Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba

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Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba

by Sarah
(Ireland)

I went to Varadero with a group of friends, all females. Within minutes of our arrival everyone knew where we were from. Next day at the pool / beach they all seemed to know where we were from.
Animation staff was very friendly and fun. One very fit guy kept trying to tell us how some cubans will marry just to get out of the country... not him, he had an european girlfriend and even started crying when talking about their breakup... I was not interested in this conversation at all.
After we came back home got an email from him very friendly. other emails followed and then he started asking if I could send things... another email declaring how much he wanted me (te quiero, see they don't really say they love you, they want you, either out of lust or because they want your money).
I said I was only interested in being his friend and short after the emails stopped.
It's sad they have to do this to get things, to get out... I really thought we had met some cool friends. Sometimes it is best if you don't keep in touch...

Remark by Vic, Webmaster

Sarah, thanks for sharing your experience in Varadero. Don't forget that Varadero is not the real Cuba, it's all artificial. Cubans see Varadero as one big "business opportunity". Always ask yourself in Cuba this question: if this Cuban would earn the same (high) salary as I do, would he still be interested to be my friend (lover)...the answer is probably, NO!
Notice, that the expression, "te quiero",(I want you) has exactly the same meaning in Cuba as "Te amo" (I love you)

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Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba

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Jun 16, 2011
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I meant I hope they ARE NOT ALL scammers
by: Anonymous

I just heard of someone I met there is getting married to a foreigner and hope for her sake that this is really love and all profit for him...

May 24, 2011
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I have to admit I miss them and still hope they are all scammers...
by: Sarah

I have to say that I still miss Cuba and the people I met there.
There is one guy I met there briefly yet I can not stop thinking about him. I know he was just complimenting me as he does to every other foreign young woman...
At the same time I think he was not interested in me enough to ask for my phone number, email, I also think that it might actually be a sign of someone who realized that he was not going to see me again. He was my age, and I?m not ?a large old woman?, so not like he wouldn?t be attracted to me if I was not a tourist with big bucks and a plane ride out of there.
I think it is for the best, not keeping in touch. Have fun in Cuba but don?t do anything you would not do at home. And if you must have them, leave your beach-fling just there where he belongs, at the beach. You?ll save yourself heartbreak and lots of money from what I read here.

To Vic: gracias por su comentario. I know what ?te quiero? means. And I still think that in the latin culture it means ?I love you right now? and that?s why Europeans and Canadians, etc, all get their heart broken, because they think it is real and forever?

May 19, 2011
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Sad Angry Old Woman!
by: Elsa

Yasmla - Usted triste vieja Yasmila lo que necesitas para una vida y la dignidad de algunos.

Ha sido utilizado por muchos jinteros alcohólicas fom la Juventus Isla, que están obsesionados con ese lugar y siguen refiriéndose a ella.

Yasmila - Tú eres el hazmerreír del foro, haz tu auto un favor, dejar de publicar obtener ayuda dignidad y la semana de sus problemas de ira.

You sad old woman Yasmila you need to get a life and some dignity.

You have been used by too many alcoholic resort staff jinteros fom the Isla Juventus, you are obsessed with that place and keep referring to it.

You are the laughing stock of the forum, do yourself a favour, stop posting, get some dignity and seek help for your obvious anger issues.

May 19, 2011
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Yasmila - Sad Sick Woman!
by: Elsa

I do not have anything to prove to you.

You're meglomaniac
(look that up in the dictionary)
You're a control freak fantasist, who thinks she knows it all, but you are clearly delusional..

You're now the laughing stock of the Havana-Guide forum.

Get a Life! you sad old woman.

May 19, 2011
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El Capitulo Final-!
by: Yasmila

Mira,Anonymous!-
Cuando una persona dice a otra persona que tiene control de la ira para escribir sobre una experiencia,de esa persona realmente necesita una evaluacion fisiatra.
Solo porque conoci a alguien persona con poco de dinero que a comprado tus carro-el no te hace bien informado acerca de un Pais llena de "PROBREZA".
Si usted no puede hacer frente a la realidad e el deseo de ver la vida a su favor-entonces es realmente una persona enferma!!
Final Chapter!
Look Anonymous!
When a person tell's another person they have anger issue's just for writing the truth about their experience's--YOU are in reality the person who is in need of a physchiatric evaluation.
Just because you knew a person who has a little money and bought your car-that does not make you an expert or an informed person of an Island filled with poverty.
If you cannot face the reality and wish to view life in your favor-then you are truly a sick person.
{PS>, I really do pride myself on knowing all about Cuba and the Cuban-life style-not all of us are so lucky}--end of my post's!!
Hasta Luego-Siempre Cuba Libre!!

