Callejon Hamel

We returned from a pretty amazing trip to Cuba where we experienced a lot of what Havana has to offer.  It's a complicated place that has the feel of a decaying old world city with pops of lively contemporary art and music.  I'll be sharing much more in the coming days so stay tuned!

These are a few images from Callejon Hamel, the artistic playground of Salvador González Escalona

in the words of the Cuba Junky...

"In reality, the Callejón de Hamel is a heavy load of poetic images and sculpture that you have to live through, as you have lived it in the rumba, in all of the goings on that take place around it. This is, for many, a thing of magic, because it is the result of a conversation with the orishas over a period of many years. It's where you can see landing that white dove of Obbatalá that flies and flies and flies until it finds its place here."

we were here too late to experience the Rumba music that fills this alleyway every Sunday but did get to experience the art and images born of the Santeria...the most practiced religion of Cuba

Paula's photo

looking right and left along the alleyway revealed small bars and little gallery spaces.

and always something more that grabbed the eye...

It was a place full of rich imagery and strong emotion.  

Comments

[gloria]

What fantastic journeys you and yours take. Just awesome. Great photos.

[Susan Fox]

Thank you for taking me there, one day I might go in person! Glad you are home telling the stories....x

[lyle baxter]

you devil you! how ja do that1 toni will be so envious! more more!

[Toni]

You lucky stiff!!!!!!Envy, envy, envy!

xo
Toni

[The Adventurous Art Teacher]

What a great trip! Just read both blog posts. Never thought about a trip to Cuba... I'm going to share this with my students today. One of the students is from Cuba and doesn't speak English well, but I know he will enjoy telling us about his country. Thanks so much for sharing Stephanie.