In many parts of the world people post a letter and expect it to go directly to its destination.

That hasn't happened between Cuba and the United States in half a century... instead all mail between the two must go through a third country.

That's all about to change after the two countries announced on Friday they would resume direct postal services.

In Havana the measure's being welcomed by Cubans and Americans alike.

"I think it's absolutely perfect. As a student it's been difficult here to communicate with my family and I would have loved to be able to have an easier process," said Alexa Patrick, an American citizen studying in Cuba.

Cuban retiree Marisela Perez said: "I find it interesting because it was an obstacle, and by re-establishing this now we'll be able to send and receive everything we need from over there and from over here as well, to any relatives one has over there."

Some things aren't changing though.

Most commercial ties remain severed because of the US economic embargo which the Republican majority in Congress has so far refused to lift.