May 19, 2011
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As I Said!!
by: Yasmila

RE"-Elsa-Where is your "Journalistic" experience??????
Please write to me of your so called "Journalistic" talent's is Spanish'
It's a well known fact that when a person cannot face the truth about being wrong-they go to infantile mode and start name calling,or tell's the person they need help-which I'm asking you do do now-before your stuck in "Dream Mode" the rest of your life.
You sound and write like a wounded animal-and I truly feel for your pain of being taken for a YUMA mug by of all people a Cubano!!!!!
Hasta Luego-Better Luck Next Time--LOL!!

May 19, 2011
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You Clearly Have Anger Issues Yasmila
by: Elsa

I am not going to dignify your angry post to me by replying.

You are clearly an uneducated non too bright woman with a one track mind incapable of intelligent discussion.

You have an obvious anger problem which other posters have rightly and accurately pointed out.

You know nothing about me yet you make assumptions, all wrong.

I have some lovely friend in Cuba who are not on the take, and who like me for who I am. They will always be my friends, unlike yours who are clearly using you.

I feel very sorry for you.

May 19, 2011
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Part 2
by: Yasmila

Anonymous!!-First of all a person who alway's post's as "Anonymous" is hiding their identy for a reason and not to be trusted of what they do or say.
Secondly-I to have been in casa particulare with Cuban's who were a little better off then most-but all I met among my living there wanted out of Cuba so bad they were bribing me with money.
Not even the best of the best want to stay on an infested Island with no opportunity,or future.
So your evaluation and concept of the same situation is different.
So what someone bought your car big deal!!!-it still doesn't prove that they were living like king's and queen's-did they have toilet paper in their bano??????????????
Your another "Tool" who think's that all people in Cuba are well off just because you met a select few.
I could write a book on Cuban life could you??
And what kind of word is "Bully" referred to and what does it mean when someone is writing about the reality of what they lived and seen.
Since when is Bully referred to when someone is expressing their emotion's and sentiment's on a post--
I know why!!!!!! you have been Bullied yourself and been taken on a long and expensive ride to nowhere by a Smart Ass Cuban-look's good on you "Anonymous"
Hasta Luego"

May 19, 2011
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To continue Yasmila
by: Anonymous

I personally know many Cubans that own there own homes and have documents to prove this, 1 fellow with a superb location rents his 2 rental rooms for $35.00 each a night and the meals are $5.00 for breakfast and $10.00 for dinner, this man and wife later bought another waterfront home about 40 kms away and it also is a rental home, but for Cubans only.

These people are multi millionaires in Cuban standards and they would never leave Cuba as they live like kings and queens, when I'm in fancy expensive hotels throughout Cuba I frequently run into these very well off Cubans staying in the same hotel. When I sold my 1951 Chevy Deluxe I sold it to a women who owned a casa particular in Ciega de Avilla, she paid me $7,500.00 cuc cash, and the $7,500.00 cuc cash was all $10.00 and $20.00 bills.

If I don't know something I'll say I don't know, but you Yasmila pretend to know things that you do not and that only makes you look stupid and/or ignorant or you make yourself look like a know it all lying Cuban.

May 19, 2011
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Que Tonta!
by: Yasmila

Re: Elsa!!
Are you for real?-A true journalist live's and breathe's with their subject-and not write only about a favourite "DECENT PEOPLE" like you claim your friend's are.
Your a journalist like I'm Castro's wife-your laughable at the most-test out your so called "Fluent Spanish" and respond in such.
After carefully reading your post again I really feel you are just another "Yuma" who got terribly burned and made a few "Decent Friend's" who invite you to their home for their famous "Congri-
dish" If you walked the walk and talked the talk your post's would be more conclusive and more professionally written about the true subject at hand which is the life of the Cubano,the real Cubano's not just the few who feed you a meal.
Hasta La Vista!!

May 19, 2011
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Yasmila is a pefect example why not to get involved with any Cubans
by: Anonymous

Yasmila has the same problem most Cubans have, "an anger management problem".

Also just like all Cubans, Yasmila knows it all.

She says she has lived in Cuba for 5 years. I was born in Toronto and if you add up all my time in Cuba it amounts to over 5 years and I don't know it all. But I certainly know more than Yasmila. Many things you say Yasmila is completely wrong and totally untrue.

You say when you visit Cuba you look for a casa particular where the owners need help. What a ridiculous comment to make. I look for the nicest and most accommodating place and hopefully for a good price.

