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 Check-out the real cuba |
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| yanomas |
 Feb 27 2007, 09:35 PM
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QUOTE(yanomas @ Feb 27 2007, 07:53 PM)  That's no excuse 11.0 million people with no hope thanks to people like you supporting a tyrant regime. |
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| yanomas |
Feb 27 2007, 09:37 PM
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QUOTE(Paul @ Feb 27 2007, 08:52 PM)
I am no Cuba expert, but from my understanding the regime before Castro took over was the repressive regime. Now I understand many things are much better in Cuba. I have heard many reports that access to education and health care are much better in Cuba than they are in USA. I suspect the Cuban government isn't perfect and I bet it does keep some parts of society down, but compared to other countries in the world, I don't see evidence that Cuba is far worse than others in this manner.
I would love to go there and see for myself. But I don't think I can afford it. Although I think I'd have more chance of affording Cuba than affording USA.
Why is it you say not to visit? How will that help? Who is repressed in Cuba? From people that have been, I always hear they loved it and it was wonderful and Cuban people were great.
The system of so-called "tourist apartheid" was set up giving foreign visitors who paid in hard currency preferential treatment over citizens for food, consumer products, and medical services. Tourist apartheid in Cuba prohibits Cubans from engaging with foreigners by barring them from places as hotels, clubs, and even beaches like that of Varadero, which is reserved strictly for tourists. |
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| yanomas |
Feb 27 2007, 09:50 PM
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QUOTE(Paul @ Feb 27 2007, 09:41 PM)
Hmmm, interesting, but I am still not sure. Even in places like Fiji and probably USA, the locals aren't allowed into the resorts to disturb the rich tourists. Is this just the same thing or is it something more?
Go here paul http://www.therealcuba.com/Please educate yourself about cuba.... The cuban people are oppress for 47 years of course they aren't going to run towards you in cuba and tell you because they will go straight to jail. |
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| yanomas |
Feb 27 2007, 09:59 PM
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QUOTE(Paul @ Feb 27 2007, 09:51 PM)
OK, well I have to bow out of this conversation now, as I just don't know. It will be interesting to hear more from other people about their thoughts and experiences.
Don't be naive...Don't be misleaded or misinform.. your tours money is keepin fidel castro regime fat and healthy thanks to all those foreigns travelin to cuba and eatin S*$#ty food with flies and sleepin in bug infect beds. |
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| yanomas |
Feb 27 2007, 10:01 PM
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QUOTE(Paul @ Feb 27 2007, 09:51 PM)
OK, well I have to bow out of this conversation now, as I just don't know. It will be interesting to hear more from other people about their thoughts and experiences.
You look smart paul but i guess you are not...Shame you can't see the real truth about cuba |
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| findingnine |
Feb 28 2007, 01:59 AM
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Rolling Stone
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Joined: 24-August 06
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Member No.: 14300
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Ok, to be fair, I gave it a look. Tried earlier, but it was slow.
I'm not sure I found it overly shocking, truth told. Despite tipping in gifts, hotel staff would inquire about other things they might obtain, even as basic as shaving products. I gave what I had, even my watch, but still felt there was more need. I did not feel, and still do not feel, that going as a tourist truly cost them as dearly as the article implied. It seems to have been an oportunity to spread more good than harm. Overall, mutually beneficial. They are basically selling sunshine. You know there is always a profit on that. They use local labour, so some benefit clearly more directly than others, but I for one hope to travel to see the world, not save it. Sorry, wish I could express more noble intent, but what is, is. I hope to never be the cause of harm. I think seeking medical resources like plastic surgery (mentioned in the article) is a little irresponsible. But, if basic medical attention was not available, tourists would not feel safe enought to come with thier tourist dollars. Obviously the industry exists to make a buck. For this reason alone, it stands to reason that the preferential treatment is paid for by the extra income the industry provides. Not necessarily taken from what is avail to Cubans, but in addition to it. I don't expect them to do things as we do. I guess what I'm saying, is the assertion that tourism is causing more harm than good just doesn't seem that crystal clear to me. It might be true. I freely admit I speak more from my gut than from my head. Maybe you have more articles? These sources seem a little one sided. I suspect there must be more to this.
Just another note. I appreciate you following your heart and taking action to spread knowledge, but don't appreciate as much being told what to do or not to do..or being spammed with email about the cause either.
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| mbgower |
Apr 20 2007, 09:34 AM
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Wanderer
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From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Member No.: 97
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I just got back from 6 weeks in Cuba with my young family. My travelogue is here.Is Cuba a totally free and open society? No. Is it a totalitarian regime where its bleak citizens have had the life sucked out of them? Hardly. Cuba is a wonderful country, and I highly recommend people go there. My travelogue includes an extensive final entry on things you should know about visiting and how to stay in private homes in the casa particular system and get away from resorts. The fact that the government allows thousands of homes all over the country to host foreigners obviously flies in the face of the poster's Land of Oppression statements. You should bear in mind that if your destination is a resort, you are not going to experience much of the country. If a resort is what you are after, Cuba's resort culture is similar to anywhere else you go, and that will include policies to keep all but paying guests out. If you try to wander around a gated community anywhere in the world you'll encounter this. It's lamentable, but certainly isn't going to go away if the resorts are privatized! Posts like this are unfortunate, but understandable from someone whose family has been affected by a revolution. I find the strident members of Miami's Cuban community wearing (and their part in the death squads in Central American lamentable), but it is good to bear in mind that Cuba has economic and political challenges which make it difficult for its citizens. I include links to Human Rights Watch in my travelogue. Their annual reports on Cuba make for interesting reading. But be sure to check out their reports on the US, Britain, China, etc., to get perspective. I can put up links to a lot more current or unbiased articles than this user has entered, but this is already a long post. Don't be dissuaded from visiting Cuba on such shaky evidence. At the least, read your travelbook's history on this fascinating island for a very skimpy background and then go and experience Cuba. It is a unique country, and I can't wait to get back and explore some more.
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