His hand, covered in blisters and thick veins, runs over the pile of plastic bags. With trembling fingers, he separates one from the bunch and places it on the buyer’s hand. His own hand closes to grab hold of the one-peso coin. He puts the coin away, then casts an empty stare towards the floor, towards the void. (13 photos)

The Paseo del Prado in Old Havana, built in 1772 to resemble the Paseo del Prado in Madrid, is a kilometer long and extends from Fraternity Park, to the Malecon seawall. It is one of the most popular avenues of the city both for inhabitants and visitors, with its marble benches under shady trees. (30 photos)

Mantilla evinces the stark contrasts that characterize contemporary Cuba: there, one finds recently-constructed residences or tastefully refurbished homes, next to dilapidated, unfinished or, in some cases, ramshackle wooden houses. Many of its streets are also in a deplorable state, and some are not even asphalted. (33 photos)

I am even more bemused by those who affirm that legalizing same-sex marriages and accepting homosexuality as “normal” sets a bad example for young generations. I wonder if they are just as worried by the violence in the movies these young generations are watching. (34 photos)

Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala are the three countries that awakened Jonathan “Jonas” Moller’s social consciousness and art. Two passions, activism and photography, which he tells us, have flourished together. He tells us about his experiences in this tumultuous region of the world in an exhibit titled Our Culture Is Our Resistance, on display until May 28th in the El Reino de Este gallery at Havana’s National Library. (16 photos)

What is today the municipality of Cerro was first founded as a township 424 years ago. In recent decades a Culture Week is held to celebrate the anniversary. The 34th such event, dedicated to the popular and traditional dances. “Clave y Guaguancó” had the youth dancing, and the not so young as well. (30 photos)

Some 500 members and supporters of Cuba’s LGBT community paraded on Saturday morning along the busy 23rd Street in Havana in the now traditional anti-homophobia campaign calling for respect for diversity and rejection of sexual prejudice. The march took place to the beat of the popular Cuban sound of the “conga” with trumpets and drums. (21 photos)

Children love the beach. Years ago, I took a rather enjoyable trip to one named Jibacoa, located in what was formerly referred to as “Habana campo” (“the Havana countryside”). It looked like a paradise for children. Every morning, a fleet of large, old American-made trucks loaded with bathers from nearby towns would arrive at the coast. (13 photos)

Cuba’s ninth mother’s day crafts fair, expanded in 2012 to display works from across the country, is currently underway at Havana’s PABEXPO fairgrounds. Named “Art for Mom” (“Arte para Mamá”), the fair will be held until May 11. Three exhibition areas were needed to accommodate the increased number of artisans, who hail from 12 different provinces. (35 photos)

If you are in Old Havana and notice many streets torn up it’s because the city is replacing its aged water, gas and electric lines. While detailed information on the effort was not available to HT we used our camera to bring you the work in progress. (29 photos)