Havana

hi kw kids

Sorry, this is no answer to your question, just one question more: -)) I am thinking about going to Cuba end of November. Have been there twice, but last time is five years ago. So I do not want to tell you that the bus-stop out of the campus is a good place, you know how much everything is going to change there.

But I am very interested about this festival. Maybe I will go to this village too after Havanna. So when is it? if there is a good non-pro-scene, we will see if we are there: -) by the way: how do you travel arround in Cuba? maybe we can share a car. Or do you prefer viazul? hope to hear from you, good luck

Germanboy

It is almost impossible to find info on small local Cuban festivals on the net. I know that the Wemilere festival is on for Nov. in Guanabacoa. The other festival which is normally held in Camaguey, I have yet to find any info on. I'm still searching.

On the subject of "freebies". I have found that there is almost no such thing anymore as a true freebie. If I don't give a girl any money for being with me for a week but at the end of that week I take her shopping and spend $150 on nikes and new clothes I would have been better off just giving her $15 a day for her company. I have spent as much as $80 on groceries for her family, so one way or another you end up paying. I have never been to Peru but I have been to South America in addition to several other countries and have found this to be true in most.

The one diffrence between Cuba and other countries(i.e.-Colombia,Peru) is that there is hardly no middle or well-off people in Cuba. Everyone needs a few bucks in Cuba just to survive; that is not the case in most of the World. Cuba is the only country that I have visited where I felt that I could have any girl I met for $20-25 on average. I have had fathers offer me their daughters,mother/daughter combos, anything to keep those $'s in the family! In Cuba the easiest way to become the wealthiest family in the area is to have one of the daughters hooked up with a westerner. If the father is a heart surgeon he might be bringing home around $50 a month. You can double the family income by sending your new girlfriend $50 a month!

Fred18, you mentioned Brad Pitt. I truely believe after visiting many countries around the world that in Cuba you get that "rock star" treatment more than in most others. When I am at a party or club in Cuba I feel I can have any girl I see; not in most other countries. Hell, I have even commented to my Cuban friends that they have a pretty girlfriend/wife/sister and their response to me is : would you like to go with her?. Nowhere but Cuba!

KW Kids

When I am in Cuba, I use many diffrent modes of transportation. In town, I prefer a scooter. When traveling between cities I usually rent a car, which is expensive unless you are sharing with friends. I do have several friends that have used the buses(wawa's) and trains without problem. One advantidge of renting a car is picking up girls hitchhiking. We always have a car full of girls when traveling and they always take care of you for the ride,lol. I also use my Cuban friend's car for short day trips (he drives). But it is dangerous for him to drive us cross-country.

KW Kids

K W KId,

You mentioned getting a scooter in Havana I would like to do the same, where did you rent it from and did you feel at ease riding it around also was it secure when you parked it overnite.

Thanks

[QUOTE=KW Kids]Hell, I have even commented to my Cuban friends that they have a pretty girlfriend/wife/sister and their response to me is : would you like to go with her?. Nowhere but Cuba!

KW Kids[/QUOTE]Damn, things have really changed there since I left the country. I remember that around 1977 a Greek ship docked in Cardenas and the sailors used to walk around town. One day a guy was with his girlfriend and he told one of the sailors that he'd buy his blue jean, and the sailor said: "I exchange it for your girlfriend". Needless to say, both slept in a (separate) jail cell that night. In my time, if you thought that my girlfriend or wife was pretty, you kept it for yourself. The sister you could compliment, but nobody would ask you if you wanted to go out with her!
The Cuban "macho" have come a long way!

[QUOTE=Fred18]I met a young French guy who has travelled recently to South America.

He said the worst place for freebies was Cuba. You can be a Brad Pitt: If you don't pay, you get nothing.

