Cuba

[bigvalboy]

it's Learjet- one word. And it's not a Cessna, it's a Citation X.

 

subtext or not, it was a whole lot of mess to sift through.

 

Hey, don't shoot the messenger...you asked for a translation, I did the best I could.

[+ glutes]

where the tiger at?

 

Several years ago a young Cuban expatriate was recommended to me by a friend; he was not suitable to me as an "escort" but I noted that he was very capable in "handling business". I proposed to him that he accompany me to Cuba as my "tiger". I could not have done better by myself: he took care of "everything" in a first class manner, luggage, transportation, accomodations, restaurants, sight-seeing, etc ad infinitum. Informed as to my "taste" in men, he presented vetted "companions" who would be of an interest to me. Being that he was from a "blue-collar", if you will, background, he was familiar with the how and the where and the whytofore of the "scene" in Cuba, a "must" for any fellow traveler.

 

Keep dangling the carrot RB4U...

 

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/images/content/news/iStock_000007307443XSmall_article.jpg

[+ g56whiz]

Fascinating thread but why is it here rather than "Destinations"? Just curious..

[robberbaron4u]

For god's sake, gentlemen. Give me the proverbial "break" in this thing. I am yet attempting to locate a "tiger" for a fellow traveler with whom I had "PM" correspondence. The man that I make use of in that particular employment travels to Cuba once a year and any travel has to be built around his plans as he sponsors an annual charity event in his "hometown" in the course of that visit. Although I have made inquiries through my contacts in Havana as to the availability of a reliable "tiger', I have not had any success, I am making an effort. The gay life is not encouraged by the present regime, and, anyone undertaking to promote it must exercise discretion. Whatever route you choose, make certain that your visa or passport does not pick up a "stamp" along the way.

[robberbaron4u]

I was forthright in that the "tiger" was a Cuban expatriate who had been recommended to me by a gentleman with whom we shared an acquaintance. As by prior advisement, a gay man in Cuba must exercise cautious discretion; extortion by "blackmail" is a common confidence game played by hustlers on too trusting gay tourists in Havana.

[JT Brooklyn]

Fascinating thread but why is it here rather than "Destinations"? Just curious..

 

I'm surprised this Chit-Chat wasn't Moved a long time ago? It has nothing to do with "Working Guys" in CUBA..IF any even exist! Most are in Florida!

[bigvalboy]

Robber we love...we were only joking!!

[robberbaron4u]

The point is that, being that the present regime in Cuba does not tolerate, officially, a homosexual community, for a

gay traveller" to make a "safe" hire in that country requires the knowledge and expertise of a "working guy", that is a man who "knows the ropes". The "boys" of Cuba are beautiful, plentiful and available, but, the approach to making a hire presents a very different situation than than of New York City, Miami or Los Angeles. And, too, the depressed economic condition of the country encourages a class of hustler who are very experienced in "playing" gay travellers.

[Dave]

Whatever route you choose, make certain that your visa or passport does not pick up a "stamp" along the way.

 

obama had eased the restrictions to cuba in january 2011.

 

i was in cuba last year - went in on my own (not with a tour or group) and knowingly had my passport stamped. came back into the us and had absolutely no problems.

[bigvalboy]

This is good to know Dave. My run to Cuba was at least some 15 years ago and then I went again a couple of years later. It was VERY different at that time, I won't go into detail, but I do know the member who wants to go will have far less of the restrictions that I had. The 'Gay Life' in Havana was quite active and for a country where it is so 'Taboo' I found the boys very open in many respects.

 

I was one of those that always longed for the day when things would open up more. Nice to know that you had a good time.

[Guest Magnus]

Seems as though none of the posters on this site can or will give any info on how to get a tiger. Selfish of them.

 

I was there less than a year ago. Things recently changed quite a bit for the Cuban gay community when one of Fidel Castro's nieces, Mariela Castro (daughter of current President Raoul) came out as gay. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/09/castro-interview-gay-persecution.html

 

Now for the part you really care about: that Tiger hunt.... The back of the Hotel Nacional at night is the place to find all the boys you want. They mostly congregate around a small cafe/ice cream place that has a terrace/patio with tables. It's next to a gas station where Calle 19 runs into Malecon (the road that runs along the water).

