Hi!
Cuba, the last state to accept socialism, lived under
the yoke of Spain for 400 years and is still subject to the
American embargo after the Revolution in 1959. With the removal
of the control mechanisms of the Castro regime after the
revolution, life in contemporary Cuba is gradually challenging,
given the limited access to food, transportation, electrical
power, internet and other necessities. Even so, many Cubans show
a fierce pride in their revolutionary society, the only one of
its kind in Latin America.
The country's difficult conditions allow tourists to see only
certain cities. Havana, which takes you to another time period
with its dancers walking on wooden poles in the streets,
colorful vintage cars, many architectural masterpieces that have
almost become ruins, colorful nightlife, etc., Trinidad and
Varadero with their beaches with white sand and turquoise water,
and Pinar del Rio with its striking nature are cities included
in standard tourist programs.
However, there are many natural beauties to be seen on the
island, even if they take time to reach. Cubans live in harmony
with nature and are very careful to protect it. Cuba is also
famous for its dance and music. Santiago de Cuba is an ideal
destination to experience this.
I aimed for two things when I was preparing this web page. The
first was to introduce the historical structures that have
witnessed Cuba's past and that I am very sorry to see how they
were defeated by time, primarily to the Cuban youth, because as
far as I can see, the resources that Cubans can resort to are
extremely limited and the internet problem is a huge obstacle in
front of them. I also wanted the Cuban youth not to forget the
syncretic music that rocks the island, especially the Cuban
music and dance legends that have emerged in the last hundred
years.
My second aim was to create an opportunity for foreign tourists
to spend their limited time wisely. I see pedantic tourist
comments that constantly point out cheap restaurants etc., write
about how much they spent on what they ate, and emphasize where
it is cheaper to go, as an injustice to this country. I am happy
to make an economic contribution to this poor but honorable
country by allowing foreign tourists to visit more places and
stay longer.Good luck!..
Tuncay Centel
dr@tuncaycentel.com