Havana

Gentlemen,

I got an email last week from friend who is in Havana right now. It is directly pertinent to this condom thread and I have copied the following passage for your consideration:

"…as you said the pickins are easy. I must tell you I've been offered full service without a johnny 3 times now for extra $$ one time tthis was for $5 on top of the $40 we agreed. I know what you think, I didnt ask for it they offered it. You know I said NO. I'm not bringing back anyhting more than a few cigars!…."

(sensible words, even if he is paying too much!)

Fellow hunters, we can read into this whatever we like, but the message for me is clear. Uncovered, is clearly being offered (an indication of the current financial state / or were they just skanks?). This is news to me as I have never been offered this in the past in Cuba. Uncovered, for BBBJ, is one of the ultimates for me ~ and that's as far as it goes uncovered.

Without being patronising, it does need saying because of what happens to a man when we mix desire, alcohol and freedom: stay covered for penetration (for front and rear entrance). Best always to take your own condoms, condón, preservatif, whateveryoucallit, or indeed as the British say "Johnnys". I have long since taken a lot more than I needed and always given a couple to the girl I was with. Strategic planning on my part; who knows, I may see her again on my next visit ~ she will remember me!

My friend is right about bringing back more than cigars as shown by Explorer8939 (Havana, General Info. Board) and his URL recommendation. Worth checking out IMHO.

Don't flame me: no patronising, insult or medical advice is intended here. Just good common sense (hunting instinct).

Regards,

Havanaman

Hey all,

I've been using the board for a bit now, but haven't been able to post anything since WSG verification msgs weren't getting through to my account. Anyway, everything is fixed now and I'm looking forward to making my own little contributions where possible. I just got back from a four day jaunt to Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. I'll try and post a report sometime soon - nothing big, just an update on the situation.

Roger the Surfer

Hi you all!

First, let me thank everyone who's posted advise on this board. I'll make good use of it the week of November 24th when I'll be in Havana for the very first time!

Now, is anyone else from this board going to be there at the same time? Maybe we can hook up?

thanks,

pachangero

Hey pachangero,

If you want to talk about meetings and whatnot, drop me a note at rogerthesurfer@hotmail.com We can talk that way, the board isnt really for that kind of stuff (although I've been thinking we could plan a nice big get together sometime - wouldn't be such a bad thing). Its doubtful we would all be in the same area at the same time though without it be for the same reason. Anyway, I'll have my post on S.C. and Cien up later this week.

Roger

I had posted a message a couple weeks ago regarding someone I know being contacted by the treasury department weeks after returning from Cuba. Well I spoke with the source and wanted to post what actually happened.

This guy went to Cuba and like the rest of us had the time of his life. He had a great guide down there and kept his contact info.

Some time later he faxed the guide's info and specifics on Cuba to a friend who was going to Cuba. Well the friend (for what reason, i don't know) got caught comming from Canada to the US and had in his possession the fax.

When the Customs saw the fax, describing Cuba comming from my friends business, they pursued my friend a little with threatening letters and phone calls, (he made the mistake of admitting he was down there) but after some effort and a corroborating story of the guide in Cuba that my friend didn't spend a dime while down there, it went away.

Can anybody tell me how can I go to Havana from Mexico City. Do I just purchase a ticket from the travel agency in Mexico City? or can I buy the ticket in the States. How frequent are the flights from Mexico City to Havana.

Mexicana/Aerocaribe have flights. You can get the schedule from their website. You need to call Mexico to make the reservation and pay for your ticket when you get there. Cancun is a better gateway city.

marinero,

You can also try Dan Snow @ [url]www.cubatravelusa.com.[/url] I've used his services before. He can make reservations on Aerocariba and I think he can give you a little better rate on Aerocaribe. Give it a try.

Peterman

Marinero,

you may need the tourist card, don't forget it.

Regards, scorpio

Thank you guys for all the info.

Marinero, Gentlemen,

I agree with El Colorado, the best gateway city is Cancun. I have done that route a couple of times and it was by far the best route. Enough Americans holiday in Cancun to make you “invisible”… And the jump to Cuba is easy. I would get my ticket from MEX in the current climate, however Peterman’s recommendation will help you. These days, I would envisage that a number of agencies supplying tickets / assistance for Cuba may be under scrutiny.

