Unfathomable....

2010.02.06

This quiet square in the little coastal town of Trinidad in south east Cuba is a shady place where children play after school. It's cool and peaceful. The buildings date from the 16th century, the one along the lefthandside of the square is a church and monastery.

It's therefore incomprehensible to me how this was the site of the slave market for more than a hundred years. In the shadow of the church the retched cargo of the horrific slave ships were sold to the highest bidders from the sugar cane plantations in the region.

Fascinating. Funnily enough, many of the port towns in which I have felt distinctly ill at ease (Bristol, Saint Malo, Bordeaux, etc.) owed their enormous prosperity to the Triangular Trade. There are echos in places, I suppose.

revenant · 2010-02-06: 06:30

It can sometimes be easy to forget the past unfortunately. Really nice shot.

dontblink · 2010-02-06: 09:17

oh..very Mediterrean.. very nice and warm.. love these colors, makes me calm. Great angle and lights !

????? · 2010-02-06: 11:22

It looks like you managed to take your signature clouds along in your suitcase. :-)

We've made 'some' progress in the way we treat other people... I'm glad you put your thoughts out there, getting people thinking about it is a good thing.

DancingDolphin · 2010-02-06: 11:23

Thank you, thoughtful post.
Beautiful skies, it looked like a tranquil and nice place to me, before I read your comment. I know the feeling of discomfort when you are somewhere which has a rather sinister past.

pianoboe · 2010-02-06: 13:19

Fascinating post - and what a beautiful place.

girafferacing · 2010-02-06: 16:15

Something I definately like about this take is the story! Not only have you done a fab job with the photo, but the story lets your mind wander and wants to take you back as you attempt to take it all in. Vey nice.

taifallos · 2010-02-06: 16:58