Cuentos

Dilapidated buildings. Classic American cars. Rum and cigars. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

Aspects of Cuba, to be sure, but superficial ones at best. Beneath these clichés live the Cuban people, each with a fascinating story that reveals the challenges of surviving day to day in this country, how Cubans innovatively and creatively meet those challenges, and how they refuse to allow circumstances to colour their outlook on life.

Within this book are vignettes of some of these people, presented as word-picture diptychs, each photograph accompanied by a compelling story, each story with an illustrative photograph. The reader will discover that while some Cubans live in dirty, dark, tenement-like conditions, others find the resources to improve and maintain their homes, and that those with the means keeps houses as clean as any on the planet. The reader will also learn how Cuban mechanics adapt and improvise to keep those wonderful old cars running, despite the difficulties of obtaining repair parts, and about the uniquely Cuban construct of resolver through which they survive and even prosper.

But most importantly, it will be seen that Cubans have an indomitable spirit that allows them to remain happy and optimistic, despite the adversities of conquest and occupation, the interference of foreign governments, and the oppression of their own government for over five hundred years.

Be Our Voice

Art is not something you do, but rather the lens through which you choose to look at life around you. Everything can become art. Everything is art. It is a creation, a ‘something’ which transpired from nothing. The nature which surrounds us and the people with whom we share our planet have all co-created our collective experience which we call life. We are all artists of our own creation. Whether or not we are any good is irrelevant. The beauty of art is subjective and cannot be classified on a scale of good and bad. What matters is the magical thing which occurs when we allow ourselves to surrender to our creative flow, and disconnect from the crippling perception of perfectionism. Just let it go. Allow yourself to play. Allow your mind to wander and explore. Become aware of the beauty of life in your daily tasks, because it exists everywhere and in everything. Remember, you are the greatest artist of your own creation, a vessel to experience and create. You are a continuation of the never-ending process of life.