HAVANA, Nov 28 — American tourists visiting Cuba are finding themselves in the middle of history.

They’re getting a close-up look at how Cubans are reacting to the death of their former long-time leader Fidel Castro, who died at the age of 90.

Some are also finding themselves affected by his death, like Richard Lotta.

"Through all of my life — I was born in 1957 — Castro had always been there so it was very shocking. Even though it’s not my country, he’s an icon,” Lotta says.

Other US visitors, like Lois Van Deusen, hope Fidel’s death will usher in better relations with Washington.

"It’s an important time for the Cuban people; actually, for everyone. And we hope that it will also be a new beginning,” says Van Deusen.

President Barack Obama reversed more than five decades of US hostility toward Cuba and re-established diplomatic ties last year.

He’s eased US travel restrictions to Cuba.

It’s not yet clear whether President-elect Donald Trump will continue those policies, or fulfill his campaign pledge to close the US embassy in Havana once again. — Reuters