Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive 01	50		2003/07/06, 03:21 am
	Archive 02	50		2003/10/11, 11:43 pm

One hears and one often reads very pessimistic opinions on Cuba. It is true, Cuba can be a hell. But if it is known how to make, that becomes a paradise. It is necessary to have patience, to smile, to open its heart and follow the guide...
People who are desapointed by Cuba are people who either remained locked up in the tourist ghettos like Varadero, or are arrogant, shy, blind, deaf and dumb. Or those which had fun with girls but who tell that they were bored to reassure their wife remained at home!

Manager - I LOVED my short and only trip to Cuba, and had a great time with the girls. At the same time, Cuba is a totalitarian police state and there is a crackdown on prostitution. I was not disappointed with Cuba, but the poverty and oppression are troubling.

Bush Unveils Measures to Weaken Cuba's Castro - As if things aren't already difficult in Cuba.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=2&u=/nm/20031010/ts_nm/bush_cuba_sanctions_dc

Yeah, I wonder which unfortunate soul, maybe even someone from this board, will be the first "victim"


"U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba for pleasure," Bush said. "That law is on the books and it must be enforced."

No doubt Bush will instruct Darth Ashcroft to go after these dangerous (and horny) criminals.

Fuck Bush...fuck Ashcroft.....

How are they I going to enforce it? Canadians refuse to cooperate with US customs officials in revealing identities of Americans travelling to Cuba. So do Mexican authorities. I am not sure about the Bahamians.

What a waste of resources. Al Qaeda terrorists are on the loose, and Bush is shifting his law enforcement resources to go after American tourists travelling to Cuba, as if it was US national security priority. What a joke...

Every once and a while, "Dubya" has to make kissy-face with the large expatriate cuban community in Miami who are fiercely anti-Castro. He owes Florida bigtime , after all.
So you'll hear this periodically. The downside is many Cubans in this country visit or send goods to Cuba, which will be cut-off under embargo enforcement.

As for enforcing tourism rules? Its true that Mexico and Canada are under no such obligation to cooperate with the US cuba policy, Indeed you'll probably see many other nations refuse to cooperate also, such is the worlds contempt for US foreign policy.

However the US can use provisions of the Patriot Act to ferret out those US travelers who violate the ban. They can do this simply by obtaining, by hookor crook, the passenger manifestos od those traveling to/from cuba, and yes even the cuban airlines manifestos can be had.

I for one mourn these recent policy changes. The cuban people have endured enough hardship under the leadership of Fidel without suffering further abuses from Bush. Forty-four years of embargo and travel-bans have not resulted in his regime toppling. What will this next rampage accomplish? Oh yes - it will help Bush and his baby brother Bush win more votes.

Meanwhile, 11 million Cubans and thousands of American pingas won't have the opportunity to meld in glorious detante. What a fucking tragedy. At least there's still other countries that want my tourist dollars.

at least all these politicians can't control the way Cuban girls fuck.i like bbbj and some girls allow me to cum in them without a condom.if that ends then i will worry.

Local papers in Fl. carried front page news of this over the weekend. Seems GW is going to employ Homeland Security resources and measures to try and stop the flow of Americans traveling to Cuba illegally (estimated at 120,000 per year). That gives Ashcroft basically a blank checkbook to take measures and coincides with his war on global prostitution (in the guise of protecting underage girls).

This is clearly a political ruse on GW's part to capture the S. Fl cuban vote in the 2004 election. He will need them to carry the state (we have new voting machines now...he he)! After the election, win or lose, this will become a lesser focused issue (IMHO). Other issues will have higher priority and require the resources committed to this effort.

The damage will have already been done. A few examples to prove his true intentions will have been sacrificed to sate the Cuban American population that want Fidel ousted. I hope that none of our fellow mongers on the board are among them.

The real loosers in this will be the Cuban people themselves. They will starve even more that they already are...if that is possible. To these people, losing $12-15 million per year in tourisit dollars will be a blow that will be difficult to recover from, if at all.

Already, they are seeing a serious reduction in the number of toruists from Europe and Canada estimated at 50% or more for sex tourism. His crackdown has seen to that! I wonder if he will ease up on those efforts if they loose the American tourist too? Hell, tourism is their number one source of income now and their primary source of hard currency.

