Havana

[Vedado Fun]

Hey Vedado,

Thanks for letting us know that foreigners can now get their own linea, I was not aware of that.

Yeah, good point about the scam, when I got mine some friend got it for me, so no issue there.

BTW, yep you need to recharge such Sim card before the year runs out otherwise you lose it.

Mondo.

No that's not correct. When you get a line it is good for 330 days from the activation date or from when you did the last top up. I believe after 330 days it is suspended and you then have 30 days to top it up or lose it. The line is always good for 330 days after the last top up. It does not expire at the end of the year.

If the line is in a so called friend's name they own it and can cancel it at any time or say they lost the Sim card and get a new one along with whatever balance you had left on it. The rules are all on the Etecsa site but of course in Cuba they don't always following the rules. http://www.etecsa.cu/telefonia_movil..._y_activacion/.

[Bdb013]

I envy you amigo!

Though I will be going to Thailand and Indonesia in about 10 days, I still find myself daydreaming of La Isola Grande.

I hope you find time to post your expereinces and give us some updates about the scene.

Enjoy and have fun!

Uncle-V.

I've been to Thailand, Bangkok, Chaing Mai & Pattaya, also Vietnam and Cambodia. I'm headed back to my ATF Medellin in a couple weeks. But I still cherish Habana. I've been a couple times and ready to go back.

[Uncle Volodya]

Thanks to all for input over the past few days! I'm taking notes with only 5 days out!

I envy you amigo!

Though I will be going to Thailand and Indonesia in about 10 days, I still find myself daydreaming of La Isola Grande.

I hope you find time to post your expereinces and give us some updates about the scene.

Enjoy and have fun!

Uncle-V.

[Mondo707]

You no longer have to be a Cuban to get a line. Just go to the Etecsa office with your passport and you can get a line in your name. It costs 40 CUC and it includes 10 CUC credit on the line. I think you have to put money on it aprox every 11 months or you will lose it. If you get a line in a Cuban's name they can take it back from you anytime. They just say they lost their Sim card and pay 2 or 3 CUC for a new Sim which will also include whatever balance you had on it. Yours will no longer work then. This is a very common scam. LOL.

Hey Vedado,

Thanks for letting us know that foreigners can now get their own linea, I was not aware of that.

Yeah, good point about the scam, when I got mine some friend got it for me, so no issue there.

BTW, yep you need to recharge such Sim card before the year runs out otherwise you lose it.

Mondo.

[Rodeo9112]

Thanks to all for input over the past few days! I'm taking notes with only 5 days out!

[Vedado Fun]

Hey,

For those of you that enjoy mulatas, she's is certainly a 9+ in my book. Also, good dancing.

Question, has anybody met her?

Mondo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ffbbWJ2eY

Lisandra is a dance teacher in Havana. Not available. Has a boyfriend.

[Vedado Fun]

Hey Uncle,

Yeah, lines I was told were long and whoever is going to get the linea needs to be cubano / a natiional. Happens that I know people in la Habana and someone did this for me.

If you know people that you've met on your previous trips they will do it for you. Just throw an extra 10 CUC for whoever does this for you, that's what I did. Also, any chica you've been with and are in good standing with her will do it but you also run the risk of getting more involved with her. If that's ok then no problema, if it's not then don't go this route.

Remember, once you get the linea, you need to recharge it (put money on the balance) at least once a year otherwise the linea won't work after one year.

When I did the transfer to my name I went just before closing at the Etecsa office on the side of the Focsa building (calle M why 17) I didn't have to wait long and made my way up the stairs after asking in "English" some bullshit question and people in the linea had no idea what to say, so I just walked up the stairs and talked to one of the clerks where I got redirected to the boss lady who did me el favor to put it on my name.

Mondo.

You no longer have to be a Cuban to get a line. Just go to the Etecsa office with your passport and you can get a line in your name. It costs 40 CUC and it includes 10 CUC credit on the line. I think you have to put money on it aprox every 11 months or you will lose it. If you get a line in a Cuban's name they can take it back from you anytime. They just say they lost their Sim card and pay 2 or 3 CUC for a new Sim which will also include whatever balance you had on it. Yours will no longer work then. This is a very common scam. LOL.

[Uncle Volodya]

Hey,

For those of you that enjoy mulatas, she's is certainly a 9+ in my book. Also, good dancing.

