Havana

[CrowExplorer]

Thank you for all the reports and updates Edye Minetye. Glad someone who had boots on the ground in Cuba took the time to let everyone know the state of things there now.

[Edye Minetye]

Final comments.

In January 2021, the Corona situation in Cuba deteriorated dramatically.

After the holidays, the number of infections got out of hand.

Measures against Corona were tightened again and then they remained strict. Particularly in Havana.

Visiting Cuba was discouraged on the internet.

People wrote:

Individual tourism is not recommended.

The tourist must be quarantined in a hotel for two days on arrival and must remain in his room.

Empty racks in the shops and long lines in front of the shops.

Some advised taking food with you.

So that no time is wasted with long waiting in front of shops.

No bar, disco and restaurant is open.

There is no music anywhere.

There is a strict curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM.

With a fine of 2000 pesos for Cubans (and 2000 dollars for foreigners).

They wrote: Cuba has completely changed, and also, Cuba has never been so unattractive.

After I was vaccinated I wanted to go to Cuba because a vague acquaintance had searched and found three, later 2, fiancées for me.

Now that I've been there, I can confirm that all the negatives on the internet are completely correct.

Visiting Havana as an individual tourist is possible, but at the moment only in hotels. Casa give more problems. However, it remains possible.

The depreciation of the Cuban peso has made Cuba much cheaper.

On the street, the value of the euro is 75 pesos and the value of the dollar is 67 pesos at the moment.

The official rate is 22 pesos since January 1.

It is best to search the internet for hard currency buyers.

That's easier than on the street.

Pesos are offered on "Revolico".

Download the app.

Go to: buy Sell = Compra Venta.

Choose: Divisas.

Choose a province or city.

Search = Buscar.

Click an ad.

Note the phone number.

Send that person a Whatsapp in Spanish. Translate with Google.

Write when you are in Cuba and the date you want to exchange your money and how much.

Send him the address of your casa later.

In one of my reports I wrote that the price of my hotel room was more expensive in moneda national than on the internet.

The receptionist advised me to book the room on the internet.

This is true, and also not true. The room is more expensive if you pay with peso from the Cadeca.

If one pays with peso from the street. The room is half cheaper than on the internet.

The casa owners want to be paid in dollars or euros.

I also wrote that I pay my novia in dollars. I grant her this advantage.

I don't think this is necessary for chicas picked up on the street or (in the future) in bars.

I don't know how much money these chicas are asking now.

Before the year 2021, their price was usually around 30 and 40 CUC.

Thirty and forty CUC are now 30 x 22=660 peso and 880 peso.

I wouldn't pay more than 1000 peso.

After all, there is no correlation between expensive and good sex.

Due to the abolition of the CUC, Cuba is currently 50% and more cheaper for tourists.

However, hotels, restaurants, bars, taxis, shops are only cheaper with money bought from from private individuals.

For the sake of clarity I would like to mention that anyone entering Cuba must present a PCR test no older than 72 hours.

He must also be able to show a hotel reservation for 2 nights in a hotel.

Some hotels seem to no longer give reservations for 2 nights.

Their minimum is 5 nights.

At this point I have to advise people not to travel to Cuba.

Everything is closed, and Cuba is unrecognizable.

However, I will fly again on July 1.

First three days in quarantine in a hotel. Two days of quarantine is not feasible I think.

In practice, it takes 3 days before the results of the PCR test at the airport is received at the hotel.

Then two days with my fiancé in a hotel, and finally 2 days in my casa.

I let the casa owner earn something too.

[Edye Minetye]

Part 7.

Got up on time because at 8 o'clock the owner of my former casa would bring me my bag with things.

In that bag I keep things of little value but that are still too heavy to carry in my suitcase to Cuba every time, so leave it in my casa.

At 10 am my fiancé left because she had to work.

Gave her $50. Is a few dollars more than I give to chicas who have been with me for one day.

I give chicas $45 for the 1st day, $30 for the second and third days, $25 for the fourth, fifth and sixth days, and $20 for the seventh day. Makes $200 for a week of company.

It is not expensive for 10-12 times sex.

