The American flag has been raised over the US Embassy in Cuba. FOX News Radio’s Eben Brown was in Havana for the flag raising.
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Cuba’s National Flag flies about its capitol city in anticipation of a single U.S. flag to be raised at newly re-opened Embassy of the United States. Its is the first time in 54 years a U.S. flag will fly in Cuba.
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the nation’s foremost and most romantic hotel for tourists.
The Nacional, a focal point in the Havana neighborhood of Vedado, sits high on the bank, giving visitors a northward view of the Florida Strait. Out of their view, 90 miles away, sits Key West, Fla.
Inside the main lobby of The Nacional, a U.S. tourist can dive into the past, soaking in both architecture and service reminiscent of the mid 20th century, which is the last time Cuba had any official relationship with the U.S.
The Nacional is not just a state-owned hotel, but also a museum of Cuban culture and of Castro’s Revolution. Here, visitors can learn about Fidel Castro and his compatriots from their early lives to their battles as guerrilla fighters and eventually as leaders.
In the lobby of the Nacional
The Nacional’s postcard-esque courtyard faces the ocean and also serves as an outdoor restaurant and cigar bar.
A wild peacock struts about the grounds.
More elegenace of the Nacional. Foreign tourists from Canada to Europe have spent many a vacation here. U.S. tourists have barely seen it in a half-century. Cuban nationals however, are not permitted to stay here. The hotel is strictly for visitors to the Island.
The back patio at the Nacional
The Nacional’s grounds include a historic park, overlooking the ocean and the Malecon, the seaside highway.
While often filled with traffic, the city is holding its Carnivale, a festival like ones in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, but rarely seen by a U.S. citizen.
The Malecon
The Malecon
Carnivale, in action. Parades with floats, dancers and loud music continues to the early hours of the next morning.
The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, at night
As the sun sets, it takes with it summer heat. The oceanic breeze now finds its way to the courtyard, giving a cool to the evening.
Hotel guests will gather each night on the patio to have a late dinner or to listen the music of Cuban guitar trios.
The mystical Cuban cigar.
Mojito?
Another tell-tale sign of Cuba’s last contact with its American neighbors. U.S. made cars, some from the days of Detroit’s best years, roam the streets as taxis for hire.
The classic cars are too numerous to tally.
FNR’s Eben Brown seated in a 1929 Ford.
The dashboard of the 1929 Ford. Note the addition of a more modern audio player.
Style.
More style.
The main U.S. facility in Havana. Just blocks from the Nacional and on the Malecon. It served as the U.S. Embassy until 1961, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered its closure as tensions built between the U.S. and the Castro Regime.
Upon its closure in 1961, The U.S. flag ceased to fly and a skeleton staff remained behind to staff a U.S. Interest Section, officially part of the Swiss Embassy in Havana. It provided limited services under the protection of the Swiss Government. Switzerland would provide the same service to the former Cuban embassy in Washington.
The Vedado neighborhood, near the U.S. Embassy
A diplomatic monument, designed to hoist flags of Cuba’s diplomatic friends, stands across the plaza from the U.S. facility. It shines only the Cuban flag.
Across the plaza, built during the Elian Gonzalez incident, after the end of the Cold War but rife with its sentiment. It proclaims Cubans will fight to the death for their homeland.
Cuban flags drape buildings facing the U.S. facility.
Vedado that morning.
FOX News Radio’s Eben Brown, at the broadcast point on the lower roof of the newly restored U.S. Embassy in Havana. Behind is the just-raised U.S. flag.
Our colleagues form the Fox News Channel prepare for a live report following the flag ceremony. Correspondent Steve Harrigan, Producer Heather Lacy, Videographer Chris Pontius.
Harrigan reports live again. It’s just after noon. He speaks with the Fox News Channel’s “Outnumbered” program.
Journalists from around the world stop and stare at a U.S. flag in Cuba.
Newly added signage, signaling a return of the U.S. diplomatic corps to Havana.
Thousands gathered to watch a sight that, for many, only their grandparents remembered. Cheers erupted at the sight of the U.S. flag.
Cubans wave the flags of both nations.
Vedado. That day.
Vedado. That day.
Vedado. Another sign of Cuba’s history with the rest of the world. Aside from classic U.S. cars, the streets also feature Soviet-built automobiles from the latter-part of the 20th century. Another remnant of what support Cuba once enjoyed.
Vedado.
The international symbol for Barbecue
Cubans proudly displayed U.S. flags after the Embassy opened. Many hope to see more Americans now, insisting Americans are long-lost cousins.
Young girls in Vedado, basking in the attention from foreign photographers. Its not often so many people want to take their picture.
Neighbors watch from their apartments, and never shy from wishing a travelling stranger “Buenas!”
In his own, broken English: “I love the American People!”
Samples of money used by foreigners in Cuba. The country has a dual currency system. Cuban citizens make use of the Cuban National Peso, which is usually worth about 4 U.S. pennies. But these are Cuban Convertible Pesos, which are set to match the U.S. dollar, less exchange taxes and fees. Foreign visitors convert their money to CUC’s to pay for their hotel, their food, taxi fare, etc.