You say Cubans do not and can not own their own home. That is completely wrong. Every Cuban that owned a home prior to the revolution, still owns that home. Even if the original owner dies they "Will" the home to there family and these Cubans get documents from the government showing that the home is theirs.

These Cubans that do own their own home can trade up or trade down. Obviously if they trade up they pay cash too. If they trade down they get the difference in cash. There are housing offices in every city that handles this. You also here all the time on the Cuban radio stations people looking to move and trade there home for another in another city.

If a Cuban does not own a home they can not buy a home at all even if a tourist gives them $10,000.00 they still can not buy a home. Some say they can buy a home and the owner makes there "Will' out to the purchaser, or they tell you "the tourist" I can buy this home if I marry the owner and 1 year later divorce him or her and that person leaves me the home.

The facts are you had better have been in that "Will' for 10 years or you'll loose the house and if you marry to buy the house you must be married for over 3 years or you'll loose the house. Each housing department has a team of workers looking for fraudulent home transactions. When they find them they are kicked out and the home confiscated by the government.

Regarding laying off 500,000 workers, most are government workers, not hotel workers, tourist are the only source of income for the country and government.

In the last few years China sold buses and trains to Cuba and like always Cuba does not pay there bills so China came in and confiscated all the Cohiba hotels in Cuba, or is it all the Malia Cohiba hotels.

The government also robs every Cuban What is in every Cuban shop is in our Dollar stores except the price for poor Cubans is between $3.00 and $5.00 for this junk.

May 19, 2011
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Resort Workers Are Biggest Jiniteros in Cuba
by: Roberta - Milano

I completely agree with the last lady when she says that resort workers are players and a health risk.

I met my Jinitero at the Breezes resort in Jibacoa, a very charming guy, tall and handsome, he swept me off my feet and was the reason for the break up of my relationship. I almost lost my job because I had returned to meet him so much.

He met when he taught me to dive. I had always wanted to dive and love the ocean. Here in Italy the sea can be polluted.

At first he was so kind and tender, he would show me around the areas outside of the resort. He emailed and text me. He beg me to return.

Last year I decided to surprise him by flying back for his birthday. I know he loves music and bought him an IPod. To my horror as son as I arrived I saw him together with an older woman, from he body language I knew they were more than friends.

Like a big coward he was speechless and just vanished. Just an to his boat.

The Canadian woman confronted me, she was angry and clearly knew nothing about me. She told me they had been lovers for years that she was his fiance. She asked who the hell I was.

I felt disgusted, betrayed and let down.

So I can agree with the woman who said that the biggest Jiniteros in Cuba work in the resorts. For them it's like being a kid in a sweet shop, they are very greedy and want to try every women that takes their fancy. They cannot keep it in their pants and the woman are as easy as them.

A warning to ladies. Never ever fall for a resort worker, you will be played, and you do not know where he has been if you know what I mean.

May 19, 2011
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Yasmila - You Really Are Mad!
by: Elsa

Have you thought through what you have written, if you did you would be embarrassed at yourelf.

You refered to my 'aquaintences' at resorts. I told you that I do not have 'acquaintences' in the sense that you have.

You mentioned that one of your jiniteros who spent all of his money on booze and clothes was a resort worker. Just scroll back and you will see what you wrote.

You have no right to question my credentials and I have no need to elaborate on my work to a meglomaniac bully on a forum who thinks she is always right thinks she knows everythng about Cuba.

You clearly do not.

I have a dear friend who works in marketing and adminitration in Varadero. When I visit she invites me to her family home in Cardenas for a meal, I know all of her family well.

I also have a lovely friend who works in admin of a hotel Guardalavaca, we communicate all of the time, I tell him about my travels he tells me about his work and various courses he has been on. He is not a jinitero, we are friends no more. He is a decent family man, not a promiscuous jinitero resort worker.

I do not get involved with or sleep with resort workers, I have seen too much over the years. I have never dated one as you have.

From what I have seen they are spoilt, women throw themselves at them and they tend to be too promiscuous and on the make. You know that. Healthwise a resort woker would be a risk.

I will reiterate that resort workers earn more than any other Cubans.

It's why resort jobs are the most sought after on the island. Paying more than any other job.

If your friends chose to spend their money on booze then that is their concern, they are in no way typical. The resort workers I have met live in the lap of luxury with all of the latest appliances compared to the average Cuban.

I feel sorry for you, you clearly have no concept of life in Cuba and you are blind to what other people have said on this forum. Shows what a bully you are.

