Cars of Cuba

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The classic cars of Cuba are used as Taxi's and are very popular for tourists. Many have had the hard tops removed and made into convertible's. The car to the left, a Pontiac, was the one we rode in. Most have Russian diesel engines in them. When we first arrived in Cuba we went to and stayed in the town of Remdeios. When I head the first classic car go by I told Karen that was a diesel, I can tell by the sound and they were.  The driver of our car said it was passed down in his family and he was the third generation driver of the car as it was originally his grandfathers.

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In Havana, when the cruise ships come in, a ride around town in a classic car is a very popular destination. This is one of the small businesses they are now allowing individuals to have. Others small businesses are some people are allowed to start a restaurant out of their homes. You see these classic cars going up and down the Malecón (officially Avenida de Maceo) a broad roadway and seawall which stretches for 8 km (5 miles) along the coast in Havana, Cuba. It goes from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana, along the north side of the Centro Habana neighborhood, ending in the Vedado neighborhood. Many new businesses are appearing on the Malecón because of  economic reforms in Cuba that now allow Cubans to own private businesses. We suspect these reforms will start forming a new middle class in Cuba much like has happened in China. Maybe the next thing to happen is Cuban's will be investing in US properties much like China. Hmmmmmm

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