mi casa su casa

Journal entry: Trinidad, Cuba, 2015.

He would sit in his rocking chair or by the window for hours, observing the comings and goings of life on the streets of Trinidad. I captured him there on this day. This was his spot, his view. I always wondered what his thoughts were for a man that experienced so much, in one lifetime in Cuba. You were the first to welcome me into your casa for rest with your warm and affectionate demeanor.

“Mi casa su casa”, is a Spanish expression that translates in English to mean “ my house is your house”. I never fully understood this expression until I traveled to Cuba. It is here that being welcomed into someone’s home takes on a more authentic and deeper meaning.

The two main options for accommodation while visiting Cuba are Hotels or casa particulars. Casa particulars / private houses were introduced to Cuba by the government in 1997 to allow Cubans to rent out rooms in their homes to tourists, providing them with a source of income.

From my first visit, I chose to stay with Cubans as I felt this was the best way to have a fully immersive experience of culture and forge an authentic relationship with the local people. Through my 10 years of visiting Cuba, I have met many families through this experience that have formed lasting friendships. The De Lara family were one of these families that I had the pleasure to build a connection with, in the quaint colonial town of Trinidad.

Jose De lara, the elder of the family, greeted me at the door on my first visit to Trinidad. The guest quarters were located on one side of the home and Jose’s was on the other. As I was making my way out one day, I caught him by the window and took the opportunity to photograph him in his home. He then motioned me to join him on a tour of the casa. He began to show me his archives, books, and artifacts. We didn’t speak the same language, but this never stopped us from experiencing moments of pure connection.

At one point he walked into his bedroom to show me his vintage camera’s from different periods in his life. He placed them on the bed and sat down on the other side. His bedroom was simple but elegant. He had what he needed and kept it clean and orderly. It was an endearing moment in which I felt I was able to capture the essence of the encounter and perhaps the unfolding of a man’s incredible story in Cuba.

The De Lara family welcomed me into their home for many years and I am grateful for each moment I had with them in their casa. Jose has since passed but I am happy I could share a bit of his life through these visuals and a moment in time we connected on our journey.

I D L E: spend time doing nothing