Havana

[quote=water boy]i don't care if the girls pay bribes.

what about us foreigners paying bribes?

i thought the general rule in cuba was: "never offer a bribe to a cuban police officer" this could get you in big legal trouble.

what are others thoughts on this?[/quote]

things have changed water boy. the general rule used to be like that. this was in the days when socialism and unity still superceeded greed. today, it is vice versa. i have never paid a bribe until my last two trips. then 2-3 bribes on my previous trip and 5-7 on my trip a month ago. by far the most to traffic cops.

the new general rule is like this:

if you have not done anything wrong: act like you know cuba. refuse to accept a fine. tell him you have time and will go with him to the station. he will let you go.

if you have done something: slip him a 10, 20 or 30. 10 is for running a yellow/red light, 30 is for serious speeding.

[QUOTE=Beersterry]Let the chica work out the bribe with the cop. You end up paying of course. They will get out of your face for 10 CUC[/QUOTE]

10? Not in the parts of Havana i stay. 20 if Im lucky, but 30 seems to be the norm for 'not seeing' the girl you are walking with.

When were you in Havana, Beersterry?

[QUOTE=Water Boy]
My Two Cents on TG's post:

I only partially agree with your statement. Knowing how to work things in Cuba is definetly a MUST. And speaking excellent spanish is a huge plus. (Although translators may be used.)

I disagree with your statement that "you are home free." There is NO magic bullet. (If there is one - please inform me.)
[/QUOTE]

You are right. I put that into wrong words. You are never home free. Even seasoned Cuban travellers will never be.

BUT - Combination of good Spanish skills (and I mean being able to say anything you want to say, perhaps not in beautifully constructed sentences, but getting anything accross) and intense knowledge of working girls, police, male hustlers, taxis, doormen, casa owners, guards, friends, foes, etcetera will put you in a situation where you can cruise the streets in a form of confidence that you will know what to do when a situation arises.

But home free, no. Wrong words.

The cops will not ask you for a tsright bride. They all say that it their birthday and they do not want any hassle with you or anubody. So they say it my birthday how about a birthday present. I have given a couple of birthday presents on many of trips.

[QUOTE=El Cubanito]The cops will not ask you for a tsright bride. They all say that it their birthday and they do not want any hassle with you or anubody. So they say it my birthday how about a birthday present. I have given a couple of birthday presents on many of trips.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it's actually so funny. Had a first-time Cuba visitor visit me a month back and I had told him about the birthday-thing. He couldn't help himself from laughing everytime these guys said it.

Funny thing is, on a number of occassions I would argue a bit with them, refuse to haven done anything wrong and by the time they realize I'm not Joe Sucker confused in Cuba and have given me my papers back and loosened up and are about to say goodbye as I role up the window, they say 'Ohh, amigo, and today is my birthday!'.

"Feliz cumpleaño," I reply as the window shuts and I take off.

Trying to get a bribe as a small token for not handing you an unwarranted ticket - AFTER they have realized they're not getting a bribe. I love Cuba...

And my counter-replies . . .

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]
If you find that 100 cuc is not expensive (and often for one or two hours - not a full night - and often not GFE either, especially if the girl is picked up at a disco), you must be used to mongering in Sweden... I highly suggest you don't ruin Cuba for everybody else by paying 100 cuc to any girl while there.
[/QUOTE]
100 CUC is not expensive for TLN. Try getting a TLN from a decent chica in Brazil or Argentina or Chile or any of the biggie South American countries for 100 CUC. Good luck. In fact, please tell me where it is easy to find TLNs for 100 CUC...I'd like to go there ;)

That said, I plan on doing my work and paying in the 20-50 range, which is reasonable and still a great deal.

By the way...a TLN in Sweden can run you anywhere from $750 to $2000.

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]You don't need to have my replies confirmed. I have spend about 1½ year in Cuba in total. My recent visit was one month ago and lasted 6 weeks. I have met thousands of Cuban girls, and have been to just about every street and disco in Havana and suburbs.
[/QUOTE]
I appreciate your confidence, but I don't believe the 90% figure. I don't think you're going to find anyone to confirm it.

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]
That said, please change your attitude towards the girls. If you meet a anice girl, you're an idiot if you don't help her in any way you can.[/QUOTE]
This attitude will get you in trouble in the Caribbean my friend :)

[QUOTE=Smokers Rule]And my counter-replies . . .


100 CUC is not expensive for TLN. Try getting a TLN from a decent chica in Brazil or Argentina or Chile or any of the biggie South American countries for 100 CUC. Good luck. In fact, please tell me where it is easy to find TLNs for 100 CUC...I'd like to go there ;)

That said, I plan on doing my work and paying in the 20-50 range, which is reasonable and still a great deal.

By the way...a TLN in Sweden can run you anywhere from $750 to $2000.


