Tag Archives: Cuba

Cuba, Photography

Cuba Revisited

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I recently went through my photos from Cuba. When I originally sorted and worked my images from that trip, I did not find these interesting. Or they didn’t represent what I was feeling at the time. I have to admit I don’t remember. But on the revisit, I fell in love with Cuba all over again. Enjoy these “new” images!

Rural Cuba

Images from a trip through the countryside. We visited a baseball team, a historic coffee plantation and farm restaurant.

A man feeds the chickens at a farm restaurant in rural Cuba
The El Curujey restaurant is a farm restaurant in rural Cuba
The entrance to the bleachers of a baseball field in rural Cuba.
Coffee Flats for drying coffee beans

Urban Cuba

I found myself fascinated with many different styles of architecture, including Art Deco, Colonial, and Spanish. They would often all be on the same building.

The Santa Clara Libra hotel in Santa Clara, Cuba
Iglesia de Santa Ana Church facade in Trinidad, Cuba
Art Deco style architecture is evident in many of the urban areas
Two people sit at a small table, waiting for the day’s crowds to appear.
A street scene from urban Cuba
Street scene in urban Cuba

I hope you enjoy these images from Cuba as much as I enjoyed taking them! Prints are available of these and other photos from Cuba here.

As always, feedback is welcome!

Photography, Signs

Saturday Signs

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I don’t know why people are so fascinated by signs. But most people I know seem drawn to them. Especially if they are old or vintage. When I travel, I find myself drawn to them. Whether it’s a shop sign, a large sign, a small sign, or a road sign. I will take a photo of it. Some signs tell a story, a history of its location. Even if its just a one word sign, the color and shape can say a great deal about the shop or restaurant or even the area in general.

Maybe people are drawn to a certain sign because it’s got a place in their memory. Maybe they drove by that sign on the way to school every day. Or maybe it represents a happy memory of weekend trips to town.

Americana Signs

The still hanging sign on the very closed Tallassee Store in Tennessee.
I love this Puckett’s sign. A guitar at the top and a fork at the bottom. Food and music, the best combination.
Drugstore sign in Williamsburg, KY.
The sign for the Noshville Delicatessen in Midtown Nashville, TN.
There has been a funeral home at this location in Loudon since 1916. It is currently owned and run by the McGill family
Glyndon Hotel Sign is a cool old sign on a hotel with a rich history in Richmond, KY
The JFG Building in Old City section of Knoxville, TN. I’ve aged and toned it to give it a true vintage feel.
An old cafe sign I found in an alley in Nicholasville, KY.
Bijou Sign vintage style Grungy has a Topaz filter, texture, and some toning work
A simple sign in downtown Murfreesboro, TN. But eye catching with the dark blue against the light metal. A very vintage feel.
The sign is still visible from the C.W. Harvey Grocery store in downtown Lenoir City. The ghosts of yesteryear.
City Glass & Mirror is located in downtown Clinton, TN. Faded and chipped but still readable the sign drew my eye.
Hoskins restaurant sign
Comic Life
Lays sign
Laughing Jackalope
Keeton’s Jewelers sign. I have a thing for clocks on signs. This is a favorite of mine.
Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House
Oliver Hotel Sign
Jellico Motel and Restaurant sign. Memories of Americana and road travel in its hay day.
The Mighty Tennessee
Smith’s Restaurant in Lancaster, KY

Signs from Around the World

Some signs don’t need to say anything
Graffiti in Dublin, Ireland
Vienna Ice Cream
Pub
Aro Souvenir
Restaurant & Cafe
Chairs and Sofas
Railway Station
Bar & Beer Sign
People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Cine Yara
Bar Floridita in Cuba
Cuba, Photography

Be Resilient!

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What does that mean? Resilient means “able to withstand or quickly recover from a difficult situations”. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If you fall, get back on the horse.” I’m not sure that’s always the best idea. Sometimes, it’s better to find another horse or better yet, stay off the horse altogether. When I say resilient, I mean get up, dust yourself off, and find a better way to do it.

Starting Over

I have recently lost my job of 6 years. I loved my work. I loved the people I worked with. But I knew that I would not have stayed, even if my job had not been eliminated. They were making a lot of changes. And I while I often enjoy change and a challenge, I knew that these changes were not for me. Sure, I am sad and scared of what the future holds. But I also know that I have gotten up and dusted myself off before. At that time, I got back on the horse. This time, I’m going to find a better way to get there.

Inspiration

Several years ago, I traveled to Cuba on an education tour. I recently started looking at some of my photos. Some of these you have seen before. But some are new. I enjoyed the country.   I keep reminding myself of the wonderful, optimistic, resilient people. If these people who face such hardship and difficulty can be so compassionate and optimistic, why can’t I?

People walk down the street in Havana, Cuba
Cuba is known for the vintage cars.
People are getting their day started in Havana
Yellow and green dominate the buildings on this side street in Havana
Cuban Market with fresh produce
Downtown Havana Evening Sales
Havana Bay is home to many historic sites, this guy might be one of them
Plaza de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba, is home to the Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis
Basilica and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis in Havana, Cuba

Those classic cars you see? Many of those are pieced together by handmade parts. Parts the drivers made themselves because they had little access to outside supplies.

Cuba, Czech Republic, Hungary, Photography, Poland

Friday Favorites – Travel Photos

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I wanted to share five of my favorite travel photos on this hot July Friday.  Looking back, some of them are easy to see why I like them so much.

Buskin’ on the Danube

We had spent the day in Budapest walking, walking, walking and needed a break and a drink. We found a spot on the edge of the Danube. As we sipped our drinks, the busker started playing. The setting sun touches the edge of his shoulder and the Hungarian flag in front of him, giving the whole scene a soft glow. See more travel photos from Hungary here.

Buskin' on the Danube by Sharon Popek
Buskin’ on the Danube. A busker plays the saxophone at sunset in Budapest, Hungary

Enter for Enlightenment

Another image from Budapest with that soft glow that I love so much. This was taken in Matthias Church, a gothic cathedral complete with restored frescos and painted walls. But this simple unadorned stairwell glows from the soft window light, silhouetting the outline of the door. It’s inviting and peaceful. See more travel photos from Hungary here.

Enter for Enlightenment by Sharon Popek
Enter for Enlightenment

Kraków Nights

The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset. The sky is that early evening blue that contrasts beautifully with warm tones of the city lights.  People are sitting down for dinner or cocktails as bicyclists whiz past, creating a bit of a blur.  Find more travel photos of Poland here.

Kraków Nights by Sharon Popek
The Main Square in Kraków, Poland just after sunset.

Aire Acondicionado

Taken in Havana, Cuba, this photo is a little busy. But I love that about it. I love the old worn signs hanging above the many people milling about in the streets. And there’s that glow again, only this time it’s a cool glow from the cobblestone street below. I can almost hear the sounds of Havana. Find out more about my trip to Cuba here.

Aire Acondicionada by Sharon Popek
Street scene in Havana, Cuba

 

Kutná Hora Alley

This one is a little more subtle than the others. At first glance it’s just an nice photo of an alley. But the open arches and speckles of sunlight lead the eye directly to the back of the alley, where two people stand deep in conversation.  I love small details like that. More images from Czechia can be found here.

Kutná Hora Alley By Sharon Popek
An alley in Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic.

I hope you like these as much as I do! Prints of all images are available here or click on the individual images and it will go directly to the shop page.

I’d love to hear your feedback and comments. Also, feel free to share a link to your own favorites!