Havana

[Rebel Monger]

Really? A 10 second fist fight between 2 teenage boys where nobody got seriously hurt is enough to scare you away? They were probably fighting over a chica. A had a few fights way worse than that as a kid. There are no guns and very little drugs in Cuba. I feel safer there than I do in a big city in the USA. I have walked around the streets of old town alone very late at night several times and the worst thing that has happened to me is that an ugly hooker approached me and didn't want to take no for an answer.

The guy did get injured, he was stabbed; and that happens a lot over there (two of my cousins were assassinated there). Unlike other countries, crime is not reported in Cuba.

If you feel safer there than anywhere else, good for you but keep it to yourself, do not give false information that would put others in harm's way.

If you had fights worst than that when you were a kid, you must be a badass dude with scars all over your body!

If it's true that you walk everywhere late at night (I doubt it), just remember the Cuban saying (you do know the language, don't you! "Tanto va el cantaro a la fuente hasta que se rompe".

Remember something else, you're not Cuban, I am. I know what happens over there, you pretend that you know.

Then again, it occurs to me that the problem could be that I am not tough like you and the other guy, so maybe my warning is for people like me, not for people like you (and the other guy). Can you at least accept that!?

[AmorPorFavor]

Yes, peaceful and lovely indeed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOdUMjr85h8.

Because you go there so frequently, I assume that you speak the language, so this link can give you an idea of how bad things really are, because this happened to the son of somebody high up in the Cuban government: https://www.cuballama.com/blog/muert...a-hablado-ntv/.

Cuba is not "peaceful" at all, and by portray it as such could put unsuspecting people in harm's way.

Really? A 10 second fist fight between 2 teenage boys where nobody got seriously hurt is enough to scare you away? They were probably fighting over a chica. A had a few fights way worse than that as a kid. There are no guns and very little drugs in Cuba. I feel safer there than I do in a big city in the USA. I have walked around the streets of old town alone very late at night several times and the worst thing that has happened to me is that an ugly hooker approached me and didn't want to take no for an answer.

[Rebel Monger]

That weakass video showed something that happens in the usa, at least every hour, followed by police brutality, mall shootings, work place shootings, school shootings, carjacking, robberies, rape, families killing each other, etc.

Yes, Cuba is VERY PEACEFUL. The safest place in the world!

The problem is that I've lived in USA for 40 years and I've never being a victim of anything you say, do I state that because of that USA is the safest country in the world? No, I don't. I've visited the Dominican Republic close to 30 times and I've never being a victim of any crime, do I say that the Dominican Republic is the safest coutry in the world? No, I don't. Putting people in harm's way with false information is wrong, somebody might be get hurt. This lady https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...otel-room.html decided to go to Cuba due to the advice of people like you.

And before you call me a gusano or say that because I'm anti-communist I'm trying to scare people into going to Cuba, let me make clear that I do not tell people not to go, my problem is with people misrepresenting reality in the island that could put fellow mongers in harm's way. That's all.

Karma will get you sooner than later.

[Zeos1]

That weakass video showed something that happens in the usa, at least every hour, followed by police brutality, mall shootings, work place shootings, school shootings, carjacking, robberies, rape, families killing each other, etc.

Yes, Cuba is VERY PEACEFUL. The safest place in the world!

I agree. It is peaceful and safe. Much safer than cities in the US. But a big part of the reason is very effective community policing. Everyone reports stuff. And police are in on that loop. I can't imagine how it works on a personal level. But it is very effective at controlling crime as well as political correctness. And not in the sense we use the phrase political correctness.

And as to a particular US administration "cracking down" on Cuba. That's a huge joke. The US policies and embargo have never really changed. They are a very convenient excuse for the Cuban government to blame someone else for their failed state (in economic terms). The last administration in the US started to change things. And the current one went back to the old policy. US tourism is big if you're talking about expat Cubans living in the US. But otherwise it never really got going. On the other hand 70% of the foreign exchange coming into Cuba is from Canadian and European tourism. Mostly Canadian. There are at least 100 probably more. Resorts on the various beaches in Cuba, and almost a million Canadians have winter vacations in Cuba per year. So making it a bit harder for Americans to visit Cuba. By reverting to the old pre-Obama rules, is not a huge thing.

