Photos by Nester Nuñez

Photo Feature by Nester Núñez

HAVANA TIMES — While much of the country remains in darkness following the collapse of the National Electric System, thousands of people continue searching for a way to escape the summer heat. In Matanzas, the bay, beaches, and rivers have once again become places of refuge.

The lack of electricity has left most homes without fans or air conditioning. Added to this is the transportation crisis, which makes it difficult even to travel to other destinations. Many families reach the coast on foot, by bicycle, or in electric vehicles because there is simply no other option.

Yet these images speak to something beyond the current emergency. They reveal a deeply rooted tradition. For generations, the people of Matanzas have maintained a close relationship with the water. Every summer, the bay brings together children learning to swim, teenagers diving from the rocks, couples, fishermen, vendors, and entire families who find there a shared gathering place.

Amid the blackouts and the hardships of daily life, the shoreline offers a few hours of cool relief, companionship, and a sense of normalcy. The scenery does not erase the crisis, but it shows how, even under difficult circumstances, everyday life finds ways to adapt and carry on.

See more photo features here on Havana Times.