My First Impressions of Havana Cuba
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2022
- My First Impressions of Havana Cuba
Beginner ebook city guides:
Havana, Cuba - www.amazon.com/dp/B0B86NCXHR
Buenos Aires, Argentina - www.amazon.com/dp/B0B11T7LMH
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - www.amazon.com/dp/B09WQDQJ5C
Panama City, Panama - www.amazon.com/dp/B09SQCM9ZX
Guadalajara, Mexico - www.amazon.com/dp/B09NH5221M
Medellin, Colombia - www.amazon.com/dp/B09CLRMNF1
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - www.amazon.com/dp/B09CCRFBVZ
Lima, Peru - www.amazon.com/dp/B09C55BH2M
Guayaquil, Ecuador - www.amazon.com/dp/B09HPG7PZ2
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I traveled there so many times and enjoyed myself every time. I am from colombia but grew up in the states, but I feel you on the culture shock. You have to be in Cuba to understand but I felt like I was on another planet. It was so different. What stood out was the people. They are so warm, animated and alive.
Let me guess only the tourist attractions right but no the REAL cuba? 😒
@@harryfucker1988 Actually didn't really do much of the tourist attraction stuff. I made Cuban friends, stayed and played in where the locals hung out as well. Even met and married a Cuban woman who I've been with for 4 years now. So.. yes the REAL Cuba. You guessed wrong.
I was in Cuba in 2017, I am a black female & practicing Muslim & I travelled to Cuba ALONE, I was so safe, I walked the streets late into the night and never had a problem, I met some Cuban Muslims, there's a mosque, God Willing I would love to go back in January of 2023...ALSO WHEN TRAVELLING 2 CUBA PLEASE PLEASE TAKE AN EXTRA SUITCASE OF ITEMS FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE.
I was in Havana Cuba 🇨🇺 for 30 days in 2017. Even though Cuba is a Communist country but as an African-American I felt more free relax and I traveled all over Havana and I never felt any pressure whatsoever also the people always treat you will respect the country is totally drug free, gun violence free the Cuban family that I stayed with took me under their wing and Cuba was one of the most cheapest country that I ever been in if you just stay in the tourist areas you will never get the real soul of Havana. The Cuban people with all of the suffering that they have gone through are still the most friendly, fun loving educated people that you will ever meet in life. I miss the Cuban experience every day.
Brother, I’m with you. I miss Cuba and it’s human warmth everyday of my life! There I was not a color!!!
@@markbroadus8788 when I was in Cuba I felt I was in my Westside Chicago neighborhood without the violent crime, the drug traffic the police harassment. As I walked around my neighborhood in Cuba I was looked upon just as another Cuban. The simple fact that I could walk around without any fear was awesome and uplifting.I did not miss all the conveniences of America I had everything I needed to be happy 😊 ❤️ 💙. Thank you for sharing your experience also in Cuba 🇨🇺 😊 ❤️ 😀.
@@markrush2319 I’m originally from DC, so I can certainly relate. Now I reside in central Va. I’m connected to one Cuban family that recently relocated out of Havana and another family in the process of leaving Cubas countryside, both for a better future for their sons. In Cuba when a young man becomes of age, it’s mandatory that he joins the military, this goes against some peoples religious beliefs. I could spend hours chatting with you about my 7 visits there between 2017-2019. It’s very heart wrenching that these people have to endure more hardships besides their own government just because someone wasn’t allowed to erect his hotels there
This is one thing that discovered in Cuba almost every Cuban that I met dreamed about coming to the United States 🇺🇸. I think what was going on is they saw all these American tourists that were well dressed with money 💰 and for an example the tourists spent 30 dollars just for a one hour tour of Havana in a vintage American automobile well this was more than a professional Cuban made in a month in Cuba 🇨🇺. But they never come into contact with poor Americans. But again this is just my opinion 🤷.