I appreciate your confidence, but I don't believe the 90% figure. I don't think you're going to find anyone to confirm it.


This attitude will get you in trouble in the Caribbean my friend :)[/QUOTE]

Believe whatever you want. I'm trying to help you out, buddy, but you honestly sound like a smart ass. Well, no, actually like an idiot. Where do you come off questionning the helpful tips I'm trying to give you? You've never set foot in the country and you're telling me that I'm giving you wrong advice?!?!?

3 questions, cleverboy:

1. Do you know the currency rate of the CUC?
2. Have you been much around in the Caribean or in Central America?
3. Where did you get the idea that the 100 (or 30 or 50 ot whatever) is for TLN? You may have luck and find that, but it's not the norm. When a girl quotes you 80 or 100 in a club or on the street, she is not talking about staying for the night.

You actually don't need to answer them, since I kinda lost interest in you.

Have a nice trip. You allready know all there is to know, so what could go wrong really?

Sir,

I seek only truth; I feel that, though well-intentioned, some of your info is questionable given what I have read here and elsewhere. You should not take honest inquiry as a personal affront. I have read a lot about Cuba, and I will continue to read more. Your contributions are both useful and appreciated. However, some of what you have to say does not square with what I have read and what common sense tells me should be true, so I question it. Nothing personal against you.

Regarding the questions that you typed out but did not intend for me to answer (?), I will go ahead and anser them:

1) 1CUC = $1.08, but I round up to $1.25 for easier math.

2) I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America and the Caribbean...I've been to 7 Latin American countries in 2008, and intend to visit 3 more next month.

3) My perusal of this board and others (unmentionable here) indicates that 100 CUC is reasonable for TLN. I'm not dumb; I realize that many chicas won't do TLN for any money. They have kids, parents, reputation, scared of police, etc. I was merely using this as my pricing example. From what I have read, few Cubanas bring in 100 CUC for ST, though there are exceptions. In any case, I reiterate my assertion that, based on my experience and what I have read on the boards, Cuba is not expensive.

There is a recurring trend on this board and on others: Two people think they know everything, so they post back and forth telling each other why they're wrong. This evolves into what Jackson calls "serial antagonism."

I do not mean to antagonise you in the slightest; I'm merely seeking accurate information. I readily admit that I know nothing about Cuba first-hand...I have never been there!

I think we should raise the level of discourse on this board. Name calling (see: "smart ass" and "cleverboy") belongs on the schoolyards. We are adults.

That said, I will reiterate that I appreciate your contributions to this board.

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]Believe whatever you want. I'm trying to help you out, buddy, but you honestly sound like a smart ass. Well, no, actually like an idiot. Where do you come off questionning the helpful tips I'm trying to give you? You've never set foot in the country and you're telling me that I'm giving you wrong advice?!?!?

3 questions, cleverboy:

1. Do you know the currency rate of the CUC?
2. Have you been much around in the Caribean or in Central America?
3. Where did you get the idea that the 100 (or 30 or 50 ot whatever) is for TLN? You may have luck and find that, but it's not the norm. When a girl quotes you 80 or 100 in a club or on the street, she is not talking about staying for the night.

You actually don't need to answer them, since I kinda lost interest in you.

Have a nice trip. You allready know all there is to know, so what could go wrong really?[/QUOTE]

Thank you for appreciating my report.

Water Boy Questions:

I´ld rate theChicas 7-8, 18 – 26 years old, not chubby one definitely petite, b-c cup, morena – negrita (I´m not that familiar with the classificationsystem they were fair to darker skinned). Yes I´ld go back to Cuba, although it will be HAV and provincias next time.

IT:

Yes, 25-35 CUC TLN, did BBBJ, didn´t ask for CIM, anal.

Beersteery:

When saying Turquino on the second floor I´m not talking about the disco at the top of the Habana Libre.

Suerte Smily

Sorry, but if you're not a smart-ass, I don't know what is. I have spend more than a year in Cuba and you keep telling me that my information and help is wrong.

Fine with me. I should have stopped trying to help you after your first arrogant response to the help that other experienced Cuba-travellers tried to give you. Instead of wasting my time on a guy whos pattern of discussion is like this:

- Hi, I've never been to Cuba. What's it like?
- It's like this. Here's how you get the best out of it....
- Naah, don't really belive that.

So, If there are experienced Cuba-travellers on these boards who you have not yet pissed on, I hope you'll be able to get some help before going. Because you sound like you really need it.

I for one am gonna spend my time helping out guys who appreciate being helped and who don't act like they know everything about a country they've never set foot it (and who have a different opinion on how to treat Cuban girls...)

So no more replies from me.