As a westerner, many guys will just flock to you (mostly those who have better English, or think they do), especially if you buy them a drink from the cafe. (tip: Buy your own bottle of rum and bring it with you, then just buy Tu-Colas (Cuban Coca cola equivalent) as mixers. Maybe best to do this on your second night there once you've gotten the lay or the land down a bit). However, don't just limit yourself to the guys who come up to you (sometimes they are a little too pushy, or not your type). Continue to scan the crowd for a guy you like and try to make eye contact. You'd be surprised at how many will return your gaze. Unfortunately they may not speak much English, so you might have to ask one of the better English speakers to help translate/broker something for you. Cubans can now go into Western hotels, so it's OK to bring a guy back to your hotel. At least it was at the Parque Central.

Once you've made "friends" at the cafe, even if you don't take them back to your hotel, they will offer to meet at your hotel and take you around Havana. When I say "they", that's exactly what I mean. Most of the time if you make friends with one guy, you've made friends with his little group of friends. Of course if you want to just spend time with the one guy, you can tell him and he'll get rid of the hangers-on. However, you may run into them again that night at whatever gay club your guy takes you to. Everyone loves a fee drink and it can be fun to be in a group Cubans even if they're not all your type.

Make sure your guy(s) take you to the gay beach. It's lots of fun, even with the cops watching. If the cops have gotten their paycheck recently, they'll even turn a blind eye to those having sex in the dunes. If they're looking to make some money of their own, they'll "arrest" someone and release them with a "fine". This will generally be a Cuban, not a Westerner. The Cuban drag queen who runs the drink stand is great, and her beers are generally cold.

Other Important Facts:

1) Be very carful of PICKPOCKETS. Especially in the crowds of the above-mentioned cafe, and at clubs. ALWAYS keep cash/wallet in front pants pocket, and spread it out into different pockets so you don't lose it all.

2) Dollars are no longer king in Cuban. You must exchange your dollars for CUCs, I forget the rate, but it's not that great. However, you can change your leftover CUCs back into dollars at 1-to-1. You can change money at the airport and the major Western hotels (lines at hotel bank can be long).

3) Hotels do not accept US credit cards, but they do accept European and Canadian ones.

4) Bring extra tooth brushes and tooth paste. These items have been removed from State ration cards, so Cubans must buy them with their own money. Let's just say that the boys would rather spend money on a cell phone than on a toothbrush.... (If you give it to them, make sure they use it and don't sell it).

5) Bring lube, there is no such thing in Cuba, and condoms of course.

6) Go to your local sporting goods store and buy some baseballs and deflated soccer balls to bring with you. We all know how boys love their balls, and the Cubans even more so. It's another form of currency, even if they end up selling them.

Have a Cuba Libre for me!

[bigvalboy]

I was there less than a year ago. Things recently changed quite a bit for the Cuban gay community when one of Fidel Castro's nieces, Mariela Castro (daughter of current President Raoul) came out as gay. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/09/castro-interview-gay-persecution.html

 

Now for the part you really care about: that Tiger hunt.... The back of the Hotel Nacional at night is the place to find all the boys you want. They mostly congregate around a small cafe/ice cream place that has a terrace/patio with tables. It's next to a gas station where Calle 19 runs into Malecon (the road that runs along the water).

As a westerner, many guys will just flock to you (mostly those who have better English, or think they do), especially if you buy them a drink from the cafe. (tip: Buy your own bottle of rum and bring it with you, then just buy Tu-Colas (Cuban Coca cola equivalent) as mixers. Maybe best to do this on your second night there once you've gotten the lay or the land down a bit). However, don't just limit yourself to the guys who come up to you (sometimes they are a little too pushy, or not your type). Continue to scan the crowd for a guy you like and try to make eye contact. You'd be surprised at how many will return your gaze. Unfortunately they may not speak much English, so you might have to ask one of the better English speakers to help translate/broker something for you. Cubans can now go into Western hotels, so it's OK to bring a guy back to your hotel. At least it was at the Parque Central.

Once you've made "friends" at the cafe, even if you don't take them back to your hotel, they will offer to meet at your hotel and take you around Havana. When I say "they", that's exactly what I mean. Most of the time if you make friends with one guy, you've made friends with his little group of friends. Of course if you want to just spend time with the one guy, you can tell him and he'll get rid of the hangers-on. However, you may run into them again that night at whatever gay club your guy takes you to. Everyone loves a fee drink and it can be fun to be in a group Cubans even if they're not all your type.

