was really 7:20am and not 6:20!!! I was so happy that God had taken care of me and forced me to wake up. I needed to leave at 8am inable to catch my flight back to Mexico City. I would have been really messed up if I missed my flight!
Leslie & Luis showed up at my door like they said they would at 8am. They wanted to usher me out of their country and spend time with me during my last Cuban minutes.
Luis said he went to sleep at 5am! HAHA! He takes great pride in not sleeping. These people are amazing! They stop at nothing to be your friend, to come alongside & comfort you when you are sad. Cubans don’t have much interms of money, cars or homes. They lack NOTHING in heart. I’m writing this in the airport & I’m nearly crying…I guess I’m allowed to cry once in a while. The girl next to me is tearing up too at the site of me writing & crying at the same time. Haha, crying must be like yawning….contagious!
I learned some key things from my Cuban friends
Family & friends are the most important thing of Havana. Yes most of them are secretly frustrated w/ politics. They do want change. This is a place where you need to work all day to put some bottled water on the table or cervesa on a special occasion. And yes the Cubans have their issues, but where they lack…they make up w/ their big hearts & patience the love for each other & respect for their heros. In Cuba, life is hard. You can’t leave the country for any reason for fear you will see & experince greenier pastures, incase you won’t want to come back. The Cuban paseo or even CUC are useless everywhere else in the world. (The money exchange is horrible even if you come from a good economy) The Mexican paseo exchanges horribly as well as the USD (usd has a 20% surcharge added to every exchange) my 500 peseos from mexico got me 31 cuban (cuc) in the us, 500 mexican paseos would get me about $46 dollars.
I never thought I would say this, but I’m sad I’m leaving. I am sooo excited to speak to Ira, Josiah & Audrey.The second I’m in Mexico, I’m going to call them! I feel like Truman in the Truman’s show,in a shelter, seclueded from the rest of the world but also being closely watched!
This trip has been hard. I wish I could explain in words how much I've learned, but its just not possible. I've been alone, I've been lost, I've had to deal with getting cheated and stared at and being a minority, dealing with fear and getting fined for being here. Not having contact with the people you love the most is a huge damper on the day. Not only did I struggle with much, but I had no excess money, no credit card and certainly no luxary items...besides my Canon 5D (My best friend).
This trip has been a huge eye opener…the world may continue to get smaller w/ the population online and everyone united, but there is one place that refuses to give in to the almighty dollar…and that is Cuba.







Miguel on his front porch.



Fidel







A stronger Samuel




I'm sad I'm leaving.

Cuba:Journal Entry #1 (29.1.2008)

I’m in Cuba.
Its weird to say that.
I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long long time! But now I’m thinking I may be staying to long. I already felt ready for home before I came to Mexico City, now I have a week on my own to explore, to see a country shunned by the US. A beautiful people and culture (the women here are stunning!)
I’m tired, I haven’t eaten much and I'm lonely.
The people here are not used to seeing people from the US, I get only gasps and then smiles when I inform of my citezenship. It is illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba. But there are a few loop holes with the system and I've found one. The Cuban people are a welcoming one and have nothing against the people of the united states. They only think our politics are bad.
I’ve rented a small room from a local. Its nice, there is a small courtyard, windows that open up to the street and a nice bed.
This town is pretty, but in a weird way. Its not painted well, the homes aren’t nice and the streets are run down. But the people here are so happy with what they have. All the children are playing baseball,basketball and soccer everywhere you look.
I walked through much of the lower east side of this beach town. Not many shops. Not many stores, just homes and 1950’s vehicles everywhere! Its an odd expierence and I’m lucky to be experiencing it… I just need to get used to the loneliness…its pathetic I guess…I’m really starting to feel just how great friendships are… Audrey,Ceasar,Ann,Cole,Brittany,Ralph,Ira, Justin,Courtney ,Josiah,Heather all of my best friends are sooo key in my life. I’m just realizing this now that I can’t speak to anyone without getting weird looks and I’m way out of my comfort zone.

Here goes nothing!
I hope to get great pictures these next 5 days… Also to get closer to Jesus.
I haven’t been gone even a week yet and I’m already ready to come home…I must be one heck of a home body… or just sick of the 3 flights I’ve taken this far, plus the hassel of getting to this destination...there is nothing like being questioned 4 times in a different language once you set foot on a new terrain.

Thank God for the US and English speaking friends.
I’m going to sleep in hopes of dreaming of a bi-lingual eperience.


(They call this transporter bus "The Camel" notice the 2 humps)


(A run down stadium)


(The local gym. Working out at night is the only option to avoid the heat))


(Sunset from my window)

Cuba

Amazing,terrifying,horrible,wonderful,bonita,starving,lonely,maturing,scared,burnt,loved and adventure all are words that describe my recent trip to Cuba... I am still in Mexico and haven't cleared customs yet, so I won't say much...the last thing I want is a warrant out for my arrest when I get back! haha!

Anyways, I know a bunch of you are waiting for pictures... So I'll give you a taste.
I have a journal that I kept my entire trip. I'll post pictures with the journal once I get the journal converted to digital.
But for now....enjoy.