I'll not be made a scapegoat or an example for political purposes. This destination is off my itinerary for the foreseeable future....boo hooo!

I'm gonna miss my little cutie down there.

sandman

I would have to agree with GNM's views on this one. It is a vote-getting scam, and they may well want to make a public display of some poor monger.

Does Cuba pose any sort of threat to the US? Are these actions in the best interests of Cubans? Of course not.

And -- Are homeland security measures and the Patriot Acts really in OUR interests?

Gotta agree w/Sandman, too, who posted at about the same time as me.

Seems to me that it is in the US's best interests to allow travel to Cuba. By isolating Cuba further (at least from the US), and by harming private enterprise in Cuba, are we increasing or decreasing our future influence in post-Castro Cuba? In isolation, dictators gain power rather than lose it, don't they?

More than ever, I'm glad that I made it to Cuba when I did, and that I went "under the radar".

It is LEGAL to go to Cuba but it is illegal to spend money there...they must prove you spent money there...the burden is on the US govt.

Blazers...buddy,,, unless you are on a fully sponsored "humanitarian aid" visit, sanctioned by the US Govt., you will be hard pressed to convince an immigrations official that you did not spend any greenbacks in Cuba. Remember the immigrations form ...."What other countries did you visit on this trip?" and blank lines to fill in...

It's OK if you do not write that you visited...just an oversite. But if they ask, you had better admit it. Lying to an immigrations officer carries an immediate $75K fine. Admitting it then demanding a hearing has a lot less chance of ever coming to trial...at least for now. They may just staff that positon/s under this new effort.

As my wise father used to tell me. It is easier to stay out of trouble than to get out of trouble.

If they want your ass as an example, they can make your life pure hell. I don't care how rich you might be. They always have more money and can last longer....

I'd rather meet up with you in AC than have to try and bail your ass out of jail.

AC in Jan??? Write me off line if you plan to be there.

The thing is, does the US really want to spend the money to go after US citizens who want to travel to Cuba, or to other "restricted" country? They could. if they wanted to spend an incredible amount of money to track every single citizen who traveld abroad.

It is ridiculously easy to circumvent most US restrictions. Quite a few years ago before travel restrictions were eased in Cuba when Cuba was really isolated from the US, Mexico had pretty good relations with them.

You could drive down to TJ from LA, (or so I'm told ;-) go across the border to TJ airport, get a ticket to Mexico City or one of the larger eastern cities, cal up Aeroflot (then) or one of the cuban airlines and tell them you wanted a Cuban visa with no stamp which took about a day. They would even misspell your name if you asked:" How would you liked that spelled sir, John Smith" Then you could complete your trip. Coming back you just flew into TJ and walked back across the border.

Now someone could have travelled to many "restricted" countries in the 70's and never be questioned or get into trouble. The secret is to not leave a paper trail, and obfusticate your answers when questioned at the customs entry. Ninety percent of the time they never even asked you any questions, beside the obligatory "Are you a US Citizen"
I once knew a person (wink-wink) who was was once denied entry into Egypt because they had an israeli Stamp on their passport, but were able to go to the American Consulate, get a duplicate passport, with no stamps and resume their travels. This was, by the way, only a few months before the Yom Kippur war. One could even travel through Red China or Burma various Eastern Bloc countries and the authorities there would make sure know one was the wiser.

Things are a lot more complicated now with increased police state powers (the US, this time, instead of the "communist" countries) and computer make it easier, but not foolproof to track people. But you must remember, a lot of countries are not real keen to turn away tourists and their cash, because the US says they have too. And while we have Dubya now instead of Tricky Dick, and Cheney instead of Spiro, and Rumsfeld instead of !! Shit!! we still have Rumsfeld!!!, the more things change the more they stay the same. I think more and more countries, disenchanted with US foreign policies, will go out of their way to not cooperate with the US. If this includes losing or fudging manifestos, you'll see it done.

