Jacaranda Journey

Depicting Cuba as its signature crocodile

We visited Havana, Viñales, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad

Lithograph from Taller Experimental de Grafica de La Habana where some of the most famous Cuban artists work

Capitol building, the pre-revolution seat of government, in the background is renovated as a museum

Residential area of Centro Havana district

Famous seaside promenade

Seemingly unchanged from 1959 when the Revolution pushed the pause button in Cuba

I saw the same scene in my visit as I saw in my grandparents' vacation films from the 1950's

View of the Fort at the entrance of Havana Harbor from our window in Casa Victoria

Decaying grandeur with trees growing from walls

Thousands of crumbling historically significant buildings

Boxing coach with gloves held together by packing tape

An apartment to trade

The ability to sell a car or an apartment was unheard of a few years ago (not that anyone can afford to buy)

Elegant pedestrian street lined with artists displays every Saturday

Bagpipes played form a balcony over El Prado. Note the instrument swaddled in a Cuba flag.

National Theater being renovated on the left

Detail from the facade of the National Theater under renovation

The place to buy books

Capitalistic buildings, such as this bank, were given to the people after the Revolution. The symbol in the window of a sideways "H" indicates a casa particular or Cuban BandB.

Paladares are small private restaurants - some look like tasteful cafes like here, some are in people's homes.

Car repairs along any street

Habanera dressed in period costume selling flowers but making more money by posing for tourist photos

The kitchen in our casa particular

Marguerite holding her grandson in the kitchen of our casa particular

Eating breakfast

"Creeping capitalism" is the new economic order. Privatization has been allowed under Raul Castro's leadership since 2011.

Street vendor and street art

Artist on El Prado

Cigar-smoking and period costumes make for a good tourist photo and some income

Devotee of Santeria religion

Vintage cars used as taxis ferry tourists through Havana

Vintage cars lined up waiting for tourist fares

At Taller Experimental de Grafica de La Habana

Has exhibited internationally