Day 11

I have a little more time to talk today! So I thought I would share some interesting photo-related cultural observations.

When taking photos of people, you can get a multitude of responses. They can range from indifference to anger to enthusiasm. I find it especially interesting that there are some people who ask for a peso in order to take their photo. For some, I am willing to pay because the photo opportunity is very high. Sometimes, I can start a conversation with them (I have been learning a LOT of Spanish by doing that) and they will not be so demanding. Sometimes that doesn't work, they notice that I took their picture and start chasing me down the street demanding money. Always a fun time.

There is also this completely different group of people who are so happy to get their photo taken, they give me things. There is a man who sells produce off a bike cart near our school. We run into him often, and he always gives us a few pieces of fruit if we take his picture. Our TA, Delia, told us that people usually get two photos taken their entire lives: one when they are Christened, and one when they get married. So seeing themselves in a photo is an incredible opportunity.

Just today, I took an older woman's picture and started talking to her. She kept insisting we were so hermosa. She was 77 years old and had 6 children. Then she picked a flower from her garden and said "un flor por un flor" which translates to a flower for a flower--and handed me the flower.

I'm frustrated and at the same time falling helplessly in love with Cuba. I am very happily exploring more of this country and will be very sad to leave.