I'm on "Pretty on the Outside"

Celebrity Blogger/Talented artist David Gilmore dropped my blog and info on his well traveled blog "Pretty on the Outside".


Heres what it looks like.



It was about 2 weeks ago, but who's keeping track? Its still fresh!
Not sure if I'm in the "pretty" or "Not" category, I guess thats for the readers to judge.

Gilmore is a talented painter and sketcher (not the pathetic shoe line)Maybe called sketch artist? Anyways, he does some amazing illustrations of celebrities doing crazy stuff. I will know I've made it when he inserts my face into one of his works. His work is featured in "Juice" magazines around the US and the world. A very talented man. I'm honored to be on his blog.


More to come on CUBA. I've had alot of people asking for more...I can't understand why! :)

-S™

Highs and Lows from Habana

Feb 1st (2 months till April Fools Day)
New pen! WooHoo! It was broken, but w/ a little medical tape and some hard work… it is now my tool of choice.
The new casa will be a good change of pace. The 1st spot was great, but I always felt crazy lonely and the place reminded me of being broke and new to the country. Now my spirits have changed. I've started picking up the bible, I've really felt like I can relate to Paul in Acts and David in the Psalms...it might sound pathetic and extreme to go that far, but I actually can grasp alot of their emotions at this point. Oh and then even being able to feed my internet addiction & contact familia. That was mucho bueno!
Miguel isn’t around today… kinda bitter sweet. Great tour guide & friend, but things get awkward when he asks for deniro I don’t have and sometimes I feel like he's pocketing some of it just because he can… Anyways, its good to have a day to relax, to break from walking 20 miles. My inner thighs are chaffed and these vans don’t prevent blisters. On that note: I’ve been enjoying the following… (keep in mind this is all copied text from a beat up little journal I woul dwhip out and jot down random notes and thoughts...I'm not crazy and I don't type with a pen)

1. More Language Confidence (I still can’t conversate, but I can comprehend much more)
2.El Sol (Sun) (Not too caliente, just perfecto(haha, thanx Rita:)
3. I’m only using 6 pesos a day. (3 for bread, 1 for vegetables and 2 for a good mojito)
4. Meeting cool people (everywhere!) Most people are extremly friendly if you can communicate with them.
5. Rationing. I’ve actually come to enjoy the challenge of not waisting anything!
6. Immunity to the tap water. This will save me at least a dollar 50 a day!
7. A break from photo taking. I left the 50 @ mi casa for my leica. Which is really only good in the day. Horrible w/o flash…
8. Free breakfast! El casa madre heard I’m broke & offered it for free! I now see where my So-Cal madres get it. They can’t see a nino go hungry. I told her my moms would be very greateful. But not as much as I am.
9. my new pen. The tip is being pushed further and further into the bac of it. So I may need to do surgery on it soon.
10. spending thime w/ Jesus. Has given me patience, endurance & wisedom.
11. Safety. It feels really safe here. Not sure why though…

Not Enjoying…

1. Showers… if these are hot! I would HATE to try a cold one.
2. The food. (although I did find a cheap pizza spot. Nasty… but cheap!)
3. Blisters on my feet from walking oh and chaffing hurts!
4. Being alone. No conversations except to my camera (video)
5. The litter… people here toss trash everywhere! It must be legal and maybe even a sport?
6. Exhaust: A lot of vehicles are from the 30's, 40’s & 50’s. That was back when emission standards weren’t a concern. Nor was air quality. Lucky for all living things, we are on the ocean & the air gets pushed around more frequently.
7. This pen. (every page I need to repare it!)


I didn't bring my Canon 5D today, since I wanted to blend in and look like a local...not that locals look like this...see video I took with my Leica D-Lux 3. (I'll post the video when i have time to get it up...iMovie is making me feel retarded)

Cuba's Bonita Playa

me.