May 18, 2011
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Hypocracy Reign's!
by: Yasmila

Re: Elsa-Now your going to get it from both barrel's- how dare you say you are a "Journalist"
What kind of "Journalist" openly admit's that she does not associate with "Resort Worker's,or jinetero's,but has many decent Cuban friend's.
Your so full of crap your eye's are brown!!
How dare you criticize my post when you openly admit you only deal with "DECENT CUBAN'S".
RESORT WORKER'S-JINITERO'S-DECENT CUBANO'S-ARE ALL OF CUBA!!!!
You say you participated to research article's in micro brigades and fund raiser's-what the hell has that got to do with actually living day in and day out with the "Real Cubano!!
You can never know what I know and have experienced in Cuba because you have not lived the real Cuban Life
A real honest journalist live's the life of it's subject to truly get a sense of what kind of life the people are living and not pick and choose what they please and seperate the condition's of the populus just to make a positive point.!
You are truly a hypocritical disgrace to your trade and you should be ashamed of yourself for only writing about "Your Decent Cuban Friend's"-
And not addressing the true and real problem's of Cuba!!
All you did was sit and stare at the resort worker's and write about all these so called gift's they were receiving from tourist's,meanwhile you turned a blind eye to the real Cuba!
What a tool you are!!

May 18, 2011
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Que loca-loca-tonta!
by: Yasmila

Re" Anonymous!
I read all my post's before posting and you should do the same.
If anyone is a bully it's you,how dare you bring up name's like "Snow Angel" to compare my post's-what she or he did is not my business or my problem nor should it be your's.
I said that "MOST" worker's are from the Isla de La Juventud" that work on RESORT'S.
The rest are from other province's,I am an expert on Cuba for I lived there longer then you have.
I did not say I had a boy friend ,I said I had a Cubano that I was seeing there.
What he does or does not do is not my business nor is it your's.
Get a gripe on yourself and go back to school and learn to read.
Now that the Government is laying off 500,000 worker's and many are from the "Tourist" industry how "Rich" by Cuban standard's are the Cuban's you know going to be now?
Hasta Luego!!

May 18, 2011
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Poor Example!!
by: Yasmila

Re: Elsa!-
For a journalist and a much travelled tourist to Cuba you sure are a poor example of your "Journalastic" writing.
You comment on what you experienced and I commented on my experience.
What you see and what actually transpire's at the end of the day are two different scenario's.
Take a reality pill and go back to school and write about life in third world country's and live the life with these people like I did.
For you to have to defend yourself and not take constructive critisism you come off as an "Idiot"
Hasta Luego!

May 18, 2011
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Have you lost leave of your senses Yasmila?
by: Elsa

What exactly do you mean when you say I have 'been taken for a ride' if I believe what I saw.

You are not making sense. You come on here claiming to know all about Cuba - a self proclaimed expert on Cuba but you cannot dismiss other people's experiences. We are all entitled to our own opinion, you are not always right.

No one 'took me for a ride' I do not assoicate with resort workers. I have stayed at casa particulars and I have stayed at resorts. I have seen with my own eyes how well staff at resoerts do. They make a lot of tips, the receive lots of presents. I have seen staff at Brisas being showered with gifts and tips, same in Varadero.

You clearly have problems and seem to think you know it all. Well you do not.

I am a journalist, I first went to Cuba in the early 90's at the invitation of the Cuban government. I speak Spanish fluently and have many Cuban friends, decent people not jiniteros or resort workers.

I have been to Cuba on at least ten occasions, not only to research articles but to participate in micro brigades and fund raisers. I have been all over Cuba many many times.

So please do not tell me that I should or should not think or know.

May 18, 2011
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What an opinionated Meglomaniac You Are Yasmila
by: Anonymous

You need to get a grip Yasmila. Have you read throughwehat you have written.

You clearly are a bully who thinks she knows it all.

What is your problem?. You sound like 'Snow Angel' from Canada who also had a disasterous experience with a drunken loser from Isla de Juventus.

You are clearly deranged if you insist that all resort workers are from Isla de Juventus, they do not.

You clearly are not an expert on Cuba. You do not know everything.

This thread reveals you not only as a bully know it all, but also not too clued up on Cuba at all.

So what if you have a boyfriend who works on a resort who spends all his tips on booze.

Not all restort workers are the same. The majority clearly are not, they are well off by Cuban standards and spend their money on their home and family.

You cannot judge all resort workers by your friend's standards.

And if you took the time to read all the other posts in this thread you will see that the majority do not share your view.

Resort workers are very wealthy by Cuban standards. It's why they pay a small fortune to managers of hotels so they can get a job at a resort, the most sought after job in Cuba.

