Vibrant Architectural Heritage
According to UNESCO, Havana is "the most impressive historical city center in the Caribbean and one of the most notable in the American continent as a whole." (World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 6 June 2019.) Further, Old Havana is a region filled with an abundance of stunning architecture, many of which are at risk of crumbling to dust. Passing through Old Havana, one can visualize the beauty of these buildings from years ago. While the exterior of this architecture is typically the focus for many, what was life like within. These are some of their stories.
Mrs. Regla María García Rebodero
Mrs. Regla is 86 years old. She has both asthma and diabetes and recently has trouble seeing well with her with left eye.
Her only child lived in the United States for eighteen years. Last year he came back to Cuba because he needed medical attention and didn’t have access to health insurance in the United States. After seeing a doctor in Cuba, he found out he had an issue with his liver problem. Four months ago, he sadly passed away, at the age of sixty-five. Mrs. Regla ‘s daughter-in-law and her grandson now live with her in Old Havana
Mrs. Regla sits inside her home, greeting those passing by from her window, as a way to keep being consumed by grief.
Brian Daniel Jaime Zambrano
On the 3rd floor of this older mansion, now housing roughly 50 smaller apartments, Melanie Bosquet, 15, poses with her first child Brian Daniel, in her grandmother's living room.
Mrs. Julia Barcelo Pita
Mrs. Julia Barcelo Pita is 78 years old. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and had her right breast partial removed. Because of her medical condition the government provides her with a special diet that includes, milk, chicken, taro, plantains and a type of mead that she doesn’t like much. Mrs. Julia has two daughters, both that live far away. However, one of her grandsons currently lives with her as she’s not able to live alone due to her medical condition. She’s extremely proud of her grandson and describes how he, currently 19 years old, has been playing soccer since he was seven years old. His medals displayed on the wall behind her.
While she believes her grandson looks like Neymar, her favorite soccer player is Messi as he’s humble, in her opinion.
Barberia Cubana
Within many of these beautiful, aging, structures are entrepreneurs – Cubans doing anything they can to generate additional income and work. From barbershops, artists selling their creative work, to tailors, or those selling home cooked food or services.
Juan Bosquet Ribero
Early each morning, Juan sells coffee and cigars from his home to locals passing by. They stop into his home, casually drink their coffee and discuss their day. Juan lives a simple life and is hoping to soon expand his business to also sell pizza, in hopes of bringing in additional income. He is anxiously awaiting permit approvals to begin.
Manicura
This young girl sits in her living room, a space that doubles as her mother’s nail salon. During the weekdays, she describes her home as quite busy with customers coming in and out throughout the early morning, late into the day.
Adrian Zamora Montoya & Yuset Castillo Rodriguez
Don and Yuset have been living together for one year. Don is originally from Santiago de Cuba and is now a plumber in Havana. Each day they sell fruits and snacks from their home to get generate extra income.
Amigos
Regardless of living situations – wealthy or underprivileged – Cubans are welcoming and also seem to make efforts to pause and enjoy life, with each other, often inviting others over for a coffee or a drink. Here, Yamelis (left), celebrates New Year’s Eve with her neighbors and friends for a late night/early morning filled with great conversation, food and rum.
