For two years I have been traveling frequently to the United States to visit my wife. In each journey, magical and absurd because of the near and at the same time distant two opposite societies, the camera has been my companion. However, once I’m on the northern shore my eyes discover that, despite the differences, there are many common points between both of them. Each trip turns into a lesson on U.S. culture, a lesson I fully enjoy. I can’t avoid being who I am when I’m in the North, and I go out in the street in search of signs that join my nation to this other one, in search of the same ones from over there that speak another language, but that someday will be my people. These photos, those live stories that inhabit my files come out from that day to day.

Patriotic days

I am witnessing interesting times in the United States. Still coming from where I come and having grown up in a totally different society, I am not surprised to feel I have a connection with the patriotic feelings of the Americans. At the end we are earthlings, we have similar passions, although sometimes the end doesn’t justify the means. “On both sides. On both sides!”.

Food truck

Tushar Punn has been the owner of a food truck for three years. “It’s a good job,” he tells me. He arrived in the United States from India five years ago. “At the beginning I worked about 18 hours a day for someone else, now I’m more relaxed.” Tushar seems happy. Food trucks are a quick and economical alternative for those who work in offices and have little free time. In DC, according to data from 2017, there are around 150 registered food trucks. I can just imagine Havana with them….

Skaters

Recently I’ve seen videos on Facebook that show Cuban police officers arresting skaters and seizing skateboards. What I’ve seen doesn’t make me happy. The main thing is to have the will to find solutions. The problem of the skaters is not unique to Cuba. But the solution to the Cuban dilemma is.

“However, DC is not a particularly friendly city for people who skate…. Without the proper facilities, skaters will go wherever is available regardless of the legality — but may face the consequences. The criminalization of skateboarding in cities is both a social justice issue and an urban planning faux pas.”*

*Taken from @JRogers202 article

Tenderness

In such convulsive times it is always pleasant to find tender images.

Breathing fire

These times are politically interesting in the United States. Each day there’s a new controversy or news that adds fuel to the fire. It is curious for me, coming from a country where the political debate is a tightrope, to find a common term in both nations: PC, Politically Correct. On both shores the meaning is different but the consequences are similar.

Time capsule

Sitting on the steps of Lincoln’s Memorial I see a group of Amish people arrive. The visitors, dressed in the style of past centuries, reminded me of the image of Lincoln himself, who despite being born in a Baptist home, never joined any church. I discreetly slip through the crowd and sit down in front of them. They seem interested in the ex-president’s words placed on the walls. Then I raise my camera and leave them trapped in what is intended to be a space-time joke.

Subway sleeping beauty

I start my 30-minute train ride and I immediately saw her. She’s asleep. I don’t know from where she has come. Wrapped in her blanket and with a large suitcase as a companion, she sleeps an uncomfortable sleep. She gets up. She unveils her huge anatomy, obviously very well designed. She grooms herself in the reflection of the window and snuggles again. I reach my destination. She goes on sleeping.