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« Last edited by Yuey on December 24, 2019, 03:49:02 AM »

Author Topic: Cuba Master Thread  (Read 69442 times)

Offline HarryPotterFan

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #40 on: December 25, 2014, 05:20:51 AM »
Sunwing.Ca - they take American bank credit cards and everything  ;)

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #41 on: December 28, 2014, 10:06:56 PM »
Just went to Cuba with my wife for Pesach 2014, we loved it.
It is much more interesting than typical south america, because of actual communism etc etc
Very limited internet and phone access to america makes it a real getaway.
Beautiful weather and beaches too. Highly recommended trip if you get the chance.

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #42 on: December 28, 2014, 10:08:25 PM »
Just went to Cuba with my wife for Pesach 2014, we loved it.
It is much more interesting than typical south america, because of actual communism etc etc
Very limited internet and phone access to america makes it a real getaway.
Beautiful weather and beaches too. Highly recommended trip if you get the chance.
How about a TR ?

Offline Centro

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #43 on: December 28, 2014, 10:10:33 PM »
How about a TR ?
This is probably the censored version..

Offline txtmax4

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #44 on: December 28, 2014, 10:22:21 PM »
Been there twice.
An island in time.
If You See Something, Say Something!!

Online TimT

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #45 on: December 28, 2014, 10:23:35 PM »
Been there twice.
An island in time.
Did you drive one of those cars from the 14th century ?

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #46 on: December 28, 2014, 10:50:08 PM »
I went via CFCJ in Toronto. Flew from NYC via YYZ.
We flew with about 8 giant suitcases filled with all types of stuff for Pesach and to distribute packages to the Jewish community.

I decided to risk a few vacuum packages of meat which luckily made it thru. Other than meat they wouldn't care to let me bring in pretty much any other food. (we brought in wine, which they decided to allow, milk, tuna, bread etc.)
Convinced the customs that we were a couple going on a honeymoon and needed to bring all our stuff because of Kosher laws. (Friend of mine went in with a case of Gefilte Fish and told them he eats only that, 3 times a day for a month...) got in without trouble, they already know american's can't get a stamp in their passport, but if you aren't american, make sure to tell them not to stamp. They did make me buy some sort of medical insurance plan (a few bucks a day) because US banks, insurance or CCs aren't acceptable there. (this may change based on the latest news). I would suggest to divide up and hide your cash you bring in, in case they have trouble with it etc. Bribes are not allowed, so if you have trouble at customs, they will more likely accept your offer of some of your american food than risk accepting cash, so don't try that. People are really nice, including the guards.

In Cuba there are two currencies, one for locals (CUP?) which is close to worthless, and CUC for foreigners, which is more than 1 USD to the CUC. Taxi drivers and everything else will only accept CUC.

We stayed in a "Casa Particular" in Havana, which is kind of like AirBNB. Basically many people in Cuba rent out the main part of their house, furnished, prices weren't super cheap. These arrangements were made by CFCJ beforehand. There are some nice hotels in Havana, all government owned, but to american standards I believe. We would go to Hotel Melia Cohiba for the WiFi, which was slow, and $14 CUP for 2 hours.

We went primarily to deliver packages to all the Jewish families before Pesach, and to make Sedorim. There are a few functioning Shuls in Havana, one of which I believe may be officially Orthodox. There are signs pointing them out for tourists, we did not risk going there, as the people in charge of the Jewish community there with government connections, have had fallings out over the years with CFCJ (at least in part because they know we don't recognize the conversion of some of the prominent people in the community as Jewish, due to their non Halachic conversion).

Bring food with you, as you can't rely on much being available, even for money. (We spent 2 days looking for an apple for Charoises). There might be some fresh fish available, but it tasted horrible. Eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, eggplant, cucumber are some of what was available. (people did not know what a hot pepper was).

Always haggle on taxi prices, or souvenirs. In stores prices are generally regulated and marked.
Old Havana is really beautiful. There is a Rum factory which has tours, did not get to check it out. There is a Cigar factory which is only open in the morning hours, also did not get to it. There are plenty beautiful beaches only 20 minute drive from Havana, which you can find relatively empty patches on. You can see the particles of white sand thru the crystal clear blue water. (I have not been to some of the other places out there to compare, but Cuba is legendary for the beaches). Some of the nicest beaches there is in the next city Varadero, like 1.5 hours, and also has hotels and many shops with many foreigners and foreigner prices.