Make sure your guy(s) take you to the gay beach. It's lots of fun, even with the cops watching. If the cops have gotten their paycheck recently, they'll even turn a blind eye to those having sex in the dunes. If they're looking to make some money of their own, they'll "arrest" someone and release them with a "fine". This will generally be a Cuban, not a Westerner. The Cuban drag queen who runs the drink stand is great, and her beers are generally cold.

Other Important Facts:

1) Be very carful of PICKPOCKETS. Especially in the crowds of the above-mentioned cafe, and at clubs. ALWAYS keep cash/wallet in front pants pocket, and spread it out into different pockets so you don't lose it all.

2) Dollars are no longer king in Cuban. You must exchange your dollars for CUCs, I forget the rate, but it's not that great. However, you can change your leftover CUCs back into dollars at 1-to-1. You can change money at the airport and the major Western hotels (lines at hotel bank can be long).

3) Hotels do not accept US credit cards, but they do accept European and Canadian ones.

4) Bring extra tooth brushes and tooth paste. These items have been removed from State ration cards, so Cubans must buy them with their own money. Let's just say that the boys would rather spend money on a cell phone than on a toothbrush.... (If you give it to them, make sure they use it and don't sell it).

5) Bring lube, there is no such thing in Cuba, and condoms of course.

6) Go to your local sporting goods store and buy some baseballs and deflated soccer balls to bring with you. We all know how boys love their balls, and the Cubans even more so. It's another form of currency, even if they end up selling them.

Have a Cuba Libre for me!

 

 

Sorry I did a 'Reply With Quote'...but this information needed repeating, it has been 3 months and this is the first solid bit of information yet...Thank you Magnus...

[+ Axiom2001]

Sorry I did a 'Reply With Quote'...but this information needed repeating, it has been 3 months and this is the first solid bit of information yet...Thank you Magnus...

 

I appreciate this! ...wish someone would chime in with 2013/2014 info! I am seriously contemplating a trip to Havana in 2015! ...would like to know how I can enjoy the "ripened fruits" that Havana yields! ...will be on a sanctioned tour sponsored by a Canadian company but will have some free time to explore!

[BSR]

Thank you, Magnus, for your very informative report. My trip to Cuba was almost 10 years ago; it's nice to get more up-to-date information. The one "bonanza" not mentioned is how unbelievably inexpensive working girls and guys are in Cuba. When I was there, a session with a working girl was $5 (USD was still the currency at the time), which was half an average monthly salary. With the Cuban Convertible Peso now the currency, the average salary is about $20/month, so I'm guessing a "date" with a working girl/guy is about half that. Yuppers, for ten bleepin' bucks, you can have a roaring good time (assuming you find the right guy) for ten f*ckin' bucks. Since I haven't been to Cuba recently, more recent visitors could give a more accurate price. Whatever the going rate is nowadays in Havana, it has to be a fraction of what you'd spend Stateside.

 

If you don't speak Spanish, you might actually be better off. No, not in terms of dealing with hot available (for a price) guys, but regarding how unbelievably sad and depressing Cuba is. My Spanish was excellent when I visited (a bit rusty now 10 years later), which gave me the opportunity to talk to a lot of Cubans about their lives. The poverty in Cuba you have to see to believe. They don't have basics like soap or towels. I recently spoke with a Cuban-American here in Las Vegas, who felt bad because he used to go to Cuba every six months but hadn't been able to go for two years. When he got there, he saw that the towels he had dropped off last time were threadbare and felt like sandpaper, they were down to their last bar of soap which a family of five had to make last for over four months, a few of his relatives walked around barefoot because their shoes had worn out long ago. Journalist Michael J. Totten writes an excellent report of just how bad conditions have gotten. There is the Tourist Cuba, which isn't too bad, and the Real Cuba, which is poverty and suffering that you've likely never seen in your life. If you don't speak Spanish, you'll be spared the details of Real Cuba.

 

But if you have any inclination to go (whether it's for the working guys or just the adventure and experience), I strongly urge you to visit Cuba. Despite their poverty and suffering, Cubans are some of the most wonderful and beautiful (inside and outside) people on earth. It's hard to describe how amazing Cuba is: dilapidated buildings (roofs caving in, walls crumbling) in the midst of incredible natural beauty, horrible suffering juxtaposed with the strength and beauty of the human spirit, and most of all people who find a way to be happy despite horrible oppression.

