Someone who likes to live dangerously is Robert Falconer HND. Nat. Dip.in Photography from Bolsover Camera Club in Derbyshire. On his last visit to us he wowed us with his pictures of China, this time, from one of his 9 slide lectures, he gave us ‘A Cuban Paradise’ having re-visited this island in 2003.

Flying into Havana is like entering a time warp back into the 1960’s. Che Guevara’s face and propaganda is still seen everywhere! Big blowsy old saloon cars are parked up and people live in apartment blocks with balconies from which they hang out their washing. A malaise of ‘hasta manana’ pervades the air. One of the poorest countries Robert has been to, ration books are still in operation.

Some taxis are horse-drawn and oxen still pull the plough. Their sugar cane industry is in dire straits though Robert did find some cane being loaded onto a steam train. It is obvious there are no health and safety rules; it was all a bit ‘hit-and-miss’!

It is trains that are Robert’s great passion and here, they were blowing out thick black smoke since now being run on oil rather than coal or wood. In the sheds, engineers were welding without protective clothing or headgear! The standard and narrow gauge tracks are not always straight and black oil is spilt everywhere!

But the Spanish-speaking Cubans are lovely and with sparkling brown eyes and warm smiles, they clamoured to have their photographs taken! It seemed to us that in a country of sunshine with palm trees and big, exotic flowers, poor or not, these families are happy! Housing may be tumbledown, often just shacks but in the centre of towns the night life is good and with ‘rum and coke’, everyone dances under the stars! With Falconer’s camera skills, stunning landscape and wonderful sunsets, he also had us in the palm of his hand!

Kay Aldcroft LRPS

About Us  Committee  Programme  Galleries  Competitions  HPS Groups  Notices  Links