Cuba?

[Lozzer]

Has anyone been to Cuba? If so, what are your experiences and opinion on the place? I believe I'll be going this year with my my mum and sister (and possibly aunt, who visits Cuba a regular basis for vacation). I haven't been abroad in 10 years, so I don't know what to expect of the place. I love Cuba's history and I dig the whole communist thing it's got going on, but I'm worried about the reality of it when I get there. It's the little things that worry me, like are the police corrupt and oppressive? What's the crime rate like? Do I need to prepare to see starving people and the victims of long-time imposed despotic government? What's the culture like? What is there to do for fun?

[War Arrow]

My buddy Rob live there for six months and I'm fairly certain his advice would be a) learn as much Spanish as you can, it will be appreciated, and b) if you get ill you really need to find out about medical facilities available to non-Cubans (Rob caught an armageddon level dose of the shits and ended up in a Cuban hospital - don't even ask). Oh and c) you should probably resign yourself to getting ripped off a few times (as in overcharged for things), don't take it personally.

From what he said, it sounded tough but maybe not so tough as you anticipate. People are extremely poor, although the upside is that there's a much stronger sense of cameraderie so even strangers will help you out if they can. Just keep your head down and try not to look too much like a rich tourist.

[Lozzer]

My buddy Rob live there for six months and I'm fairly certain his advice would be a) learn as much Spanish as you can, it will be appreciated, and b) if you get ill you really need to find out about medical facilities available to non-Cubans (Rob caught an armageddon level dose of the shits and ended up in a Cuban hospital - don't even ask). Oh and c) you should probably resign yourself to getting ripped off a few times (as in overcharged for things), don't take it personally.

From what he said, it sounded tough but maybe not so tough as you anticipate. People are extremely poor, although the upside is that there's a much stronger sense of cameraderie so even strangers will help you out if they can. Just keep your head down and try not to look too much like a rich tourist.

Hmm provided my aunt comes then I think we'll be ok for Spanish. I presumed medical facilities would be open for all people regardless of nationality? Or are hospitals for the normal populace pretty nasty?

[Bella Fortuna]

Sorry, the irony of

I love Cuba's history and I dig the whole communist thing it's got going on...

juxtaposed with

...are the police corrupt and oppressive? What's the crime rate like? Do I need to prepare to see starving people and the victims of long-time imposed despotic government?

made me

[Lozzer]

Sorry, the irony of

I love Cuba's history and I dig the whole communist thing it's got going on...

juxtaposed with

...are the police corrupt and oppressive? What's the crime rate like? Do I need to prepare to see starving people and the victims of long-time imposed despotic government?

made me

I said I dig the whole communist thing going on, despite it's epic evil it's still pretty awesome. I just don't want to find the reality of it so disturbing that it ruins my holiday..

[Bella Fortuna]

I know... just a little tease. I'll be curious to know how you find things. You must report back!

[Animavore]

I know... just a little tease. I'll be curious to know how you find things. You must report back!

That's if the gringos don't kidnap you and sell your skinny ass to the sex-trade.

[War Arrow]

Yes as I understood it tourists can get private medical treatment if they insist (as opposed to state medical treatment) - Rob was in the Cuban hospital something like three days with rusty water squirting out of his arse for most of that time. He eventually checked himself out and staggered home and stayed in bed for a week until he was well enough to find out he could have gone private (some deal with the British Embassy I think) all along. Sounds like their hospitals are like ours were during the first world war, but without medicine.

I've been to Mexico a lot myself, and Rob came along the last time - he said Mexico seemed a lot better off though the corruption (cops etc) and crime seemed about the same - personally I never had a problem with either but maybe I was just lucky (plus I was in Mexico City which I get the impression may not be anything like so bad as the north). I kind of wonder if it's similar to the reputation a place like Brixton in London used to have = sounds terrifying untl you actually end up living near the place and you realise it's no big deal so long as you don't act like an idiot. Places are always scarier before you've been there.

On the positive side, I sort of envy you. You'll have a great time I think.

Oh and whatever you do STICK TO BOTTLED WATER!

[Lozzer]

I shall, provided I come back in tact. I'm going to be dragged to all the Salsa places and made to dance with weird strangers

[War Arrow]

I shall, provided I come back in tact. I'm going to be dragged to all the Salsa places and made to dance with weird strangers

Rob bought back a few fucking great tapes of salsa bands on which I swear every single song was about either goats, women, or revenge - if you have a goat in Cuba you're getting by. Anyway one of the songs (and I am not making this up) was this jolly sunny tune with all the cowbells and everything and a chorus of "My woman has taken our goat... Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!"

Those X-Factor fucks could learn a lot from that place.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Obama's shutting down the facility most suited to your needs, Lozzer.

[Lozzer]

Yes as I understood it tourists can get private medical treatment if they insist (as opposed to state medical treatment) - Rob was in the Cuban hospital something like three days with rusty water squirting out of his arse for most of that time. He eventually checked himself out and staggered home and stayed in bed for a week until he was well enough to find out he could have gone private (some deal with the British Embassy I think) all along. Sounds like their hospitals are like ours were during the first world war, but without medicine.

I've been to Mexico a lot myself, and Rob came along the last time - he said Mexico seemed a lot better off though the corruption (cops etc) and crime seemed about the same - personally I never had a problem with either but maybe I was just lucky (plus I was in Mexico City which I get the impression may not be anything like so bad as the north). I kind of wonder if it's similar to the reputation a place like Brixton in London used to have = sounds terrifying untl you actually end up living near the place and you realise it's no big deal so long as you don't act like an idiot. Places are always scarier before you've been there.

On the positive side, I sort of envy you. You'll have a great time I think.

Oh and whatever you do STICK TO BOTTLED WATER!

See I watched Moore's 'Sicko' film and was quite impressed with the standard of care portrayed in the film of Cuba's health service. Then I realised it probably was just propaganda, a grand confabulation for the mutual interest of Moore's movie and the Cuban state.

I've never suffered police corruption, so I don't really know what it's like. But it worries me.

Haha naturally I'll stick to the bottled water. I know the drill!

[redunderthebed]

You lucky bastard lozzer i so want to go to Cuba have a couple of cigars and some rum for me will ya?.

(oh and i was talking to a comrade of mine who went over there and bottles of rum are about $7 Australian have fun )

[Ian]

Enjoy it while you can. Once the Castros are gone and the old guard regime is kaput, Starbucks, Wal-Mart and every other big US company are going to turn it into Cuba, Inc.