Cuba on the Move!

An Introduction to Cuban Transportation with our Host, Pedro.

A fictional narrative by Richenda Brim for IS 208 taught by Howard Besser

And now to Cuba for another installment in our series on international transportation.

Pedro, our Cuban host, is ready to introduce us to the bounty of transportation available in Cuba.

Hola amigos!! Bienvenidos a Cuba! That is how we welcome new friends to our home. On this trip we will be looking at a few of the different types of transportation that we use here in Cuba; like the bicycles that you see behind me.

Let's begin with my cousin, Ana, who will tell us a little about the street life of our home, Cuba. Ana? Are you there?

Hola, Pedro!! I am reporting to you from a quiet corner of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. But even here, in relative tranquility, we can find some of our automobile friends. Behind me you can see Maria resting in the shade. We have just finished a spirited game of chase. Someday I will catch her.

There are so many different kinds of vehicles used in our country from automobiles and bicycles to very specialized forms like these for smaller humans:

You would think that the nature of our old city streets, some of which are quite narrow, would affect the choice of bicycle versus automobile.

But, as you will see later, nothing could be further from the truth. Cars and bicycles are equally popular on our city streets.

But boats are still kept behind glass for everyone's safety.

Today I was able to interview some people on the street about transportation. Their answers were quite enthusiastic and explain the popularity of cars and bicycles. But see for yourself:

This group enthusiastically supported transportation; especially large volume vehicles like buses.

This man was especially enthusiastic about bicycles and the pink bus that we will meet later.

I think that wraps it up for me, Pedro. This is Ana signing out. Back to you.

Thank you, Ana. Now let's take a look at some of the automobiles that grace our city streets. Cars are some of my best friends. Besides being very fun to ride in, they are also worthy adversaries in the age-old battle between automobile and canine: chase the car.

We'll begin here a famous meeting spot for automobiles. It seems a little quiet now but it is often buzzing with automotive society. Here the cars of the city gather to restore their spirits and partake of the mysterious "lube job".

Elsewhere in the city we can see the full rainbow of automobile culture:

Oh, I do hate to see this; a friend with his hood up. "Que pasa, Carlos? What ails you?"

"Hola, Pedro. No problem here. It's just a simple check-up."

But other cars are not so lucky as our friend Carlos. Rosa here has been sick for weeks and probably will not regain her full strength and vitality.

Best wishes to you, Rosa.

Throughout our cities, bicycles and automobiles share the streets in order to fulfill the transportation needs of our human friends. In some circles bicycles are so beloved that they even inspire public art works!

But above all else bicycles are incredibly useful and important in the transportation culture of Cuba.

As you can see from the images above bicycles fulfill many different transportation functions, including recreational and occupational. I think this is a good time to introduce my hard-working friend, Miguel, who will show us the world of working transportation: buses, trucks, and cabs.

Thank you, Pedro. Throughout the city people depend on transportation to help them get their work done. Whether they simply need a ride to the office or to their next appointment.

I'm sure this group of musicians is anxious for their bus to arrive.

But these people are happily on their way thanks to public transportation.

It is easy to find examples of hard working trucks and automobiles. Some have very important, social responsibilties, like those pictured here:

Other vehicles fulfill an educational need like the popular Bibliobus, a library on wheels:

And, of course, we must not overlook our hard-working friends who deliver food!

But life is not all work in our city. There is always time for relaxation and romance, a specialty of my friends and I.

And with that we end our special report on transportation in Cuba. We hope you have found it both educational and entertaining. And we hope to see YOU in Cuba very soon.

HASTA LUEGO.