I used to pay in CUC but pay her now in dollars.

No moneda national because it has too little value at the moment.

I let her take advantage of the high dollar value and don't want to take this advantage myself.

I am a bastard, not an asshole".

At the door the last kiss.

"Regresaré el 1 de julio".

"No mires en los ojos a otros turistas".

Nice try, but this is Cuba.

I might as well ask a dog not to bark.

Walked to hotel Parque Central to check again if I could enter. No, the hotel was only open to guests.

To hotel Manzana to have a drink on the roof terrace.

The man in the lounge asked if I had a credit card with me to pay.

Cash is not accepted in the hotel due to Corona.

No, I didn't have a credi card with me. I've never needed that in Cuba until now, for bars and restaurants.

I didn't feel like picking up the card at my casa, because of the heat on the street.

Back to my casa and lay down on the bed.

With this heat, it is best to try to get some sleep with air conditioning on at 12 noon.

At 4 o'clock I woke up, and it was time to pack my suitcase.

At 6 pm the taxi would come that the propietario of the casa had ordered for me.

It was right on time and so was the cloudburst. The water fell in buckets from the sky.

Luckily I didn't have to look for a taxi on the street now.

The driver was an acquaintance of the propietario.

On arrival at the airport, in front of the sliding door, there was again that inevitable line for a table, which I didn't know why travelers were standing there for.

So I didn't know whether to join in or walk past.

When I came closer and they saw my red European passport, they motioned for me to continue.

Apparently only for Cubans.

Air Europa was already checking in.

There were about 30 people in line for the counters, which were well occupied with 10 people.

Without any problems through passport control and baggage control.

In the shop behind the customs one can now only pay in dollars, not in euros or peso.

Air Europa departed on time and was also on time in Madrid, the next day.

At 3 pm I took the plane to Amsterdam.

At 6 pm I took the train to my town.

At 9 pm "Home sweet home".

[Edye Minetye]

Part 6 b.

June 9 Wednesday.

He was back pretty quickly with the 2nd chica. It met almost all my requirements.

She was 4 years too old but I didn't mind.

She has a nice hollow back above her small well proportioned ass.

She is just as beautiful from the back as she is from the front. And it's a cat, which I prefer.

The chica also found me acceptable because she wanted to stay with me right away.

Have given to YMN the promised 50 euros. He smiled broadly when he saw the note.

I had agreed this amount with him if he would bring me a chica that met all my requirements.

Now I still have to pay him 5 x 30 euros the next times I'm in Cuba, if this chica is still with me.

I promised him 200 euros if he would find my perfect chica for me.

Beautiful, young, slim, tall, without children and without a novio.

Finding the perfect chica myself takes too much time.

Cuban men know every girl in their neighborhood. That goes faster.

Walked to town with her to eat and drink something on the roof terrace of hotel Parque Central.

The doorman said the roof terrace was closed.

Not yesterday.

When I asked if we could have a drink at the bar downstairs he said the bar was also closed to non-guests.

Walked to hotel Manzana where the roof terrace was overflowing with people, I had seen it from the park.

In the lounge of the hotel was an official with a paper with names.

He said the roof terrace was full. Allowed to exceed 50 maximum customers and that number was reached.

The names on his paper were the people who had reserved for later in the afternoon.

I saw that the last reservation was at 8 pm. The curfew starts at 9 pm.

Wandered through the sweltering city with my chica. Everywhere all the pubs were closed.

Finally she too realized that everything we did was in vain, and she wanted to eat a pizza.

We bought in San Rafael close to Galiano. Two pizzas 560 pesos. Eaten at home, very tasty.

A few pesos extra had to be paid for the box, which is slightly more expensive than the cardboard the pizzas are normally served on. My novia paid for that.

That is a good sign, it is rare that a chica pays something.

It's only a small amount. But the fact that she doesn't knock on my door for a trifle shows her character. She does not belong to the large group of the chica type; "Milking Yumas".

After dinner my chica wanted to sleep. Me too, and we went to. Haven't started having sex yet.

It did warm her up a bit by stroking her rhythmically, to which she responded well.

