Cuba:Journal Entry #2

January 30th
(this is the part of the trip I try inserting spanish into my writing, I find it a little embarrassing, but it helped me learn, so whatever works right!)
I’ve learned mucho about myself these past few days. I’m lonely, tired & hungry, plus I’m finding out that I’m broke. I will barely survive off of $20 cuc per day, which is about $22 usd (actually $18).
This town is bonita! Although I’m ALREADY getting tired of it… I’m not sure if I’m using that correctly…”This town is bonita.”?? I guess I’ll never know…(till Audrey tells me back home.)
Today was spent traveling by foot all throughout the town. Central Cuba, Cuba Libre & Vedado where I live ( for 5 mas days) I had a "tour guide" & I think his name was Carlos…or was it Miguel? Shoot! I better find out. I’m horrible w/ names!
I took about 300 pictures w/ my 28mm 1.8 lens. I just switched back to my 24-105 4.0 because I thought I could sit on the roof of the casa & write this. El casa owner said I couldn’t…what the heck? Why not? Oh well, I guess I'll sit on the street.
While purchasing drinks (mojitos) today for my friend & I, I finally figured out the 2 kinds of dinero…Cuban pesos & Cuban national pesos (CUC). It’s a confusing mess & it looks like locals use 1 while tourist use another. Corrupt you say? Well maybe…but 1 might try to take ADVANTAGE too if 1 only made as much as some of theses people do… 180 cuc a month? That’s nothing! *** Now I just have to get my hands on some local cash.
Anyways manana I’m supposed to hit the playa w/ Miguel ( or Carlos?) hopefully the price won’t be crazy! I’m not living like a tourist here…I’m living like a local but w/o the language advantage. I don’t know when I’m being cheated or when I’m cheating.
The biggest worry right now is I haven’t been able to notify home of my arrival. This county is shut off from the world! Its really different from what I am used to. I hope the fam isn’t too worried…I’ve tried collect calling & I can’t afford to buy a calling card ... I bet I’m more worried then Audrey & everyone HAHA! They probably know I’m fine. Lonely but fine :)
I’m being flirted w/ right now… HAHA! A grupo of 4 boys & 1 girl just invited me out tonight @ 9pm…
Anyways… So I have baseball @ 7 & out on the town @ 9.
I love how everyone is so open here.
If only I knew everything they were saying!
Haha!
I need to know much more Spanish! Ahh!
Alright, that’s it for now… my butt is sore from this park bench. I’m mucho thirsty! Maybe I’ll go back to mi casa & drink that Leche. Although I’m sure I’ll regret it later. (the Leche was saved from breakfast, along with a few scraps of pan (bread) and a mini banana)


*** I found out later that the Cuban's make alot LESS (More like 50 CUC a month) not sure if this is totally true.



Here are some images I took today.


Morning view


Another Amigo I met randomly.


Platinos.



Cliche.




rabid dog on crack. As I saw it.

AfroCubano zone.

A legit Mojito

Miguel (as I confirmed when i had him write down his contact info a few days later)
Miguel and his families home. Notice the random air vents and messed up furniture.

closer up.

Its like this on every corner!

Space research?



The market

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)

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™

No more draught in Long Beach!

Tons of rain lately!
We're scheduled for alot more this week! So, we might as well get used to it. (well not me, because I'm leaving town)
Heres an idea...Do what Audrey did here and Embrace it.
Rain is classy and always better for classic pictures. Unless your allergic to water on your skin, or humid air, get out in it. Oh! and acid rain! No Bueno...but also not in LB.

Audrey loving the rain.
Alright, so maybe she didn't embrace it with the umbrella and the "RainCheck" expression, but still...

My image+Press-Telegram

At 9:01am, my assistant Jon came into the studio and threw this morning's Press Telegram on my desk... I looked at him with a slight curiosity, slight disgust (due to the cover page being titled "A hideous accident") I started reading the front page article and was quickly corrected by Jon

"No,not the front page! try page 2"

I looked and there I saw a picture I had taken last Saturday (while shooting for a Long Beach Photo contest) the image is of a runner's silhouette with a lifeguard tower in the background(see attachment)... My first reaction was excitement, my second reaction was excitement and then my third was...I need to get to work telling people about the photo exhibit this Saturday (tomorrow!).

So here goes....
Justin Rudd is a good friend of mine who is always motivating people to get off their couches, turn off their direct TV and do something to benefit the community and themselves.
He was recently named Grand Marshal of the Belmont Shore christmas parade, as well as the 2007 Long Beach Person of the Year by LBpost.com, he is constantly bettering the community by arranging beach clean ups, Spelling Bee's and beach workouts, anyways, I'm getting overwhelmed just thinking about writing everything he's done... heres his site if you want to see for yourself www.justinrudd.com

This time he's hosting a photocontest!

Justin Writes,

"What does a typical day look like in Long Beach, Calif.? For 1,440 minutes, beginning at noon on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008, life in Long Beach will be immortalized through digital photography. SAY, "CHEESE," LONG BEACH! will culminate the following Sat., Jan. 12, with a major photography exhibit, reception, and awards ceremony on 2nd St. in Belmont Shore featuring the entrants' best snapshots"

I participated and heres the details!

286 photos on exhibit this Saturday Jan. 12th 12,noon-5pm
In front of Washington Mutual Bank on 2nd st. Belmont Shore

113 local photographers.
286 images
Exhibit | noon - 5 p.m.
Photographer's Reception | 4-5 p.m.
Awards | 5 p.m.

Just pickup today's copy of the Long Beach Press Telegram to see one of my images, or come this saturday to the photo exhibit on 2nd street to see 4 more of my images.
I'll be there between shoots. around 1-3pm.
Call me if you come and we'll meet up!


Cheers!

-Samuel Lippke

Make sure to vote on my images so I get the people choice award!