Seven Nights in Havana, 2011

In 2011, I flew to Cuba to photograph what I saw. I stayed six nights in what is known as Old Havana, and a seventh in the airport in Veradero because I missed my plane. Cuba is an example of the misery created by socialism, Marxism, or totalitarianism under any name. The music bed is by the Cuban singer, Waldo Mendoza. I chose it without understanding the lyrics, because it sounds so sad. I spoke to a Cuban man who tried to sell me an old worn paperback book with yellowed pages. He said to me in a low voice so that no one else could hear, "Cuba is a prison." I could feel the sadness that emanated like sour sweat, from Cubans, the buildings, the streets with their massive propaganda signs, and even from animals lying in the streets.