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Talosian, Gentlemen,
I just discovered this site:
http://groove.gmxhome.de/cuba.htm
Exceptional is a good description. It brought back excellent memories, a few laughs and many sighs! Gosh, I’m so looking forward to being in Havana again. Just a few short days to go.
This author, Roman Virdi, (not a monger) has put together a sort of non-travel guide travel guide (you will know what I mean when you read it). It is his account of his trip, good and bad, along with some excellent photographs. See the chica on the havana university page? Classic picture, muy verdad. In term time these steps are teeming with chicas age range 19 – 23.
For first time visitors it would be worth looking at the picture section as a lot of what is described in our reports can be readily identified along with his narrative (with the exception of the mongers view…). Enjoy.
Regards, Havanaman
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if anyone has anymore input into this thread please post: it’s a big issue for sure, and i thank this1greatman for bringing it up.
allostinspace13, this1greatman, gentlemen,
we live and learn. thanks allostinspace13, much appreciated. in europe we use a number of references for le (bluecoat, finest, officer, patrolman, patrolwoman, peace officer, police, policeman, policewoman, cop, copper, law, bulls, copper, flatfoot, fuzz, gendarme, heat, man , bobby, constable, peeler, pig…, and others even less savoury). le not being one of them in regular parlance. enough already!
so, returning to your question this1greatman: i have also heard the same, i.e. the police are really cracking down all over. not only in numbers but also undercover (a new one on me, but so say my friends in havana…). i think this is indirectly connected to mongering.
the incidence of prostitution has rocketed over the last 10 years. the direct approach would kill tourism in cuba, so they (see above list!) go for the soft option: the chicas. and some of the lesser pimps. i have no doubt that there will be mongers who get “taken down” but very few will get any form of punishment ~ read if any.
i got stopped a few years back (my taxi was pulled over by le in a car) and i offered to pay the 2 ‘peelers’ (lol) my fine directly to them and walk away. cost me $30. the chica and i walked. talk about fear; the whole evening was shattered and i couldn’t get it up that night. lesson learned. i in no way encourage the bribery of any flatfoot (!), in a place like cuba, if “done wrong” you are going to be looking at handcuffs: of this i have no doubt. especially now that the majority of constables (!) are not native to havana.
to be direct with you, i no longer venture into isolated spots alone. a couple of guys, sure. alone, no. i believe we are seeing the last of the really free days (if one can use such an expression) for cuba. time and circumstances have meant that risk-taking in cuba (by the criminal element) is at an all time high. many of these elements have mucho dinero. the police know this and so make “hits” at the lower end to score some greenbacks, maintain their arrest quotas. i also think that taking some of the chicas away is a ply to get the pimps to pay up. that being said, i also think there will be a strong nationalistic feel to the police job (couple this with jealousy, envy… call it what you will against the tourist) and you know you are at risk.
so what is the answer? be safe, stay in the light, stay where there are people. don’t carry too much cash. leave your rolex / tag at home: use a timex…
this subject is too important a subject to leave. information here is vital to monger safety and possible continuity...
regards, havanaman
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First time to Havana. Will be in Cancun early Jan. Want to make 4 day trip to Havana. Do I buy Air Ticket in Cancun? What Airline? Cash so USA does not know? Price? Girl friendly moderatly priced hotel in Havana? Cost? Price of girls?
Any help or steer me in right direction for info would be appreciated. My mongering has mostly been SE Asia till now.
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Monger22,
Cash is the best option. You can haggle in Cancun, even for your ticket if you show the colour of your money. I did this once, got a few $$$ off from a local “air-ticket bucket shop” (I’m from Europe, I don’t know what these are called in America). I used Mexicana.
Best thing for a place to stay is a casa-particular. Hotels are not chica-friendly: in fact if you look at ALL the reports you will note that Cubans are not allowed into the hotels, other than to conduct business (and I don’t me mean pay & play!).
From the taxi stand at the airport, speak to a driver, tell him what you need. He will give you a tour of a few casas and you take your pick. He gets a kick-back for doing this, so other than a couple of dollars tip for this help, don’t pay any more. Expect to pay $15 - $30 per night for a casa. the upper range is my prefered price as it affords a better place to stay.
Price of chicas: read the board! Negotiate to the bone.
Enjoy.
Regards, Havanaman
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Here are some very helpful websites that have ticket prices and time schedules, gateway cities, car rental information and prices, FAQ and other helpful information.
http://www.nashtravel.com/gateways.asp
http://www.cubatravelusa.com
http://www.amigotravelcard.com
http://www.aduana.islagrande.cu/agr3.htm
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/travel.html
http://www.cubalinda.com
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=14
http://www.geocities.com/vedadohabana/list.html
http://duales.com/eng/Content/home.asp
Good luck!
Saint
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First time.
I am new to this site, wow what have I been missing!
I have just been reading all the reports of Cuba as I am going there on my first trip in four weeks time, any tips, do's and don't do's?
I have a preference for the more mature lady, 30-40, have I less chance in that age group ? Plus I just luv black women, are there many in Cuba?
Sorry for all the questions, but I would really appreciate help from all you 'regulars' to Cuba.
Many thanks.
Skin two
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Skin Two
I'm looking into going to Cuba too and it will be my first time as well. Do you want to coordinate the trip? If you do PM me with the dates and where you'll be traveling from.
Thai Diesel
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MY first trip is next week Jan 11. Help guys, only there for 3 nights
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Monger22,
See my reply to your PM. Have a good trip & report back to share...
Regards, Havanaman
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I've done some homework on this board and I'd appreciate it someone can give me their thoughts on my plan.
I live in NY so I'll drive to Montreal, take an Air Canada flight to Cuba. I figure that if they stamp my passport in Cuba, it wont matter because I dont need to show it on my drive back over the border from Canada. I could always say I lost it and get a new one.
Would the Canadian authorities ever alert the US as to my travels? Thanks for the info. MAXX
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Maxx,
Considered the same scenario with transit to and from Detroit/Windsor. However, was advised against it because, yes, the US and Canada; as well as Mexico were coordinating efforts to close these departure points to Americans.
Only my experience - do not let this deter you!
Ez
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They don't stamp your passport in Cuba but Canadian immigration does stamp your passport on your return. Last time I went through all my luggage thoroughly. If you tell them that you have no passport and they find one in your luggage, you may be screwed.
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Hey Max,
Thats exactly what you want to do. Just keep it quiet that you are an American and everything will be smooth sailing. They give you a temporary Visa when you arrive and they stamp that. The customs official will ask you for your passport but will be happy to see your an American. No worries bro. Its too bad that there are no flights from the U.S. This is totaly the best place in the Carribean, hands down!
Il Cubanito Canadese!
[size=-2][u]EDITOR's NOTE[/u]: [blue]Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to [u]remove the multiple periods throughout the text[/u]. To avoid delays in future reports, please consider using a comma to separate the phrases in your sentences and a single period at the end of each sentence. [i]Thanks![/i][/blue][/size]
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Maxx,
At least 85% of my WSG friends going to Cuba are from the States. The advice you are being given here is excellent, have no fear your passport will not be stamped. If you want to be doubly sure, just smile and be friendly with the immigration officer; ask him / her not to stamp it. They will oblige you when you tell them that your are from the states and the administration does not “understand”. One of my great buddies from NY has been travelling for many years, in fact multiple times a year and has never had his passport stamped; he always asks them not to and they don’t.
Best wishes on your trip, and report back so latest information.
Regards, Havanaman
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Anybody been to Playa del Este within the past six months or so? I was wondering what the scene is like there after intensive cop crackdown over the past couple of years.
Thanks