 

PS: if you do go, be as humanitarian as you can possibly afford. Bring bundles of daily necessities like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, new socks & underwear. Also pack your bags to the airline limit with as much decent clothing that you no longer wear to give away. Also, be as generous as you can. Giving a Cuban even one peso might cause them to break down & cry. Just thinking about it almost makes me break down and cry.

[+ azdr0710]

nice post, BSR....

 

would sure love to visit before it changes even more with increased tourism, modernization, etc....my Mom and her Mom visited Cuba back in the late 50s just before Castro and wondered, "why are all those soldiers walking around with knives on their guns?"....!!!!

[Mark Gordon]

Things recently changed quite a bit for the Cuban gay community when one of Fidel Castro's nieces, Mariela Castro (daughter of current President Raoul) came out as gay.

 

Just a small correction: Mariela Castro is a prominent supporter of gay rights, but she is not gay herself, she's now married to her 2nd husband with 3 children.

[shadowcatzxxx]

Fascinating thread guys ... and thanks for re-starting it and updating it.

 

I almost went to Cuba this year, and hope to go some time in the next couple of years. Wonderful to hear all the information first-hand.

 

Saw a movie recently, which conveyed a lot of what BSR included in his h=sincere description. Beauty - inside and out -- incredible povewrty and hardship that have forged a unique sense of comraderie and community.

 

Would be very interesting to learn about the Cuban gay community. (As one who does speaks spanish reasonably well.)

 

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

 

Just thinking "out loud" as it were .. Jack Datson in Miami is Cuban, if I recall correctly ... maybe he could be a source of info or contact. Aside from being one of the hottest guys I've met in a long time, he is genuinely nice, and can switch back and forth from a macho rump-f*ker of a man to a sweet cuddly boy in minutes.

[+ Axiom2001]

Thank you, Magnus, for your very informative report. My trip to Cuba was almost 10 years ago; it's nice to get more up-to-date information. The one "bonanza" not mentioned is how unbelievably inexpensive working girls and guys are in Cuba. When I was there, a session with a working girl was $5 (USD was still the currency at the time), which was half an average monthly salary. With the Cuban Convertible Peso now the currency, the average salary is about $20/month, so I'm guessing a "date" with a working girl/guy is about half that. Yuppers, for ten bleepin' bucks, you can have a roaring good time (assuming you find the right guy) for ten f*ckin' bucks. Since I haven't been to Cuba recently, more recent visitors could give a more accurate price. Whatever the going rate is nowadays in Havana, it has to be a fraction of what you'd spend Stateside.

 

If you don't speak Spanish, you might actually be better off. No, not in terms of dealing with hot available (for a price) guys, but regarding how unbelievably sad and depressing Cuba is. My Spanish was excellent when I visited (a bit rusty now 10 years later), which gave me the opportunity to talk to a lot of Cubans about their lives. The poverty in Cuba you have to see to believe. They don't have basics like soap or towels. I recently spoke with a Cuban-American here in Las Vegas, who felt bad because he used to go to Cuba every six months but hadn't been able to go for two years. When he got there, he saw that the towels he had dropped off last time were threadbare and felt like sandpaper, they were down to their last bar of soap which a family of five had to make last for over four months, a few of his relatives walked around barefoot because their shoes had worn out long ago. Journalist Michael J. Totten writes an excellent report of just how bad conditions have gotten. There is the Tourist Cuba, which isn't too bad, and the Real Cuba, which is poverty and suffering that you've likely never seen in your life. If you don't speak Spanish, you'll be spared the details of Real Cuba.

 

But if you have any inclination to go (whether it's for the working guys or just the adventure and experience), I strongly urge you to visit Cuba. Despite their poverty and suffering, Cubans are some of the most wonderful and beautiful (inside and outside) people on earth. It's hard to describe how amazing Cuba is: dilapidated buildings (roofs caving in, walls crumbling) in the midst of incredible natural beauty, horrible suffering juxtaposed with the strength and beauty of the human spirit, and most of all people who find a way to be happy despite horrible oppression.

 

PS: if you do go, be as humanitarian as you can possibly afford. Bring bundles of daily necessities like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, new socks & underwear. Also pack your bags to the airline limit with as much decent clothing that you no longer wear to give away. Also, be as generous as you can. Giving a Cuban even one peso might cause them to break down & cry. Just thinking about it almost makes me break down and cry.

