Posted By: Jag <jrsmith52@hotmail.com>
Date: 3/9/99 13:10
I just got back from a Cancun/Cuba getaway (4 days in Habana) and thought I would share some info for those who are planning a trip soon. HABANA HAS CHANGED!!! I had a great time, but it was more blind luck than anything. I am sending some pics to Bruce to scan and post. From all the posts I was expecting things to be different, but no wheres near as bad as I found it. The whole town was almost completely dead. Most of the chicas are even afraid to leave their house unescorted by another Cubano for fear of being picked up by the police as a Jinetera. There are police literally on every corner in the tourist areas and every other corner in the residential areas. They are checking IDs on every chica. All the provincial girls have long gone back home or been arrested. The following is my advice:
1) If you are a 1st timer with no Spanish skill-- GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
2) Using the services of someone like Rolando is almost essential. The police pressure
changes day to day and you need someone who knows which areas are relatively safe.
The chicas are scared to death and you need transportation door(casa) to door (restaraunt/disco).
No more walking hand in hand down the street. Most chicas were afraid to walk even
one block with me to the local El Rapido. It is difficult to know how justified this
fear is with the chicas, but the chicas are truly afraid.
3) Be prepared to spend alot of time in your casa (Not such a bad thing for me, but
I was only there for 4 days) If you were spending a week or more you may feel a little
under house arrest.
I arrived on Monday and Rolando met me at airport. The police were thick there so he handed me an address to take a taxi to where we would meet. I had sent my girlfriend Yurkania a letter and she was waiting for me to pick her up tomorrow afternoon. Tonight I will be free to explore. After moving into my casa Rolando needed to work with another TSMer (Jackson--real nice guy) so I headed to Habana vieja to see if the rumors were true. It was completely dead (almost spooky). The melacon was absolute empty. Not a single chica would make eye contact. While sitting in a park on Prado I saw two cuteys walk by and I jumped up to begin the cat/mouse game. I followed them 1/2 block behind (they knew I was there) while they led me down back side streets where we could talk). While getting to this secure spot they were stopped twice by police to have their IDs checked. I would then take the lead and they would follow so I knew they were game.
They finally led me to the house of one of them where we could relax a little and get acquainted. Yoannete agreed to go with me (the other chica was menestrating-she pulled down her panties to show me- her mother was in the same room with back to us cooking at the stove) to my casa for the night for ($30), but she was very concerned on how we would get there safely. I suggested we would be safe taking the back street to find a taxi. We were successful, but looking back this was stupid on my part putting her at that risk. I should have gotten the taxi myself and come to her door to pick her up. I was still new to town and couldn't imagine the risk to them was so grave. I had a great time that night and treated her like a queen. She got tons of presents (sweaters, shorts, dress, tops, panties, perfume, a nice watch) and $40. She was very poor and had no clothes other than what she was wearing when I found her. She wanted to be my girlfriend, but I told her that Yurkania was waiting for me to pick her up today. She gave me her address and requested I send her a letter/photo and see her upon my return.
Rolando picked me up at 11:30 to drive 20 miles east to pick up Yurkania as prearranged. She was waiting at the door with smiles and kisses. She was wearing a dress I gave her my last trip. We went directly from there back to my casa to get reaquainted. Ever since the crackdown she has not been to town or the beach. She told me that many of her friends have been arrested or sent home. Her ID still has Guantanimo listed as her home so she has to be careful and not stopped even once. She told me that the chica I paid $10 to find her at the beach last Sept (See my report CUBA-FAQ)was arrested and sent to prison for 3 years. While there she got in a fight with another chica and had an additional 4 years slapped on. Prison in Cuba is not nice. Yukania says they often fight over cockroaches for food. I have to remember that I am in a different country that plays by different rules. They have a right to be causious.
I first met Yurkania one year ago when she was completely new to Habana. Now one year later I could tell that she had somewhat hardened as would be expected, but I was saddened to see this change in her. When I gave her gifts in the past there were almost tears of joy/gratitude. Now she would give me a quick kiss and ask: "what else did you bring". I was starting to feel that she was taking advantage of my generosity. She had learned a lot since I first met her. He skills at lovemaking also had improved greatly- to the point where she now was in the top 5 experiences of my life. I accepted this change as inevitable and enjoyed my time with her. Rolando picked us up on Wedsday noon to visit her aunt. She brought along an dress/makeup/earring for her aunt (very pretty, but extremely poor-age 28). I took them to lunch at a nice palador. They were absolutely stunning- I wish I had taken a picture of them.
I lied and told Yurkania my plane was leaving early tomorrow morning. In cleaning up the bedroom she made the bed and said: "all ready for another chica". I said I was tired and would be going to bed early tonight, but she knew I was lying. She cried when I took her home. Unlike in the past I felt the tears were not shed for me, but rather for her realization that she had lost her innocence-and I knew it.
