Cockfights on Liberty Island

• Cock fighting on Liberty Island

Residents of the island of Liberty deprived of the joys of life of the majority, which are available in the rest of the world, and cock fighting - one of the few entertainment that they have left. Despite the enormous popularity of this action, fighting - a thing totally illegal. The authorities know, but prefer to close our eyes to this fact.

Thus, cockfights in Cuba.

My new friend Tony looked at me without blinking in surprise.

- You are the first Russian-speaking Spanish, which I know I can ... I'll do anything to help? Cigars, rum?

- Thank you, Tony, I do not drink and do not smoke.

Tony stopped in the middle of the street, overwhelmed by the news.

- And what do you want? Cheeky? ..

- Take me better on cockfights.

- On cockfights ?! Are you sure you Russian? - he asked in disbelief.

Uninitiated get to the venue of the fighting is unrealistic, you need to have someone to lead. However, to find this "someone" is not too difficult. The aforementioned Tony introduced me to his cousin, Ruben, whose house had several fighting cocks.

On a visit to the Ruben we moved from Havana early in the morning. First, we've been looking for a new home in the suburbs of Ruben; then long I sat in his house, while he sipped his beer and praised their cocks; then again we were going somewhere; We waited another two friends; again for a long time we went to the place of fighting. Leaving at 9 am to the point we have reached by noon, the fighting started two hours ... Upon entering I was warned that people should not be removed. Petukhov - on health, people - you can not. But I secretly filmed.

Immediately upon arrival at the venue of fighting, the owners of roosters tie up their beak to fighters not fed poison competitors:

Mandatory weighing:

All cocks is such a fashionable intimate haircut. Some even painted legs in red - like war paint. It looks very comical:

At the foot soldiers tied spikes:

In parallel with the preparation for fights and in between contractions are other gambling games - mostly several varieties of craps. On the most popular denomination of 20 pesos depicted Revolution hero Camilo Cienfuegos. Well, Camilo, you are fighting for a bright future? ..

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Finally, all the formalities are met, and the fighting begins. Before each fight masters tolerate their cocks and make some kind of ritual actions, in order to adjust the birds a fighting mood:

The day was held about 20 fights. According to the participants, it is very small - are not in season. In high season per day are hundreds of fights almost every town on the island. Sami fights, to be honest, no. Chicken and chicken. Jump, busybodies. If there is no material interest, then look quite interesting.

But if you put the money that is another matter! Passions was serious. The hosts even a couple of birds time to sort things out with their fists. And the spectators were very emotional.

An interesting pattern - the more pontovatsya owners cocks before the fight, the losing them faster than a bird. That's the girl writhing in hysterics, promising that it will tear all the fighters in the world. Both her cock lost so quickly that no one had time to understand:

And the winners of the well:

Victory roosters honor and uvazhuha and loser medical assistance.

- Well, what's to like? - Tony asked me as we drove home.

- It was not that pleasant, but it was interesting. Thank!

- A can now snips and rum? - he looked expectantly at me.