January 31st
-=PLAYA!=-
Cuba:Journal Entry #4
I’m laying on La playa right now. Its not crowded, its beautiful! There is an Italian man lying basically on top of a Cuban chica. They are making pseudo love on a chair… they freeze everytime I look their way… very entertaining.
Miguel borrowed some (local) pasos and brought me back some odd meat, a tomato & bread. Its gross.
I’m eating it…
The time is probably around 3:30, although I’m not positive after the 2 hour bus ride! I still haven’t used the internet and I’m getting restless. Last nite I could barely sleep! Hoping the familia isn’t too worried. Although I bet they are:(. Its getting mucho hot (caliente) and I’m finished w/ my sandwich thingy(if thats what you would call it)… I'm off to jump in el agua!
After writing this… I met a few men & 2 women (the girls were from argentina ,they couldn’t stop oiling each other, it was like they had a phobia of being without oil. The men just couldn’t stop staring, including Miguel, I looked too for a second... alright maybe 2...it was a funny sight...but I didn't stop, drop the jaw and stare as if these were the only 2 women left on the entire planet) I also joined a pull-up contest w/ one of the young men. (who thought I was related (brother) to the prettier Argentinean girl, He actually approached me asking to take her out. HA) Anyways I won the contest by 17- He got 8. He then wanted revenge (from pull ups) and challenged me to a swimming contest. So I did that too, I needed a good arm workout anyways. I wasn’t sure how it was to work… I knew I was tired from the pull-up contest though,I wasn't about to swim a mile in the Caribbean sea right after that dirty sandwich and 25 pull-ups in the hot sun. I ended up just going w/ the flow. Both of us ended up running, diving & swimming as fast as possible out to sea (towards florida) we swam for about 45 seconds then I see him struggling to stay up. So that’s the end of the 2nd contest I guess. I found out a few things about this kid. He was obsessed with Argentinean girls, he was 18, new english like a young baby and was wearing a girls adidas shirt...I didn't have the heart to inform him it was for chicas. Thats the end of my first beach experience.
Later this night, I found internet (at a Grande Hotel). It felt good to send some notes saying I’m safe.
My pen seems near dead or at least it did. Geez! I’m writing so much my pen is dying!!!
I’m Hungry! I swear, when I get back I’m going to have a big ol’ bowl of Thai “Hot & Sour” Soup w/ seafood. I’ve ben eating shizz food! No lobster, no arroz, no papa’s just gross pizza, white bread, weird bread & chesse blah! Also fried chicken & beer? The thing at the beach wasn't exactly human food and tasted much like the beach itself. seaweed,rocks,driftwood,salt,ect...


Highlights from the day:
1.Che Tattoo on some dude's back.
2.Internet use
3.The hot beach
4.Pullup contest
5.Getting immune to their tap water.
6.Taking Portraits of a few locals

Habana, downtown Vedado
2 hour bus ride

slick structure.
Highlight #1 (Che tattoo)

Pull-up contest... the onlookers were just as entertaining.


I wander around for hours looking for pictures like this.






It looks like they're about to race.


A dad and his daughter.



Fidel is always watching.

The neighborhoods are relatively safe.

1am journal excerp.

January 31st (1am)

Just showered, creamed up (That sounds bad...I meant put lotion/IcyHot on)(IcyHot does wonders to legs that have walked 20 miles in one day!) Now I’m lying in bed seeing my trip being half complete. I have 4 mas days here and I wish it were only 2. AHH! Miguel & I walked everywhere but the playa. I took over 300 pictures.
Anyways, I went to the ball game, watched Habana play Rio (not de Jenir)(sp) Didn’t stay the whole game, but didn’t meet up with the youngsters @ 9pm… I didn’t know the walk to the stadium would be 3 miles & nearly 1 hour walk…geez! So its late, I’m not as anxious as b4, but still home sick & ready to see my lady.
I think this trip has done a lot for me thus far. I’m less prideful, my ego has been pounded w/ humility(try being forced into being an introvert and a foreigner all in one). I feel closer to jesus. (he’s the only one that understands my language) I also miss Audrey A LOT.
Cuba is bizarre. People,cars,homes,water, restaurants, even sometimes I feel like the sun is controlled by the government. Oh what its like to have a socialist authority looking over your shoulder at all hours (besides now, in my bed...at least I hope!)

I've been reading Acts in the Bible and finding out just how hard of times Paul had on his journey to Rome while in chains...this experience is challenging, but oh sooo easy when I put it in perspective to Paul's story.
Thanks Jesus for keeping me in your watch and loving me through this adventure.

Alright, manana is sneaking up fast.
-Good Night Day 2-

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)