Intrestingly, he said the best place was Peru.[/QUOTE]I'd say that getting it for free in Cuba is easy, but it takes time. Those who give it to you right away and easy, you must pay for.
I think that what makes it harder for you foreigners is the fact that Cubans can get in trouble for socializing with you. Those who risk going to jail for doing it are the ones who don't mind going to jail, if you know what I mean!

I truly have found that the line between freebie and non-freebie in CUBA is very thin. My last time there in May I was with one college girl for about 4 days. She never asked for money but I would give her cab money, etc.. Total cost for 4 days of 24/7 GFE : approximately 20CUC and a $5 radio I bought in the US. I consider that to be a freebie. One example of the thin line; you meet a girl one nite and you ask her if she is going to want money from you. She acts offended and says no. The next morning she ask for 15CUC for a taxi home; and you know she will take the bus for .25 cents. Is this a freebie I ask?

The Cuban machismo has been replaced with the dire need for CUC's. I am not saying that if a guy I did not know came to me in a bar and asked me to buy him a drink I would consider a deal for his wife, that would be crazy anywhere! In May, one nite my friend and his sister's boyfriend offered her to me unsolicited for 20CUC Toda La Noche. Sister: 18yrs. old and hot(7.5). I took their offer.

KW Kids

The only girls that I meet in Havana who are worried about the police and jail are the jinateras(pros). If the girl you are with has a job or is a student they seem less worried about the police. Another good piece of advise is to immediately learn as much about the girl you just met and/or seeing. If an official confronts the two of you just start reciting facts about your girl, ie: full name, where she lives, mother's name etc..Of course, this only works if you know some Spanish; but it does work. The police are looking for hard-core/pro jineteras, not boyfriend/girlfriend couples.

KW Kids

I've been offered guys girlfriends,wives & sisters-it just doesn't matter & it's like that all over Cuba.20CUC & you can have whoever you want in most places,Havana is a little more expensive.
It never surprises me anymore when i'm offered someone else's family of SO

During my last visit in Feb.2005 I meet a student and she took me to one of the university parties which was fantastic. Lots of students , no tourists !!! However its kind of difficult to know when and were they take place as no real schedule available. Maybe just walk up to a student and ask ? Also there used to be a cool club between Habana centro and the airport, called tunel. It was a rather dark place with only locals but i dont know if its still open.
I guess the best bet is to check among your local friends, they should now.
Will be in Havana end of next week and hope that wilma will be kind with the eiland !
Cheers kiko


[QUOTE=KW Kids]Hello everyone,

I am hoping to find out some info before my next trip to Cuba, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Has anyone attended the Wemilere festival in Guanabacoa and would it be a possibility for non-pro mongering? Also, what is the best hotel pool in Vedado to take dates too i.e.: best price, atmosphere, amenities, etc.. I used to go to a hotel pool in Kohly, but it's out in the boonies; and the beaches are so for out for just a 1/2 day excursion. Any suggestions for discos/clubs for non-pro girls; basically where you would be one of a few tourists if not the only one. I have never been intimidated in Cuba and I do speak enough spanish to get by. The last time I was there I went to a beach on the edge of Pinar del Rio Province where I was the only non-Cuban there and I loved it!

Does anyone know of a good place on the Univ. of Habana campus for mongering? I know the campus a little but I have never picked up a girl directly from campus. Is there a cafeteria for example? I should state that I am a 35yr. old guy in decent shape so I do not give the appearence of the "lurking old man". For non-mongering: does anyone know a person or place to purchase antiques in Cuba, it's a little hobby of mine. Again, I will be there in Nov. if anyone else will be there. Thanks for any info!

KW Kids[/QUOTE]

I too attended one of those Univ. parties many years ago with a friend who now works on a cruise ship. It was a lot of fun. I think on this trip I will be more bold than usual and try and strike up some conversations on campus. I will report back with any sucess I have. Good luck Kiko69 and lets all hope Wilma spares Cuba!