I rode a public bus with the locals and someone was playing loud music on a Bluetooth speaker, no one was upset but actually joining in singing the songs and swaying with the music. The variety of colored faces from bright white to as we call, blue-black, didn’t seem to matter. They all just seemed to have a common bond of being proud to be Cuban. In my spirit I felt as though I was finally in a land where I was meant to be and would be if it weren’t for the unrelenting heat and economic suffering. I would suggest to anyone considering visiting Cuba to take a quick view of Rick Steves video when he visited there with his son and daughter. It’s very informative and quite enlightening. Cuba is definitely a diamond in the rough. I certainly hope worldly situations and relations get better so I can return to explore more of this unique country. Like Cardenas, located about 20 minutes outside Varadero. Most of the taxis are horse driven coaches. A rode around there one night drinking a cold beverage for approximately 45 minutes, the driver only charged me $2…what would that ride cost in DC or NYC, a days salary.
I love the architecture and narrow/walking streets. Very interesting.
Regardless of what is going on in Cuba in recent years, their beautiful architecture can't be denied. Love the history that is preserved there from what looks like a once wealthy and capable nation
So you didn't see real life. Only what they want you to see.
I am glad you feel safe in Cuba. Enjoy!!!! 🤗
This is another country that is on my list places to travel too. I can't wait to see the rest of the videos for Cuba. This feels like it is going to be one of your most interesting destinations yet.
video quality and camera resolution is amazing; you're well spoken bro love your informative videos.
Great video bro. Always!!
Sky go to El Floridita, it located in Old Havana. They have the best daiquiris I have ever tasted. They have a statue of Ernest Hemingway by the bar.
Daiquiri was invented in that place. It's to be expected.
Please film a lot of the rural countryside people and how they live and their views on life there.
For the country side watch the spartan blog he lives there in Cuba pretty good. Not sure if Sly is hitting that direction
@@ergiesro7 Gracias!
Some of the locals fear speaking on life there due to government scrutiny
Sly I can’t wait to see you hit 100k, been watching since under 1k and it’s already been a hell of a journey. Blessings to you and thanks for the consistently great content 🙌🏾
Dude he really should be getting sponsored and be bigger. His no frills and intimate videos are easy to watch and listen to, its like you are right there with him.
@@mindstate1011 absolutely couldn’t agree more!
It's generally safe, but don't trust too much. There is some amount of crime. And more now that situation is very hard. Avoid creepy places specially at night.
Hey, you are very good storyteller! I came to like your narrative. Enjoy Cuba! You are safe there since there is no traffic at all to worry about! Congrats from NY City!
You're not wrong about Cuba (well at least here) is like going back in time. That's the first impression I got. Everything looks very old and run down. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and has character.
My impressions also. Everything looks the same, and like something out of the 1960s. Imagine it is a safe place to visit. However, i would give it a miss unless someone really wants to say they have been to Cuba. Slys other videos of Puerto Rico, Argentinia etc were far more interesting. Well done though Sly for not upsetting the locals
It’s a shame that Cuba’s architectural face isn’t as appealing as it could be, but that’s the direct result of this small country putting its trust in 2 superpowers with their own agendas…the US and Russia!
Sly you are awesome. I get to travel all over and not leave my couch thanks to you. I feel as though I'm right there with you. Your videos are simply amazing. Thanks for taking us along.
I noticed a lot of the architecture in Cuba is a lot like Cartagena inside the walled city. Talking about similarities.
They are all go to sh^^ now that communism has taken over, Cuba was a beautiful place before 1963;.
Spanish Heritage, when they came and conquered this side of the world.
You should go inside the supermarkets I like to see what they have on the shelves
Empty shelfs
vinegar
There is a few Cuban vlogers if you can speak Spanish just check
@@egdsrhdhd9321 yes thanks I did see some of them
I walked these streets in 2017 loved Cuba hope to return some day
Yes Caribbean equals humidity especially summer months🥵
Spotted some newer🚗👍
Good to hear its safe despite the poverty.
Nice. Thank you
Hey Sly, Ty for your videos man. came back from Panama 2 weeks and watched your videos in my preparation to go there. I hope you continue making good videos man. When do you plan on coming to Jamaica or have you been here already? Which is my country.
I love my havana cuba 🇺🇸❤🇨🇺
Thanks for sharing
Yeah they call them "jineteros"they hustle more in that part of the city!blessings to you!