May 18, 2011
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Cuba!!-La Vida de Los Cubano!
by: Yasmila

Hola!,Es bien conocido que la mayoria de los trabajadores Cubano en el Turismo vengan de La Isla de La Juventud.
Si no quieren creer esto es su problema,poco mas vengan de otro provincias.
Voy a repetir por la ultima vez que en Cuba no hay tal cosa como los Cubano de media clase.
Solo Cubanos en las Fuerzas Armadas y trabajadores del Gobierno tienen un poco mas de las masa publica.
Claro pero se olivida los Cubanos con remesas y familia en Miami, ese tienen guanikiki!
Vic Webmaster
Puede haber unos pocos trabajadores en la industria turistica que puede tener un poco mas,pero no es suficiente para las necesidades diarias que necesitan todos los dias-y esto no es posible.
Esta es la realidad de Cuba a hoy-para la gente que cree la ilusion de que muchos Cubanos estan bien---es que es "un ilusion"
Fin de la Historia-Y Esperamos que Cuba un dias esta Libre!!

May 18, 2011
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Know your Fact's on Cuba-Please!
by: Yasmila

Re: Anonymous!
It's a known fact that most "Resort Worker's come from La Isla De La Juventud-a few other's come from other various Province's!
I am more knowledgable of Cuba then you can imagine-and where do you come off calling me a bully when I tell you I speak,write,and understand the Spanish Language-does that make you a bully too!!!!!!!!or anybody else?
I tell of my experience's in Cuba and if that does not match your experience's then it's to bad for you!
I have seen resort worker's sell drug's-liquor,sex,etc.-but are they richer then most-NO!
I have been to the home's of many worker's all over Cuba and it's the same thing it scream's of POVERTY!!
Wheather you agree or not that is what I witnessed! sorry to dissapoint U!
Hasta Luego!-Fin de La Historia!!

May 18, 2011
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La Realidad de Cuba!!
by: Yasmila

Re: Elsa!!
You are truly being taken for a ride if you believe all that you think you saw in Cuba is real.
I go there for month's at a time not a week like most people do,for I do have family there.
It's your right to believe whatever you think is real.
Take off your rose coloured glasses and face the poverty and the disease ridden Island that Cuba has become.
Enough on this subject!!
Hasta Luego!

May 18, 2011
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Resort Workers Are By FAR Better Off than the Average Cuban
by: Elsa

Yasmila you are so wrong.

I am not the only poster on here who will tell you this.

btw they are not my 'acquaintance'. I would never date a resort worker, not from the promiscuous way I have seen them behave when I've stayed at resorts. They would frankly be a health risk!.

You cannot keep generalising. You clearly do not know Cuba as well as you think you do.

Resort workers are the fat cats of Cuba. The cats that got the cream. So well fed well paid that they actually turn down chances to relocate so happy are they with their lucrative lifestyle in Cuba.

May 18, 2011
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Yasmila You Clearly Do Not Cuba As Well As You'd Like To Think You Do.
by: Anonymous

Yasmila you are clearly living in fantasy land if you think that Cubans who work at resorts are 'dirt poor'.

From your posts you appear to be a know it all as far as Cuba and Cubans are concerned and you seem to be a bully when you start a post with...'Know that I speak Spanish' !

So what, I do too and probably better than you do. I'm sure many who post here speak Spanish and have travelled all over Cuba as I have.

However you are off the mark when you say that staff who work at resorts are 'dirt poor'.

We stayed at Aguas Azules in Varadero and bar staff were selling bottles of rum on the side making a good income. They also received tips and presents and ate and drank at the hotel. They certainly did not look poor, most were on the chubby side and some drove cars, all had cellphones and stylish clothing.

You are wrong when you say that most come from Isla de Juventus, where do you get that from?. Resort staff in Varadero come from Cardenas. Resort staff in Guardalavaca come from Holgiun.

You clearly as not as knowledgeable about Cuba as you would like to think!.

May 18, 2011
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After Thought!!
by: Yasmila

RE:Elsa-
Know that I speak, write and understand the basic Spanish Language and the Cuban Dialect.
Not only did my friend's live in poverty so did the whole of their friend's and so on.
Most all of the resort worker's come from the slum's of Cuba-my Cuban resort worker's live's in La Isla De La Juventud (a very poor part of Cuba)but 40% of "Resort Worker's" are from La Isla-the rest are from Orient-and other poor part's of Cuba few are from Havana!
My Cuban work's in Cayo-Largo-he has one look for the tourist and when he has to go home he is a regular Cubano struggling every day to survive.
But if your acquaintance's in Cuba are better off like you say-give them a message for me tell them to help out their fellow real poor Cubano's and to spread their wealth around,they could certainly use it!!
Hasta Luego!

