Re: Jammy is going back to cuba :)

[MCB]

Have a great vacation Jammy,
 You are right Charmainiac..repeat visitors like ourselves have spent quite a few years in Cuba.
 There is some history in Varadero that we tend to overlook.Villa Cuba used to be the vacation  area for some of the "rich and famous" before the revolution..that's why the little post office is there..it was a security guard house with some of the original stone fencing still intact around Villa Cuba.The villas were private homes ...Pierre Trudeau (with his family)when invited by Castro stayed in the villa which is on the right hand side behind the pool (yes, I stayed in that villa plus many others when there was no hotel)...would be wonderful if the "walls could talk".Glad they kept some of the original resort ..find Varadero has changed quite a bit in the past twenty years.
 
 Have a great trip Jammy.
 
   :cool:

[Charmainiac]

Oh MCB, your historical account is sooo right! And I too stayed in that villa once upon a time! I have friends who frequent Villa Cuba at least 3 times a year...maybe more now they are all retired...and they always stay in that villa! On one of their trips last year, they bumped the Russian ambassador out of it because they are such great repeaters!   :eek:  
 And the villa behind the pool bar, near the giant chess set used to be reception and had a little bar with a pool table in it! I got caught in a terrential rain storm one night walking from Villa Cuba to the bar at the Internacional and ended up taking cover in there! My girlfriend and I had a very long interesting night in there playing pool with some Italian artists (I'm a painter too!) and waiting for the rain to stop!    
 On of the other interesting things at VC as well, are those pathways from the pool to the beach...they used to be ROADS!
 It's sometimes hard for me to remember what the front entrance looked like before the "hotel" building went up...I don't there was anything there, but villas? Am I right MCB?

[MCB]

Hello Charmainiac,
 Trying to defog my memory cells here..
 They use to have stables for the horses in the area where the new hotel and pool are located.
 The original Villa Cuba never had a main pool  (only the little ones located at the villas)...never missed it as I love the beach.
 You're right..the pathways were streets for all the villas.The main lobby used to be located at a villa which has a big tree in front of it..still there.
 They had a great beach bar and entertainment area "right on the beach"..what a great place that was..unfortunately a few storms damaged that section.
 As Pepe ,the manager who has since passed away, use to say..Villa Cuba was the "Queen" in that area years ago but unfortunately became a rather poor second cousin later on.
 We have very fond memories of the original resort and its guests (many came every few months..it almost became their second home).
   :cool:

[MarieMaya]

Villa Cuba always makes me smile.  I never stayed there, but got kicked out of there once.  My friend and I were staying at Sol Club Coral.  One day we were walking on the beach.  When we got to VC, we thought we'd go in and see if we could spot a couple of people we had met on the plane who were staying there.  We entered the hotel from the beach and looked around a bit, stopping to check the artisan stalls etc.  Then we spotted the Caracol shop and headed there because the one at our hotel had very little to offer.  Before we even set foot in the store, we were stopped by a security guard who asked us to leave since we were sporting SCC bracelets. We told him that we just wanted to check the store and head out but NO!  He escorted us out the front door and we had to walk back to our hotel road side in the heat, in our bathing suits!!!! He wouldn't even let us walk back to the beach.  Hit the road chicas!!!!!!   :eek:  So, have no fear, you will enjoy a safe vacation at Villa Cuba!!!

[MCB]

Hello MarieMaya,
 I do remember in the "good old days" ..see I'm dating myself..when we could walk into any resort before they went all inclusive.
 That was great..we had a drink here and there.
 Great opportunity to check out other hotels for future visits.
 Each shop in those days carried different items so shopping was rather interesting.
 I understand the security issues ..mind you they had quite a few guards then at the resorts..but now each resort is so isolated .It's a shame because I think Varadero has lost some of its charm as a community where guests can mingle and become familiar with each resort.
   :)

[MarieMaya]

MCB, I think I'm dating myself too...  ;)  
 
 Seriously though, that anecdote made us realize how little freedom of movement A.I. guests really have, and that our resorts are not much more than luxurious detention compounds.  New to Cuba at the time (that was my first time in Cuba since 1989, so about 12 years had gone by) my friend and I were dumbfounded to realize that we were in fact not allowed to even walk through a property.  Never mind having a drink or using the facilities, but simply to walk around as you say to look for future trips or even make a small purchase in the shop.  I have returned to Cuba many times since then and will continue to do so, but it's still a strange concept to us North Americans isn't it...