Question, has anybody met her?

Mondo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ffbbWJ2eY

Indeed. Lovely face and fit body. Got to love the way she moves.

I am such a paton, though. I'd be too intimidated to invite her for a dance.

[Uncle Volodya]

I ran into Lisa Morales in Santa Clara, she was promoting fitness / exercise. Had a TV camera crew tagging along, now she is one hot chica!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL82K_PfBsk

Of course the young ones try to emulate her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RecA7HEXICU&t=2s

When I was there in May there was a girl at Up&Down who looked a lot like Miss Morales. She was there both nights and looked like a regular. So you may be abele to find her there. She was a bit too sharkey for my tastes so I gave her a pass.

[Ty Down]

Hey,

For those of you that enjoy mulatas, she's is certainly a 9+ in my book. Also, good dancing.

Question, has anybody met her?

Mondo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ffbbWJ2eY

I ran into Lisa Morales in Santa Clara, she was promoting fitness / exercise. Had a TV camera crew tagging along, now she is one hot chica!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL82K_PfBsk

Of course the young ones try to emulate her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RecA7HEXICU&t=2s

[Mondo707]

Hey,

For those of you that enjoy mulatas, she's is certainly a 9+ in my book. Also, good dancing.

Question, has anybody met her?

Mondo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ffbbWJ2eY

[Uncle Volodya]

Hey Uncle,

Yeah, lines I was told were long and whoever is going to get the linea needs to be cubano / a natiional. Happens that I know people in la Habana and someone did this for me.

If you know people that you've met on your previous trips they will do it for you. Just throw an extra 10 CUC for whoever does this for you, that's what I did. Also, any chica you've been with and are in good standing with her will do it but you also run the risk of getting more involved with her. If that's ok then no problema, if it's not then don't go this route.

Remember, once you get the linea, you need to recharge it (put money on the balance) at least once a year otherwise the linea won't work after one year.

When I did the transfer to my name I went just before closing at the Etecsa office on the side of the Focsa building (calle M why 17) I didn't have to wait long and made my way up the stairs after asking in "English" some bullshit question and people in the linea had no idea what to say, so I just walked up the stairs and talked to one of the clerks where I got redirected to the boss lady who did me el favor to put it on my name.

Mondo.

Thanks for the tip!

[Mondo707]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will get my casa owner or one of my girls to help me with this. How are the lines at the ETECSA office? Last time I was there I saw big lines whenever I passed these places.

Hey Uncle,

Yeah, lines I was told were long and whoever is going to get the linea needs to be cubano / a natiional. Happens that I know people in la Habana and someone did this for me.

If you know people that you've met on your previous trips they will do it for you. Just throw an extra 10 CUC for whoever does this for you, that's what I did. Also, any chica you've been with and are in good standing with her will do it but you also run the risk of getting more involved with her. If that's ok then no problema, if it's not then don't go this route.

Remember, once you get the linea, you need to recharge it (put money on the balance) at least once a year otherwise the linea won't work after one year.

When I did the transfer to my name I went just before closing at the Etecsa office on the side of the Focsa building (calle M why 17) I didn't have to wait long and made my way up the stairs after asking in "English" some bullshit question and people in the linea had no idea what to say, so I just walked up the stairs and talked to one of the clerks where I got redirected to the boss lady who did me el favor to put it on my name.

Mondo.

[Chris H]

I think the name of the bar has changed but this has been going on for at least 20 years. I have gone into the bar as I wanted to see it but there were all sorts sorts of posts on a now defunct Cuba form warning of the bar. A hole in the wall, dark place that is on Neptuno, west of the Prado

Kinda surprised by the comments regarding this bar. We have never had any issues, we even bring or own bottles of rum in there, and they keep it behind the bar for us to drink from. Of course we share with the bartenders and the door guy. There are some females in there, but mainly not until late at night, after the other bars and clubs close.

I spoke with my friend that works there, and he did say, he is NOT surprised at all about this little scam. He says the owner encourages this crap, and it will be their downfall. Be safe out there guys, but don't sleep on the talent that does come through this spot.

[Chris H]

Seriously? I got drilled at my global entry interview about 8 months ago for going to Cuba last year.

That really surprises me. I went 8 times within the last year, no issues at all. Matter of fact when I use mobile passport, they don't ask any questions at all. Headed back down in 2 weeks, will let you know if anything has changed.