May 18, 2011
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CUBANS WORKING AT RESORTS
by: Anonymous

Not only are Cubans that work at resorts very well off. They have access to many many things that normal Cubans do not have.

One hotel that I have been at many times (20) is Rancho Luna in Cienfuegos. All the barmen there are constantly selling the rum or whatever kind of booze you want.

Each time I go there, before I leave I order my dark rum. I tell them I want 4 bottles of dark rum, Cubay rum is what they have there. I get these bottles for $2.00 each, $8.00cuc for 4 bottles.

Once at Rancho Luna the DJ asked me - would you mind taking my backpack out of the hotel for me and I'll pick it up from you when I leave the resort for home. The security checks there bags when they come and go. I said OK. When he gave me the backpack it must of weighed over 80 lbs. I couldn't believe what he put it a backpack. There was everything from rum, cheese, ham, etc.

After that I never did it again as these Cubans are leaving the resort with lots of cash from tips, cash from stealing and selling booze, cash from tourists as gifts, articles, etc.

I almost forget this Cuban stopped on the road with his very nice LADA and went to his beautiful new home he constructed.

BEWARE OF WHAT CUBANS TELL YOU - 99% Is bullshit

May 18, 2011
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Yasmila You Are Generalising!
by: Elsa

I happen to speak Spanish, I have stayed at resorts and seen how well off resort workers are in comparison to the average Cuban worker.

They are well fed, overweight in fact, they receive tips and gifts all the time. The room maids do exceptionally well.

Now if your friends they chose to spend the money on 'booze and clothes' that is their choice but they do earn far in excess of the average Cuban.

I have not dated a resort worker but I have Cuban friends and been to their homes, some are very comfortable indeed, not all are 'dirt poor'.

In fact I have yet to meet a 'dirt poor' Cuban.

I have seen real poverty and real hunger in Africa. Not in Cuba.

May 18, 2011
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Dirt Poor!!
by: Yasmila

Elsa!
You say that resort worker's strike gold when they have an opportunity to work at Tourist's Resort's-if they have that opportunity why do they live in 3 room shack's?????
I met "Resort's Worker's" who invited me to their home's because I go there often-and if you had to live through what I seen and experienced you would have barfed all the way to the Airport.
These "Resort Worker's" dress to the "Nines" and look up to date-but in reality,they cannot even offer you a glass of water,or cup of coffee-no toilet paper,a continuous diet of rice and bean's 3x's a day-no bed sheet's-a thin foam for a mattress-no curtain's-and I cold go on forever!!!!
Cuban's who work in "Resort's" are hardly ever at their home-because they have to hussle all day long,with the xtra money they make is spent on clothe's make up and booze.
I'm currently dating a "Resort Worker" and have seen how he and his family and friend's live-from LaHabana-to Guantanamo Bay!!
Most live in shack's with dirt floor's,and many still have not had their home's repaired from the last hurricane's.
Now if they were "Well" off by your standard's don't you think they would at least buy toilet paper and have their roof's repaired if they had so called "MONEY"???????????
I seen first hand what these Cuban's do with the generosity of the Tourist's-they sell all the good's on the "Black Market' to buy more clothe's-booze-and make-up-they will never spend a dime to improve their diet or living condition's!!
Hasta Luego!

May 18, 2011
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Not All Resort Workers are 'Dirt Poor'
by: Elsa

Whilst I agree with a lot of what Yasmila say I cannot agree that most resort workers are 'dirt poor'.

For real poverty you have to go to the back street ghettos of Havana or the rural areas of Cuba where there is little no work.

I stayed at Breezes Guardalavaca which attracts lots of return guests from Canada and the UK. They arrive laden with gifts for some of their favourite bar men and waiters.

I have seen presents of electrical appliances, cell phones, even a baby buggy bought for a barman who's wife had given birth to a baby girl.

Even the public relations ladies were in on the act and giving lists of what they wanted to regular returnees.

Canadians are very generous people they have big hearts.

At time I felt they were being used, their kindness abused.

None of those resort employees were poor, they were all well fed, well clothed, they had free housing. The maids collected up to $20 each time a guest left. A tidy sum when you consider they cleaned up to 20 rooms per day.

I don't clear that much tax free and I work hard and pay rent and all of my bills.

A resort job is like goldust to Cubans, I have heard that they pay money to hotel managers in an effort to gain employment because they know they will hit the jackpot.

Resort workers earn more than doctors, scientists and government minsters.

You cannot tell me they are 'dirt poor' They clearly are cleaning up financially and I have seen them sell the clothes they are showered with.