[Charmainiac]

OMG how could I forget the horse stables!!! On my very first trip to Cuba I went horseback riding from there! It was my second day in the country and when I attempted to dismount from the horse, I stepped in a pot-hole! Sprained my ankle, tore all the ligaments...you get the idea! It was NASTY! Anyway, the hotel staff were so gracious, they moved me adn my friend from our villa - way out - to the one ON the BEACH! Right beside the old beach bar/ entertainment area! And Pepe arranged for the animator's to escort me to the dining hall for every meal because the policlinic didn't have any crutches for me - I got Cuban strong arms instead! It was a treat! They even carried me across the beach to the water every morning...something about the waves of the salt water healing my foot...Ahhh at that point they were so cute, I was in sooo much pain, they could've told me anything and I would've agreed!
 Reading what you and Mariemaya wrote brings me back too! I often wonder if anyone else has that same feeling for Varadero that I remember. I'm thankful to see that you two do. To go there now? Well, it's definitely a different type of place to say the least! Almost getting a bit too "antiseptic" for me, but Zephie's still enamoured by it, so we continue to return.  :blah:

[MCB]

Hello MarieMaya and Charmainiac,
 Enjoyed reading your posts..brought back a lot of memories.
 Do either one of you remember how limited the food selections were in those days?...being a big salad eater..I didn't see a "leaf of anything" for three weeks (yes, we were usually on three week packages in those days).So I have no sympathy for people complaining about food in Cuba these days since now you can get almost everything you need at the resort.
 We use to travel with one suitcase full of food and bathroom requirements (many rolls of toilet paper..(I believe the Cubans were experimenting with toilet paper made from crushed sugar cane fibre for a few years and the bugs certainly loved it)).
 Glad to you got to meet Pepe...he was quite the gentleman and knew the history of every hurricane that had struck Cuba.The last time we saw him, we were planning a trip with him into the mountains so we could see a "black orchid" (very rare)..but unfortunately his diabetic condition took his life prematurely..very sad.
 We stopped going to Villa Cuba for a few years because there were too many memories of him everywhere.
 
 This is quite the journey down memory lane for all of us.
 
   :cool:

[MarieMaya]

Well let's see...you ask about a limited food selection?  The first time we ever went to Cuba, my handsome strapping 17 y.o. son was an infant.  We were staying in Playas del Este in the houses that used to be inhabited by American muckety-muck before the revolution.  There was a stray dog running around the resort looking for scraps and we both recall fondly   :eek:   the night when the fish was so tough that even the hungry, ugly stray dog would not touch it!!!!  The food offerings were much more limited than what you find in today's A.I. buffets but the staff and locals were every beat as endearing and wonderful.  Our baby was fat with blond hair and blue eyes, so you can imagine how the Cubans felt about him!!!!!
 
 Speaking of that, unsure about what we could find in stores, we had brought enough diapers to last the whole trip.  Our maid had never seen a disposable diaper before and was completely dumbfounded when she realized that you simply throw it away. She took a diaper and turned it upside down, inside and out, could not get over it.  She was so cute, didn't speak a word of English and refused to entertain the idea that my husband spoke no Spanish.  The toilet paper was as rough as what you describe and it once took about 3 days to get a replacement roll...good thing we had baby wipes.  Boy, you are sending me right down memory lane as well!!!!!
 
 We used to take the bus to Havana.  Hubby would handle the fold-up stroller and diaper bag etc while I held the baby in my arms.  One day, an old lady gave ME her seat.  I thanked her and insisted she remain seated, but she wouldn't hear of it.  You have a baby she said, you're more important than me.  I still remember that day as if it was yesterday... The hotel near our compound was the Marazul and it had a rooftop terrace.  We used to go there almost every afternoon, the view was so beautiful.  Thanks for sending me down memory lane as well...I'll have to hit Villa Cuba one of these days!!!!!!!

