As I wrote in a post two weeks ago (Changing Cuba) rapid changes are seen in Cuba. In some areas the country is hardly recognizable compare to only few years ago. The changes are mostly seen as positive by the Cubans themselves, like the possibility to open small private businesses, the possibility to sell houses and apartments (and not only through exchange as it was before) and for the young generation; particularly having a bit more internet access (although generally it’s still only for the few and still extremely slow).
Most of the changes are economically, while politically nothing much has changed for the Cubans. Yes, there is less propaganda than before, and there are hardly any political rallies or demonstrations any more, but the political control still hasn’t eased, maybe even to the contrary. The biggest political change happens at an international level with the opening of the diplomatic relationships between Cuba and USA.
It’s still not quite normalized as we found out, my colleague and I, for this year’s photo workshop in Havana and Trinidad. We had a nice number of US participants signed up for the workshop, but one by one they cancelled due to the still quite bureaucratic process of getting travel permits (by the US authorities that is). Hopefully this will change over the next year.
Here are a handful of pictures of the «new» Cuba taken during my last trip to the country a couple of weeks ago.
In Flow with Otto 
Interesting article with lovely photos..of course , change of this magnitude does not happen overnight it is hoped that the Cubans preserve some of what attracts ‘us’ to their country .
I think the Cuban mentality will never change completely. 🙂
A fabulous, vibrant world!
That is exactly what Cuba is!
great post, lovely pictures.
Thank you, Mukul.
welcome
I too hope that the important aspects of what makes Cuba Cuba remain. And that someday soon the US government will make the process of visiting easier.
It’s pretty clear it will happen. Otherwise none of the two countries would even have talked about normalizing relationships.
The first image is truly telling with the flags. Your images do seem to reveal a “new” Cuba. They could have been taken anywhere, and do not have the flavor of the Cuban culture revealed.
I guess that’s what happens when a society develops. We all get more uniformed. Still, I believe Cuba is different – as is any country for that matter.
Very expressive series – as always from you! As you might expect – my favourite is the last picture. It seems I should go there now, to Cuba, before it’s too late…
It’s an interesting thought, of course. Cuba will always be there. But, yes, if you want to experience the paradox of Caribbean socialism it’s probably a good idea not to wait too long…
My husband has visited twice, in the 90’s and 2007, so I guess I’ll join him next time then.
You should definitely!
These images are just beautiful Otto! Fabulous work. As Leya said, it sounds like a trip to Cuba is in order before it changes too much!
I certainly recommend to go. But you know that I enjoy Cuba no matter what…
A very nice series. I love the colors that you’ve captured.
Thank you, Allen.
You’re welcome
Fascinating.
Really great photos. Love your style.
Thank you for the lovely feedback.
These do have a different “flavor” from your previous images of Cuba. As always, I love the vibrance of your photos that somehow give me a sense of connection and being there. I can not only see the change you speak of, I can almost hear it humming in the air.
Those a lovely words. Thank so much for the feedback.
Stunning images Otto.
Thank you, Edith.
Cheers to the new Cuba…. amazing photographs, as always, dear Otto.
Best wishes to you. Aquileana 🎇☺️
Thank you, Aquileana. Best wishes to your, too.
I love that 1st picture, I think you are using an HDR programme or Nik FX to bring out those vibrant colours, and it really suits the photo’s.
I am using a combination of Lightroom and Snapseed. 🙂
excellent choices both 🙂
I have mixed sentiments about this huge change. They are getting something very important as you described but on the other side they will have to pay a price for this. But if the at least can keep they Cuban mentality it will be ok. Nice photos which shows very well what’s happening, the first photo and the last are superb!
robert
Thank you, Robert. Yes, all changes come with a price. Only time will tell how it will affect Cuba, but I do think the Cuban mentality will prevail.
Beautiful snapshots, you translate well atmosphères ! extra
Thank you, Pat
Great variety of pictures – looks as if I have missed the 1950s cars?
No, there are still plenty of 50’s cars. 🙂
Great captures of the place.. I am quite surprised at this point that tight control is still pretty much the same or even more so. I hope the opening country with US will be much easier soon.
I think a lot of Americans are hoping for that. 🙂
Such vibrant and colorful images Otto. Looks almost surreal.
Thank you, Sylvia.
It’s interesting reading the comments how many people decry changes in Cuba solely from their perspective as tourists. I’m sure any changes that happen there are welcomed by the Cuban people regardless of whether it effects tourism or not. They have had a tough time for decades and deserve to be able to enjoy the fruits of greater prosperity and the modern world.
I agree with you. Somehow we – as tourists – would rather have the world be untouched by changes. In the end I think we just want the different countries to not become too unified or mainstream alike.
I guess you are right about that but think our regional differences will always make a trip to a foreign country fascinating and rewarding, no matter what.
And I think you are right, too, although the differences seem become less with time. 🙂
Enjoyed the writing as much as the photos ~ and it is a changing Cuba, which for all the wonder and positives it will have for the economy and people of the country, I like the feel of your last photo which shows the simple things of life that make and create a country. Beautiful photos.
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Randall.
Thank you for your amazing pictures. Cuba is on top of my travel list, I think being a german citizen living in the U.S. I won’t have to go through all the burocrazy!!!
No, you don’t. But you still need to go through another country to get away from the bureaucracy – and not try to book the flights in the States.
It will all take time.
As all changes do! 🙂
Loved your post, Otto. Great writing along with your vibrant and exciting images. Fabulous moments captured.