Personally I mainly enjoyed the local culture over the tourist traps. So just walking down streets, is an experience. Literally go back in time a few decades.
People on the street don't all smoke cigars, as they can't afford it. Every guy is ready to hook you up with "brand name" cigars his "brother/friend got from the truck/factory". You can buy proper ones from any normal looking cigar shop or lounge and in the nice hotels.

According to the US, you are still not allowed to go for vacation, but you can go for a number of other reasons: journalism, culture, humanitarian etc. So if you can go legally by applying for permission from the US, go ahead. otherwise you risk the chance of US customs catching you coming back from canada, in which case you will need to fill out the paperwork of what you went for, who paid for your trip and expenses while there etc. Nothing is allowed to be brought back in (don't know yet how this might change) so anything that said cuba on it, was destroyed in front of me, and I had to sign that I witnessed it.

There are awesome cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s all over the place. the taxi drivers will try to get extra for a ride, knowing it is a thrill for foreigners. Did not drive one, but did take some rides in them. :D

The local people can really use the food, so please please bring extra if you are going on your own, and give everything to them when you are done with it. (We served some fried eggplant with a drop of may on top by the Seder, and the people were all excited "how healthy it is" because it contains nutrition. They live on the equivalent of $30 USD a month, regardless of occupation. Unless you are retired, then you get about 11/12. They have little ration books "la librita" which entitles them to a certain amount of certain foods at a discounted rate (read: affordable on their salary). About 1/4 of a chicken per family per 10 days. A certain amount of rice and eggs and bread and milk etc. So with money you can buy as much as you would like. (If you can get a local to do the shopping for those foods for you, it is in the cheaper currency, and won't be extra price for you).
« Last Edit: December 29, 2014, 12:01:18 AM by Moishy »

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #47 on: December 28, 2014, 11:12:57 PM »
Wow! Awesome TR! Added to the list.

Any pics to share?
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Online TimT

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #48 on: December 28, 2014, 11:18:13 PM »
Nice, thanks. Pics would be awesome.

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #49 on: December 28, 2014, 11:52:39 PM »
My first TR.
What type or how many pictures is the norm?

Offline smart brit

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #50 on: December 28, 2014, 11:55:30 PM »
My first TR.
What type or how many pictures is the norm?
great first tr!
Thanks

Online TimT

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #51 on: December 29, 2014, 12:04:09 AM »
My first TR.
What type or how many pictures is the norm?
If you have lots of photos you could split it up by days or places.
As for what type, nice scenery & pics that bring out how different life is over there.

Offline Centro

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #52 on: December 29, 2014, 12:05:44 AM »
Very nice!
You keep on repeating how much they'd appreciate food and stuff, they must be in bad shape, I hope it'll become easier on them in the months/years to come.

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #53 on: December 29, 2014, 12:13:09 AM »
Unfortunately Castro is running a successful communism, and seeing that in real life today is what effects you most, although it was still a very enjoyable trip, it was an experience.

My personal opinion is that although the US plans on making major changes, the Cuban govt has made it clear they have no intention of changing the situation on the ground, so I can't say I have my hopes up.

I would mention that despite the communism, a trip there is not cheap.
Another interesting part of life there, stores are not open early or stay open late.
If you come in to a store at 445, they may not feel like helping you because they close at 5 and want to catch the bus home. They aren't making money off the store being open, so why feel like staying around... They aren't paid to be invested personally in it. LOL

I expected everyone to be all depressed, the way we imagine communist Russia, but apparently that's more of a Russian thing, as Russia still has that feel now, and Cuba the people are very south american attitude and easy going.

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #54 on: December 29, 2014, 12:18:19 AM »
Were you in any danger at any point ?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #55 on: December 29, 2014, 12:21:51 AM »
Great TR. Post pics using SFs method plz ;)

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #56 on: December 29, 2014, 12:22:31 AM »
Not at all.
They were all very welcoming to americans, although English of course is not common.

I am sure if you try hanging out by a military base or some other trouble you can get on their radar, but we weren't doing anything illegal, nobody bothered us.
Felt very safe. Especially because the govt runs a tight ship, people are afraid to commit crime (unless you are in a bad neighborhood at night) so guns, drugs or violent crimes are very low there.

btw, excuse my ignorance, but how do you post pictures here?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #57 on: December 29, 2014, 12:24:00 AM »

Offline Moishy

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #58 on: December 29, 2014, 12:37:57 AM »
Thanks!
Will post pictures shortly or tomorrow

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Re: cuba master thread
« Reply #59 on: December 29, 2014, 12:40:29 AM »
Thanks!
Will post pictures shortly or tomorrow
Great, looking forward