Spent a day in Havana Cuba recently

[AbrahamG]

Georgia.. sounds nice...

How was flying in and out of Cuba?  Smooth process?  I would love to do a Cruise that did a stop in Cuba.  I'll have to see if that is an option.

[Moontrane]

Anyone else visited Cuba?
I had the chance to go on an a cruise out of Tampa. Docked at 8am and had to be back on board by 1:30 am. It was one of those experiences that will definitely stay with me. The first impression from walking off the ship was of traveling back in time to the 60's. Almost every car was some kind of 50's model car. The architecture and condition of the buildings set the scene. We took a classic car tour in a convertible around the city. The people were friendly. I had filled a back pack with small toys like hot wheel cars, frisbees and inflatable beach balls. I had read that some children may have one toy. The reaction we got handing out the items were priceless. The $1 hot wheels car could have been the latest Xbox by the look on their face and appreciation. I didn't realize that I'd have to demonstrate a frisbee as many had never seen one. Or explain to an adult about the beach ball and how to inflate it. Things I hadn't really thought about. And as we walked the city, and people saw us hand out things to children, some would approach and instead of asking for money, would ask if we had any gum, or soap or shampoo. Truly a humbling experience. While we were told the salary for a Doctor is about $30 a month and a regular worker $16, people seemed happy, and took pride in their heritage. I definitely recommend it.       

Nice and generous of you.   

The three great successes of the Cuban revolution are medicine, education, and sports.
The great failures of the Cuban revolution are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[Agnostic007]

Cuba would be cool just because I'm a fan of their cigars. Have you spent a lot of time traveling all over the US?

Not a lot of time, plenty to still see, and I look forward to it.

[Agnostic007]

How was flying in and out of Cuba?  Smooth process?  I would love to do a Cruise that did a stop in Cuba.  I'll have to see if that is an option.

We came in on a cruise ship. That process was pretty smooth. It was an amazing experience for me, glad I was fortunate enough to do it. I definitely will go back again in the future.

[Agnostic007]

Nice and generous of you.   

The three great successes of the Cuban revolution are medicine, education, and sports.
The great failures of the Cuban revolution are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Not a bad observation.

[The Scott]

Turd world kuntry.  Hope you enjoyed yourself but I will pass.

[IRON CROSS]

There is NO "refugees" from middle east or Guatemala in Cuban paradise, I wonder why    ,

[Griffith]

'Agnostic007' will probably visit North Korea and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.

[The Scott]

'Agnostic007' will probably visit North Korea and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.

 

[oldgolds]

Anyone else visited Cuba?
I had the chance to go on an a cruise out of Tampa. Docked at 8am and had to be back on board by 1:30 am. It was one of those experiences that will definitely stay with me. The first impression from walking off the ship was of traveling back in time to the 60's. Almost every car was some kind of 50's model car. The architecture and condition of the buildings set the scene. We took a classic car tour in a convertible around the city. The people were friendly. I had filled a back pack with small toys like hot wheel cars, frisbees and inflatable beach balls. I had read that some children may have one toy. The reaction we got handing out the items were priceless. The $1 hot wheels car could have been the latest Xbox by the look on their face and appreciation. I didn't realize that I'd have to demonstrate a frisbee as many had never seen one. Or explain to an adult about the beach ball and how to inflate it. Things I hadn't really thought about. And as we walked the city, and people saw us hand out things to children, some would approach and instead of asking for money, would ask if we had any gum, or soap or shampoo. Truly a humbling experience. While we were told the salary for a Doctor is about $30 a month and a regular worker $16, people seemed happy, and took pride in their heritage. I definitely recommend it.       

Shows how spoiled and unapreciative we have become...Especially liberals...

[LurkerNoMore]

I have been three times.   Two times in the past year via cruise ship (on my side gig), but the first time ten years ago when I graduated college and flew in via Mexico City and a Mexican visa a.k.a "tourist card".

What you see now, is nothing like it was back then.  The poverty was even more crushing back then.   And people did NOT come up to you and beg that often as they never knew who you were and whether you in some agency that would have them carted off and "disappeared" for good.    Back then regular citizens who had American dollars in their possession would be targeted if the cops or gov't found out. 

[LurkerNoMore]

Lake Oconee in GA

GTFO with that shit.

[Agnostic007]

I have been three times.   Two times in the past year via cruise ship (on my side gig), but the first time ten years ago when I graduated college and flew in via Mexico City and a Mexican visa a.k.a "tourist card".

What you see now, is nothing like it was back then.  The poverty was even more crushing back then.   And people did NOT come up to you and beg that often as they never knew who you were and whether you in some agency that would have them carted off and "disappeared" for good.    Back then regular citizens who had American dollars in their possession would be targeted if the cops or gov't found out. 

