Cuba – The End of an Era?

For those who wonder what Cuba is like, I have some sad news for you. It's nothing like it was. I had the opportunity to dash over there for a quick weekend, and was crestfallen by what I saw.

First of all, my travel agent would NOT book me via Bahamas, stating that the Dept of Homeland Security was monitoring all Cuban flights and issuing $7500 fine letters to American travellers they suspected of going there. The Miami Cuban American community knows this, and they're no longer going through Nassau. The resulting decline in airtraffic has lead Cubana Airlines to miss several flights, and passengers are frequently stranded in the Bahamas for 1-3 days.

Upon arriving in Cuba, all passengers were being patted down. My luggage was subject to inspection, and after a 3 hour debate with Aduana (Customs), several items were confiscated. I was interrogated about who I knew, where I was going and etc... before I was allowed to clear customs. Welcome to Cuba.

Before I tell you how Cuba was on this trip, permit me to give some history, for those of you who are interested. If you'd prefer to find out the current scene, just skip down a few paragraphs:

The Beginning of the Era

Fidel Castro began a revolution in the 1950’s to ‘take back’ his country from the evils of capitalism. Casinos and prostitution abounded, profiting the mafia alone, while the average Cuban family lived in poverty. ‘Twas a noble revolution indeed.

Forging close ties with the former Soviet Union provided Cuba with billions of dollars of support for many years. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s led to an abrupt end of this financial support. Fearing the plight of his starving people might lead them to revolt against his government, Fidel turned to tourism as his new cash cow. But with few state operated hotels and restaurants, he could hardly accommodate the volume of tourists he would need to keep his country afloat. So Fidel created two types of private industry; casa particulars, not unlike a bed and breakfast, and paladars, or private restaurants.

To encourage tourism in the Caribbean jewel of Cuba, he loosened his iron grip on prostitution. Throughout the mid to late 1990’s, the streets of Cuba were lined with hotties. These chicas were aggressive too. So much so that it was obvious to all tourists what was going on, earning Cuba the reputation as a premier sex-tourist destination. When the world community railed against this behavior and accused Fidel of turning his island into a brothel, he responded in a speech to the United Nations by stating that if the women of his island chose to be with a tourist, it was their choice. He even went on to state that Cubanas were some of the best educated, sexiest and healthiest people in the world!

The Beginning of the Change

Throughout the 1990’s, Fidel forged alliances with many international hotel corporations, and built scores of resorts around his island. With the terrosit acts of 9/11/01, he felt the fall in tourism like the rest of the world. Occupancy rates at his state owned resorts plummeted, as did his state income. Suddenly, the paladars and casa particulars were directly competing with his vacant hotels. The solution? Crush the competition. But not in a way that would cause the populace to revolt. Don’t close the paladars – merely triple the already punitive tax. And as for casa particulars? Increase their tax, and revoke their licenses for even the slightest infractions of any rules. Paladars are all but gone, and casa particulars are diminishing at a rapid rate.

But what about prositution? Once openly tolerated by the ever present police, the mandate was given to begin prosecuting these chicas. Citywide crackdowns began in 2002, in which chicas by the dozens would be rounded up and hauled off to prison. Their crime? Doing what their government – no, make that FIDEL himself, had promoted them to do for the past 10 years.

The New Cuba

The change in Cuban attitudes towards prostitution began in early 2002. Two years later, the effects of this change are clear wherever you look. During this trip to Cuba and Cienfuegos, I was appalled by what I saw, specifically:

- the streets of Havana were virtually vacant of chicas. Malecon, La Rampa, Prado… nothing
- The discos are all enforcing the rule of no chicas without an escort.
- The casa particulars in Havana are now enforcing the rule of no chicas overnight
- The casa particulars in Cienfuegos will only permit one chica for your entire stay, and tourist cars are not allowed to park on the driveway or in the garage of the casa, making it virtually impossible to sneak any chicas in.
- None of the chicas in Cienfuegos would go with me to my casa, for fear that their carnet (Identification Card) would be registered and they would be sent to jail
- While driving from Havana to Cienfuegos and back, I saw fewer than 10 chicas hitchhiking in eight hours of driving. ALL of these chicas would put their arms down when they saw that we were driving a tourist rental car. I saw the police loading one chica into a paddywagon. Her crime? Likely being outside of her home province without permission to travel.