The risk to chicas-fact vs fiction? There are many rumors/opinions as to what is/isn't tolerated. Will the police stop and haul your girl away if you are walking hand in hand? Is this behavior more tolerated in some locations than others? I don't know for sure what is tolerated and I am not sure anybody does know. Keeping in mind that tolerance can vary from day to day, but this is the best info I have via Rolando: (3 strikes your out!)
1) The first time the police stop you as a Jinetera you are picked up and given
a $75 fine.
2) The second time - you will be given a formal letter by the government and informed
there will be no leniency next time.
3) Third time- immediate 3 year prision sentence
Again the important point is that the chicas are afraid. I would hate to underestimate the risk and have my girl suffer the consequences. I have not heard anything about the tourist being at risk. (ON WITH THE STORY)
Weds. night- After taking Yurkania home I decided to check out some discos, but the night was too early for this (9:00pm) so I headed to Prado to hang out for awhile. I was actually hoping to hook up tonight with a nonpro. Again the parks and street were empty with heavy police presence. The few players I did see were no where near my liking. Rolando was again busy with TSMer-Jackson so I was on my own. He recommended a cuban disco (name I forgot-Starts with M) on the corner of Linea/Malecon. At 11:30 I headed there and was totally disappointed with quantity/quality-all very hardened and pro. I hooked up with a 35 yr old fellow who lives in Caymans and has been to Habana 150 times in the last 3 years. He has a cigar business which brings him here often. I figured he would be a good guy to tie up with. We headed to Pan America village east of town. Again dead- more tourist than chicas and quality poor.
The time was now 1:00 and he suggested a nightclub on Prado near Hotel Ingleterra (sp-wrong). When we got there the police where unloading three huge truck loads of armed police for a sweep of the area. There was already a huge police presence. Our private taxi shot down a side street to escape.
We than headed to Jonnies disco and noted that the 1830 club was dead as we drove by. Jonnies ($10 cover) was hopping, but tourist almost outnumbered chicas. I was picking up bad attitude all over the place. Finally I bumped into Jani who was extremely pretty and friendly. She asked for $100 to which I did not haggle (this was a sellers market). Her sister came by and scammed me for a $14 drink and $20 cab fare. Any other time I would have told them to get fu---ed, but Jani was by far the cutest chica in the place and it was late. She was a pro all the way with gold watch, jewelry and expensive clothes.
When we got to my casa she informed me she had to be home in two hours because her mother would be worried. She promised she would return at 11:00am after computer classes to show me the town. I had a glamour magazine on the table that she requested. I said she could have it tomorrow when she returns.
This girl was absolutely great in bed, but again it was all professional. Her goal was to get me off as quick as possible and get out. I made her work for her money and all in all enjoyed the experience. If I wanted a complete pro, however, I could have stayed in Cancun and got the same action at chilly willies. I offered to go out and help her get a taxi, but again she did not want to risk being seen with me. She assured me she would be back at 11:00am for more fun. When she left I notice the magazine was missing. She never returned as I knew she wouldn't.
Rolando and Jackson were going to swing by and pick me up for lunch. I decided to take a walk around the block and this is where I met Lucy. She was just sitting looking bored in front of her house. I introduced myself and soon realized that she was very sweet, intelligent and spoke passable english. I asked her if she would like to join me for lunch and she eagerly agreed, but was very concerned about police. When I told her I had a Cubano driver she was completely at ease. We went inside her small home where she introduced me to her mother and brother (he looked like a member of the cuban boxing team). They were very nice. Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked her to be very careful. Note: Lucy was 2 wks shy of her 20th birthday. She looks much younger. Rolondo, myself, and my landlady all checked her ID. Tsmer Jackson can verify. Her family teases her on how young she looks. If Bruce chooses to posts some pics-no flames please.
LUCY WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP:
Am I ever glad Jani did not return as she had promised. After lunch with Jackson and a friend of Lucys (I'll let Jackson tell that story) I spent the next 24 hours shacked up in my casa. Lucy told me her life is very boring and that she spends all her time at home afraid to even leave the house. She has no TV. Her step father is a cook and has access to food/dollars so she is not extremely poor, but has very little. She recents the recent crackdown because now all chicas suffer because of what the prositutes were doing. She more than once referred to herself as a " good girl". In the morning I awoke early and walked to the El Rapido for food. I brought back a pint of chocolate ice cream and spoon fed the whole pint to Lucy while she was awakening. That moment alone was worth the whole trip. Never once did Lucy ask for anything. I still had some wonderful gifts that I was able to hide from Yurkania. (watch, hair dryer, sweater, pants, panties, tops, makeup, casette/radio) When my taxi came to take me to the airport I slipped $100 in her back pocket and asked her to buy a birthday present for herself. She was in tears and didn't even bother to look at the amount I had given her. She gave me her address, asking for me to write and return soon.
So ended my third trip to Cuba. Will I go back soon?-- I don't know. I certainly had a great time, but things have changed. I know I could have a good time again, but I will have to work in finding what I want. It is no longer shooting fish in a barrel. I am thankful I had the opportunity to see this island at the tale end of its glory. I do not think that things will ever return to as they were.
Jag