Humans of Havana

I work like fashion model in my free time and when I have the opportunity, like extra in films and in television shows. Life in Cuba is not easy like a many people believe and you have to learn how to survive and to make good use of the opportunities that turn up to you. Anyway, the university is my priority in these moments.

We knew ourselves many years ago… who can remembers that? We studied side by side at the university and next, we decided to get married. It was a quite beautiful wedding, at the church, and I have to say… I have to give thanks to all the people who made this possible, and above all, my parents who are definitely the best in the world. Nothing would have worked out without their support. We are very satisfied with the life that we have at this point. Now we believe we are much happier than before, for sure.

I live here in Havana with my mom in Cayo Hueso. I love her very much and I like to play too. I have many friends and we play a lot every day. My mom always gives me permission.

It is difficult to come to a certain age and find out that the people that some time ago took responsibility for you, now completely depend on you for everything. This is a moment when I have had to take responsibility for everything. My parents are right now seriously ill and they need me. Life is complicated. Time does not forgive anybody. You just have to learn how to recover and to go on. It is so sad to come to a certain age and realize that you can’t look after yourself anymore.

I am a model since I was 13 years old, but it’s been only two years since I do it professionally. Since I was a child, I liked to be photographed, being the center of attention (laughs). It is something I still enjoy very much (photo sessions). I also work like an actress at musical videos and like extra in feature films. Nowadays, my business career is what’s most important for me.

I was born and raised in the city of Havana. Since I was a child, my passion has always been fishing. I believe that’s the only thing that has not changed in all my life. When I am fishing I feel peace, I forget everything, problems at home stop existing. It is like if…fishing could take me elsewhere where it’s only me, and nothing else. Fishing is not only a passion. It’s also a way of subsistence. Sometimes I am doing all right. Others, much better (laughs) and that allows taking home some food and at the same time doing some money. I can assure you it is thanks to this hobby that today I am here chatting with you. It’s saved my life, definitely.

My name is Aimé. I am from “La Lisa” neighborhood, that makes me feel very proud, and I am singer, ballerina and model. I have worked for very important agencies. I like very much my work, I like that people look at me on stage and applaud. I like very much what I do. I must say I feel totally fulfilled in my job. I do not ask life for more, only health to be able to continue forward.

When you come to certain age you realize that you can’t lose time anymore. Then you realize that getting dressed up, leaving home for a walk and spending a while with your lady friends it’s not hard to accomplish, but so simple!!! One needs that, going out into the street, seeing people, enjoying yourself. At the end, what is life if not those small moments of happiness that you go accumulating over the years as time goes by?

I study at the Industrial Design Institute in Havana. I just started, I’m in first year, but I work very hard since I am truly motivated. Actually, I already do professional work for musicians, and a lot of people who want to start their own business.

My only dream in life has always been to live in the United States. And I’ve made a lot of efforts to make that dream come true, but only God knows why I’m still here. I hope this 2016 comes with good news for me. Let’s see what happens. One of the things I like the most is martial arts. Actually I’ve practiced some of them, like ju-jitsu and aikido, but time doesn’t help me much lately. I’ve been watching the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for years. That’s truly a passion to me.

This place is open since the Cuban Government gave permission to all citizens in this country to have their own businesses. It happened not so long ago. And it was one of the first business of its kind. However, I’ve been working here around one year, and to be honest, I can’t complain. I like what I do very much.

I’m an actress. I studied acting at the Institute of Fine Arts here in Havana. I’ve worked in a lot of short films, in video-clips…I’ve done a lot of things actually, and I hope life give me the chance to keep on doing it. My dream –though I have to say I have a tone of dreams more- is to be in a good film, as a leader, of course (laugh).

My goal for this 2016 is to make my son enter the university. He studied guitar at the School of Arts, and he is very good at that. Actually, he plays the instrument in a small guitar orchestra, which has quite a lot of recognition nowadays. But I always say that’s not enough. He is kind of indecisive and he tends to lose concentration, but my job this year will be guiding him till he gets his objective.

I’ve been having problems with men lately. First, the story is over with three-year boyfriend, then I met some guy who was really cute but then I realized he was crazy enough to become crazy to everybody around him, and I stopped seeing him, of course. Then I started seeing one of my old teachers, one who is really really cute, but he said he would never leave her girlfriend, not for me, not for anybody else. And that was it. I think I’m gonna take a sabbatical year.

I drive, that’s what I do for living. I started when I still was a kid. My father was the one who taught me. And then I never stopped. Now I drive for the tourists. They want to spend a good time here in Havana and I give them that chance. I love what I do.