Thank you, Jane.
oh gosh what BEAUTIFUL colours, Otto!!!! I’m gettin’ a hankerin’ to move to cuba 🙂
Moving might be a little drastic. But I think you would like to visit Cuba. 🙂
Hi Otto,
Not surprising to hear changes are coming to Cuba too. The whole world it’s changing, embrace change or be irrelevant, obsolete.
Nice set off photos.
Regards, Ken
Yes, you are quite right. Changes will come in any part of the world – whether we like it or not. Thanks for the nice words, Ken.
with pleasure, otto.
I really enjoy all your posts from Cuba.
Pictures are excellent, like always! 🙂
Thank you, Maja.
Super selection of images and informative text adding another layer of understanding. I’ve not been to Cuba but your post conveys an interesting sense of place.
I am glad you feel you get and understanding of Cuba. Thank you for the feedback, Louis.
I’m sorry the Americans had to drop out due to bureaucratic issues. I was wondering if getting a visa would still be a problem. Your pictures are fabulous. I guess we still have to wait a while to visit in person! 🙂
It’s possible, but it still takes some work for US citizens.
All the pictures are fantastic, but that last one is AMAZING. BTW, my mentor, Janet Hulstrand, took the first group of students from Queens College in New York into Cuba a couple of years ago. She’s amazing too.
I bet she is. Thank you for the comment, Renee.
Fantastic Otto. I bet it was amazing to see. I want to go back so bad. Hope to soon!
As you know, then, Cuba is amazing. I hope you get to go back again. 🙂
Yes me too. So many places to go and so much to see. But I do find Cuba rather special and unique.
I’m so glad, that Cuba is now beginning the proces of getting integrated in the rest of the world. I’m sure the Cuban people will keep their their culture, pride and their openminded, happy and musical way of being!
I am sure you are right about the latter. As for integration, the country has always been active on the international scene, for instance providing more medical help, particular in South American, than any other country.
What will we do for nostalgia if Cuba ever gets modern automobiles?? Superb photos, as always.
They already have, but yes, old-timers have become a synonym with Cuba. 🙂
Flotte bilder og tekst ! Vi burde kanskje også planlegge en Cuba tur på kort tid så vi for se ditt flotte land før det er helt forandret ! Ville ha vært veldig kjekt å se det sammen med deg storebror 🙂
Det burde vi jo kunne få til. Når skal vi satse?
It’s somewhat ironic that, since relations were restored between the U.S. and Cuba, there has been an uptick of Cuban refugees into this country. Many are going first to Latin America, and then entering through Mexico. The fear is that the Cuban Adjustment Act will be curtailed or abolished in this era of more normal relations, making it more difficult for Cubans to attain permanent residency here.
I never feel it in your posts, but there can be the occasional hint of a bias in comments that I think of as almost neo-colonial. People who long to get to Cuba before it changes, and who mourn, for example, the demise of the 1950s autos, are seeing Cuba through a particular lens. The Cuban people no doubt long for the opportunity to have working transportation, and pharmacies where they can purchase basic necessities like cotton balls and thermometers, which still are hand-carried into the country from places like the U.S.
It’s worth remembering that control of a population often is most complete when it is most invisible. And always, the gap between the political class and ordinary people includes economic differences.
Still — it’s a wonderful country, and the Cubans I’ve met have been wonderful people. Your photographs do them proud, as my grandmother would say. I’m especially fond of that last one. It’s a compelling image.
Your have written with some poignant points of view. And I think you are right about both. The special wet foot, dry foot policy – the 1995 revision of the Cuban Adjustment Act – might fall when political relations are back to normal between USA and Cuba. And, yes, there is a general nostalgia among tourists for the “unchanged” Cuba. I even find myself prone to it at times. But as you point out, the Cubans have a right to be working for changes that can make life easier for them.
It looks like such a vibrant, rich culture. I hope things loosen up soon!
I seems slowly to do so, although politically less than economically. Thank you for commenting, Barbara.
They are all wonderful shots, but that first one just sings. Sings, I say!
I’ll sing along on that. Thank you, Elen.
The colours! Beautiful.
Thank you, Uday.
I’m sure I’ve said this before but these portray so much life, Otto. 🙂
If so, I still appreciate your feedback. Thank you, Jo.
A very thoughtful post Otto with interesting photos to compliment the prose. It seems that changes such as this cannot just happen overnight, but I do hope that Cuba and what initially attracts us to Cuba does not undergo too a drastic change. Clearly the infrastructure, education and medical services need to change with thought and care, rather than a full steam ahead attitude as some governments like to do, at the expense of the people/ country.
You comments is very poignant. Yes, changes are necessary, but must be done in a way that is for the best for the people and the country. Thank you for the contribution to the discussion, James.
You are very welcome Otto, it is always a pleasure to engage with you in conversation and enjoy your posts. Wishing you a marvellous Christmas
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, too, James.
Lovely photos – especially the one with the car. I have heard a lot about well maintained old Cuban cars and I think it would be interesting to see them in real life.
There are quite a few of them. They used to be run down and hardly drive-able, but as part of the new time, many of them have been refurbished.
Wonderful, vibrant series of photos. A place I hope to visit one day.
Thank you, Simon. Cuba is definitely a country worth visiting for a photographer.
so beautiful and colorful 🙂
Thank you, Joshi.
Love that big frame with a view. 🙂
It’s one of the new rooftop restaurants. Quite fancy, no!