Despite all the issues with "Total Information Awreness, The Patriot Act, CAPPS II, facial recognition or many of the other laws or policies that Big Brother has in watching you, when walking across the border in Tijuana, no one knows if you have been mongering that day, or are returning from several months abroad.

OG

OG..You are right on buddy. It was real easy to cross in many places. Lot's of guys left out of Cancun; many left out of C.R.; lot from Canada and many through the Bahamas. Still do for that matter.

See Max's coomments on his trip. One of his guys got asked but they didn't do anything to him. In light of this recent "Political" move to garner the S.Fl vote in next years election, I am just suspecting the screws will be tightened a little and a few examples will be made. Just MHO of course and I may be a little paranoid about it.

Maybe your mock sign says it all.....!

First of all GW needs to do very little to get the south FL Cuban vote.

Second and much more important is that we need to protect our country from a potential Cuban invasion. They have missiles don't they?

"They have missiles don't they?"

Frankly, I would say that the Canadians or maybe the Brooklyn Dodgers pose more of an imminent threat.

Will they use to have missiles.

BW
Hey fuck u, eh? Ya moose-wanna-be. Hosers like u wind up with a puck shoved up their ass.

After that comment, u thought a DODGERS fan was gonna roast ya hard, eh?

I am a dual citizen - I was born in the USA, but also have an Australian passport. Australians are allowed to travel to Cuba, no problem.

I am curious about what US customs might think under the following scenario: I travel out of the US to some other country - Mexico, for example - on my US passport. I then buy a ticket to Cuba, and travel there on my Australian passport. On return, I enter the US on my US passport.

If they suspect (for whatever reason) that I've been to Cuba, I wonder if they'd leave me alone if I showed them my Australian passport?

Your citizenship or resident alien status in the USA subjects you to the same "Trading with the enemy Act" that governs US Citizens.

Don't loose any sleep over it though. If you're asked if you were in Cuba, just answer them in Aussie. Hell that's harder than ebonics for them to understand

I've posted on a couple of other threads so sorry about the repeats.
I'm a first timer headed to Havana in the coming weeks. Pretty nervous about finding my way around especially without Spanish. I've been given the name of a good guide (thanks) but any other tips on the scene recently would be helpful.

Any mongers going to be around there in the next couple of weeks? I'll buy the drinks for a little help.

Could someone clarify; I've read that a girl can get 4years for being seen in public with a tourist, presumably for having some sort of daliance with him, yet can can go to places like "Jonnys" (is that right?) and pick up a girl quite openly. How is this possible?

Thank you.

(Hombre: Perhaps you could append this post to my Cuba beginners guide?)

The question asked is :"Could someone clarify; I've read that a girl can get 4years for being seen in public with a tourist, presumably for having some sort of daliance with him, yet can can go to places like "Jonnys" (is that right?) and pick up a girl quite openly. How is this possible? "

To the best of my limited knowledge, Cuba works like this:

1. You're only allowed to hang out in your home province. So if you aren't from Havana and don't have permission to hang out in Havana, the cops will give you a fine, a ticket and a free bus ride home if they catch you hanging out there. If you're young and pretty and hanging out in Havana when you're stopped by the police, they might even give you a warning as a jinetera, or prostitute, especially if they see you flirting with tourists.

2. If you get a warning ticket as a jinetera, the next time you get caught ie talking to a tourist male or being with him when he does something like a traffic violation, you risk getting a 6 month trip to a womans work prison. Machettes and sugar cane are often involved. I've felt the hands of 18 year old girls who have been there and it ain't pretty.

3. So now you get out after 6 months and return to prostitution, likely in Havana again where it is easiest to do without getting caught. The next time you're caught, you're going for 3 years.

Guys, this is why I stress casual pickup techniques in my Beginners Guide to Cuba ESPECIALLY WHEN ON FOOT. Having an unlit cigarette in your mouth when you approach a girl and asking for a light, or legitimiately asking directions before inviting them for a drink somewhere. If the everpresent cops move in on them when you're trying to close the deal, you give them a viable defense.

The solution, IMHO? Rent a car and pick girls up to give them a ride. Once they get in your car and you wisk them off, she's in a safe zone. If a car rental costs $75/day and you nut 3x/day, just add $25/load to your cost per load index. It's worth it.

