El Comendador Boutique Havana

... While we were in the bank some British guy came in and asked to exchange some money at the teller next to Rach. When he was told that he needed his passport to do that he started going off his nut at the women, "well I don't have it, it's at the hotel, what do you want me to do?" All in English. He was about 70 too, so obviously he needs a bit longer on this earth to learn some manners.

We saw a few things like that while ...

... thought I'd 'briefly' describe my experiences and contacts with five different working class Cubans from different places in Cuba. JAVIER AND YOLANDIS (SANTIAGO DE CUBA) - HANDICRAFT SHOP OWNER / COMPUTER TECHNICIAN; MUSEUM ATTENDANT AND GUIDE At around sunset one evening in hectic Santiago de Cuba, I was discussing the nightitme possibilities with another traveller, when a lady holding her baby daughter waved to us from her balcony. The two travellers were ...

... for a night of great sex. Every woman wears size two no matter their actual size and walk with her head high and hips swinging. The men are very flirtatious and eyed Ugne every where we went. They eat rice and beans most of the time which is great for the body and they tend to walk everywhere they need to go. Cuba may lack money but is rich in what Americans need more of free time, great coffee, rum, and cigars. Cheers, Brandon

... steps past a headless statue, we reached the landing of the second floor, adorned by a criss-cross of laundry lines, heavy with a mixture of sheets and children's clothes. Reaching the third floor, and by now thinking I was on the set of Blade Runner we saw a discreet sign for La Guarida, next to a door with a bell push ...

... exotic smell of perfume and body heat in the cab. I'm detached from the conversation in the cab; obviously I'm not apart of them, and only a grateful observer. Soon the woman removes her arm from the back of me, and turning, she speaks directly to me, in Spanish. Her large eyes are amazing, deep brown, transcending into black. Her skin is perfectly smooth, polished brown. She is stunningly beautiful, her voice is melodic...oh no!, my brain is paralyzed ...

... spherical, 'mod' chairs of the 60's, that hung from a ceiling, it was like one of those. About half as big again, with 2 small plastic seats in the back, the driver sitting in the open front and steering with a motorcycle handlebar controlling a single wheel, whilst the single geared engine, driving 2 rear wheels reached a cruising speed of 30 mph by screaming its head off. No seat belts - but you hung on to a handle on the inside, whilst the Kamikaze trained driver wove this ...

... in France, I had a hard time explaining that our girlfriends don't expect money from us. I tried to explain that through the fact that they were working as well, and caring for themselves, so they accepted that version. Next time maybe I will launch into explaining the cultural difference, and how it is more about self-respect for the western girls. I guess we would agree also, that Cuban girls don't charge for affection out of necessity, but rather just because they ...

... s not going to happen. If you're expecting to find things that are perfect, like streets with no holes, you're not going to have a good time. Cuba is still a Third World country and a lot of things don't work properly. But with an open mind, beyond the holes in the street the place has great spirit. When eating out, we find a lot of rice and beans, fresh lobster and fresh fruit. It's difficult to find the variation of food you would find in major cities ...

... there were a few vintage cabs waiting, but as soon each driver worked out we were foreigners they became completely disinterested. Finally we found a more modern taxi, as it turned out one of the few licensed by the government to transport non-Cubans, to take us westwards to the more modern district of Vedado.

Right by the towering Habana Libre hotel was the apartment where Kath, a former work colleague of Ben’s in Sydney, was staying with her local boyfriend ...

CUBA Another American citizen asked me about Cuba last night - of course the US government won't allow her to visit that Republic. I really loved it in Cuba but feel compelled to recall my encounters. One August I drove through the heart of Cuba, from the northwest to the southeast and returned along the north coast. Along the way I found a hugely diverse country despite the efforts of ...