Havana

Please read the following article:

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040315fa_fact

zde,

Well, just be prepared. Since you are not an american,
just in case: If you have a visa to enter the US, bet the
very next time, you will be asked a lot questions. In
regards the airline you are flying from Toronto make sure
its not TACA Airlines a salvadorean flag airline, because
they do provided the US Government with a list of all the
passengers that fly such an airline, and of course, passengers
flying into Cuba are "Numero Uno" on their list.

Best of luck ...

Fellow Mongers,

I just could not believe what I was told by an employee of
the El Salvador Post Office, in the other hand, do give him
all the respect and admiration for being such an honest
person. Last Monday, since I was right next to the P.O.
when in and asked this postal employee a formal question:
Did asked him if I could sent a package to Cuba, since I did
cancelled my trip to Cuba, well I could not believe what he
told me: He thought my question was for the "robo" purposed and he told me that "ALL" the correspondence, regardless
comes to the US prior to send it to Cuba, and said ... WHAT !!!and
he in a very nice, honest and sincere manner told me: As you
know we "work" directly with the Government of the US and
all pieces of mail goes to the US first. My only guess is that
Gloria, Emilio and Cristina reads all the mail that comes from
El Salvador and they okayed such a mail.

Could you believe that crap ... no wonder the very same person
told me that a package could very well take up to six months to
arrived in Cuba, and told him but TACA has four non-stop flights
from San Salvador to Havana and he said in a very polite manner
Yes, I know but there is no mail in those flights.

Another one, and I am glad I am into music and sports of
Cuba, not politics ... nor religion, and yes "Pussy"

Sounds like a lot of Americans will not be going to Cuba for a while. How is Mr. Castro going to deal with this financial shortfall?
And this board is going to be very much quieter. Yo! I already miss you guys!
Some years ago I was in Havana and I ran into an American couple that got there on their yaught! The man said he just recently bought a gps and off they went. Well, 90 km from Key West isn't that far.
Well, I don't think many people can do it this way, but just thought I'd mention it.
I'm planning my next trip to Havana - 1st week of November. I miss my cigars! November is a long time away, but I thought I'd try to put some excitement into this board. Too much negativity lately. Think positive, guys. Sooner than you think, the bearded one would kick-the-bucket and the next American President will strike a deal with whomever in power and Cuba will become the next 51st state. And we all live happily ever after.

When (okay, IF!) Castro finally croaks, there will be a three day party in Miami which (if all goes well....) will turn into a month-long party in Havana. God, I hope I can attend BOTH!

If Castro REALLY wanted to annoy the USA and Bush, he'd legalize pot and steal all the drug-tourists from Amsterdam.

Jammer

[quote]In the USA, we have perveted the concept of democracy to what it now means to many people: That 51% of the people have the right to tell the other 49% what they can and cannot do.[/quote]

Ummm...isn't that the definition of a democracy?

Last I checked, America was designed NOT to be one for that very reason.

[blue]Perhaps you missed the point: Even in a democracy, the majority does not have the right to trample on the rights of the minority, including the right to the persuit of happiness, which is guaranteed in the US Constitution.

In other words, democracy is not 9 wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

Are you kidding? That's just another nightmare scenario. If you've ever been to Havana you would understand all the charm that will be lost when the US gets their hands on it. There is actually a t-shirt in Miami, showing the Malecon in Havana filled with McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. Makes me sick.

Doc Bill, you are absoluely right. It would be the worst scenario ever and one of the last paradises would be lost for ever.

The world do not need a bigger America with all what that means. So for me "el chefe" is not the guy no one of my favorites but there is one who is much, much worse. Guess who.

Jammer,

I do not know how old you are; however, there is a formal
report that Fidel is going to live 120 years. And, I do believe
it, furthermore, they are already working on some kind of
health issue in which you can live up to 150 years old. Just
wonder if Fidel will get that treatment.

Doc Bill,

And do you know who is going to own those fast-food
restaurants? Oh well, yes Gloria, Emilio and Cristina.

Guys,

While I agree that the latest Cuban development is a serious and important subject I am missing the mongering news lately. Maybe the setup of a new subject like "Cuba and politics" or "Cuba and the US" or whatever seems appropiate and we can focus here on other issues.

Just my 2 cents !

Kiko69

I rather like the look of Hotel Nacional and certainly like the history of the place. Would it be a good place to stay in Havana? Does any member of the forum know if it is girl friendly(even at a price).
I could not find any recent mention of this hotel but apologise if this information is already published.Thanks for your help.

You got it! There is a joke in Cuba, about a team of visiting archaeologists, who present Fidel a live dinosaur egg as a gift. El Jefe demurs, and kindly replies that he simply cannot accept such a gift. When asked why, he says: "Well, this egg will hatch in what, 3 or 4 years right?" "Yes," reply his guests. Fidel: "And then there will be a live dinosaur, and they live, what, maybe 50 or 60 years, right?" "Yes," reply his guests. Fidel: "See, that's the problem with having pets - you get so attached to them and they die on you so early!"

I don't mean to rub it in. Really. With all the American brothers on tight leashes, I wonder if the prices would go down for the rest of us? Simple laws of demand and supply. Same quantity of "supply", but now that the "demand" has gone down, shouldn't that translate to lower prices? And/or better selection?
In a strange sort of way, part of me is actually rooting for President Bush!
Shoot! Air Canada seat sale just finished!

Robert the Brave,

Girlfriendly hotels do not exists in Cuba. Some hotels I stayed in you can take la chica up to your room, but it costs. You have to pay the nightpersonal $ 10-20 and they are calling you and want her to leave after a short while.

Casa particulars are much better but even there you might have problems with registrations of the first girl and then they can say no to a another second one. But there are some where you got your own key and they never watching you when come and leave. It depends but hotels es muchas problemas.