May 16, 2011
Rating

No Existing Standard's In Cuba!!
by: Yasmila

Anonymous:-I never make excuse's for anybody,I tell it like I see it,and live it when I'm in Cuba.
I could decipher the English Language better then you can compare standard's.
In Cuba there are no standard's,the whole Island of the "Repulica De Cuba" is in "Poverty Mode".
As I stated before even the "Resort Worker's" are dirt poor.
I have lived in Cuba for almost 5 year's, and unless you have experienced the people and the so called "Standard's" they have to live by you have no say or opinion to post.
For your information "Real Cuban's do own their "Casa Particulare's".
When I am in Cuba I shop around for a Casa that I feel I could help out the most and need's my business.
Hola! voy a explicar en Espanol que en Cuba no hay destincion de Rico, Como Pobre, o Media Clase.
Sabe que los persona's que trabajan en el complejo turistica's tiene poco mas de los pobre's,- en lo que respecta al alquiere de habitacione's en casa's particulare, mucho's son simplemente cerrado debido a alto impuesto's del Gobierno, y el turismo bajo.

May 16, 2011
Rating

Yasmila - That's a Cuban name
by: Anonymous

With all due respect to Yasmila for making excuses for her fellow Cubans. Also your bad understanding of the English language also gave you away as a Cuban.

I said "in Cuban standards" Cubans that work at hotels are millionaires. The Cubans that work at bars in hotels and resorts at times make their monthly pay each and every day. Chambermaids that get from $1.00 to $3.00 per room per day and clean many rooms per day are also in Cuban standards millionaires. Don't forget these Cubans also get bags of gifts, cloths, shoes, etc.

The truth about casa particulars is that the standards for the Cuban government to allow a room to be used to rent to tourists is very high. Usually the person that has a casa particular in Cuba has a relative in another country that helps the Cuban prepare a room for rent for tourists as Cubans could not afford to make a room that is acceptable to rent to tourists.

Once a Cuban has been given permission to operate a casa particular and rent a room to tourists, that Cuban home owner must pay the government about $135.00 per month taxes to operate this room. It varies from province to province, but $135.00 per month is a minimum for one rental room. This also means that if they don't get enough business they need to ask the foreign relative for help (cash). Again these are not normal Cubans.

These rental rooms also need to have an air conditioner and TV. These 2 items alone are worth about $700.00. How long would it take for a doctor in Cuba to save $700.00 for these 2 items alone. Figure it out, doctors make about $30.00 per month, that doctor would have to save for 6 years figuring he'd save $10.00 each month. Real Cubans do not own casa particulars.

Believe me it is very normal for Cubans to take you to another home that is a wooden shack to show you how poor they are. Cubans lie all the time for money or for anything they can sell for money. Be very careful Canadians.

May 16, 2011
Rating

I Agree With You Yasmila
by: Gemma

I did not meet my Jinitero at a resort but the following poster jumped in presuming he was a resort worker. He was not.

My Jinitero seemed very genuine down at heel in flip flops when we met in a small village miles from anywhere in the province of Guantanamo. But he was as much a Jinitero as the greatest con man working a resort in Varadero.

He told me he had lost his job because of 'not having shoes'. I bought him a pair or sturdy leather sandals and he looked at them in disgust pointing to his expensive well worn Havaneros.

I should have spotted the signs then. Following two years of loving emails in which he kept begging me to return I did.

He took me to a ramshackle house in badly need of repair.

A neighbour told me that the shack belonged to his grandfather and that he had two children and lived with the mother of one of them.

He denied this calling the neighbour a liar on the make so as to extract regalos from me for information.

By chance I ran into his estranged father who seemed to know me, he confirmed that yes my friend had a 7 year old and a sweet 2 year old. I was stunned.

The maid at the casa struck up a friendship with him, I would find them in whispered conversations. Later I discovered the had hatched a plan to extract every stitch of clothing from him.

He worked it so he was on his sweeetest behaviour on my last day, romantic moonlit stroll by the Cornish after which I handed over the contents of my suitcase, only to regret it as soon as I arrived home and realised I had been played for a mug for the past two years.

So it's not just the resort sharks who will con you. You will find a seasoned jinitero in the remotest corner of Cuba.

And no it was not about sex, he refused to ever sign a register. He conned me into believing he actually loved me.

How wrong I was. But at least I learnt before getting too sucked in so involved in his dysfunction and dysfunctional family that it really could have been a disaster.

