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