Christopher Columbus had "never seen anything as beautiful" as the sight of the seas and coasts of Cuba; four hundred and fifty years later Hemingway echoed these sentiments when he took up residence in the tiny village of Aymar. Today, visitors to the island are enchanted by the light, the colors, and the rhythms of this warm, welcoming land. This book is a passionate excursion through the largest of the islands edging the gulf of Mexico, its natural treasures, and its controversial history. You will journey across Cuba with its decaying beauty; its baroque architecture; its fifties American cars; the African outpost of Santiago; and Santeria -- the heady religious blend of catholic and African beliefs and rituals. More than a travel guide, Cuba is an original and passionate tribute to this melancholy yet vital country.