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]
- Hi, I've never been to Cuba. What's it like?
- It's like this. Here's how you get the best out of it....
- Naah, don't really belive that.
[/QUOTE]

I believe you may have embellished slightly. To my mind, it goes something like this:

- Hi, I've never been to Cuba. What is it like?
- Don't go there. The girls are a "hazzle" and "9 out of 10 of the good looking girls will insist on condom for BJ." Cuba should be reserved for experienced, established mongers like me. Go back to Costa Rica.
- I don't believe you. Can anyone corroborate the 9 out of 10 claim?

(Silence)

- What? You're questioning my supreme Cuba knowledge? You ingrate.
- I was just . . .
- Shut up, you (insert childish name here). I've lost interest and won't talk to you anymore.

I'm still waiting for the person to back up this claim:

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]9 out of 10 of the good looking girls will insist on condom for BJ[/QUOTE]

This is not a personal attack against you. It is an attempt to ensure that the information posted on this board is accurate. Why do I care so much? Partially because I want to know what I'm getting into when I go to Cuba. But I also want to make sure that future travelers that use these boards as a reference (perhaps to decide whether to go) do not face inaccurate information.

If a potential Cuba visitor looks here and sees that bbbj is impossible with hot chicks, he may not go. If we all just sat around and deferred to anyone who said anything questionable on this board, it would be full of inaccurate information. If I have done nothing in this series of posts, it has been to raise serious questions about the claim. I obviously don't know first-hand, so I will have to wait until I actually go to post my experience.

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]So no more replies from me.[/QUOTE]
Pity :)

this past December.

I realize Havana is getting more and more expensive but what part of Havana are you hanging in ?

Along the Malecon and La Rampa may be more as is vieja and touristy part of centro. I am never doing anything serious enough to have to pay a fine anyhow!!

One final reply - only because you are misquoting me.

1. I never told anybody 'don't go there'. I love Cuba. What I've often said is 'if you're looking for a full-time mongering vacation, don't choose Cuba'. read up on these boards.

2. I never said bbbj is impossible with hot chicks. I said it's getting rarer. Especially because theres a new outbreak of STD's in town. 9 out of 10 is naturally not based on statistical facts, but on a 'feel'. Might be 7 or 8 out of 10. And here's a sure fact: It used to be 0 or 1 out of 10, so things are changing rapidly. Yes, I wrote fact. So now you better go find someone to back this statement up. 'Cause how could I ever now?

To sum up: You can act like an ignorant sex tourist who thinks he should question all the help he is getting when asking for it himself all you want - but don't misquote me.

Now, let's leave this board to people who actually contribute. You and I are contributing nothing right now.

[QUOTE=Smokers Rule]I believe you may have embellished slightly. To my mind, it goes something like this:

- Hi, I've never been to Cuba. What is it like?
- Don't go there. The girls are a "hazzle" and "9 out of 10 of the good looking girls will insist on condom for BJ." Cuba should be reserved for experienced, established mongers like me. Go back to Costa Rica.
- I don't believe you. Can anyone corroborate the 9 out of 10 claim?

(Silence)

- What? You're questioning my supreme Cuba knowledge? You ingrate.
- I was just . . .
- Shut up, you (insert childish name here). I've lost interest and won't talk to you anymore.

I'm still waiting for the person to back up this claim:



This is not a personal attack against you. It is an attempt to ensure that the information posted on this board is accurate. Why do I care so much? Partially because I want to know what I'm getting into when I go to Cuba. But I also want to make sure that future travelers that use these boards as a reference (perhaps to decide whether to go) do not face inaccurate information.

If a potential Cuba visitor looks here and sees that bbbj is impossible with hot chicks, he may not go. If we all just sat around and deferred to anyone who said anything questionable on this board, it would be full of inaccurate information. If I have done nothing in this series of posts, it has been to raise serious questions about the claim. I obviously don't know first-hand, so I will have to wait until I actually go to post my experience.


Pity :)[/QUOTE]

Always staying in Vedado and Miramar. Might be easier to get off out in the barrios. Then again, not as many cops out there to test the theory on.

[QUOTE=Beersterry]this past December.

I realize Havana is getting more and more expensive but what part of Havana are you hanging in ?

Along the Malecon and La Rampa may be more as is vieja and touristy part of centro. I am never doing anything serious enough to have to pay a fine anyhow!![/QUOTE]

Not sure what you think I'm misquoting you on. If you're referring to the stylized back-and-forth, that one was my tit for your tat.

So as not to misquote you, I will copy/paste the only statements we fundamentally disagree on:

[QUOTE=Travelling Gring]Pussy is cheap. No. Pussy is expensive [/QUOTE][QUOTE=Travelling Gring]9 out of 10 of the good looking girls will insist on condom for BJ[/QUOTE]Clearing up these questionable statements is both useful and appropriate for this board. If you want to send any personal attacks or call me an "idiot," "smart ass," or "cleverboy," please use the PM system.