HOUSTON – Thousands of people lined the street waving as Castro’s cremated remains passed by on the way to his burial Sunday in Santiago De Cuba.
Some mourners carried Cuban flags. Others held posters on the the final memorial for the longtime leader of the Communist island nation, who died on Nov. 25.
"All the Cubans that we've talked to say tonight everything is going to be back to what it was," said Christopher Gibson, of Dallas. "Their nine days of mourning is up today. And the night Castro passed away, normally Havana is a bustling with people, nighttime music, disco, drinking alcohol. All ceased when Castro passed away."
Streets were alive during the day, but quiet at night. Businesses like bars, night clubs and liquor stores remain closed.
Castro’s brother, Raul Castro, said his brother did not want streets or memorials erected in his honor. Many war memorials and statues honoring former leaders were erected throughout Havana.
"There are a lot of what look like government signs up and printed that say Castro and Cuba. Seems like really a subdued time," Brant Davis, from Dallas, said. “Not really noticing any way people are excited or sad. Just kind (of) going about their daily business."