Got up at 7 pm. I was ready for alcohol.

For lack of beer, drank the white rum with ice. Wasn't bad.

Later we sat on the balcony my and my sweetheart.

A glass fell down on the street from the wall.

To bed by midnight. Very good and long sex with her.

The great thing about Cuba is that the young girls have no problem hanging out with old men.

They treat us like we're their age.

In the morning after waking up, warm her up a bit, by stroking her rhythmically.

That worked after 10 minutes. Then she let herself penetrate without preservativa.

This went difficulty, without the help of lubricante.

The fact that she didn't require a preservative is a very good sign, I think.

I don't think she lied yesterday when she said she doesn't have a novio.

[Edye Minetye]

Part 6 a.

June 9 Wednesday.

At 7 am YMN called, I didn't quite understand what he was saying. Like all Cubans, he talks very fast.

I think he confirmed that our appointment is at 11 am.

YMN is the brother in law of my ex novia, YSR.

When I broke up with YSR in January of this year, I asked him to find me some girls who were as beautiful and slim as YSR, and from which I could choose my new novia.

At 7 o'clock in the morning a lot of people are already lining up down here in the street. I don't know what's for sale there.

An old woman had brought her small wooden bench. She knew what awaited her.

At eight o'clock the connecting line was across the street.

YMN called again he only has 2 girls left for me to choose from.

Walked to Galiano at 9 am to buy coke, refresco, hugo and rum.

The corner shop at the bottom of Galiano was still closed.

The women inside, motioned for me to leave.

Talked to a man who said the store is no longer a regular store, it is now a dollar store.

Went to Asturia and bought 6 Coke, 6 Refresco and a bottle of rum. Hugo wasn't there. Carried home the heavy bag in the heat.

By 10 am I was home end I called the money changer, he said he would be there at 11 am.

At 11 o'clock YMN will also come with the first chica.

I stood on the balcony for a while and then I saw a lad with a chica approaching downstairs. The chica was in blue. Blue skirt with loose top.

They passed the house.

The chica next to him was quite nice but didn't meet my requirements 100%.

She wasn't slim enough and, in fact, not pretty enough.

I thought, if Yasmany introduced her to me, I'd turn her down.

After some phone calls he was at the door at half past eleven with this chica.

They drank Refresco and Coke. Then the money changer called.

Thrown the key down again, but it took a very long time before he was upstairs.

Walked down myself. Where he just opened the door.

I ordered moneda national from him online.

I wanted to exchange 400 euros, and he gives 75 cup for one euro. So he has to give me 30,000 cup.

But he didn't have the 150,200-peso bills I requested, but everything mixed up.

Also large denominations. Including 3 of 1000 cup. He took a picture of them before giving them to me.

He counted all 30,000 cups down there behind the front door and handed me the stack.

I said I didn't have time to count it. We would have to settle any difference. But the amount was right down to the last peso.

Talked some more with the chica and eventually they left with YMN.

YMN called me a little later and asked what I thought of the chica.

I said I found her too timid. Not lively enough.

I know these kind of chicas, they sit next to you in the pub for hours without saying or suggesting anything.

I felt no chemistry with her and neither did she with me, I could see that.

[Edye Minetye]

Part 5 b.

My former casa is closed due to Corona, but the new casa is comparable in quality.

It has been refurbished not long ago, and has a very nice bathroom and kitchen.

The most beautiful kitchen, and bathroom I've ever seen in Cuba in a casa.

The bathroom has a more than beautiful toilet bowl and a rain shower.

I didn't know that such beautiful things are for sale here in Cuba.

In the living room a very large TV for Cuban standards.

I had booked the casa for one night through AIRBNB for 42 euros.

I stay two nights, and for the second night the owner asked 35 euros "En efectivo".

That price is the same as that of my previous casa, and that was also a completely free casa for myself.

And now finally a casa with a balcony.

Showered, changed clothes, and took a tour of Havana Viega.

All bars and cafes are closed and as far as I could see only hotel Parque Central and hotel Manzana are open. Perhaps also Hotel Inglaterra.

