U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry raised the American flag on Friday over the U.S Embassy in Cuba's capital, marking the ceremonial re-opening of the diplomatic facility after the two countries agreed to restore ties that were severed over 50 years ago. VOA strolled Havana's streets ahead of Kerry's arrival to check the mood among residents.
Life in Havana
update
![An artist, who displays his art for sale on the street, says he is glad the tension between the U.S. and Cuba is coming to an end, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/7ed2fc71-9508-43f8-97df-00340a03383c_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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An artist, who displays his art for sale on the street, says he is glad the tension between the U.S. and Cuba is coming to an end, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)
![A bank in the center of Havana where people gather around "La Rampa," one of the new WiFi spots in the city, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/4b6bbda3-2719-4d86-b81d-23d1e0849a9b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A bank in the center of Havana where people gather around "La Rampa," one of the new WiFi spots in the city, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)
!["El Pachi" has a butcher shop next to the new U.S. Embassy in Havana, where the U.S. flag-raising ceremony was to occur. But, the day was business as usual for him at his "Carnicería," Aug. 14, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/d0fd7cd6-ee12-4d26-ac1c-c780e7c05f6b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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"El Pachi" has a butcher shop next to the new U.S. Embassy in Havana, where the U.S. flag-raising ceremony was to occur. But, the day was business as usual for him at his "CarnicerĂa," Aug. 14, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)
![The criminal court is seen in front of the Cuban capital building, which is closed for repairs. Photo taken as the sun was setting in Havana, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/6db9342c-2dd4-47ae-a8ec-d89c3a16d920_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The criminal court is seen in front of the Cuban capital building, which is closed for repairs. Photo taken as the sun was setting in Havana, Aug. 13, 2015. (Celia Mendoza/VOA)