I am planning a trip to cuba the first 2 weeks in may and I need some information on casa particulars also is it better to go through bahamas or jamaica thanks

Friends,

I have recently come back from a trip to Cuba where I spent most of the time chasing loose women. Cuba is complex and is turning worse for every day I`ll tell you. It`s better to opt for the DR or even Colombia than to go to Cuba nowdays, as the hey-days of the 90`ties are long gone.

If you chose to go stay in Havana where there are more pros/semi pros and newbies from the countryside. In Havana the police (la lacras) also have a lot harder to round the women up than in the smaller cities in the provinces.

Forget about Santiago de Cuba. It`s completely dead nowdays. The police has it all tied up and the rest of the girls locked up in jail. Of course you can allways get lucky.... but do you want to risk it?

Santiago, is a beautiful city but to quiet for my taste and even more boring now after the recent crackdown (feb `04).

Havana is still moving slightly better with pick-up spots along La Rampa, El Prado, Calle Obispo and of course the tourist discos as 1830, Rio Club and Turquino. BUT its getting more and more expensive for each year. Expect to pay 100 usd for a fast one if she`s a pro and it won`t be enjoyable for either one of you.....

If you`re looking for a good time, don`t look for it in Cuba.

Best regards

I wonder what DonGringo's comments to the previous posting would be....

It sounds a bit of a bummer, I really wanted to visit sometime

Now that you asked, I do have some questions for Juan Juan. Admitedly, everyone would expect Santiago De Cuba to be dead. The islandwide crackdown would take care of that.
My questions center around Havana, JuanJuan:
1. How much time did you spend there?
2. How many sessions did you pay for?
3. Aside from the tourist discos (which I loathe) where else did you look for you girls, and when?

I'm always curious to hear feedback on my favorite pick-ups, which is to cruise around in the afternoon, picking up chicas looking for rides. That has provided more GFE than anything, and it is the hardest thing for the everpresent police to combat.

Dongringo,
As you know I head back to Cuba on Tues. I will try and write a daily report while I am there. I am trying to throw a pool party at my hotel. There are 11 of us going. It should be interesting.

Max

Max
Have a great time buddy, and be sure to bring back some more great pics. Wish I was joining ya.
DG

Max

Have a look around for Adrianna we could use
a few more photos for the lads!

Interesting move on the part of the bearded one...

Cuba to discontinue circulation of US dollar.

Cubans, foreign residents and tourists will have to use locally printed convertible pesos, equal in value to the dollar, for all cash purchases, a Central Bank decree said.

"As of Nov. 8, the dollar will not be accepted in our shops, which will only take convertible pesos," it said.

A 10 percent commission will be charged for changing dollars into the local currency, according to the decree read on a special television broadcast attended by Castro.

Appearing on television in a sling only five days after falling and fracturing a knee and an arm, Castro said the issue was so important that he had to be there despite Wednesday's accident that left his left leg in a plaster cast.

"The empire is determined to create more difficulties for us," he said, referring to Bush administration steps to restrict travel and cash flows to the island nation.

Very interesting move. I wonder what countries will accept the new Peso as payment instead of USD or will he still continue to hoard dollars to make his importation payments??

Hell, at a 10% exchange rate, he could make a lot of money because no one will have pesos when they arrive. Don't ever call the man a dummy!

3 months ago, Fidel decreed that Cubans could no longer spend dollars in the dollar store. Without a foreign passport, no Cuban can 'officially' spend their dollars in Cuba anymore.

With this new development, Fidel is attempting to gain 10% as a 'tax' on all exchanges from dollars to pesos and back to dollars again. What is unclear is whether chicas will have the ability to waltz up to a cambio and exchange the dollars we pay them for local pesos. If not, it means that Fidel is now getting 10% of all monies exchanged for pesos, and the chicas will no longer want to accept dollars.

This is merely a continuation in Fidels' attempt to further erect a wall between tourists and the cuban populace. I have long since written Cuba off my list of destinations due to Fidels' ire directed towards us having a good time with his chicas.

Fidel must either relax or depart from government before we will see Cuba return to the forefront of hobby destinations.

