The country of Cuba is now dancing at a different rhythm. It may be hard to be with the rhythm the first time because there were divided opinions on the collapse of the Soviet Union because of the 40 years of blockade in this area. Although there was education, food, healthcare and work, there are many people who are saying that Cubans are still not totally free to express what they feel and what they think.
Fortunately, Cuba has transformed since it welcomed global tourism in the country in the 90s. Nowadays, staying at private homes with rooms for rent or what is popularly called as the "casa particular" gives every traveler or tourist a glimpse of the usual life of an ordinary Cuban. This practice also opens some parts of Cuba that was once off-limits or inaccessible to other non-Cubans.
History
Christopher Columbus set foot in Cuba on October 27, 1492. Christopher sailed around the Northeastern Coast of Cuba for 40 days. He thought of the island as a land of lush vegetation and naïve and peaceful aborigines, who presented him with pieces of gold, spin yarn, cotton and other products that he used to trade and exchange for valuable trinkets. In 1494, Columbus explored the second time around and this was when he discovered that there were many indigenous inhabitants in the area. Thus, from this, it can be justified that that the island settlement began more than 4,000 years ago before the first few migrations occurred. The first migration can from the Northern America through Florida and the following migrations used the Orinoco River through the Antilles arc.
There were around 100,000 indigenous inhabitants in the island when the Spanish conquest began. These inhabitants were divided in group of different degrees of cultural and social development. The most backward and oldest group had disappeared by the 15th century and it was assumed that they made their living on fruit collection and fishing. They also made their first instruments from shells with large mollusks. Whilst the advanced group concentrated on hunting and fishing and they practiced agriculture with main crops as casaba, tapioca and are made to last for a long time after some preservation.
Cuba was also the last colony of Spain to gain independence following its 50-year struggle which begun in 1850. The fight for Cuban independence started on October 10, 1868. Badly armed and abused the troops fought without any payment. This was one of the many struggles Cuba endured. However, today, although there is still a trace of its history, the smiling faces of the Cubans are more easily distinguished; smiles portraying freedom and liberty.
