Ella made a friend and they entertained one another during the lengthy wait for our bags at La Havana airport.

Charlie looking miserable with croup.

Off to our casa particulares in an old 50’s wagon.

Walking through the labyrinth hallway to our apartment in Old Havana.

Simple kitchen in the apartment in Old Havana.

Restoration began on an old historic building here then ceased.. The scaffold has long since been engulfed in vines.

Old Havana.

We took a stroller for the kids. Ella was 5 then and enjoyed sitting on the front for a ride. I’m sure her legs could’ve taken her much further than they did.

Our friendly hosts.

Taxis waiting for a customer. Beautiful Spanish tiled apartments.

A friendly family we met at a theme park downtown.

This woman looked bored and a little sad when I first approached her. She was delighted when she I realised it was really *her* I wanted to photograph. Her job was to take tickets for the bouncy house behind her.

The kids playing at a park close to our accomodation.

Tired, old, scared looking carousel horses – but our kids loved them. Another ride at a theme park.

I loved these women. They were cleaning the grounds at the theme park and did it with such personality and character. In charades I told them this, also telling them they are strong. I love these exchanges when traveling. And I’m working on it at home, too.

Construction worker having his lunch break. Such a beautiful face amongst all the mess.

Street art depicting hunger. Cuba went through very lean times economically during the 1990’s – many Cubans lost up to 1/3 of their body weight. Trees establishing themselves on the balconies of run down terrace apartments.

Kids playing in the street. Ella asked ‘why do they play in the street, and not their backyards?’. Such a simple observation opened up a great conversation about poverty and how incredibly luxurious her life is compared to these kids, and most others in the world.

Old ladies having a chat, they were enamoured with the kids.

I had fun with these guys. A street haircut. Love the lady walking by in the background.

Checking out at the supermarket, the light was pretty. And I do believe that ‘reality is extraordinary’, as Mary Ellen Mark said.

Old cars everywhere. Not because it’s cool, but because the economy has forced Cubans to make do with what they have. They are broken down on the sides of roads all the time. Most Cubans would prefer the new cars we drive. But they attract tourists and earn those car owners a good income.

I suppose letting your kids play with stray dog puppies is not hygienic, but our kids were besotted with them. They lived under the hotel we trekked to for internet (though it rarely worked).

Sea baths, Cuban style. An old hotel development, slowly decaying and being taken back by the sea. A ruined section of coral reef. Old derelict buildings in the background. A seawall too unstable to walk on.

Kids fight whether you’re at home, the supermarket or on the Caribbean coast.

Bus stop in Old Havana.

Meat market on the outskirts of Old Havana. This guy told me information about Australian history I had no idea about. Despite their sad economy and infrastructure, Cubans enjoy an incredibly good education system.

Ella decided on the next outing: a horse and carriage ride (priced for tourists accordingly!).

I love the signs of change in this image as my husband wanders through the scene. Overflowing garbage and some guys sitting with cell phones. The current leader is choosing to ignore those who bring technology into the country. Check in at Mexico City was eye opening – mounds of boxes of new TVs and gadgets heading into La Havana with passengers.

Little mall, Old Havana. This lady caught my eye. Her slightly sad and bored expression as she waited for service.

Always the juxtaposition. This propaganda set on top an old dilapidated building.

A little exchange with a small family selling some old junk in this little shop. The batteries they charged too much for were long expired.

Evening stroll.

Lots of uncertainty!

Tired kids, one on Diamond’s shoulders and the other on my back!

A tired kiddo.

A tired kiddo and Diamond yelling ‘watch out!’ as I almost backed into a bicycle taxi.

At a theme park. A lady washes her things at her backdoor, while kids sit through a rather slow ride.

Theme park ride operator. I’m not sure what the gesture means but he was a friendly guy.

Tickets for this were ‘expensive’ – US5c for a few minutes of jumping. The Cuban economy runs with two separate currencies. The government currency was needed for these theme parks.