I have two little children: Alejandro, who is the oldest with 10 years old; and the girl, Gabriela, who is only 5. They are the reason why I wake up every morning and go to work. Alejandro is very smart at school, and Gabriela is very affectionate and warm.

The most beautiful thing that has happened to me so far in life is this girl, who is my wife now. She came from Finland one day and…it was love at first site, believe me. Thanks to that I had the chance to know Finland. I actually lived there for some time. I have to mention that I deeply liked the salmon and the black bread and the landscape… but I have to say that I found there a lot of things which I hated with all my heart and spirit. At some point I realized that I had to come back. I am an artist, and I need my family, my friends, our traditions, the hot weather, the Cuban music… for creating. I can’t live without painting, and that’s a fact…. Right now I live in Cuba and my wife lives here with me. I’m quite sure that’s not gonna change again.

My father died years ago after a long period of suffering. He suffered from cancer and it was me who had to take care of him. There was nobody else. I was almost a teenager then. Since he died, I’ve been living alone in Havana. It’s been hard, but now I feel proud of myself.

My name is Ronald and I am two. And I like my new cap, and to go to the park with my mom.

The deepest pain I’ve felt was when my father died. I wasn’t prepared for that… Well, I guess you can never be like… prepared for such a thing. We were more like friends… That was five years ago. Now I live with my mother, and my sister. I know it’s time to get married and have a son, but is not easy when you are not economically prepared, you know? I wanna have children, that’s for a fact! But at its time, right?

I seriously think Cuba is the best place in the world to live in. I have several reasons to believe that. First, I have a good job (not the one I dreamed about, but good in the end), then I have my family, and the father of my son (we are not together anymore, but he’s still the father of my little child, isn’t he?), and my friends, and all the time in the world to hang out with them. I couldn’t live far away from all this.

I studied painting when I was younger, and that’s what I do. I’m an artist. But the fun part goes away when you have to sell your paintings for a living, and more, when you don’t have the possibility to travel and look for a good gallery that gives the value your work deserves, and in consequence, you have to sell your paintings for less than what they really cost. You have to do it for your own survival. That’s why sometimes I get sick of it. But what else can I do? I have to go back and keep on working. It’s hard to make a living from painting. Everybody knows that.

I feel very grateful to this machine. All these years I’ve earned the money I need to live thanks to it. I guess I should also give thanks to my father, who taught me how to work with this.

I only ask God strength to learn how to live good were I live, and be happy without quitting and moving to anywhere. I just want stay where I am, with my family and my friends.

I studied English Language at the University of Pedagogical Sciences years ago, but what I really liked was languages, not teaching. When I was a kid I didn’t want to be a cop, or a fireman. I wanted to speak as many languages as possible. I’ve spent my entire youth in front of a class, knowing at the same time that it is not what I want to do. I can speak English, German, Italian, and a little French. My goal now
is to find a job that gives me the possibility to practice what I now. I guess tourism guide would be fine. At least, better than a teacher.

What I hate the most in life is the smoke of a cigarette on my face. I really hate it! In Cuba we should have laws like in Canada. People just can’t smoke where they want. There are certain places for that, away from those who want to keep themselves healthy and clean. Here it should be the same. Since I sing, I have to take care of my voice. My vocal cords are a priority for me. That’s a reason why I try to keep as far away as I can from cigarettes.

I am very satisfied with what I am in life. I thank God for the family I have, and for what I have become. I studied what I liked, I am good in what I do, I have the respect of the people who know me…what else can I say?

We got married three years ago. Since then, we never separate from each other. I hope we keep living like that forever.

All Cubans’ dream is to abandon the isle, travel the world, have a lot of money and buy a bunch of fancy stuff, have a car, their own big house with a swimming pool on the backyard, spend vacations in a great island… That’s not me. I just wanna be happy. That’s my only dream.

This is the real way we Cubans celebrate the end of the year: the entire family get together at home and we roast a pork in the backyard, like this. We enjoy the process of roasting of the pork very much. Meanwhile, we drink a lot, we talk, we make jokes, kids play around… It’s the tradition.

Alicia came to bring happiness to the family. At the beginning her mother was not so convinced of having her – she thought it was too early- but I made my best to change her opinion. There’s no such a big joy for a mother like me than having a little grand-daughter.

Some time ago I wanted to become an actor. Now all my energies are focused on several art projects, like performances and installation. It’s quite difficult when you don’t have any economical support, but for me, it’s impossible to stop dreaming.

Never mind where you are, if you are with those you love the most.

I’ve always dreamt about having my own Film Production company. I came to Havana some years ago in search of better options, and I found them, but I still keep working and making my deepest efforts to make my dreams come true.