Hi Doc,
I have been to cuba couple of times. I am planning to go there in January 2008. But your post has completely discouraged me. Is the situation really bad. I am concerned about your comments about crime in Havana.
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Hi Doc,
I have been to cuba couple of times. I am planning to go there in January 2008. But your post has completely discouraged me. Is the situation really bad. I am concerned about your comments about crime in Havana.
Crimes of opportunity have been increasing for a few years now. I do not know if it is because of the youth, but they are disillusioned. It is best to be careful of snatch and runs during the dusk and evening hours. Better yet, leave your valuables at home.
Lankan - Beersterry's right. I don't want to inspire fear, and in perspective Cuba is no doubt safer than many other places (Haiti, Jamaica), but I use the perspective of time. I used to walk the streets of Centro Habana at all hours of the night alone, and I never felt fear and I was never ever approached by anyone in a negative way.
But this time I just felt something different. I didn't feel safe. Then I heard my friends (Cubans) tell how tourists were being attacked, that crime in general has gone up, including violent crime, which in turn has brought on more police (from Oriente), who then think they own Habana, and hassle everybody, which makes the people angry, and angry people commit angry crimes, which brings more oppression....and so the vicious cycle goes.
And I absolutely could not be seen in public with my girlfriend. She illegally traveled (such a crime!) from Guantanamo to see me, and she would have certainly been taken away if we were stopped on the street. So basically we could only be together inside. I know what you're thinking but at my age I just can't have sex 24/7. If she were from Habana it would have been easier, but they are still putting girls away for talking to foreigners. And the darker their skin, the more the chances of trouble.
When Fidel handed over power to Raul about a year ago, Raul, suprisingly to everyone, started talking about easing oppression and opening up. Then one day, literally, that talk all stopped and things got even more oppressive. Word on the street is that Fidel told his little brother to shut the **** up. And he did.
But I digress: Bottom line, I wouldn't think of walking around alone late at night in Habana now. And I wouldn't go back anyway. It's not worth it. Everything's very expensive, you can't talk with the natives, the food sucks, and mongering is probably easier in Saudi Arabia.
[QUOTE=Lankan_Lover]I am planning to go there in January 2008. But your post has completely discouraged me. Is the situation really bad. I am concerned about your comments about crime in Havana.[/QUOTE]
Crime expands, the later it gets in Dec, in preparation of New Year's parties.
The entire population in Havana wants to buy pork, beer and rum for the end of the year. Some will steal your camera and money to obtain those things for the house. Others are more willing to sell stuff, at bargain prices. Pickpockets are ripe and multiple, everyday in Chinatown.
You may experience a bit of a cosa hangover in Jan, but maybe not. There aren't many happy faces on the streets this month.
You would prefere mongering in Saudi Arabia over Cuba? I hope that is one crazy exaggeration?
Since I have allready booked a whole month in Cuba (mainly Havana) in May, I really hope someone will give a second opinion on the status of mongering, crime and life in general in Habana.
I sincerely hope it is not nearly as bad as Doc has been describing?
[QUOTE=Doc Bill]Hi all my fellow Cubaphiles..[/QUOTE]
Doc, what about meeting regular/semi/pros in the dance and night clubs in Havana and then arrange for them to come to your casa, or do they have police in the clubs also? There are a lot of positive reports here, how do they manage to have a good time? thanks
[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]You would prefere mongering in Saudi Arabia over Cuba? I hope that is one crazy exaggeration?
Since I have allready booked a whole month in Cuba (mainly Havana) in May, I really hope someone will give a second opinion on the status of mongering, crime and life in general in Habana.
I sincerely hope it is not nearly as bad as Doc has been describing?[/QUOTE]
What Doc says is 100% correct. I feel the same way as he does about Havana. I've been there more than a dozen times. I used to feel really safe there but the last time I was there (Sept 2007) I also felt very uncomfortable in a lot of areas. It's still an ok place to visit and the girls can be great but it's not as easy to find Chicas as it used to be. I would not really recommend Havana as a top mongering destination. If you have to go there for other reasons it's really not too bad but if mongering is your main reason I would look elsewhere.
[QUOTE=Sean EZ]Doc, what about meeting regular/semi/pros in the dance and night clubs in Havana and then arrange for them to come to your casa, or do they have police in the clubs also? There are a lot of positive reports here, how do they manage to have a good time? thanks[/QUOTE]
There are lots of undercover Police around Havana nowadays. I don't go to clubs myself but I see Police in uniform and in plain clothes outside many clubs.
