'He fought for us': Cubans line up for hours to honour Fidel Castro

As FreddyBorges shuffled past the memorial display for Fidel Castro, the 83-year-old veteran of the 1959 revolution stopped, turned to face a black and white portrait of the former president and stood at attention.

Under a blazing sun, Borges, like many Cubans, had waited for hours in one of two lines that stretched for blocks and wound its way around Havana's Revolution Squareand into the towering Jose Marti Memorial housing Castro's cremated remains.

With spotty English, he was able to explain that he didn't mind bearing the heat for his "commandante." He proudly dug out his veteran's card and said he was in his 20s when he joined the revolution in the 1950s to put an end to the reign of President Fulgencio Batista.

Fidel, he said, using his first name as many of his supporters do, was one of the great political leaders.

"We are here," he said, pointing to the enormous crowd lined up. "Fidel is excellent. Fidel is our teacher."

Thousands ofpeople, both young and old, flocked to theplaza to pay their final respects to Castro, armed only with patience and umbrellas to beat back the sun's hot rays.

Police had cordoned off the adjacent streets to make way for the massive crowds that flooded into the area.

Monday was the first of two days scheduled for people to have the opportunity topay respects to Castro at the memorial.

• Cuba declares 9 days of national mourning for Castro

Officials kept the line moving there was no condolence book to sign inside the monument, and it was unclear where exactly Castro's cremated remains were. As people walked by the roped-off area, they were able to take a quick look at or snap a photo of the guards standing at attention,theflowers, the wreaths, the picture of a young Castro in army fatiguesand Castro's war medals.

"I didn't get a lot of time," said Amelia Hernandez, a 19-year-old student. "It was worth it. I wanted to see him. He was really important to our country."

"He was a great leader. He made mistakes, but still, he was a great leader."

He was my president. Hefought for us. He gave his life forus.- David Napoles

That seemed to be the view of many in the line, which, understandably, was not aplace where one would expect to find the former dictator's many critics, including those who decryhis regime's human rights abuses.

"He was my president," said DavidNapoles. "He fought for us. He gave his life for us. He's always been there for us."

Napoles said he was there, like many Cubans,to show his support to Castro's family and offer his condolences.

Standing in the heat and waiting for hours to pay respects is nothingcompared to what Castro did for his people, he said.

English professor Liuber Valera said he couldn't put his sadness into words. He said he got emotional looking at the flowers, the medals andthe photoof Castro.

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"It was really, really amazing. Sad and amazing at the same time," he said. "I wish I could be older to have a chance to be beside my commander-in-chief."

Some of those who came to pay their respects left the memorial in tears. One woman, who said she works for the Ministry of the Interior, sobbed as she praised the former leader.

"I feel very bad," she said.

But it wasn't just Cubans who came. Many tourists who just happened to be in Havana when news broke of Castro's death also wanted to come to the memorialand be part of history.

"At the end of the day, love or hate the man, he was an incredible character in this county," said Lilly Trafford from London. "He did some things I wouldn't agree with, but he's also done a lot of good for the country, as well.

"There weren't that many individuals who have hadsuch a significant influence on a country like he has had on Cuba."

Bridgit Roohner from Geneva said she couldn't pass up this historic moment.

"I think he did something wonderful for Cuba, for the revolution and for the people," she said. "There's a dark side of him, of course, that we aren't really allowed to talk about here."

• ANALYSIS |Trudeau'sCastro comments send mixed message on human rights
• A world divided: Castro's death ignites celebration, sorrow