 

I checked the ads of "working guys" on http:http://www.gayromeo.com. The fee for fun was around $50 although Cuba doesn't honor dollars per se anymore. If you convert dollars into CUs, you'll now be charged a 15% fee. I'm thinking about taking Euros when I go if the dollar vs that currency is not too great. I will also be taking some of those needed necessities which the quoted writer mentioned. [...visited sometime during the 90s. ...did not necessarily see the overt poverty although I know it exists!] Thanks for chiming in!

[BSR]

I have to wonder about the advertised rate of $50. While I haven't seen the GayRomeo ads (trouble logging on), keep in mind that a Cuban escort with an ad on GayRomeo had access to the Internet. Most Cubans don't have electricity or hot water. Most don't have a phone, instead relying on a local payphone, which costs more than they can afford anyway. Computers/laptops/Internet access? Outside of Castro, his regime, and his cronies, the number Cubans with a computer & Internet is likely comparable to the number of Americans who have flown on the International Space Station. My long-winded point is that a Cuban escort with an ad on GayRomeo is probably advertising a very high (by Cuban standards) price, perhaps to recover the cost and/or enormous difficulty of posting the ad. My guess is that the typical Cuban working guy will quote you a much lower price. But like I said, I haven't been there in 10 years. I'd love to hear the latest numbers from recent visitors.

[Steven_Draker]

For what is worth there are currently 17 escorts listed on GayRomeo (15 in Havana) and 1 traveling escort. Most of the profiles are guys in the 20-27 age bracket and list a cell phone number. There is no cost for posting a regular escort ad on GayRomeo. Only premium ads (labeled STAR Escort) are paying ads: they're placed on top and get more visibility.

 

A quick google search shows that the current average salary of Cubans is 466 pesos (CUP) a month.

 

This is roughly the equivalent of 20 CUC or US $22

[robberbaron4u]

I travel to Cuba on a yearly basis; at one time, my family had banking interests in that country and maintained a residence at Havana. I travel to that place "legtimately" once a year, I traveled with a group of cotton planters under the auspices of the University of Mississippi, and, in another year, with a group from a Young Hebrew Men's Association out of New york City; in recent years, I have travelled with sundry government sanctioned business groups from the USA. In my experience, a $100 per diem fee + expenses (drinks, dining etc.) will afford you the "24/7" attentiveness of a "quality" escort or "tiger"; $50 will get you a "trick" with a "smokin'" Antonio Sabata Jr. look-alike from the "street scene".

[LouieD]

Very interesting. How does one go about procuring such a quality escort or "tiger"?

[+ azdr0710]

Very interesting. How does one go about procuring such a quality escort or "tiger"?

 

 

see robberbaron's recent new thread about a possibility....

 

http://www.companyofmen.org/showthread.php?98630-Cuba-quot-Connection-quot-for-Novice-Travelers-to-that-Country

[+ Axiom2001]

I'm surprised this Chit-Chat wasn't Moved a long time ago? It has nothing to do with "Working Guys" in CUBA..IF any even exist! Most are in Florida!

 

It's 9.10.14 and I will be in Cuba in 2015 on an educational tour for a mere week because Americans can only travel to Cuba via some sort of people-to-people connection: art, education, music, etc. In all cases our stay is limited. One can travel via Mexico or Canada [independently], but US bank issued credit cards can't be used, and dollars can't be used in Cuba.

 

But to get to what I really desire to. I've contacted some Cuban men in Habana via http://www.gayromeo.com. They're responded back. I plan to connect with a few of these once I am in Habana, Cuba.

[+ Axiom2001]

It's 9.10.14 and I will be in Cuba in 2015 on an educational tour for a mere week because Americans can only travel to Cuba via some sort of people-to-people connection: art, education, music, etc. In all cases our stay is limited. One can travel via Mexico or Canada [independently], but US bank issued credit cards can't be used, and dollars can't be used in Cuba.

 

But to get to what I really desire to. I've contacted some Cuban men in Habana via http://www.gayromeo.com. They're responded back. I plan to connect with a few of these once I am in Habana, Cuba.

 

A few months back, Robber gave us two email addresses of his contacts; I plan to contact both of them too, soon! [10 September 2014]