The big problems are the loss of support by Venezuala. And before that from the USSR. The loss or almost loss of the sugar industry after the USSR stopped buying sugar at contracted prices crippled Cuba in the 80's, 90's. And the loss of free or almost free oil is crippling it now. Cuba relies on a lot of diesel generated electricity. And the agricultural productivity has plummeted because they can't keep the old Soviet equipment running.

Yes, I think it is a failed state. It has an unworkable form of socialism. And probably could be a wealthy country if is used a Chinese style of socialism. Or a European style. But how it will evolve is not clear at the moment.

[Chris H]

Yes, peaceful and lovely indeed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOdUMjr85h8.

Because you go there so frequently, I assume that you speak the language, so this link can give you an idea of how bad things really are, because this happened to the son of somebody high up in the Cuban government: https://www.cuballama.com/blog/muert...a-hablado-ntv/.

Cuba is not "peaceful" at all, and by portray it as such could put unsuspecting people in harm's way.

That weakass video showed something that happens in the usa, at least every hour, followed by police brutality, mall shootings, work place shootings, school shootings, carjacking, robberies, rape, families killing each other, etc.

Yes, Cuba is VERY PEACEFUL. The safest place in the world!

[Rebel Monger]

..I have the ability to go ANYWHERE in the world, and I happily choose the peaceful, lovely city of Havana...

Yes, peaceful and lovely indeed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOdUMjr85h8.

Because you go there so frequently, I assume that you speak the language, so this link can give you an idea of how bad things really are, because this happened to the son of somebody high up in the Cuban government: https://www.cuballama.com/blog/muert...a-hablado-ntv/.

Cuba is not "peaceful" at all, and by portray it as such could put unsuspecting people in harm's way.

[Catire]

It looks like Trump is going to crush the Cuban government, and I foresee Trump sending a massive Humanitarian Aid Force to Cuba when the dust settles. I suspect Trump will wait till after the elections to make any major moves, but I see it on the horizon.

Let's keep politics out of this. Though I know the current occupant of the White House always likes to take credit for everything he may or may not have affected. The structural situation of Cuba long predates Trump.

If Venezuela were still able to help Cuba, they may have kept muddling through. Ditto for the virus and its effect on tourism.

ChrisHmay still be able to snag chicas and rum, but one of these days, he may experience a full blown riot.

Clearly, something is going on. Whether it leads to any major changes, we shall see.

I suspect el socialismo es muerto.

[HSendatsu]

At Christ H.

I don't know about Habana, but elsewhere I've tried to get a bottle of water in a shop and I've been unable to get it. Someone has even told us about rebellion if things kept as they were.

[Chris H]

"things haven't deteriorated at all" hahaha. You're full of shit. I'll be waiting for your report when you return, of course your report will just more bullshit.

The reason for the exchange rate on the CUC is getting better is because the value of the CUC is crashing Einstein.

No BS at all. Anyone from the board who has met me and hung out, know I speak the truth. Matter of fact, some things are even better, perfect example, more wifi access throughout the city. There even is a restaurant on Industrial that has free wifi in and outside the establishment. And if you was wise, you would know that the reason why the USD is getting more CUC, is because there is not as much USD on the streets and in the country, because of the restrictions that Trump has put on Cuba.I have no reason to lie. But keep spreading your lame ass sad stories, just more pussy for me and those who know how to maneuver to indulge in!

[Ty Down]

Things have not deteriorated at all. I was just there 2 weeks ago, and headed back next Friday. We had a blast, which included plenty of chicas, rum, food, fun, and NO problems at all with the police. The only difference between thre visit 2 weeks ago, and my November visit was the exchange rate. In November, we was getting for every 1 usd, we was recieving 1. 15 cuc, 2 weeks ago it was down to recieving 1. 10 cuc to every 1 usd.

If Havana was so horrible and dreadful and nonstop harassment from police, with no action with the chicas, next week wouldn't be my 15th trip in 3 years. I have thre ability to go ANYWHERE in the world, and I happily choose the peaceful, lovely city of Havana. Like I said before, it's not for suckas that need to be spoon fed pussy!

"things haven't deteriorated at all" hahaha. You're full of shit. I'll be waiting for your report when you return, of course your report will just more bullshit.

The reason for the exchange rate on the CUC is getting better is because the value of the CUC is crashing Einstein.