I read earlier on a forum that there is almost no beer in Havana.

In San Rafael I saw a couple drinking beer on the street.

The man said he had bought the beer at the shop across the street. In there. I saw a pellet with trays of cans Cristal. About one cubic meter. So a reasonable amount.

Unfortunately, the saleswoman pointed me to the 50-60 persons line across the street that I saw earlier, but I didn't know it belonged to this store. Unfortunately.

In the Cadeca in the Obispo exchanged my CUCs for moneda national.

Walked to Lucero. When I drove by there this afternoon by taxi, I saw people on the terrace. The waiter I know said I could sit down but there wasn't a drop of beer in the place.

Back to my house. In Consulado I passed hotel Lido that was open. At least the front door.

In this small hotel I used to buy my beer for 1,5 CUC. But now there was no beer for sale here either. Beer would be there next week, the man said. But then I'll be home.

Unpacked my suitcase in the casa. There were only 4 hangers of bent steel wire in the closet.

I must not forget to buy 10 clothes hangers at home and take them with me next time.

Hungr. Walked to hotel Parque Central to eat.

I ate a steak on the roof terrace of the hotel. That's good there, but when ordering downstairs at the bar, I forgot to say I wanted it "well done", I got it sangrand.

The price including a refresco lime was 510 pesos.

Walked through Havana Viega again. Down in Calle Brazil, near Plaza Viega, a lad was selling Cristal beer. He had 2 glass-fronted refrigerators filled to the top with the familiar green cans. That was a beautiful sight.

I asked the price, 100 pesos per can. Expensive for Cubans, and not worth it to me.

I didn't have that much craving for beer. Buy rum tomorrow.

This beer is more expensive in this store than in hotel Parque Central where a can costs 85 pesos.

On the Plaza Viega two beautiful chicas that gave me a signal. They looked deep into my eyes.

Filling the bath with cold water at home to cool my feet.

Walked a lot today, I felt some blisters coming up under feet and toes.

Going to sleep. Wake up at 2 am. Updated this story.

[Edye Minetye]

I don't know how to present an optimally readable report here.

When I upload my report, with white lines, it appears as a continuous story.

Without a resting point for the reader, without paragraphs.

If I add a * mean as a note to the story, as further explanation that * is not in the final version here on the page.

In this report I no more preview the report. See if it is better.

Day 6.

June 8 Tuesday.

Part 5 a.

Because I was to travel back to my home country the day after tomorrow on June 10, and I have to submit a PCR test there not older than 72 hours, I should have that test taken in Sibony today.

Of course that won't work if I'm quarantined here.

That's why I called Air Europa to report my illness and cancel Thursday's trip.

The lady said I need to photograph proof that I have Corona and email the photo to their designated email address. Then I get 90 days, within which I can make this trip again.

That could be next Sunday. Then I have a few extra days in Havana.

But I have no proof that I was Corona positive.

When I left the hotel Parque Central, the medical service in the hotel did not give me a document with the test result: "Corona Positive."

Called the reception of this quarantine hotel and explained my problem, and asked if this document can be made for me here.

The woman said she can make a document, I am Corona free today.

(She apparently knew the result of the 2nd test, but did not go into it).

This means that I could fly home on Thursday anyway.

Perhaps this is for the best, then there is no need to change things at Air Europa.

Not changing usually causes fewer problems than changing.

At about 11 o'clock the reception called that I can leave the center. I got no explanation and not asked for that either. That makes no sense. They can say whatever they want.

I think the test taken here yesterday was Corona negative, and the vaccine did its job after I got on the plane to Madrid (2 hours, completely full) or to Havana (9 hours and 70% full), was infected, or at Madrid airport.

I packed my suitcase and went to the reception to pay the bill. All in all about 300 euros.

Paid in moneda national after I exchanged enough euros at the reception.

Called the owner of my casa particular but he did not respond.

He must be at or at the house when I arrive by taxi.

I don't feel like waiting half a day in front of his house with my bags on the street.

At 3 pm he called me back and I ordered a taxi for Havana at the reception.

It was a private person so an illegal taxi and the price was 880 pesos, the man said.

