Just back from a week in Havana
Hey all, just got back from 8 nights at our favorite island. Good times! As usually, my girls were from Badoo and Bumble and IG (new). The IG ones definitely need more convincing since they get endless DMs.
Anyway, some thoughts. Since I usually have more leads than nights on a typical visit, I'm not out trying to meet girls on the street, but I did do some scouting on this trip just to see. I need exercise everyday, so I walk as much as I can, and take the stairs in my Airbnb to try to keep some semblance of fitness. Well the Prado and San Raphael are great spots, as mentioned below, and it is virtually impossible not to get looks or "pss pss" or "hola" from some girls if you look foreign and walk around. I'd just smile or say hola, as I have a very specific type, and just based on sheer numbers to choose from, the online thing seems to work better for me. Plus, my espanol isn't awesome, and it's easier to overcome that via texts. But, to be clear, if you walk the Prado in late afternoon, you will see girls out for sporting purposes. I can't comment on evening patrols, because that's when I am otherwise engaged, haha. But logic would suggest its even better at night. Just sitting on the prado with a cigar is good for the lazy or tired, and people watching can be fun. Watching the crazy skaters and roller bladers, some of whom look 5 years old, is its own form of entertainment. I met two mujeres de la noche on the Prado, and I got their numbers as backup. Both were later afternoon. But it does seem that the purposeful streetwalkers are more desperate and lower on the spectrum of desirability, which is why stumbling on random non-pro women is much better IMO. But you'd need to initiate that interaction, and more chance for rejection. But who cares? My only concern would be pissing off a mama or papa, or a large jealous novio. But honestly I see cubanas on Badoo all the time who have boyfriends in their profiles and statuses, JJJ. It's probably best not to try it in from of the boyfriends though.
Speaking of cigars, not sure where the $50/ stick number comes from, unless you like overpriced Cohibas, but $18-$20/ stick for most brands for robustos or small Churchills is about average at the Habanos stores. Maybe that's aristocratic for some of you, but look at all the money you're saving on not going to restaurants! It's always funny coming home from vacay and having *lost* weight.
I continue to assert that Havana is black chick heaven, if you are into that. So many gorgeous ones, without the western attitude. I'm more into the mulattas myself, but it's all good, different strokes for different folks. I will say it is unfortunate that, as someone mentioned below, girls with nice firm asses think they are deficient in this post-fatass Kardashian world. Some of my thinner starters have plumped up, unfortunately, because that appears to be in demand (many purposely pose their pictures to make their butts look bigger! Oh well, that's why you have a bullpen. But yes, too many fatass chasers can cramp my style, no offense. Fortunately, some girls just have amazing genetics. I admonished my new starters not to gain an ounce, or get any more tattoos.
Another unfortunate trend, mirroring the US, is the spread of tattoos on otherwise perfect skin. Gah! How and why did this trashy trend catch on?! It's funny, but it's not American capitalism that is bad for Cuba. It's American culture.
BTW, I've been to Havana 3 times in the past 10 months, and every time I go, I see changes. The good being, there is more capitalism and importation of goods, many American. The idea that there is still an American embargo is specious. Cuba can buy anything from the US other than weapons or technology, just not on credit. Cash on the barrelhead! But I saw things like 7-Up and Pepsi stocked in stores for the first time.
The not-so-good are the fact that gasoline has quintupled in price since my last visit in January. The only good news being, that leads to less people driving and therefore less traffic and smog.
I didn't eat a single Cuban thing while there (no pun intended), other than a little beer (I even brought 3 6-packs of my own beer from the US). Even the bottled water was imported by my hosts.
Some questions:
"Stoop" girls. Do you mean random girls just hanging out on their stoops?
I'd love to stay somewhere where I could get some sun and beaches, but there don't seem to be many appealing AirBNBs in Veradero. I love having a civilized place to stay with hot water and good Wifi and a working fridge and oven, and mercados nearby, and hosts who will sell me imported water bottles, and good security protocols (multiple doors to entry, a safe in the casa).
Next visit:
I'd like to do more business during the day so I can prowl the Parado at night. It's so crowded and well-lit that I think it's safe. But I wouldn't want to deviate much from there. I know some of you creech around at night, but that seems risky. Would appreciate more reports on night carousing.
I'll definitely bring more food and snacks for me and less gifts. I get 2 70 lbs bags and a carry on with international business class, so I bring a shitton of stuff. But I always forget things.
Oh, and I am definitely getting the VIP lounge pass for the Joe Marti entry next trip. I stood in long lines processing through immigration. Like 90 minutes.
Next trip likely late May, early June.