KW Kids

[QUOTE=Kiko69 called tunel. It was a rather dark place with only locals but i dont know if its still open.[/QUOTE]Yepp, still open at the weekend.

But get's "darker and darker"..

Good luck in Havanna

[QUOTE=KW Kids]The only girls that I meet in Havana who are worried about the police and jail are the jinateras(pros).[/QUOTE]In Cuba, any woman having sex with a tourist is a "jinetera", as a matter of fact, that's slang for prostitute, so it applies to all p4p!
[QUOTE]If the girl you are with has a job or is a student they seem less worried about the police.[/QUOTE]Only if they're naive. If she's socializing with a tourist, she's viewed as a "jinetera". The police knows that most of them are students anyway!
[QUOTE]Another good piece of advise is to immediately learn as much about the girl you just met and/or seeing. If an official confronts the two of you just start reciting facts about your girl, ie: full name, where she lives, mother's name etc..Of course, this only works if you know some Spanish; but it does work.[/QUOTE]Most of the time, the police will try not to bother the girl in front of you, the problem is what would happen when you're not around.[QUOTE]The police are looking for hard-core/pro jineteras, not boyfriend/girlfriend couples.[/QUOTE]Yep, as long as the boyfriend/girlfriend couples are Cubans. Most of the hardcore "jineteras" are giving kickbacks to the police (money and/or sex).

Hello Rebel Monger,

I always enjoy a positive and healthy discussion of the mongering situation in Cuba currently; not in 1977 though. Just joking! In the last 7 years I have been in Cuba on visits for approximately 9 months. This by no means makes me an expert but combined with living in So. Florida and the fact that my best friend lives there half the year and I work with many Cuban Americans and have many friends who are Cuban-American or who are married to one makes me feel fairly informed on the subject. I was most recently there in May for a month. I do not know how much or how recently you have visited but as you know things constantly change there. I know as a Cuban American you sometimes see things from a diffrent perspective and I respect that! I will try to respond to your responses as best as I can using my most recent experiences.

The definition of "jinitera" varies betwen Cubans and non-Cubans as much as any word I have seen! Some Cubans believe if a girl dates one tourist and never dates another because she marries him or it was just a "fluke", she is no jinetera. You also mentioned P4P; what if a girl does not accept money, is she still a jinetera? What if she accepts gifts? In IMHO and most, a very subjective word!

The idea that the police look on all girls that are with a non-cuban guy are prostitutes is ludicrous! I have had friends who have had wives that it took them several years to get out of cuba with/or without their children and when they visited and produced this proof do you really think that they grouped these women with the pros that work the Malecon. Get Real! If you can speak enough Spanish to explain to any official and prove that you are not a sex-tourist(whether its true or not,LOL) they will not bother you. You are correct when you state that the ramifacations are not going to occur in front of you but rather later. IMHO, if a girl is telling you she is your girlfriend and you are the 1st tourist she has dated and you find out you are not and she is arrested because of it; she got what she deserves!

Again, you are correct sir about the kickbacks. Hell, I have even participated in kickbacks by buying a girl to train the cops so they will look the other way with "whatever" I choose to do. If you cannot tell the diffrence between a pro and a good-girl get a "concierge" or just stay at home. The police equate Miami-Cubans with gringos when it comes to jineteras vs. girlfriends; and that comes from my "secret police" friends in Habana. I enjoy the discussion and hope to continue it in a positive and non-political way in the future.

Happy mongering,
KW Kids

[QUOTE=Tommy A]K W KId,

You mentioned getting a scooter in Havana I would like to do the same, where did you rent it from and did you feel at ease riding it around also was it secure when you parked it overnite.

Tommy A,

There is one place in Miramar that rents scooters. If you have experience with them you will have no problem. If you do not you could be injured or dead; just being honest. I have a ground level casa particular that allows me to drive and park it in the kitchen. I would not reccomend anything less secure overnite in Cuba.

Good luck,
KW Kids