That price is ridiculous. Playa del este to Havana used to be 25 CUC is now 600 pesos.

He wanted almost 1.5 times the price, with 20 pesos less, so the amount didn't seem high.

He is probably an acquaintance of the receptionist.

She lets him earn something late and gets half of that, I think.

I was able to negotiate the price down to 720 pesos. He didn't go any lower.

Sending him away and ordering another taxi was not an option.

The dueno of my casa was waiting for me. Half an hour later I was in Havana.

[Edye Minetye]

Part4.

Monday 7 June.

5th day.

Just after 7 o'clock in the morning, the nurse came to take the PCR test. Was painful again.

My name was not quite correct on the bottle. The room number was correct. So not a big problem I guess.

In the afternoon the doctor came to the door and wanted an explanation about my health insurance.

They want to declare their costs directly to my health insurance.

But they are not strong at that.

I already noticed that yesterday, when someone called me from the reception and asked if I was from the Netherlands or from New Zealand.

Not completely stupid, because Zeeland is a province in the Netherlands. LOL.

They will not be able to declare directly from abroad.

Our insurance companies are not equipped for this.

We the customers declare our bills by opening the insurance app, taking a picture of the bill and sending it via the app. I don't see them doing that from Cuba yet.

Decided to pay their bill in cash and declare it to my insurance myself.

The doctor thanked me. I hope this gives me something.

I got my first bill yesterday.

It concerned the ambulance ride from hotel Parque Central to this hotel. The cost is 840 cup.

A bit more expensive than the comparable taxi ride.

It used to cost 25 CUC /600 cup from Havana to Playa del este.

Tonight, when the nurse came to take my temperature, the door of the hotel room next door opened at the same time and someone started coughing.

I did not see the person, but heard from his cough that he was quite ill.

Never in my life I heard someone have such a bad cough.

I understand that this is difficult for non-Dutch people.

My country is called the Netherlands. (The Low Countries) but is known all over the world as Holland. Because their inhabitants "The Duch" sailed the oceans.

Remember, they bought the land from the Native Americans that is now Manhattan and called it New Amsterdam.

This Holland still exists, is in my county also a province.

[Edye Minetye]

Sorry about your troubles. Unfortunately even if you test tomorrow it's at least 3 days. The PCRs have little false positive. You likely are having asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic disease due to vaccination. You will also likely clear the virus faster, but even that maybe 5 days as usually it takes 10-14 days. In the trials you wouldn't have been tested and would have been declared as never having got covid. With all this asymptomatic testing, it's a risk for travelling back. The truth is those in your situation hardly shed and likely not very contagious but the CDC seems hesitant to say that and liberate the vaccinated at least.

Which vaccine did you get if you don't mind sharing?

Seeing you are from Europe, I am guessing AZ. The vaccine is doing its job, but it's messing no with your trip Bigly.

I was vaccinated with Pfizer.

[GeneHickman]

Despite the positive test, I felt excellent.

Furthermore, I think I am the first fully vaccinated person ever admitted here.

They still have to gain experience with that.

Sorry about your troubles. Unfortunately even if you test tomorrow it's at least 3 days. The PCRs have little false positive. You likely are having asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic disease due to vaccination. You will also likely clear the virus faster, but even that maybe 5 days as usually it takes 10-14 days. In the trials you wouldn't have been tested and would have been declared as never having got covid. With all this asymptomatic testing, it's a risk for travelling back. The truth is those in your situation hardly shed and likely not very contagious but the CDC seems hesitant to say that and liberate the vaccinated at least.

Which vaccine did you get if you don't mind sharing?

Seeing you are from Europe, I am guessing AZ. The vaccine is doing its job, but it's messing no with your trip Bigly.

[AmorPorFavor]

Part3.

Sunday 6 June 4th day.

At half past eight I went to the medical post of the hotel.

The nurse found my name on her list, and she said she was going to call.

At 10 o'clock she called in my room and asked if I could come to her office.

When I got there I was not allowed to enter. She had the result, I was Corona positive.