I'm sure it will be very easy for you to meet Chicas in the clubs and have them go to your casa but they will not be able to leave the club with you and walk to your casa unless they follow you from a distance. You will probably be ok taking a Chica back to your casa in a taxi depending on where your casa is. The easiest way is to just have a Cuban guy walk the Chica to the entrance of your casa. This may cost you $5 but it's usually worth it. It's best not to be giving out your casa address and especially your room number and telephone number to anyone unless you know them really well.
Doc and Vedado Fun,
Are you guys talking about Havana being a lot worse in terms of crime and chica-pick up's in a perspective of, say 4, 6 or 10 years? Or are you talking about a rapid decline within the last year or two?
My last time in Havana was in November 2006, so a little over a year ago. Has it worsened since then?
I know Havana (and Cuba) is not the crimefree, chica-packed paradize it was in the 90's or even in the beginning of the 2000's, but I still loved Havana when I was there a year ago. Probably because mongering is not my main reason for going there, but just a hobby that I like to practise when I have time off from the work I do there. I also rarely pick up pro's, but stick to the amateurs and semi-pros. But I would hate to loose this off-duty hobby.
Please clarify on the timeframe issue, guys.
The best advice that I have seen and used? Meet the girls on CyberCupido or such. Get to know them a little and when you visit, you are already familiar. You have an opportunity to get away from the hardcores and get back to the true jinatera. Lots more fun to get out and away from the heavily policed tourist areas.
[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]Doc and Vedado Fun,
Are you guys talking about Havana being a lot worse in terms of crime and chica-pick up's in a perspective of, say 4, 6 or 10 years? Or are you talking about a rapid decline within the last year or two?
My last time in Havana was in November 2006, so a little over a year ago. Has it worsened since then?
I know Havana (and Cuba) is not the crimefree, chica-packed paradize it was in the 90's or even in the beginning of the 2000's, but I still loved Havana when I was there a year ago. Probably because mongering is not my main reason for going there, but just a hobby that I like to practise when I have time off from the work I do there. I also rarely pick up pro's, but stick to the amateurs and semi-pros. But I would hate to loose this off-duty hobby.
Please clarify on the timeframe issue, guys.[/QUOTE]
I would say there's been a rapid decline in the past two years. If you've been there many times and know the routine you will still manage to find new chicas but it's a lot more difficult now. Friday and Saturday nights are still great but during the week it's very slow.
Sorry again to bug everyone with my Cuba-thread-newbie stuff, but here goes another question. As far as talking to girls in dance clubs or asking one for a dance, is that potentially a punishable crime for them also? Same question goes for less-touristy beaches. As far as crime I don't care - been to Colombia bunch of times, know how to handle myself. We are in our late 20s, early 30th, in case that matters. Any feedback on the subject is appreciated. Thanks.
[QUOTE=Sean EZ]Sorry again to bug everyone with my Cuba-thread-newbie stuff, but here goes another question. As far as talking to girls in dance clubs or asking one for a dance, is that potentially a punishable crime for them also? Same question goes for less-touristy beaches. As far as crime I don't care - been to Colombia bunch of times, know how to handle myself. We are in our late 20s, early 30th, in case that matters. Any feedback on the subject is appreciated. Thanks.[/QUOTE]
In the clubs, AFAIK, it's perfectly OK. I've done it plenty of times - just got back yesterday.
But things are different once you step outside. Cuba is a police state and it's not just the police you can see but the ones who are not so obvious...
I like Colombia too, but find Cubans are more sensual. The problem is that getting around, getting girls, getting food is a pain in the ass.
Cuba is third world living at 1st world prices while Colombia is 1st world living at 3rd world prices.....though they are going up rapidly.
No crime in the club....just ask politiely for the chica to unhand your dick.
Hi All,
I've been chatting up a number of gals in CyberCupido. Some are pretty young (18 or 19), and I'm 38, and they know my age. Can I assume they know they I just want a part-time gf, or might they want more? I'm happy to treat them right as long as they treat me right.
Thoughts or experience with this? I don't want to waste time chatting with somebody if they are going to make me wait a long time since I'm only going to be there for 1 week.
Thanks,
Dolphin