[Charmainiac]

Oh gosh! The food was sooo TERRRIBLE then! I remember, on my first trip, thinking to myself...no WONDER it's "ALL INCLUDED", there's NOTHING to eat!   :rof:  
 Now, you can get just about anything your little heart desires in Cuba! I'd LOVE to turn back the clock on those people who regularly complain about the food in Cuba now! I wonder what they would do?
 Ahh yes, the sugar cane toilet paper...now that was a BAD idea!
 Yah I remember Pepe fondly...not just from that first trip either. He was so great to everyone - ALL the time! I'm thinking you must know some people that I'm familiar with who have also been going there for years?
 One of my strongest memories from those years is this day of things that happened that really opened my eyes as a Canadian:
 - I started out the day saying good morning to the guys cleaning the beach bar and as I passed by, one of them shuffled me out of the clearing and handed me some US cash asking me if I would mind going to the store for him to buy some candy and gums for his kids! I couldn't believe that he wasn't allowed in the store! You should've seen the bag of candy I brought back with me...his money was buried underneath it, back in the bag too! He cried he was so happy, but had to hide it for fear of getting caught with it.
 - Next, I had arranged with a couple of the animators of the hotel to rent a car and go to Havana for the day. As we got into the car, they each handed me rolls, about 2 inches in diameter, of US bills (tips), and asked me to carry them in my camera case. At that time, Cubans weren't allowed to carry USD and if caught, well...it meant big trouble for them. I complied and so we ended up stopping in Matanzas City to drop off one of the rolls to the woman's mother's house, who was caring for her baby while she worked in Varadero!
 - The last event that was the shocker for me that day was at La Copelia in Havana. As we approached, I couldn't believe my eyes! The lines went on for what seemed an eternity! My Cuban friends walked straight to the front of the line, said a few words and then tried to get me to stand in the front of about 150 people with impatient children. I refused and explained how rude that would be...my friends laughed and told me that I didn't understand..."you are NOT Cuban and only Cubans must wait for ice cream"! I was floored. Still, I persisted with my argument and walked to the back of the line, all the while passing people as they shook their heads in disapproval at me! That was just plain weird.
 
 Thanks to you too as well for this little trip down memory lane. What a nice conversation this is.
 Charmaine  :cubadreamin:

[MCB]

Hello Charmainiac,
 Yes..this has been a great conversation although we did get off the main topic...Jammy's going to Villa Cuba but perhaps this will give some of the members an "insight" into what Cuban travel was like many years ago.
 In spite of the restrictions... Cubans not allowed to have foreign currency or shop in the Intura (sp?) stores (for tourists only)..I felt the Cubans did have a more "gentle" lifestyle.
 They had food and clothing in their stores ..rationed but available as they were supported by the Russians at that time.When the USSR withdrew their $500 (per person/annual) subsidy..we were there and there was chaos.
 Varadero (didn't go to Havana that year since I knew the city was even more hectic) became very active in the evenings,begging was constant..sad, I even had one woman offering to sell her baby to me..that gives you a picture of how desperate and lost the Cuban people were in those days.
 
 Yes..some of us "old timers" have seen various changes in Cuba.
 
 Great talking to you guys.
 
   :cool:

[Charmainiac]

Yes true MCB! Sorry Jammy!  :(  
 However, you're right...perhaps this will provide a quick snapshot of what Varadero used to be like.
 I was there just after Russia pulled out as well... and saw some very sad things. I think one of the worst situations created by that was the generation of 12 year old jinetera/os lined up along Avenida Primera!
 Anyway, I will put that tragic memory to rest knowing that people, everywhere, do what they have to to eat.
 Let's hope Jammy is having a great trip and comes back with some pics of one of our favourite places!
 ...and some new stories of course!
 Charmaine

[MarieMaya]

You're right MCB, we did go off topic for a minute there, but what precious memories and fun reminiscing.  We sound like old-timers sitting in our rocking chairs talking about the good old days don't we...LOL.  I'm about to embark on my 12th trip to Cuba and can't wait to make new connections and meet new people who in turn make me discover their culture and history through even the most ordinary everyday conversations.

[Jammyisme]

One more sleep and Im on the plane  :)  Im amazed by the wealth of experience and information I found here and Im also amazed at the dedication to the Villa Cuba. ITs gotta be good.So Im looking forward to it. I found out that Santa Elvira church has a mass on Sunday at 5. So wife wants to go being Easter and all. And thats when we are bringing our used clothing and stuff. So all in all, despite the fact I am claustrophobic andIm not looking forward to the night flight back home, it should be a wonderful time. so thanks again everyone and Ill seeya in aweek with a full report  :)    :cool:

[JohnnyCastaway]

have a great trip Jammy, we're looking forwards to hearing (and seeing) all about it when you get back.