Who the bleedin' 'ell is John Ashcroft ?

From this side of the pond all I can say is I have never heard of him.

Whilst I agree it is sensible to be vigilant against 'crazy' terrorists I have to say some politicians are using the whole thing as an excuse to remove human rights and freedom.
For their own motives and ends of course ?

Is this all you have here? Who has been there recently?

Someone must have visited recently?

The way Cuba has deteriorated and they way our gov't has changed policy... and with Brasil and Colombia and other places doing so well... IMO it's no surprise that not a lot of us have been there recently.

I have a friend whose friend went there last month. He saw lots of single tourists, so someone is still going. Said it was terrible---he actually left earlier than he had planned to. Still, many people are still going. Someone reading this board must have up to date info!

Ok! Here is the scoop. I stayed for 30 days during from July to August. Most of the clubs that I knew from prviuos trips where slow or closed.

But all you had to do was ask a few people where the hot clubs for locals where. After three years of going to Havana every two months, I realized that nothing really changes just the locations of where the action is.

Girls still hitch hike and take rides from Yuma's.
The pro's are a little bit more brazen when it comes to price. Learn to negotiate and when to walk away and you will do fine.

The Malecon is still packed with girls looking for a friend. The price you pay depends on the type of girl you want. I like the super model types so they and charge more, but I know how to negotiate.

I walked with young (19-22) year old girls that worked for me and they where never stopped or questioned. Obviusly some couples look like hombre's and the girls look like Jinetera's so it is no wonder the girls get stopped.

The exchange rate was 18% , but if you use transcard it is 10%. I usually tell the girls that I can't pay the price they want because of the exchange rate. They seem to understand.

A couple of simple rules;

1. Look for girls during the day around lunch time. a lot more non pro's walking around.

2. ask locals where they go to party, not the usual tourist traps.

3. Get a transcard

4. Girls that dress like prostitutes will be treated like prostitutes.

What's a transcard?

A transcard is a debit card that an american can use in Cuba. It comes in handy for emergency repleneshmet of funds when you are in Cuba.
https://www.amigotravelcard.com/index.asp

Hi Maxx! Did you feel stressed when you were there? Alot of us have stoppped going because we sense that the atmosphere has turned hostile. We feel unwanted. The Bearded One has turned his back on us. We want a friendlier (and more financially favorable) environment.

I didn't feel any stress. I am trying to setup a business in Havana, so I have been going there every two months.

The police or government were no trouble at all. I was little botherd by everybody trying to over charge me. The action moves a lot, I was taken to two new clubs and both of them where jam packed. At least 1,000 people in each. Girls where everywhere with their Yuma's. I will get the names of the clubs. Most of the action for the clubs was on the weekend. The nights during the week where pretty weak. But the daytime action is still there.

The prices for the girls are a little high, but lower prices are available. To me $40 is not bad. Some of my friends that are regulars get it a lot cheaper, but we have different tastes in women. Some start out asking $100, I get rude with them right away and tell them move on. They usually get down to the $40-$50 range.

The clubs are acting as chulo's and charging the girls when they leave with a Yuma. So to cut out the middle man meet them before they go into the club or in the daytime.

Hi Maxx, I'd love to hear about those 2 new clubs. I 've made about 9 trips to Cuba in the last 3 years (I'm Canadian, so it's easy) and out of 9, only 1 or 2 were really unforgettable. Thanks for the update.

Previously posted under trip buddies-cuba

The place I always stay at (for the last 5 trips) is Henry's - he's located just behind Hotel Presidente in Vedado, in a gorgeous old colonial house. He charges CUC 35 (a little pricey, I know) a night and can pick you up from the airport.

He also speaks English fluently and will not register the girls. No hassle at all, he's totally cool. I highly recommend him. That's why he's worth the extra dough. He can be contacted at 011-53-7-831-0887.

As for exchanging money, bring Canadian dollars or Euros. You'll win out a bit compared to using US$. Going rate for ST - ranges from $20-$40, depending on the girl. If she likes you, then maybe free.

*THE* hot place, as of Aug 05, is Rosalita de Castro, close to the Capitolio. Previously closed, but now reopened. Easy to pick up, lots of milk/dark chocolate candy - go for it. Make sure you bargain.