My trip isn't over yet... its still going, but at this point I'm pure relaxed, happy and tired. The worst/best is behind me and I'm a little more spanish savvy :)
I've experienced much, I'v e put my 22 year old body to its ultimate test, I've put my 22 year old emotions to the test, my ego, my religion and my heart...all have passed with flying colors and ready for some rest. I've done much, experienced much and lost nothing but 2 weeks of time to a beautiful experience.
I hope these pictures help you feel what I've felt.












I have a bunch more images but non want to uplad right now... Stay tuned for more images and journaling from my crazy adventures.

-S

Mexico City is for 22,400,000

Thats how many people live in this city!

I was able to catch about 60 of them on one bus. Have a look.



I'm here to explore a little, learn some and to get the heckout!
Heres a few shots from my expoloring tonight.
Mexico City's airport is huge! Its nice looking, clean and HUGEEE!!!

I pretty much walked 2 miles through the whole place!
The language barrier doesn't help either.

I'll post more tomorrow(if I can)
I shot a total of 60 pictures today...thats nothing in comparison to my recent days of 300 and 500 shot days.
So yeah, I guess I had a lazy day. I think I need another one of those.

Anyways, I'm off to bed. I have an early morning!

-S


Even McDonalds knows where to be... wherever there is at least 20K people there is a micky-D's...just think how many are in a place with 22 million!

The Real Mexico

2hours N. of Puerto Vallarta.


I know...weird huh.


Machete


Mike the patient one of the group.

Bruce-alem and Margo, the crazies!





That Mirror shot.





The last 2 are my favorites.
Think Richard Misrach


See you soon kids!

I know this one has zero writing, but I'm sleepy and I need some more food.

Puerto Vallarta isn't bad

First Night Sunset

Its tropical here.
Pictures turn out better.
I'm getting tan.
Fun people (Eddie,margo,Bruce and Mike are great!)
Here are a few images from yesterday.
I'll post some from our road trip today if you care.

They're flying back to the states tomorrow. At that point I will be heading to Mexico City and hopefully beyond.

Try to keep you posted... specially my Audrey still in the LongBeach rain.














Eddie on the boat inside a cave.



Not sure what I was talking about here.




These fish were feisty and would often nibble...not a highlight getting bit on the fingers by these little colorful fish.



I went in anyways.



Happy hour is always happier with a little mariachi(even if the accordion player belonged in a tone deft club)



Amazing sunset last night!!


Alright, I'lll post some from today when I get a chance! I have to go eat dinner!!!


Cheers friends in the rain!
Come join me, I'll be in Mexico City tomorrow night, I'd be ore then happy to share a flat...unless your like those nibbling fish!

-S™

Pistol•Pistol

I shot a band today. "Pistol•Pistol" A friend of mine Byron (a.k.a Flex Mega Data)from Ponyboy Curtis manages this group of crazies. Alot of fun to shoot and it looks like these youngsters will go somewhere if they keep it up and stay out of the drug zone of rock and roll.

Heres a few more shots.
Taken with the Canon 5D, W/ 24-105mm Lens. Flashcord helped alot too.

I'm getting excited for my trip to Puerto Vallerta+Mexico City+????


Cheers readers!

-Samuel

Ensenada Cruise

Our Ship!

I just got back from a 3 day cruise with 7 friends... Cruises are one of the most popular vacation option to middle class america...
Why is this a favorite option for vacation for so many!?
Heres why I think the world likes it...

1. Food is everywhere and its inclusive.
2.Its like a vegas on water... whatever happens on the ship stays on the ship...unless of course there is a child created.
3.The constant entertainment.
4.Everyone is crazy and doesn't plan on seeing you or anyone else again.
5.If you have kids... you can just let them roam the boat and not worry about them.
6. You can buy some of the worlds best... and worst art.
7. The bingo jackpot gets extremely hefty! ($3549)
8. Ships feel are refreshing... even if your stuck in the bottom deck in a room the size of a toilet paper square.
9. You feel better about yourself when you see the obese in the buffet line... "I'm not as big as I thought I was"


this is why I liked our cruise.

1. Friends...if you were on a cruise alone... you might as well jump off the ship.
2. The 3am pizza raids.
3. The Ensenada Land visit. (Ensenada is a wacky town)
4. The basketball court.
5. you can do pullups at nearly every low stoop...good grips everywhere! Its a pull-up heaven!
6. Drink servers and their fancy tricks!
7. Sleeping in our cave of a cabin... you could sleep until 1pm w/out waking...so quite and pitch black!
8.The crazy dance floor from midnight-3am.
9. Whatever you want to eat whenever you want it.
10. Everyone is soo dang friendly! (Except for 4 people I remember... each of which I would gladly watch get kicked off the ship...literally)


Heres some pictures from our adventures.

Departing. "Men in Uniform"


LifeBoat drill.




Us guys rented mo-peds while in Ensenada (Highlight reel for sure).


Mirror shot of Jorge.



Ensenada from the hilltop.


Incase we got lost...I took a picture of the town.


Love this shot.


You want to buy Chicklets?




Mexico makes us act different, I think its the water.



Pinapple cocktail.


We tried for the $3549...not enough luck was on our side.


We met the Captain and he gave us guys a tour of the bridge.


Best tour ever!






I love comedy shows.




Captains dinner!
This is the whole crew!
Jonny,Jorge,Elise,Jenni, Mark, Tanya, Christina and I!