Regards,

Havanaman

Pachangero (or others) - I will be going to Cuba over Thanksgiving as well. This is only second trip and I'm trying the Toronto route this time. I am going to rent a car and drive East to Camaquey as part of my quest to cover the entire island. I will be arriving in Havana on Tuesday and will be driving East the next day sometime. If you or anyone else wants a ride I would not be opposed to going a little out of my way. My email is [email]cuddhot@hotmail.com[/email] please contact me.

Additionally: Casa de la Musica has been misrepresented on this forum so far as I have read. There are two shows there. One show begins at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and closed at 8:00 (which is probably why one of the postings said that they couldn’t get in). I I would quite often go there and meet someone during the day only to go somewhere else at night. I also tried the evening show at 9 or 10 and it is substantially less interesting for a young man (20-30). It appeared to be more 40-50yo Cubans and Diplomat types and it was certainly not a fun. The weekends there are much more quite and is probably not the best place to go. Going to the Casa de la Musica at 5:00 is a great way to end a day of exploring before you go out on the town at night.

Also, I’ve had much more fun in Ceinfuegos and non-touristy cities than I’ve had in Havana. It is the equivalent of NYC vs. Athens, GA. The people are even more laid back and not pushy at all. Also the food is better outside of Havana but the selection is often limited.

November 13 2002
First time in Cuba, visited end of October.
Thanks to Havanaman for his email with useful advice.
Turist card: at custom control non problem indicating address of legal casa
particular, the policeman asked nothing about it.
About population: half of them are cops and are everywhere (it is very good for turist safety, they don't molest you, only the local and expecially the girls), the other half will try to sell you cigar as they state to work in factory where they product it (!).
Walking around you will be frequently approached by swindler, but also from interesting peolple that wants only talk with you.
However people are very friendly and I like them.
About weather, from october to april it is very hot but dry and tolerable; I think in summer is unbearable, even if easyer to meet girls at beach due to stop in university.

HAVANA:
Good action at disco "Rosalia de Castro" few blocks from Capitolio, entrance only 5 $, cerveza 1,5 $; packed with young and non some professional pro.
Disco Jhonny (Rio Club): was very good in the past, but recently closed by police, for the moment little action, check in the future for improving.
Bar "Emperator" at Vedado (near hotel Habana Libre), packed with pro, some good.
Disco "Almanacer" at Vedado, reported good by locals, but little action, may be the wrong evening (best at week-end).
Good place (but only for pro, no GFE): place and bar surronding hotel "Inglaterra", and the near Prado walking area (good in afternoon and evening).
In nearly every casa particular I've asked for, you can pick girls (chica) for one night without problem and without registration (better to ask in advance); they need to registate her for long staying due to evntual police control.
Of course it is better, for privacy, to get indipendent casa, or casa with indipendent entrance (price 20-30).
Price for girls range from 20 to 40, never give more than 50, non even for top model.
In general life cost is much expensive for turist in Havana than in surronding area.
During the day, for not boring, you can take the bus (name is "uaua") number 400 to go to GUANABO where there is a wonderful beach (about 25 km.). The bus-stop is near Cenral Station, about two hundred meter south from "Jose Marti" historical house. Price is inexpensive, less than 1 pesos (1$=26 pesos); by taxy will cost you 15$.
When you will reach the bus stop, ask loudly for the last in queue and follow him for boarding the bus (ask loudly: "ultimo?").
In Guanabo there is little action due to cops everywhere, but whit caution it is possible to find. The nearby place "Santa Maria" it is nice but there are only tourist, no local, no girls.
I think Guanabo it is the best for the day, Havana is the best for evening and for cultural things.

I've made also a trip to CENFUEGOS (3 hours by car, 20-30$, by bus 15$)
Very good place is disco "Costa Sur", packed and inexpensive; if you enter alone and wait you will be approached by a lot and young.
Also good it is disco "Benny Morè". Good action is, at evening, at walking area from city centre to Punta Gorda, in front of sea. But be caution for cops (for girls, not for you).
I've meet some guys, that have lost their girlfriends: the cops follow their, stopped it and carried the two girls to police station; I don't know their fate, but may be they are in prison now. No problem for the guys, one was driving withot license, but after some talking were released.
The problem in Cenfuegos is during the day, if you rent a car or a scooter you can go at beach "Rancho Luna" (about 15 km.), otherways the city is small and too hot during the day. I was lucky because I've meet that guys with car and I was travelling with them.
For any question, write your e-mail, I'll answer.
pippo01

Cuddhot,

check your hotmail for details!

The Cuban/Spanish name for bus is "guagua"