CCTV9英语新闻：US President Obama in Cuba for historic visit

After weeks of anticipation, US President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba for his historic visit. He is the first American president to travel to the island nation since 1928. The visit is the most important moment since Obama and Castro agreed in December 2014 to restore diplomatic ties and end half a century of hostility.

 

When Air Force One touched down at Havana airport it showed just how much this fraught US/Cuban relationship has changed in little over a year.

 

The light rain didn't dampen the mood. US President Barak Obama arrived accompanied by his wife and daughters, for a visit that marks the latest step in bringing the Cold War era hostilities to an end.

 

The first family was greeted by Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez and a meeting is scheduled for Monday morning with Cuba's President Raul Castro.

 

There is enormous global interest in this story and an estimated one thousand five hundred journalists have flown here from around the world to witness this historic event for themselves.

 

For weeks workmen have been filling in potholes and redoing the streets in anticipation of the visit, adding fresh coasts of paint to sites the president might see. The two flags are flying side by side along with posters of the two presidents together.

 

On the eve of the visit The White House released a video Obama joking with the island's most famous comedian, Panfilo. It was shown Saturday night on Cuban state television. At times US president also speaks in Spanish, using Cuban slang.

 

Obama asks if he can ride in an old American car, Panfilo replies why? He has newer one - a Soviet Era Lada. It was the talk of Havana Sunday morning.

 

But there was little to cheer about as the weather worsened for the walkabout through the tourist heart of historic old Havana. And with tight security very few Cubans were allowed on the streets to greet him.

 

President Obama does have a meeting planned on Monday with Cuban entrepreneurs and he will get to share one passion that does unite these two countries, a baseball game.