[Ty Down]

I was there in early November and had a great time. Has it really deteriorated that much so quickly?

I think it's a combination of things that have changed in the last few months. It has really impacted the economy of Cuba. The suspension of American Cruise ships, all airports off limits except Jose Marti airport outside of Havana, imports from Venezuela blocked, and the recent move by Trump blocking all Western Union transfers worldwide except for family members in the USA.

Yes, it's bad in Cuba right now, and it's going to get worse. It is a dramatic change from the hay-days of 2014-2018. We may see riots in Cuba much like we saw in Venezuela a few months ago, and that shit show in Venezuela ain't over either. I did see Cuban military trucks carrying troops up and down the Malecon at 3 am in the morning, I've never seen that before.

It looks like Trump is going to crush the Cuban government, and I foresee Trump sending a massive Humanitarian Aid Force to Cuba when the dust settles. I suspect Trump will wait till after the elections to make any major moves, but I see it on the horizon.

[Chris H]

I was there in early November and had a great time. No problem getting plenty of killer rum, beer, and good food in the restaurants and bars. Plus lots of ridiculously hot sexy Cubana action. Things were a little slower and leaner than the March before and as usual a little rough at times but still fun. The people were fantastic as always plus was getting the better exchange rate of 1:1. Has it really deteriorated that much so quickly?

Things have not deteriorated at all. I was just there 2 weeks ago, and headed back next Friday. We had a blast, which included plenty of chicas, rum, food, fun, and NO problems at all with the police. The only difference between thre visit 2 weeks ago, and my November visit was the exchange rate. In November, we was getting for every 1 usd, we was recieving 1. 15 cuc, 2 weeks ago it was down to recieving 1. 10 cuc to every 1 usd.

If Havana was so horrible and dreadful and nonstop harassment from police, with no action with the chicas, next week wouldn't be my 15th trip in 3 years. I have thre ability to go ANYWHERE in the world, and I happily choose the peaceful, lovely city of Havana. Like I said before, it's not for suckas that need to be spoon fed pussy!

[Catire]

I exchanged a text with a cubano friend of mine (now living afuera) but with family in Cuba with whom he speaks almost daily.

(outside of La Habana).

I asked him if things were bad, based on the previous posts here.

Here is his response:

Yes, indeed. The situation is chaotic, xxxx and I have to go this summer and we are contemplating the idea of this being the last summer we ever go. Rather to get family members out.

[AmorPorFavor]

Hola amigos. I just returned to the good ole USA from Cuba a couple days ago. This was my 9th or 10th trip to Cuba, lost count, who cares huh, but it may very well be my last. Hopefully things improve in Cuba in the coming years because as of right now, it is shit!

Havana is dead. There is absolutely no food or beer in the mercado's, and the one's that did have a bag of rice left on the shelves have guards posted at the door. You can get beer on the black market, but you will pay the price.

One night, I was awakened by loud noises of diesel trucks, I got up to see what the hell was going on, and fuck me, it was the Cuban military in big trucks carrying troops up and down the Malecon. WTF?

There is very little fuel, and people are fighting over laundry detergent for gods sake.

I noticed that some of the National Monuments were missing and defaced with graffiti, it looks like Cuba is coming apart at the seams.

At night, the Malecon was dead, dead, dead.

My love affair with Cuba is over.

RIP Cuba, I'm moving on to Colombia once again. Adios Amigos.

I was there in early November and had a great time. No problem getting plenty of killer rum, beer, and good food in the restaurants and bars. Plus lots of ridiculously hot sexy Cubana action. Things were a little slower and leaner than the March before and as usual a little rough at times but still fun. The people were fantastic as always plus was getting the better exchange rate of 1:1. Has it really deteriorated that much so quickly?

[Steve 99]

Yeah to add to Ty. My buddy went back couple weeks ago. I went with him in October. He really isn't a monger. He thought he could just go back to Tablazo area and find some girls like last time.

He said nuthin. There were huge waves he said like 20 feet over malecon which made things tough. And it rained like hell on Saturday for the concert at Hotel National got cancelled. He did get a stragller on the streets last night and power went off during his session. LOL.

He did get 1 to 1 USD to CUC from his airbnb host. That's all he gave me. He didn't go to any bars.