California Dreaming by wysiwig

Photography • Urban/Cityscape • posted on Nov 14, 2015

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Description

Cuba has a two tiered economy. The government owns the factories, shipping, the airlines, and the transportation systems. They also own the large hotels and landmark restaurants. The second tier consists of privately owned restaurants, bed and breakfast lodgings and small farms. Yes, free enterprise is rampant in the socialist worker's paradise of Cuba. When the Soviet Union fell apart in 1989 all the Russians went home. Subsidies to Cuba were ended and the Cuban economy fell into a deep recession which became known as the 'Special Period'. Starting in 1993, as part of the recovery, laws against private businesses were loosened. But 'private enterprise' sounds too much like capitalism so the government refers to these people as 'self-employed'. This has given rise to the Paladar, Spanish for Palate or Taste. These are restaurants set up in private homes. Almost all of our meals were taken in Paladars and I will tell you we ate very well. Our first meal was at the California in Old Havana.

Comments (9)

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durleybeachbum

3:58AM | Sat, 14 November 2015

The atmospheric lighting has that early evening feel of anticipation about it. I even feel hungry as I read your words!

I went through a short 'Special Period' during my marriage.

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Cyve

6:01AM | Sat, 14 November 2015

Fabulous capture my friend !!!

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bugsnouveau

6:39AM | Sat, 14 November 2015

Great shot

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anahata.c

8:03AM | Sat, 14 November 2015

lol, Andrea. Thanks as always for your background, and the scintillating facts you bring us with each upload---you have a second sense for what to share for each image. On the image, your images are terrific. If you'd said nothing, this image would be dynamite. I love the hues, the muted twilight, and the intense glow from that sign. This is another of your images that plunges downwards---from those great partly decayed walls to the street below. (Fine detail on those facades.) Love that green car in front--you got its sheen and leathery sweep. And the people, and the red car behind, all cloistered together as the night descends. I'd imagine a resident of Havana would say you captured their streets perfectly. A terrific image, Mark, getting what the writer Dinu Buzzati called the 'genius of early evening'...

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