By Betty Press

 

The beaches that were built for the foreign tourists are not open to the ordinary people. So Cubans have their own beach resorts that they can go to.  These consist of small cottages built along the shoreline.  They are popular places to get away from the city for a swim, picnic, or just hang out in your car. Near Havana, Cuba

 

 

Few cars have been imported into Havana since the 1950's; the old cars that were there at the time of revolution are still being fixed up.  The system of finding or making parts to keep these cars running attests to the ingeniousness of the Cuban people.  For those of us visiting Cuba, it is like being in a time warp. Havana, Cuba

 

In December 1988 Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  Settled in 1514 by the Spanish, it remains a living museum of colonial architecture with its carrera marble floors, baroque church towers, wrought-iron grills, red-tile roofs, and cobblestone streets. Trinidad, Cuba

 

These wrought iron window grills are typical of the colonial architecture.  The house fronts abut the sidewalk so passersby can easily see the interiors of homes.

Trindidad, Cuba

This former aristocrat's house is now open for tourists to visit and enjoy the colonial architecture. Trinidad, Cuba

One of the major industries in town besides tourism is cigar making.  Local people as well as visitors enjoy relaxing with a cigar. Trinidad, Cuba

 

Old cars live on and on in Cuba, and so do refrigerators.  This Frigidaire graced the kitchen of the guest house where we were staying.  The large plastic tub was used to store water. Trinidad, Cuba

 

Cuba has one of best public health system in Latin American.  It includes special care for pregnant women who might have some difficulty with their pregnancy. They stay in maternity hospitals so they can be watched and any problem addressed.  Cuba has one of the worldís lowest rates of infant mortality, only slightly higher than the US.

 

 

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