Cuba

Just got back - smashing place.

mY SON arrived on one of it's Islands yesterday.

Smokin.

See what i did there?

Cuban Cigars

Did you buy some new boots?

I was very disappointed in the boots on sale. I saw nothing with a suitable heel.

That, and the oppressive nature of the government, appears to be just a big myth.

did you go on a flying dinghy?

Toolbox wrote:

That, and the oppressive nature of the government, appears to be just a big myth.

My Cuban neighbor would beg to differ.

Should Edel Brock not be on by now explaining to us that the Cuban state is a threat to world peace and that their evil values (inclusive education, free healthcare for all etc etc) are a threat to all right-thinking gun-toting citizens of the free world?

That's one of the reasons I've always fancied Cuba as a holiday destination. No fucking Americans!

Toolbox wrote: That, and the oppressive nature of the government, appears to be just a big myth.

Today's world is so disappointing...

My mates parents went there a few year back, best holibags theyve ever had they said

tuba.

lube-a

Ace. someone i know took a ride in a flying dinghy in Cuba(not this picture)

Bloody excellent country... fantastic people, cigars & rum.. would go back in a heart beat...

Yeah I saw the flying dinghy. I thought I'd had a bit too much run at first.

I don't know where Edel is, this thread of course was intended to bait some anti-Cuba sentiment so I can pick on him for a bit. Buck, what does your Cuban neighbour say about it all? That it's better in New York? Why?

Like GlasV, I was fascinated by the prospect of somewhere so close to the US where they are banned from going. Imagine my surprise when I found the bloody place to be full of Canadians and all of them ten times louder and more irritating than any American could ever dream of being.

No wonder the nice ones pretend to be French

He claims that he was fired from a university because of spewing anti-castro sentiments. He tells a lot of stories and I don't always believe them.

also, Brits are never the annoying tourists.

Went to Cuba oct 2007,lovely place.

They dont have much,but what they do have they make the most of.

And YEP no Crazy ass yanks

None in Venezuela when we went in 2005 Either,I can see a pattern here...... although....

Mexico 2003 fookin LOADS of crazy ass Yanks!

http://neworderinfoweb.piczo.com

(new website coming VERY soon!)

they have havana club rum and mojitos. what more could you wish for

Honestly? I don't know the first thing about Cuba, except what I've heard. Only two things to say about the place:

1. Would love to see all the old cars that are suppose to be lining the streets.

2. If the place is so great then why are people building rafts to get away from it?

Whilst it is true that Cuba has free healthcare, and is somewhat advanced in some areas (it developed the first vaccine for Hepatitis B) the reality is, if you get an advanced disease, you are fucked. Its a free system but its years behind most countries.

How did you get along with your designated guide Colin?

Don't know what you mean by designated guide, Liam. We used a tour guide a couple of times, but we certainly weren't accompanied when we didn't ask to be, if that's what you mean.

The country is quite poor, owing in the main to the American trade embargo that has pretty much crippled any chance of the economy growing. Thus the health system, whilst well-staffed with highly educated and motivated people, is likely to be as poorly-equipped as any other poor state.

Evidence of the embargo is everywhere, mainly in the total absence of anything American. Given that the island lies about 50 miles from the Florida Keys, it's incredible that everything that isn't locally produced is flown from Europe or China.

The old American cars are cool. I'll post some pictures somewhere when I get round to it.

EdelBrock wrote: 2. If the place is so great then why are people building rafts to get away from it?

To have the same way of life than yours! Do they sail elsewhere?

Jiphy wrote:

EdelBrock wrote: 2. If the place is so great then why are people building rafts to get away from it?

To have the same way of life than yours! Do they sail elsewhere?

In fact, a couple of Cubans told us that if you sail in a raft to the US, the government there will give you a house and a job. They seemed quite confused when we questioned this, saying that the US government are not famous for giving anything to their own citizens, least of all immigrants. They were most insistent that any immigrant from Cuba would be treated very well and get this special treatment. We asked why they didn't just go, but they both said they preferred it in Cuba.

Lord knows what's happening there - no idea whether it's true or not.

I've never been there and i don't want to.....i prefer to visit the fukin' americans hahahha. Well, i mean north americans.

The Teacher wrote: Whilst it is true that Cuba has free healthcare, and is somewhat advanced in some areas (it developed the first vaccine for Hepatitis B) the reality is, if you get an advanced disease, you are fucked. Its a free system but its years behind most countries.

How did you get along with your designated guide Colin?

Yes, if you develop cancer for example you're outlook is nowhere near as good as in the States. Possibly something to do with the US Government fining it's pharmaceutical companies for exporting life-saving/life-enhancing cancer treatments to Cuba.

GlasVegas wrote:

The Teacher wrote: Whilst it is true that Cuba has free healthcare, and is somewhat advanced in some areas (it developed the first vaccine for Hepatitis B) the reality is, if you get an advanced disease, you are fucked. Its a free system but its years behind most countries.

How did you get along with your designated guide Colin?

Yes, if you develop cancer for example you're outlook is nowhere near as good as in the States. Possibly something to do with the US Government fining it's pharmaceutical companies for exporting life-saving/life-enhancing cancer treatments to Cuba.

ya know, there are a couple more countries out there that could supply them as well ya know

Not if the drug companies want to export to America as well.

They won't deal with anyone who deals with Cuba. It's a very far-reaching trade embargo. They put enormous pressure on other countries to fall into line and adopt anti-Cuba trade policies.

Attempting to influence another countries foreign policy towards a third state is quite advanced stuff, and somewhat questionable legally.

As is dropping bombs on a country you've not declared war on.

The boxing team always cleans up at the Olympics.It's uncanny how they excel in that but bog-all else,sports wise. The Americans really hate it. Shame they are not allowed to turn pro..unless they defect of course.

They're pretty good a baseball, too. That's their national sport. I nearly bought a souvenir baseball bat.