Get Off The Beaten Track And Meet Real Cubans!

by Donna
(Toronto)

When I read the many sad stories on this website I feel so sad for the ladies who've been hurt, duped, scammed.

I see the same words over and over in the posts, 'told me he loved me' 'I had doubts' 'he changed as soon as he arrived in Canada, Europe' etc.

It seems that women are meeting these men in the tourists resorts which is a stalking ground for hustlers, players, conmen.

These men, let me tell you are in no way representative of the average Cuban man, or Cuban person.

They are players. Con artists. Charmers. Gigolos.

Many you will find are very well educated, engineers, technicians, scientists, doctors.

They turn their back on their education and a career to work in tourism where they can earn more money, tips and have regular access to foreign women who will far for their charms and fly them out of Cuba.

I have stayed at an All Inclusive in Varadero and seen with my own eyes these con artists in action.

I have seen how ladies fall for their charm.

Sunshine. Palm fringed beaches. Mojitos and handsome men is a heady cocktail for romance. And women fall time and time again.

I've seen these con men work these women, who fall in love with them, only to see them with another woman as soon as the plane has departed with last week's guests.

I have seen a very handsome, tall athletic 'model' with dyed blonde hair charm a woman old enough to be his grandmother. Too ashamed at her tactile advances he gritted his teeth because he was hoping for a Canadian passport and a lucrative career as a model in Canada.

I will never stay at an All inclusive again, they are cathedrals of excess. Of tasteless inferior bland food, and people who become louder and more aggressive the more alcohol they consume.

What a horrible combination!

The tourist who's paid $400 for a flight, hotel and all the booze they can consume in a week, and the cheesy phoney parasite who plays them in the hope of a cellphone, an ipod, and ultmately a ticket and passport out of poverty. The Jackpot! How shallow is that?.

Let me tell you about the time I travelled around Cuba by bus (uncomfortable overly a/c) and truck (great!)

It was the best time ever. I met real Cubans. I stayed in casa particulars. I saw the best theatre and poetry readings and open air dancing under the stars in Trindad.

Wandered around the Revolutionary trail from the Sierra Maetra Mountains to the Moncada Barracks in Santiago to Che's peaceful final resting place in beautiful Santa Clara.

I danced salsa in Santiago de Cuba with dancers from Cutumba - Cuba's best folkloric dance group.
Marvelled at the beauty of the nature in Pinar del Rio and the province of Guantanamo, and best of all met some of the loveliest people I've every met in my life.

Genuine hardworking Cubans, who will be my friends for life and with whom I am in regular communication.
Cubans with principals, pride, decency and morality. Who would never ask for anything and actually shy when you offer them a gift however simple it may be, they are genuinely delighted.

I have danced in rural dancehalls with partners with the agility and flght of foot of Carlos Acosta.
Men who could/should be dancing with the Ballet Naconal if only they had the chance.

Handsome, intelligent real and honest men who would no more tell you 'Te Quiero Mucho' in the first week than they would want McDonalds in their town or support George Bush! God forbid!.

I've partied all weekend celebrating 'Dia de Mama' with 3 generations of a lovely family in Holguin who's late father fought beside Che Guevara. Three days of feasting and dancing in the sunny garden of their lovely Spanish Colonial house.

This is the real Cuba. I urge you to get out there and find it. You will have memories to treasure believe me.

Comments by Vic, Havana-guide.com

Donna, thanks for your excellent contribution. Indeed this is the real Cuba, the Cuba I love too, but let's face it, not everyone see the value of this, many just come for the sun, booze and fun.