Jump into the void, (Part I) ./ Monomad Challenge [Eng/Esp]

23 days ago

This post is my official entry for the #monomad challenge, hosted by @monochromes and @brumest. This is Part I of a documentary series capturing the adrenaline, tradition, and forbidden nature of life at the Havana Malecón.

_{The Leap into the Void / El salto al vacío}

—Y ou can’t miscalculate or make a wrong move— the boys would say to each other as they invented new tricks before throwing themselves into the sea.	—N o puedes calcular mal ni dar un paso en falso—, se decían los chicos unos a otros mientras inventaban piruetas para lanzarse al mar.

_{A Forbidden Bath / Un baño prohibido}

Swimming in the area of the Malecón in Havana is forbidden; in fact, it’s very dangerous and several deaths have already occurred there. Nevertheless, every day many people go there and use the place as if it were a beach.	Bañarse en la zona del Malecón de La Habana está prohibido; de hecho, es muy peligroso y ya han ocurrido varias muertes allí. No obstante, todos los días muchos van a usar el lugar como si fuera una playa.

_{Cat and Mouse Game / El juego del gato y el ratón}

The police show up from time to time, but the boys keep a constant watch, and if they see the patrol car coming, they run off like a stampede.	La policía en varias ocasiones se presenta, pero los chicos vigilan constantemente y, si ven llegar la patrulla, huyen como en estampida.

_{The Reason for the Risk / La razón del riesgo}

—It’s because of the heat— one boy told me. He couldn’t have been more than ten years old, and even so he was doing the most dangerous tricks I could imagine.	—Es por el calor—, me decía un chico que no superaba los 10 años de edad y que, aun así, hacía las piruetas más peligrosas que me podía imaginar.

_{Fear of Parents / El miedo a los padres}

—Don’t post the photos on Facebook; the teachers from school might see them and tell our parents— another one told me as he came out of the water.	—No vayas a enseñar las fotos en Facebook; las ven los profes de la escuela y se lo dicen a nuestros padres—, me decía otro mientras salía del agua.

_{Memories of the Past / Recuerdos del pasado}

As far as I know, many years ago swimming there was actually allowed. In fact, I remember that when I was a child my father used to take me for walks along the Malecón, and there were always many people bathing there.	Tengo entendido que, hace muchos años, sí estaba permitido bañarse allí. De hecho, recuerdo que cuando era niño mi papá me llevaba a pasear por el Malecón y había mucha gente bañándose.

_{More Than Just Swimming / Más que solo nadar}

Not everyone goes there to swim. Some come to perform religious rituals, make a wish, or simply look for a partner.	No todos se bañan; hay quienes van para hacer algún ritual religioso, pedir un deseo o sencillamente buscar pareja.

_{Closing and Part One / Cierre y primera parte}

Practically every street photographer in the city has photos of this whole dynamic. It’s truly surprising—and dangerous at the same time. This is the first selection, which I have divided into two parts. I will share the next one later. For now, that’s all. Thank you very much for your attention and your time. See you soon.	Prácticamente todos los fotógrafos callejeros de la ciudad tienen fotos de toda esta dinámica. Es realmente sorprendente y peligrosa a la vez. Esta es la primera selección, que he dividido en dos partes. Más adelante les compartiré la siguiente. Por ahora es todo. Mil gracias por su atención y su tiempo. Nos vemos pronto.

Technical data: 
📸 Nikon D200, AF-S NIKKOR lens 18-70 mm.
📝 Translation: DeepL (free version)
🙋‍♂️ Authorship: All photos were taken by me  @muhammadhalim.

Redes y contacto

📸 Instagram: @muhammad_photography
📘 Facebook: Muhammad Halim Machado
💬 WhatsApp: Escríbeme por WhatsApp

Portada Para Facebook Barbería Moderno Llamativo Blanco Negro y Azul _20251123_212002_0000.jpg

In the end, photographing Havana is also photographing myself._20251125_061902_0000.jpg

monomad blackandwhite streetphotography hivecuba documentary life monochrome photography spanish street

0.000

8 comments

@worldmappin 80

23 days ago

Congratulations, your post has been added to The WorldMapPin Map! 🎉

You can check out this post and your own profile on the map. Be part of the Worldmappin Community and join our Discord Channel to get in touch with other travelers, ask questions or just be updated on our latest features.

0.000