I did not expect that. It could be a test error, it could also be that I was infected in the crowded Amsterdam-Madrid plane, at the airport in Madrid or on the plane to Havana. That flight takes 9 hours.

Despite the positive test, I felt excellent.

Didn't have a single Corona symptom, probably because I had two vaccinations.

I would be transported by ambulance to a quarantine center.

Sent all my acquaintances a Whatsapp that I have been tested positive and that everything is uncertain.

Showered and lay in bed awaiting the arrival of the ambulance.

About one o'clock the nurse came and I went out through the back door of the hotel.

I appreciate their discretion. LOL.

The ambulance drove to Playa del Este, to the Arenal hotel, which now serves as a quarantine center.

This hotel is located slightly to the east than hotel Atlantico.

A female doctor and a nurse took me to my room, which is quite reasonable.

Recently painted, clean, reasonable bathroom.

The doctor said I would be tested again in 5 days, the 11th of June.

All new patients are retested after a 5 day stay that is the rule.

That's ridiculous I said. I want to be tested tomorrow as I have been vaccinated and have no symptoms.

If I didn't agree with her, I had to talk to the head of the institution tomorrow morning, Monday. But luckily this was not necessary.

Later, the nurse took photos of my passport, my insurance policy, and a photo of my passport right next to my room number on the front door. I thought that was smart.

At 9 pm the nurse came to my door to take my temperature again.

She said I'm having a PCR test tomorrow Monday.

Because my temperature, measured twice as normal, was not elevated, that would have been sufficient reason to do a PCR test early. I think.

Furthermore, I think I am the first fully vaccinated person ever admitted here.

They still have to gain experience with that.

Thanks for the reports. Sorry about your situation with the test. There are a lot of us hoping to get back to Cuba ASAP. Your experience with the positive test is what is keeping me away from international travel right now. I'm fully vaxxed as well but you can get unlucky with a test. I am holding some CUCs and am wondering if you can spend them anywhere now or if they all have to be exchanged for CUPs? Keep the reports coming bro.

[Edye Minetye]

Part3.

Sunday 6 June 4th day.

At half past eight I went to the medical post of the hotel.

The nurse found my name on her list, and she said she was going to call.

At 10 o'clock she called in my room and asked if I could come to her office.

When I got there I was not allowed to enter. She had the result, I was Corona positive.

I did not expect that. It could be a test error, it could also be that I was infected in the crowded Amsterdam-Madrid plane, at the airport in Madrid or on the plane to Havana. That flight takes 9 hours.

Despite the positive test, I felt excellent.

Didn't have a single Corona symptom, probably because I had two vaccinations.

I would be transported by ambulance to a quarantine center.

Sent all my acquaintances a Whatsapp that I have been tested positive and that everything is uncertain.

Showered and lay in bed awaiting the arrival of the ambulance.

About one o'clock the nurse came and I went out through the back door of the hotel.

I appreciate their discretion. LOL.

The ambulance drove to Playa del Este, to the Arenal hotel, which now serves as a quarantine center.

This hotel is located slightly to the east than hotel Atlantico.

A female doctor and a nurse took me to my room, which is quite reasonable.

Recently painted, clean, reasonable bathroom.

The doctor said I would be tested again in 5 days, the 11th of June.

All new patients are retested after a 5 day stay that is the rule.

That's ridiculous I said. I want to be tested tomorrow as I have been vaccinated and have no symptoms.

If I didn't agree with her, I had to talk to the head of the institution tomorrow morning, Monday. But luckily this was not necessary.

Later, the nurse took photos of my passport, my insurance policy, and a photo of my passport right next to my room number on the front door. I thought that was smart.

At 9 pm the nurse came to my door to take my temperature again.

She said I'm having a PCR test tomorrow Monday.

Because my temperature, measured twice as normal, was not elevated, that would have been sufficient reason to do a PCR test early. I think.

Furthermore, I think I am the first fully vaccinated person ever admitted here.

They still have to gain experience with that.

[Edye Minetye]

Part 2.

At hotel Parque Central I checked in for 2 nights, and I was given a yellow bracelet as a sign that I was in quarantine at the hotel.

