Desde Dentro de Cuba.

Distribuido por Cuba Free Press, Inc. - http://www.cubafreepress.org

Nov. 24, 1999, Cuba Free Press.

CUBA'S APARTHEID HAS TWO CLASSES OF PEDICABS By Jaime Leygounier, Cuba Free Press.

HAVANA - The pedicabs circulating in the streets invariably fascinate foreign visitors to Cuba. They may even decide to hire a ride on one to tour the city. However, they may only ride on certain vehicles, not on others. How can a visitor tell?

The two look about the same. All Cuban pedicabs are similar contrivances, a large tricycle with a roofed-over seat to carry one or two passengers, more likely than not homemade. The rather invisible difference lies in the license the operator carries. For $24 dollars, the operator may transport foreigners. But if he has merely 200 pesos, he may only buy the license to transport Cubans. Another difference: The holders of the lower class of license risk hefty fines if caught hauling dollar-paying foreigners.

Jaime Leygounier, Cuba Free Press.