• Submitted by: admin
• United States
• Personalities
• 05 / 09 / 2010

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When 12-year-old Ampy Cox left home in Cuba for boarding school in Montreal, she thought it was for one year.

“I thought I was going to learn English and then going back home,” said Cox.  

However, the next time she saw her childhood home was 50 years later.

The year was 1960 and Cuba was in a political upheaval.

With her only child safely in a Canadian boarding school, Cox’s mother followed, bravely leaving everything behind to immigrate to the United States.

Cox, her husband and son returned to the land of her birth in February. The family discovered a city where time has stood still.

Cox’s childhood home still stands but is now a business.

The school where her dad was a swim coach and she competed in swimming competitions is now a place for scientific research.

“It was very emotional,” said Cox, wiping tears. “It was as if I never left.”

Elegant homes and hotels from around the same era stand proudly as if no time has passed.

“Everything was so clean and looked brand new,” said Ampy. “On TV, they always show the torn up streets and sidewalks, and

that is there in the old section, but overall, that’s not the way it is. It was beautiful and we always felt safe.”

Source: www.waltonsun.com/