I had fewer people approaching me than I did in Austin Tx. And while in Austin, the begging was for cash 100% of the time. Mexico was worse. In Cuba it was mostly things like soap, gum, but there were a couple that asked for anything.
I'll bet it has improved over the last 10 years and will continue to improve with the influx of American tourists. I don't know how much better for the people, but it will certainly be income for the state.   

[SOMEPARTS]

'Agnostic007' will probably visit Russia and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.
Agnostic007' will probably visit Guatemala and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.
Agnostic007' will probably visit Venezuela and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.
Agnostic007' will probably visit South Africa and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.
Agnostic007' will probably visit China and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.

[Thin Lizzy]

'Agnostic007' will probably visit North Korea and tell us how everyone seemed so happy.

I recommend an episode of the Podcast 83 Weeks. Eric Bischoff describes his trip to North Korea to put on a wrestling show.

He said that at 5’10, he felt like a giant because the people were so undernourished.

That said, leader of the country seems well fed.

I’ve noticed that when liberals visit socialist countries they report back very favorably. Of course they see things from a very superficial level. Spend three months there and then get back to us.

[oldtimer1]

First I will say I am Cuban.  Prior to 1959 it was the play ground of the rich and famous. Night clubs and hotels were first rate and class. A favorite of Sinatra, Hemingway and many others of means. While it was still dictator run people had a measure of wealth. Castro and Che came with the revolution for communism.  The buildings and assets were confiscated. The only rich people were politicians and the politically connected. People were tortured and thrown in jail for being vocal about how the country was crashing. White Cubans in mass fled to the US. Their destination was two places. Miami and NJ.  The country plunged into poverty.  Cuba was the destination now of wanted criminals for protection. They just had to say they were revolutionist and they were granted protection. 

Cubans as a whole are very industrialist and they prospered in the US.  In NJ they settled in cities like Union city in NJ.  Soon they owned new car dealerships, pharmacies and other businesses.  They then moved from the city to the suburbs and their children married outside of Cubans. 

Cuba is stuck in time.  It's sad because the people have so much potential. Hard to categorize people but they are hard working and know how to make money if given freedom. If nothing else their white women have some great asses. 

[visualizeperfection]

GTFO with that shit.

Hahah yes.


I once stayed at Howard Johnson in Tempe Arizona. Great vacay. It had a pool and all.


I think “deadz” has a skewed idea of what luxe is.

[IRON CROSS]

Anyone else visited Cuba?
       

Anabolichalo was pretending to live in Havana 

[robcguns]

Serious question,why would anyone want to go to Cuba?Im just asking as you say it’s poor etc... just wondering the attraction.Im not one to venture out of the USA.So genuinely curious.

[Joe Valentino]

Serious question,why would anyone want to go to Cuba?Im just asking as you say it’s poor etc... just wondering the attraction.Im not one to venture out of the USA.So genuinely curious.

You never considered the idea of travelling to London, Barcelona and Paris? Beautiful cities, Man.

[robcguns]

You never considered the idea of travelling to London, Barcelona and Paris? Beautiful cities, Man.

No,I like Vegas,Florida,Georgia,etc... I’m a simple man.Im not the kind of guy you see in those cities you mentioned yet I do see people going there more so than Cuba,going to Cuba seems like going to North Korea to me.Im not much for other cultures.Also I don’t believe they like Americans in these other places so why go where I’m not wanted would just cause problems with my personality.I like to lift,gamble,fish and eat and all those things I can do in the USA.

[Joe Valentino]

No,I like Vegas,Florida,Georgia,etc... I’m a simple man.Im not the kind of guy you see in those cities you mentioned yet I do see people going there more so than Cuba,going to Cuba seems like going to North Korea to me.Im not much for other cultures.Also I don’t believe they like Americans in these other places so why go where I’m not wanted would just cause problems with my personality.I like to lift,gamble,fish and eat and all those things I can do in the USA.

I always wanted to go to Japan and India, but never had the chance. In Spain, theres a lot of British People, so its prolly the place that they dont really care, cause Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca most of local people speak English.
I think Dorian Yates currently lives in Mallorca,btw

[The Scott]

I always wanted to go to Japan and India, but never had the chance. In Spain, theres a lot of British People, so its prolly the place that they dont really care, cause Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca most of local people speak English.
I think Dorian Yates currently lives in Mallorca,btw

Fuck off, shitass.

[Joe Valentino]

Fuck off, shitass.

Go check yourself, Narcissistic Idiotic Conservative at Rikers Island, Psychiatric Ward.
You belong there, Freak

[visualizeperfection]

Go check yourself, Narcissistic Idiotic Conservative at Rikers Island, Psychiatric Ward.
You belong there, Freak

Shitso gimmick.