Day six of seven days of nature photography and today, I’m back in Cuba. It was my second visit and I had arrived in Trinidad ahead of some Cuban and Australian friends. So I decided to do a walk from the centre of this gorgeous music-filled town to a waterfall.
I had time a-plenty (that’s the one big advantage of being alone) and so snapped every little detail that caught my eye. My favourite photo of the day was this up close detail of a vibrant green leaf.
I just love the colours and the sunlight shining through. It’s both abstract and recognisable, all in one glorious green macro.
I enjoy entering The Guardian’s weekly and monthly photo competitions. I don’t expect to win, as the standard is high. I did once have a picture featured in the online gallery, which was great.
The theme was ‘step’ and I had this snap of perfectly synchronised military guards in Cuba:
That was a one off. I enter the competitions because they are themed and a great way to motivate me to look at my photos with a keen eye.
This month’s ‘Been There’ competition is themed ‘Costume’. This is the selection I have drawn from my photo albums.
To us, this hat looks like it should be part of a pantomime costume but to the people of Inle Lake, the traditional costume is still the best sun protection.
I love Spanish Flamenco dresses and was chuffed to bits when I caught this mix of the reflected leaves with the waves of the dresses in a shop window.
In Mandalay we were lucky to stumble upon a novitiate procession – young nuns on the way to the temple. Their costumes were stunning.
Burmese men and women still wear the traditional costume of longyis in day to day life and I bought one from these lovely sisters. I like the way that their poses as well as their costumes match.
When Cuban girls turn sixteen, their coming of age is celebrated with a party. An elaborate red dress is the traditional costume. This girl was having her official photos taken in a cobbled street.
The colour and movement of the costumes in this Cuban dance show were great.
I like the way the waves of the dresses mix with the reflection of the leaves to create an abstract.
Undeniably sexy….Flow, Puerto Rico (Photo credit: Generationbass.com)
I was sad to read in Wanderlust magazine that the Cuban authorities have banned Reggaeton from public places.
As the news piece in Wanderlust puts it ‘Although Reggaeton music is hard to defend, it is still a form of mild musical repression and there are questions over where the line should be drawn regarding censorship.’
I hate sexism and I hate the objectification of women but surely banning music is just going to make it more attractive to people who live in a country full of restrictions on their freedom of expression?
Has anyone had the dubious pleasure of being a non-Cuban trying to dance Reggaeton in Havana, Trinidad or Santiago? It is outrageous but, but, but, but, it’s somehow so full of life that I can’t detest it. Being in a foreign language helps, as clearly I only catch a few of the sexist phrases!
I have many fond memories of trying to dance like Cubans and failing spectacularly that every now and again, I put my Reggaeton compilation CD on loud in the car and think of Cuban friends and the wonderful laughs and late nights I’ve had there.
If you want to be horrified by this vulgar music, I can recommend a listen to the likes of Gente de Zone. For something that’s less Reggaeton but has a heavier, funkier beat that salsa, check out Orishas – they’re superb! Hey, I’m not going to claim to be up on the latest, so if anyone can do better, let me know!
What does everyone else think? Love Reggaeton? Hate it?
p.s. you’ll be glad to know there are NO photos of me dancing Reggaeton, so here’s me dancing in a son show – badly!
Footsteps and Photos 