CUBA. Culture Exchange destination number 1. I recently ventured out of my box to get a dose of culture at its finest and traveled from the cultural giant of Havana to the tourist trap of Varadero, Cuba. The people are proud and there is a strong sense of community that sadly lacks in North America. Crime is low, the recent upgrade of the bus system makes it easy to get from point A to B, and the overall vibe is as Caribbean as it gets - laid back, my sort of town. Cuba is culturally rich in music and the arts, however the food is extremely limited compared to the rest of the Caribbean and there seems to be no agricultural infrastructure what so ever...nutrition was obviously not on Castro's priority list. You have to apply for a car, house, apartment through the government, education is free, and jobs are delegated for the most part. The people are proud, but I disagree with Castro's infrastructure. In many ways the people are enslaved by the government directly and lack personal freedom, where as our enslavement in North America is structured through credit and corporate interests and is psychological in nature rather than physical. Both systems are corrupt and in desperate need of reform. I believe compromise is key, and doing away with ideological extremes and finding a middle ground will be our savior. Socialist, democratic, he say, she say…let me sum it up for you – DIVIDE AND CONQUER. There is good and bad, truth and lies, justice and injustice in ALL political structures. NO ONE has the answer and no ONE society is free from corruption. The people of Cuba are its saviors and the strong sense of community is genuine as apposed to the patriotic arrogance of other nations. I highly recommend visiting this unique destination before U.S. relations are mended and capitalism corrupts one of the last cultural strongholds free from corporate tainting. Two thumbs way up Brasil style. –Mr.-
CUBA pt.2 All we have in life are our memories and the moments that create them. I encourage all, rich and poor alike - by any means necessary - EXPLORE your planet. Earth is a beautiful place. May the fallen angels unite and find the beauty in eachother. I dedicate this post to the people, not the governments that divide them. -Mr.-
"Pinstripe New Era" by Carhartt. Old school CLASS-to-the-E. Feel me? What more can I say? Carhartt, not just jackets. OG's yall, look em up! -Mr.-
"The Monogram Leather Belt" by Freshjive. Clean and oh so fresh. The embossed logo throughout the leather adds just enough texture to lift this bad boy above the rest. -Mr.-
"The Cashmere Cardigan" by Spindle and Canister. Cardigan...cashmere...black...a staple piece people, a staple piece. Every man should own at least one black cardigan. Spindle and Canister representing lovely I might add, the cut is bang on. Brilliant! -Mr.-
"The Hoopla Tee" by Rocksmith. Can't go wrong with gold leaf...bling for those of you smart enough to avoid Ed Hardy, yet still wanna get noticed on the dance floor. Strobe light ready - haha. Rocksmith holding it down. -Mr.-
"Syndicate Era S/Suicidal Tendencies" by Vans. Straight goods...some claim straight goods but curve like arches, this right here...STRAIGHT GOODS! Subtle, clean, yet a closer inspection reveals embroidered detailing and an insole that pays homage to skatepunk Venice OG's Suicidal Tendencies. Beautiful. My style to a tee...it's all about the detailing, fly under the radar - feel me! -Mr.-
CUBA. Culture Exchange destination number 1. I recently ventured out of my box to get a dose of culture at its finest and traveled from the cultural giant of Havana to the tourist trap of Varadero, Cuba. The people are proud and there is a strong sense of community that sadly lacks in North America. Crime is low, the recent upgrade of the bus system makes it easy to get from point A to B, and the overall vibe is as Caribbean as it gets - laid back, my sort of town. Cuba is culturally rich in music and the arts, however the food is extremely limited compared to the rest of the Caribbean and there seems to be no agricultural infrastructure what so ever...nutrition was obviously not on Castro's priority list. You have to apply for a car, house, apartment through the government, education is free, and jobs are delegated for the most part. The people are proud, but I disagree with Castro's infrastructure. In many ways the people are enslaved by the government directly and lack personal freedom, where as our enslavement in North America is structured through credit and corporate interests and is psychological in nature rather than physical. Both systems are corrupt and in desperate need of reform. I believe compromise is key, and doing away with ideological extremes and finding a middle ground will be our savior. Socialist, democratic, he say, she say…let me sum it up for you – DIVIDE AND CONQUER. There is good and bad, truth and lies, justice and injustice in ALL political structures. NO ONE has the answer and no ONE society is free from corruption. The people of Cuba are its saviors and the strong sense of community is genuine as apposed to the patriotic arrogance of other nations. I highly recommend visiting this unique destination before U.S. relations are mended and capitalism corrupts one of the last cultural strongholds free from corporate tainting. Two thumbs way up Brasil style. –Mr.-