The Invisible Tourist

While in Cienfuegos, I attended an international sporting competition. The main road of Cienfuegos was roped off to create a spectator arena. The entire town turned out to see this event, or so it seemed. Notably absent from the festivities were chicas aged 18-24. Of the THOUSANDS of people milling about, partying and drinking, this one segment of the populace was non-existant. This demographic puzzled me, so I began asking questions. “Where are all the chicas bonita?” The answer I received shocked me at first, and then began to infuriate me. “Most are in jail. The rest are staying home because they are afraid to go outside”. I asked this question of at least 10 people, and received this same answer every time. As I walked down the street, I noticed that NOONE would make direct eye contact with me. “How sad” I thought…

That night I attended a huge outdoor concert. I headed out to the pavilion area to see if the cover of darkness would afford any better opportunity to hook up with a chica bonita. There were many more chicas out, but NONE of them would even look at me! Incredible! I used to be Elvis Presley on this island, and now I’m the Invisible Man. After an hour of being ignored, I bumped into a few single guys and asked them if they could help me find a date. Both seemed apprehensive at first, but disappeared to see what they could do. After another hour of waiting, one reappeared with a chica that would rate a solid 5. Sighing deeply, I asked if she would come to my casa. NO WAY. So now we have to find an illegal casa for an hour, aka a stabbin cabin. PLUS she won’t drive with me in my car. I am to follow her.

She leads me deep into the center of town to an apartment building that I’m hesitant to enter. My Cuban buddy is even hesitant to enter, but he goes in ahead of me and says everything is fine. While he waits for me outside, I go up and do the deed. The casa owner asks me to not shower afterwards, so I just get dressed and leave. $25 for the chica and $10 for the casa. Sigh…

Later that night I go to a disco and am favorably impressed with the talent. This place was packed with hotties who were dancing up a salsa storm. But few would even look at me, let alone talk to me. As the night progressed, it became clear that the two or three chicas that were congregating around me were available, so I asked a tall blonde if she knew of a stabbin cabin. She smiled and said she would leave to go outside and get a car. I should wait 5 minutes before leaving, walk to my car and drive out. She would find me and I could follow her to the illegal casa. “I don’t remember James Bond having such a difficult time”, I thought to myself as I drove to this house.

Once inside, the casa owner welcomed me with hug and a warm kiss as she told me to sit and make myself comfortable. The time was 3 a.m., and she went upstairs to wake up the occupants of the room I was to use. Bleary eyed, this young couple appeared in the living room and enjoyed some of my tequila with me while their mother prepared the room with some fresh bedding. “Damn. These poor people have to have a bad nights’ sleep just so they can make ten bucks” I thought.

When we went up to the room, my chica put me at ease with a stellar hummer before trying to mount me bareback. The DATY that followed got her juices flowing sufficiently for an effortless entry into her tiny frame. Impervious to the fact that someone was waiting to get back into their own beds, this chica and I spent 45 minutes enjoying every part of each other before heading back downstairs. $30 + $10 to the house and it was time to call it a night.

The Observations of a Gringo

If I were a new traveler to Cuba, I’d be pretty disappointed with the situation. If I were traveling outside of Havana, I’d be disgusted! Fortunately, while in Havana, my little black book is pretty full of talent, so I was able to get some stunning girls to my casa. I’m talking models and dancers from the salsa shows too. But to me, they aren’t the heart and soul of Cuba. The simple country girls are. And they were non-existent on this trip.

Fidel used the girls of his island for 10 years to promote tourism. In doing so, he created a sub-economy that was enticing and alluring to all the chicas of the island. To abruptly change this cultural norm, AND put THOUSANDS of these girls in prison is a tragedy. It is intolerable to think that these girls who helped rescue his failed economic model should now face prison.

Fidel is in his mid seventies, and concerned about his legacy. His revolution was supposed to end corruption and prostitution, yet he turned to both to keep himself in power. His hypocrisy is appalling.

For those intrepid wanderers who want to go and scare up some talent, I’m sure they’ll be able to find some. But it’s nothing like it was. This Gringo has had enough. I doubt I will return to Cuba in the near future.

Nice report AP, Thanks for the info.

Moondog

Jeez. Well, sounds like you had a mediocre trip...and you almost deserve it.

Did you do her bareback?

Strange how history repeats itself.

Castro came to power to get rid of the mafia and prostitution. Only to become what he tried to get rid of.

What do you think his brother will do, when Fidel dies?

Gcl
Omitted from the details of my 'mediocre trip' was the fact that I spent 2 days on the shitter, afraid that my innards were gonna rupture as they spewed and blasted the porcelain with tainted meat. I trust my misfortune will further your enjoyment of this godforsaken trip.

And as for my alleged use of protection in Cienfuegos, I intentionally omit these details IF for no other reason than to irritate you as you sit upon your gilded throne, surrounded by your legions of lovelies lavishing your lillywhite ass with more than ANY man deserves. So there.