Due to the low occupancy rate of the hotel, I did not have to stay in the room, but I was allowed to stay anywhere in the hotel with a mask obligation.

The next morning I want to exchange my CUCs but they don't do that at the hotel.

They do exchange euros in moneda national, but they do not exchange CUC in moneda national.

So I have to go to the Cadeca.

Went to the roof terrace and also went into the water of the pool, because I was under the impression that this was allowed by the low occupancy of the hotel.

And so early in the morning I was the only hotel guest on the roof terrace and therefore also the only one in the pool.

But the next morning a member of staff walked around and saw me in the water with my yellow bracelet.

He said I was not allowed in the water as a quarantine guest.

Not even if I was the only one in the water.

I showed my face to the hotel's medics due to the results of the coming PCR test.

He stays in a room on the mezina. When he has the results, she calls me on the room phone.

Not on my Cuban number. And I couldn't change that. There's nothing to do about it. It's in her prescription I think.

Because at 4 pm the results of the test had not yet been received, I a third day in the hotel.

I would have liked to book the room on site, and pay in cash, but the receptionist pointed out to me that booking via the internet is much cheaper.

I paid 122 euros via the internet. The price is on site is 5000 cup so about 200 dollars a night.

In retrospect, I think it is unrealistic to expect that a PCR test taken on Thursday at 8 pm Will be available on Saturday at 6 pm.

One must reserve 3 days for this.

I had hoped that the results of the test would be available before 6 pm on Saturday afternoon.

So 48 hours after taking it.

Then I was with 2 nights in the hotel and "a late checkout" on the 2nd day for 25 dollars, was cheaper than 3 nights in the hotel.

But that's too optimistic for Cuba.

[Edye Minetye]

Part 1.

Booked two days in hotel Parque Central and then my casa particular for 5 days.

Received my 2nd Pfizer injection on May 26th.

Now I could go to Havana reasonably safely and without problems after 15 months for 1 week, I thought.

Have a PCR test taken on June 1.

The results on June 2; negative.

Departed from Amsterdam to Madrid on 3 June with Air Europa.

From there flown on with Air Europa to Havana.

At the gate in Madrid it was chaos and the distance rule was totally neglected.

The passengers stood side by side, almost pressed together.

The plane to Havana was 70% full, I estimate, and departed two hours late because a passenger was not allowed to come and his luggage had to be unloaded.

At Havana airport, I was last in line for the PCR test because I always choose a seat in the back of the plane.

But after half an hour it was my turn. There were 6 or 8 parallel test units set up.

Without any problems through passport control and baggage control.

It was chaos at the baggage claim. People stood side by side here too.

Every Cuban arriving there, in addition to his suitcases, had 5 or 6 plastic-wrapped packages of 0. 5 x0. 5 x05 m.

Lying there on the floor or loading luggage carts, when the package finally passed on the belt.

I estimate I was able to lift my suitcase off the belt after about 20 minutes.

In the direction of customs, a long line of Cubans waited with their carts with their packages until they could clear their goods.

Since I only had a suitcase and a laptop case on top of that, I walked past that row until I got to the head of the row.

There I beckoned to the officer standing there and pointed to my two pieces of luggage.

He opened the ribbon and showed me through to the exit where the customs declaration is to be issued.

Where I also passed the not-so-long line with what little luggage I had with me.

The Cubans didn't mind that they understood my situation.

The woman checking the labels saw that there was no sign on them and let me through.

When the sliding door opened there was another line for a table where people registered.

I had no idea what that was for, but walked past it too.

Outside stood the taxi woman, who pointed me to a taxi driver for the ride to the hotel Parque Central.

I had many CUCs but no moneda national and therefore brought some dollars.

I asked the driver if he would take me to hotel Parque Central for 25 dollars.

Of course he said yes to that.

Afterwards I thought I should have offered him 20 dollars given the low exchange rate on the street.

At 9 pm I was on the doorstep at hotel Parque Central.

[MjTravelLove]

Deserted streets of Havana. Sad. I miss the good old days in Havana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z07cvYd65Wo

Any more active now in May / June?