CUBA:OutSideIn
Over a period of 10 days in May 2017, 24 people from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications traveled to Cuba to engage in a multimedia storytelling project. The brainchild of CJC staff members Ryan Jones (BS ’14) and Alyson Landry (BS ’11), the trip was a proof of concept for the College to increase investment in short duration, immersive, multimedia storytelling experiences abroad. Students received 3 credits of course work and had 10 days in country, plus five post-production days back in the U.S. to identify, collect assets and execute their storytelling projects. The College engaged alumnus Joe Newman who leads photography excursions in country, to assist in logistics on the ground. 
A city of contradictions. A place where everyone drives too fast, but waits three hours for dinner at a restaurant. A place filled with hustlers, who wouldn’t cheat you out of a penny.It is a city of night owls. The locals eat dinner no earlier than 10 p.m. but wake at dawn for a two-hour commute to work.Havana is filthy and gorgeous, spacious and cluttered, wild and yet obviously constrained.It is a place that forces you to go with the flow and trust your instincts. That goes for anything from crossing the bustling avenues to connecting with the friendly strangers. An unexpected turn down any street in Havana is a guaranteed adventure for a photography enthusiast. (which we experienced a lot).The elderly hang outside on stoops and balconies to escape the heat inside small homes. Young men engage in fiery games of baseball and soccer, while little girls braid each others’ hair and dance in the street. Bright rows of 1950s-era American cars are manned by hoards of drivers who zealously offer to taxi you anywhere in the city. Dozens of street dogs look at you like they know your business. A guitar soloist serenades no one in particular along the city’s ocean wall and drive known as the Malecon, even as spectacular waves wash over the sides, drawing tourists to snap photos and local kids to dance in puddles. These are the moments that make Cuba, Cuba.Everything ages gracefully in the city of Havana. The faded pastel buildings, most of which are in shambles, still radiate a haunting beauty. Everything old shines with the hope of being new once more. It is a city praying for change but holding on tight to tradition.We engaged the contradictory city as best we could, touching only the surface of the culture and lifestyle in ten days. Our studies included daily independent and group immersions. Our group took part in everything from touristy museum visits to local boxing matches and meeting some of the scientists helping to protect a vulnerable island from climate change. A group of curious, and at times straight up nosy communications students, took on the challenge to observe a country that has been off limits to America for decades. Here are our observations and experiences with a vibrant people and place.Here is Cuba, Outside In.
The streets of Havana are vibrant and unpredictable. You never know who or what you’re going to see around the next corner. This bustling city also holds pockets of fashionistas around every corner.Fashion is all about self-expression. When people are truly comfortable in what they are wearing it is obvious. The way they walk is more alluring. The way they talk becomes more convincing. Watching them interact in public becomes a form of entertainment.Capturing the varieties of street fashion in Havana started as a passion project and soon turned into a satisfying adventure. I found that the people of Havana are all about comfort, bright colors and making a statement with their outfits.
