Cuba Thread

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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
I just got back from a week in Varadero, Cuba.

Let me just say that it felt like heaven on earth. The beaches were pristine. The people were amazing. The cities were clean and in good condition. I felt safer there than I do at home in Toronto, Canada.

What shocked me the most was how healthy the people are there, and how good their living conditions are. They apparently invited my GF to their home for dinner when she was there on a previous trip and she said that the conditions were fine.

Really and truly, if I had the chance I would be very tempted to immigrate there.

The funny thing was, there was a show on local radio the day before I left talking about how evil Catro is, how many people he kills each year, and how Cuba had better quality of life than most of Europe did in the 50's (but not anymore - he said something along the lines of no Hatians being willing to move there). IMO they have equal quality of life to Europe TODAY.

Thoughts?

*edit*

Here are some pics of Cuba that I took:

A cuban house (typical in Varadero)

Cayo Blanco beach

Varadero beach (sunset)

Locked at the OP request. While I've posted in PFI I believe there is enough blame to go around, this could have been a very interesting thread on Cuba. It's a shame more conversation couldn't happen with less name calling (I'll step off the soapbox now).
Anandtech Moderator - bsobel
 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
It's retarded that the US embargo still exists.
Click to expand...
I completely agree 100%.

Apparently 99% of what you hear about Cuba here is generated by right-wing extremists in Miami. I guess they have a right to be upset; I'm assuming that they are the former 'Bourgeoisie' of Cuba that had their mansions and such expropriated. That said, they are spreading FUD that is nonsense.
 
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Lorax

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2000
1,658
0
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it is retarded that the embargo is still there, and cuba seems to be raising in the popular opinion poll (sicko)... but i wonder what it's like to really live there, and not just visit.
 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: Lorax
it is retarded that the embargo is still there, and cuba seems to be raising in the popular opinion poll (sicko)... but i wonder what it's like to really live there, and not just visit.
Click to expand...
The people are fine living there, and most are actually ok with Castro. He provides everyone with food, education (free university), and there is a zero-unemployment rate (I guess in a sense they are all his 'slaves' - he is reportedly a billionaire). In any event, as I said, they seem to live quite well even on very little money.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,806
1,988
126
With the way that we suck China off, I can't believe that we still treat Cuba the way we do. Now I hate Communism as much as the next guy, but really, what the hell is the point of an embargo on Cuba? I guess if they were everywhere, Cuban cigars wouldn't be as cool as they are. ;)

I'm sure it's a beautiful country.
 
sandorski

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,785
6,345
126
How much of it did you see though?

Even in the West/Free World we like to put a little more effort into making Tourist destinations pleasant places. IOW, other places in Cuba may very well be in far worse condition.
 
2Xtreme21

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
7,044
0
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Once Castro dies it will be interesting to see how Cuba pans out, as it'll basically be a battle between Chavez's Venezuela and Bush (or his successor) for main influence. I don't think it'll be anything we go to war over (yet, sadly, we've gone to war over less), but it'll truly be a sight to be seen as far as governmental and societal change is concerned.
 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: destrekor
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://www.pics.bbzzdd.com/bet...itestorm/nocommies.jpg
Click to expand...
To be honest, I think I would rather be a Communist than live under Bush's rule.
Click to expand...

you obviously are very ignorant of both governments then, or are simply a commie through and through. so which is it... possibly both?

better yet. just take it to P&N. :roll:
Click to expand...
In Cuba I could live with a cleaner conscience than I could in the US. I have enormous issues with the Iraq war.
 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: sandorski
How much of it did you see though?

Even in the West/Free World we like to put a little more effort into making Tourist destinations pleasant places. IOW, other places in Cuba may very well be in far worse condition.
Click to expand...
Well, like I said, my GF has visited one of their houses.

I saw pretty much the entire Varadero strip along with most of the city and the market. I also took a catamaran tour and swam with dolphins. We took a jetski tour through the jungle.

The apartment buildings the locals were living in looked just like those you'd find in Toronto. The low-rises looked like something you would find near a Taco Bell, but were colourful, well-kept, and beautifully landscaped.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,806
1,988
126
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Cuba I could live with a cleaner conscience than I could in the US. I have enormous issues with the Iraq war.
Click to expand...
You didn't start the war. You're defined by your own actions, not by those of your government.

 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: TruePaige
Castro has the people in tourist areas forced to keep things nice.

http://www.therealcuba.com/
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I would bet money that the people who own that site are the same right-wing extremists in Miami that give us the rest of our 'information' about Cuba in Canada/the US.

It's true that the locals can't use the tourist's beaches, but there are private beaches *everywhere*, including here in Canada. The public beach I saw was quite nice.

That site was painting the worst picture possible of Cuba, trust me. It's nothing like that.
 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: SickBeast
In Cuba I could live with a cleaner conscience than I could in the US. I have enormous issues with the Iraq war.
Click to expand...
You didn't start the war. You're defined by your own actions, not by those of your government.
Click to expand...
By paying taxes I would be supporting their actions. Honestly I would contantly feel compelled to start a revolution and protest all the time.
 
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Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: destrekor
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://www.pics.bbzzdd.com/bet...itestorm/nocommies.jpg
Click to expand...
To be honest, I think I would rather be a Communist than live under Bush's rule.
Click to expand...

you obviously are very ignorant of both governments then, or are simply a commie through and through. so which is it... possibly both?

better yet. just take it to P&N. :roll:
Click to expand...
In Cuba I could live with a cleaner conscience than I could in the US. I have enormous issues with the Iraq war.
Click to expand...
oh my.
 
HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
LOL. Dude goes to the touristy parts of Cuba and formulates an impression. Feels strongly enough about it to post on a message board forum. Canadian public school system FTW!!!!
 
Safeway

Safeway

Lifer
Jun 22, 2004
12,075
11
81
The embargo is being dropped slowly. Southern states are actually already trading staple crops with Cuba, such as rice.
 
P

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
LOL. Dude goes to the touristy parts of Cuba and formulates an impression. Feels strongly enough about it to post on a message board forum. Canadian public school system FTW!!!!
Click to expand...

please. nobody teaches anything like this.
 
S

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
It's retarded that the US embargo still exists.
Click to expand...
I completely agree 100%.

Apparently 99% of what you hear about Cuba here is generated by right-wing extremists in Miami. I guess they have a right to be upset; I'm assuming that they are the former 'Bourgeoisie' of Cuba that had their mansions and such expropriated. That said, they are spreading FUD that is nonsense.
Click to expand...

well said. I remember seeing an interview during the whole Elian (however you spell his name) where the one guy actually straight up admitted it. Basically said his family was wealthy landowners and he had to flee.

All I have to say is I would much rather live in Cuba than any other Central or South American country. Cuba has done wonders for itself compared to other countries. I mean look at Panama. Would you really want to live under the rule of drug lords put into power by the US government.
 
IGBT

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,974
140
106
Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
It's retarded that the US embargo still exists.
Click to expand...


..clearly they don't need the US and Castro insists eveything is fine. So now Castro is a liar??
 
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