Roadglide
Fidels' brother Raul is widely rumored to be a polesmoking twinkietaster. There exists few people who think that he will have sufficient smarts & chutzpah to rule Cuba with an iron fist - attached to such a limpwrist.

It's anyones' guess what will happen when Fidel passes. One thing is for sure however. Hoardes of the 2 million Miami Cubans are going to descend upon the island making claims to the land that Fidel 'took' from them.

Should that happen, I predict the US Gov't will have to intervene.

I for one will be glad to have the Marines there to watch my ass as I saunter down the street, flirting with the fresh crop of hotties that will undoubtedly swarm the cities in search of dollars.

Tick tock, tick tock...

AP,

Your report scares me. I was in Havana last month and had a great time! No problems with the police or the girls. I have never traveled outside of Havana so I am sure it is a different story.

When I return to Cuba in July, I hope it has loosened up.

Also I am not a true die hard monger, I get 2 or 3 girls and rotate them during my stay. So I am easily satisfied. Maybe I need more Viagra.

Max

AP,

I am going to Havana and Varadero for the first time in May. I will probably not be hobbying, as I have GF in tow. However, I do love to dance salsa with the Cuban ladies they move so dammed well. Will there be a problem with asking the ladies to dance in the clubs? Could you also recommend any clubs/discos where there will be lots of chicas to dance with please?

Thanks WW

Sounds like the Cuba that I went to for 15 nights. Outside of Havana I don't care what ANYONE says. Good action is very hard to find. We went to Vinales, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Pinar del Rio and maybe a few other cities. While the countryside was great and beautiful the girls were MIA.

I've had a chance to travel around to several Latin American countries now and I can honestly say if you're going somewhere to hobby, Cuba would be ranked at the bottom of my list. For the average guy that doesn't travel around too much, Cuba might seem OK or good but try going to Buenos Aires, Rio, Colombia or even Peru and you'll never think about going to Cuba again to hobby.

I will return to the island again but not for the hobby scene. Too many easy and better places around the world. Glad you had fun though.

That is really sad. I hope our Cubans buddies are Ok? Life was hard enough there before, it's sounds almost unbearable now.

Gcl I only have one comment: Does a bear shit in the woods?

Thanks for the report AnalProbe, I know sum Cuban hotties here in New York, i was thinking of going to Cuba but with 9-11 and this report I think I am going back to Buenos Aires (oops i am May 28) It is a shame!!!...... the Cuban Hotties are Insatiable!! thanks again for the report !!!!!!

AP,
Sorry the trip was a downer; not what the doctor ordered...
BD

Clearly I'm pretty pissed about the changes that have occurred in Cuba. I miss the widespread availability of unspoiled country girls. Many of the girls from my first trips were so unlike the prostitutes from other countries as to make it appear that I wasn't hobbying, ya know? With those days gone, the scene just ain't the same anymore.

You can still find girls in the discos.

You can still find girls in Chinatown.

But it's just not the same Cuba that I grew to love. Those of you who decide to go for the first time can still have a decent trip. Don't let my report sour the entire vat of grapes. There's still opportunities to have a good time there.

For me, there's other lands to explore. Who knows - I might find the former Soviet Union to be like Cuba?

AP,
Sorry, but you're not likely to find "Cuba" in the former Soviet states, at least not in the places I visited (mainly larger cities like Moscow, St. Pete's, Vilnius, Tallinn, Riga, etc.). Hope you find it somewhere. Maybe Chavez will turn Venezuala into another Cuba.

AP - Your experience is completely in line with mine over new years last year.

In the country (on the road from Trinidad to the autopiste), I met a great girl hitchhiking and we agreed to a romp but she said it would be impossible to find a casa that would take us. So, my Cuban buddy tells me to just take her out on some dirt road and session under a tree. Turned into a great story, but its hard to use the body paint unless you have a place to wash off!

I had the same cloak and dagger illegal casa crap in Trinidad as well. Almost shit my pants skulking around dark streets late at nite. We found one casa room but the girl couldnt turn the light on. When I asked why, she points to some old man sleeping on the floor in the same friggin room! We finally find shithole #2 which at least has a flickering 5 watt bulb and dripping water. Hot girl and an amazing fuck, but between her paranoia about getting arrested and the miserable surroundings, it really killed the session for me.

Things appear looser in Havana, but I think that's also skewed the hobby toward more hard core girls who are willing to take the risk of getting busted. The days of meeting a semi-regular girl coming home from her mothers is long gone, I fear.