If you have richer tastes, then another place is called Yur-nay. The neon outside calls it the Casa del Jazz. Girls will ask $60-$90 b/c most of the prettiest/whitest girls hang out here.

Another potential pick up place is Barrio Chino and the Malecon - which is where I picked girls up. But varies depending on the law enforcement.

An outstanding restaurant is La Guarida, but you have to reserve 3 days in advance for dinner. Lunch is easier to get in. A little pricey, but it serves the finest food in Cuba. If you're hankering for chinese, try Restaurante Tien Tan. Pricey but good...to my suprise. Aljibe is also a good place for all-you-can-eat chicken but make sure you go in the evening. (I found the chicken dry during the day) Potential pick up available too.

Also, you need to know at least basic spanish. Absolutely essential. Not many Cubans speak English and simple things can be made complicated if you don't speak Spanish.

If you're going, ask Henry if you can bring double bed sheets instead of paying cash. He'll really appreciate it.

GREETINGS
LOOKING TO PLAN A TRIP FIRST NEXT MONTH. ANY TIPS SUGGESTION FOR NASSAU VS CANCUN. I KNOW NASSAU WILL LET YOU ENTER WITH U.S. BIRTH CERTIFICATE ELIMINATING PASSPORT HASSLE. DOES THIS APPLY IN CANCUN AS WELL? ANY INFO ON WHICH ONE OF THESE ARE SAFER MORE RELIABLE. ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS

(Message edited by wiseone on March 23, 2006)

Not that I know, but such information had been posted on various travel boards. From what I had read, Cancun was becoming a problem. The suggestion with Nassau, is to lay over for a day as the connecting flights were somehow a giveaway.

It is pretty sad, the state of Cuba, even Havana these days. The streets are deserted at night. You have to work hard during the day to have any chance of fun during the night.

hey i am going to cuba the 27th of this month july just after a pit stop in jamaica. would appreciate if anyone could tell me how to get around customs with the bag of goodies i have for the chicas. by the way i will be there for 12 days will any of you guys be there around that time?

Bag of goodies? Just walk right through. It's only a problem if you look vaguely hispanic, then you're screwed.

fully sponsored "humanitarian aid" visit, sanctioned by the US Govt.,

Please, if any of you know about any of the above visits, let me know-- jim@nnmre.com -- I have been twice on such visits & stayed for a week on my own. Bayamo is absolute heaven for a 62 yr old monger & the bass fishing in L.Leonaro is fantastic.. The price was usually "lo que tu queres"--whatever you want too pay! I'm usually free to travel if I'm not already traveling.

Budget question: If I spend a long holiday in Cuba, what sort of budget should I consider? I'm thinking of maybe a month of traveling around the island (or just part of the island). Ideally, I'd rent a motor bike to get around the city and towns. I'd stay in low-budget places. What should I be looking to spend each day?

Wombat,

There are alot of variables in your question. Here's my daily budget. You may adjust as you would see fit...

Daily:
Casa: 30CUC
Food: 20CUC
Taxis: 20CUC
Ass: 60CUC (2)

One Time:
Air: $700
Visas: $40 (15 + 25)
Cigars: 200CUC

As I said, you may do things a little differently

To Maxx,
The Amigo Travel Card link is no longer viable.

After many trips to AC and Thailand, I am making my first trip to Havana. Unfortunately, I am going with a group of colleagues who are all staying in the same hotel. It would not be good for my career to be seen taking a local girl back to my room ( think recent secret service scandal). Are there places I can get a girl for a ST other than back to where I am staying? I will die if I finally get to Cuba and can't squeeze in a little mongering.

After many trips to Asia, I am finally making a trek to Havana. While i am excited, I am going to be with group of collegues, all staying in the same hotel. I can't imagine a trip without partaking in the local flavor, but also need to avoid a "secret service" situation. I canjust picture the scene with me arriving at the hotel with a local girl and running into male and female collegues. Needless to say, it would not be good for me or my career.
So the question is: other than my hotel, is there somewhere I can take a girl for a ST? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.