May 15, 2011
Rating

Millonario en Cuba-No Creo!!
by: Yasmila

Re: Disappointed In Cuba"
I have been to Cuban Resort's and I know for a fact that the worker's there don't even know how to spell " Millionaire",let alone be one.
Yes they do make tips and most get xtra clothes,but that's a far cry from subsidizing their $20.00 a month wage's.
They also know their neighbour's are very poor and most get little to nothing for extra soap or supplie's ect.
The tourist is generous, but when there is low tourism most go back home with little or nothing.
I lived in a casa particulare,and the owner's son worked in a "Resort",this home was a far cry from a good cement home-most live in a 3 room pitiful shack,and they make end's meet by renting a room to Tourist's.
I rented room's from these people from La Habana to Santiago de Cuba-and it's the same miserable condition.
Some resort worker's are a little luckier then other's,like the one I met in Cayo -Largo-after 5 year's of resort work and a little extra he finally bought his son a bike!!
Where are his Million's???????????
Or the security guard who made $25.00 a month and little tip's-he live's with his mother and has rag's for door's seperating the bedroom's-where are his Million's???
Then there are the Jinitero's and Puta's who could bring in $200.00 a month,but that goes for their illigitimate kid's, food,make up, some clothe's and a lot of 'Cerveza's"
It take's a career, good health, and a good financial knowledge to make a Million Dollar's.
And Cuba offer's non of these incentive's.
No hay Millionario's en Cuba,los Cubano's solo pueden sonar de decir la palabra "el millionario",y mucho meno's ser uno.
Hasta Luego!!

May 15, 2011
Rating

Real Cubans do not work at resorts
by: Anonymous

Any and all Cubans that are lucky enough to work at a resort are in Cuban standards millionaires. These very lucky Cubans if you ever visit their home have everything, all the appliances, car or motorcycle, solid concrete homes, etc.

Since realizing this fact I now when visiting Cuban and stay at a resort never once leave a tip. Well for the odd person who gives that good or extra service I do, but for the resort workers I leave nothing. Here's why. These very special Cubans besides having it all are experienced with tourists especially Canadians. These Cubans who need nothing know we are generous people, thoughtful people, and nice people who want to help. These very lucky Cubans even when given things never share them with the real Cubans who have nothing, they give these things that they do not want to another family member who has a shop set up in their home and they sell them at very high prices to very poor Cubans, using their own people just like Fidel uses all Cubans to profit from.

For all you naive tourists that want to help the real Cubans need to leave the resort and give these things to Cubans that do not associate with tourists, they need it, they really need things. Maybe the gardeners or maybe the few fellows that are working at the resort installing ceramics, or fixing the plumbing or air conditioning, they need things.

Be careful who you think is your friend. They are after only one thing money!!! They pray on nice tourists. At one resort in Trinadad Cuba there is a married couple working in a restaurant at a resort, they both are sleeping with every tourist possible and both are saying I love you and please come back here as I need you as a friend, lover. The reality is you are being coned, duped, made a sucker of, and believe me in front of your face they are telling their fellow Cubans what a jerk you are.

Be very careful.

May 15, 2011
Rating

I Wish I had followed your advise.
by: Gemma

To the lady from Ireland I wish I had read your words and not kept in touch with my Jinitero who emailed me for almost two years with declarations of undying love begging me to return.

I believed him, fell for the B.S. and did return last year, he had changed. He was continually whining about how hard up he and his family was, how much he needed a cellphone to keep in touch with me. I noticed he was now wearing the latest Nike and football shit which he dismissed as having bought from a local friend.

He managed to con me into leaving behind the contents of my suitcase, cleaned me out then I never heard from him again.

I was conned big time. He knew I'd never mary him I am too clever for that one but he conned me out of some very nice fashionable clothes and my phone. Let this be a warning to other ladies.

I also stayed in Varadero. I have to say the animation team at the Aguas Azules are the nastiest vilest men you'd ever meet. They treat females like a piece of meat to be used as a potential visa out.

We saw them hit relentlessly on Europeans and Canadians. I just hope they used a condom, if not God help us as to what viruses they were passing on.

Each 'show' was created at the expense of someone's vulnerability She would be made a laughing stock in the name of 'entertainment'.

The vile leader of the team would pick on the chibbiest lady haul her up on stage and shout instructions at her. Make her wiggle her ass to Reggaethon while some ugly Cuban man would lay on the ground looking up her skirt as she was instructed to limbo over him while audience roared with laughter it was Vile!.

Another cruel act was the use of dogs who looked skinny and tired. They yawned and cowered in terror as a nasty man cracked a whip and shouted instructions at them.

Aquas Azules Hotel Management and Animation team - you should be ashamed of yourselves!! for exploiting vulnerable woman for entertainment and underfed skinny dogs.

We will never return.

Cuba stinks when it comes to exploitation of women and animals.

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Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba

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Disappointed, thought I made friends in Cuba