Complete Cuba Image of the Week...February 1, 2018
/This week we turn again to Bob Edelstein with a stunner of a car and the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso right west of Parque Central in Havana.
Complete Cuba trip information as well as interesting newsworthy posts about Cuba, the Cuban economy, travel to Cuba, photography and the tsunami of change affecting US/Cuban relations.
This week we turn again to Bob Edelstein with a stunner of a car and the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso right west of Parque Central in Havana.
We have returned from our Winter 2018 trip! What a fabulous experience. We were able to touch base with old friends and make some new friends. Each trip seems to pack in new experiences that simply aren't on the typical tourist route. Stay tuned for more information and images from Winter 2018.
This week we turn to Katherine Eldred for our Image of the week. Katherine labeled this image, "Hauling." Thanks for this great image!
This week we again turn to photographer Bob Edelstein for a nighttime shot from a 2016 group trip. Bob shoots primarily with a Leica and his focus is portrait and street photography.
Thank you Bob, for submitting this incredibly dramatic image!
2017 was certainly a strange year for Cuba policy. We saw the new policies of open travel and relaxed limitations move to a time of uncertainty and ultimately a more restrictive foreign policy once again requiring legally registered travel and more regulations on travel. Regardless of your perspective on these various policies, Cuba is full of people who genuinely want to see Americans and full of great opportunities to share interactions with the people of Cuba.
As we continue to legally bring travelers to Cuba to meet people and experience the Complete Cuba, we see people open their hearts, minds, and create new friendships that last long after their time on the island. We look forward to being in Cuba again in January. We hope you consider the opportunity to join our March 2018 group, along with Dan Tamarkin of Tamarkin Camera, for what is sure to be a great trip.
Treat yourself to a new experience in the new year. Come experience the Complete Cuba. For more information check out completecuba.com.
This week the Image of the Week is by Complete Cuba's very own Keith R. Sbiral. "The dog ate my shoe." Leica M (Typ 246) 50mm Summicron. Santa Clara, Cuba.
This week our image is by New York photographer Bob Edelstein. Bob has traveled to Cuba multiple times and has published books of his travel photography. This image is a wonderful night scene and is our Image of the Week!
This week we return to photographer Joseph Mure, New York, for a cigar rolling favorite.
Rolled in Vinales, Joseph Mure, 28mm, f5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO500
This week our image is one sent to us by Katherine Eldred, UK. Katherine has been on multiple Complete Cuba trips and knows exactly when to capture that "decisive moment."
Our second Image of the Week is from Gordon Smith, Florida. Gordon stated he wants to, "...show the warm, resilient and "enjoying life" spirit that I felt from the Cuban people."
You can see a more of Gordon's photos from his 2017 Complete Cuba trip (including eastern Cuba and Havana) at http://www.blurb.com/b/7827479-cuba.
Shot with a Leica Q, 1/2000 f2.8 28mm lens ISO200
Our first Picture of the Week is from Joseph Mure, New York. He states, "I love the feel of the photo & if you can make it out the emblem on the hood is spelled BUIKC. Did the owner do it as a goof? BUICK BUIKC. We will never know."
Shot from the bus near Camaguey at 28mm, 1/1000 sec, f8, ISO 4000, Joseph Mure
We are beginning a new project on the Complete Cuba Blog. It will showcase our clients' favorite photos and show how talented they are. These posts will also feature not only how much fun an adventure to Cuba can be…but also the real “Complete Cuba” interactions we have on our trips.
We asked alumni to submit their favorite photographs from their trip(s) with Complete Cuba. We will be selecting these randomly to show on this blog, along with information about our upcoming trips.
Once the blog project is completed, we are planning a gallery exhibit of Complete Cuba travelers and their photos, at The Rangefinder Gallery at Tamarkin Camera, here in Chicago Illinois. We hope this exhibit will incorporate photos from our January and March 2018 as well, and will likely be in the second quarter of 2018.
We are excited to showcase highlights from Complete Cuba trips.
We hope you enjoy seeing some of the favorite photographs of our past travelers.
We’ve found that even Americans with no personal interest in cigars want to buy and bring back authentic cigars from Cuba. It can be an overwhelming prospect, and one we’re glad to help our travelers navigate. We were asked to share with the readers of the Famous Smoke Shop Cigar Hub some tips for buying authentic Cuban cigars. You can read the post (accompanied by Keith’s photos) here: https://cubancigars.famous-smoke.com/travel-tips-for-authentic-cuban-cigars/
The November 2017 Havana trip is full and closed to new participants. Please check your calendars and save dates for our currently announced trips:
Winter 2018: Save the Dates
Depart – January 13, 2018
Return – January 20, 2018
Spring 2018: Save the Dates
Depart – March 17, 2018
Return – March 25, 2018
Additionally, we are planning a November 2018 trip as well. These dates will be announced soon!
Thank you for all of your interest in Compete Cuba.
One of the questions we often get is how we keep up on the developments in Cuba. A new resource we've found helpful was recently launched by Famous Smoke Shop, the nation’s #1 discount retailer of premium cigars online. Cuban Cigar Hub is a new resource for those who are interested in the ongoing politics related to Cuba and the United States, and cigar enthusiasts who want to discover how our two countries’ histories and current policies may impact cigar smokers.
You of course won't find Cuban cigars for sale on the site, but you will find descriptions of the leading Cuban heritage cigars — Cuban brands that are also made outside of their native country — such as Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagas and Romeo y Julieta, among others.
Even those not interested in cigars will find interesting information, such as a timeline on the history of U.S.-Cuba relations from 1898 to present day, a news section with informative articles on the relationship between the United States and Cuba, President Trump's stance on the status of the Embargo, a Resources section, and a feature on how to spot fake Cuban cigars.
Check it out visit the Famous Smoke Shop Cuban Cigar Hub, and let us know what you think. And, of course, if you want to smoke real Cuban cigars, check out the details page for information on our upcoming trips!
Save the dates! Our first two 2018 trip dates were just announced. Full details will follow but we know it is never too early to get those dates on the calendar!
Check your email and the website! The final trip of 2017 has been announced. So save the dates November 15-20 and visit the Complete Cuba.
When you stay in a casa particular, in addition to a place to stay, you have the opportunity to meet and get to know your hosts. Here, we say good bye to our Havana hosts from our Winter 2017 group trip.
Amy M. Gardner recently did an interview about casas particulares with Shoulders of Giants. The transcript is below.
Read MoreJoin us this February for an incredible photographic journey to Cuba. Starting in Santiago de Cuba and ending in the Vinales Valley, we will explore the island from east to west. Spots are filling up, so please contact us as soon as possible to reserve your seat on this trip.
Travel legally to Cuba. Complete Cuba provides an opportunity to experience the untouched island of Cuba now. Explore the cities and villages of Cuba before recent reforms change the island forever -- all with a thoroughly researched, legal, people-to-people tour.
Travel to Cuba with Complete Cuba.