Good video!
Thanks for sharing this! Ive heard many times that’s Cuba is a very safe place compared to other countries. I’ve been thinking about hitting Cuba 🇨🇺 for a while. I have more travels starting tomorrow. I had a great time in Argentina both times. Keep it up.
Cuba is beautiful man, everything about it.
What was the process to enter the country? Possibly, you've mentioned this already. Thanks for the content
Its not really safety as much, as people don't have anything to steal, and if someone gets caught stealing it will not end well.
love the video, that neighborhoods name is Havana Vieja
How much it cost to travel from havana to holguin ? I want to go over too how do you got a cuban visa pasaporte
Sly, I am currently living in Medellin and been here for 2 years but i very interested in visiting/living in Cuba. I heard it is hard to get inside the country. How did you do it??
Hi…How you compare Puerto Rico and Cuba?
I'm curious to know what was your exchange rate, for one dollar how many pesos did you get?
How did you get in there?
So you only need a us passport and a visa to enter Cuba?
Are you going to varadero????
Sly are you filming with a GoPro or the Packet 2
You aint seen cuba going to downtown. You gotta go to el cerro my man. See the real streets
What bothers me the most about what I see in videos like these is that I see two Cubas, one for the locals and one for the tourists. Those cocktails you showed the other day at the tourist bar were a week's worth of wages for the average Cuban. In a fancy bar here in Puerto Rico they cost the same but to a Puerto Rican who makes minimum wage they're covered by less than two hours of work. A system like that where the locals don't get to enjoy the best of their own country is unfortunate, and yet some people promote it as something to copy.
Also the money you expend goes to the dictators . They are getting rich while the Cubans are poor. It is a country where professionals like engineers , doctors left theirs professions and emigrates .
I met a woman that spent 25 years working in one of the larger hotels in Varadero knowing that her and her family would never be able to stay or eat there. I treated her and her family to a 3 day all inclusive during thanksgiving of 2018. 3 room for $35 a night.
You probably have never been to Cuba. But you get away from the tourist traps and you will find Cubans enjoying life to the fullest they are some of the most fun loving people you will ever meet in your entire life. I was in Havana Cuba for 30 days in 2017 I rented an apartment in a Cuban's family home and they took me under their wings and I lived like a local and it was awesome and one of the best experiences in my lifetime. I miss the Cuban lifestyle every day.
@@markrush2319 Your description of Cubans is not special. You can say the same thing about "enjoying life to the fullest" and what not about most people anywhere in the world and still be right. Your experience was amazing because you got to live out your slum tourism fantasy which was probably fueled by nobel savage tropes. But unlike the Cubans you were staying with you could leave at any time and enjoy things that they will never even dream of enjoying. You were living that life for 30 days in a place with tourism apartheid and scarcity by choice. They have to live that life forever because they have to. There's a big difference between the two
@@markbroadus8788 That's eye opening and so frustrating to hear. Thanks for treating her to a holiday that they wouldn't have otherwise been able to enjoy. To give you a counter example of how people live elsewhere in the Caribbean, a friend of mine works at a hotel in San Juan, PR. We used to hang out and eat and stay in the same places that the tourists did. It was extremely common to see those restaurants filled with a good mix of locals and tourists. When the tourists asked me where do the locals "really" eat I would tell them to look around and they would refuse to believe me.
Almost feels like a ghost town
I hope that Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico one day become like the Dominican Republic. They deserve better.
No way! Never want to be like DR ..get real!
And get over yourself
Puerto Rican here: LOL. No.
@@peanutbutter3063 The goal of every group of people is to become a Democratic, self sufficient independent country. Puerto Rico belongs to another country, with artificial identity, economy and way of life. Only DR is a country in the Caribbean, the rest of the island are either US or British colonies.
@@drhistory3497 yea but ya need a visa to come to the usa we dont. We are fine the way we are we dont need to be all messed up like DR. And fyi cuba is also a republic .
How can I go to cuba since I'm from USA? I thought we aren't allowed
(Serious question need help)
You can go to Cuba. You just have to satisfy one of the categories for going. If you go legally, that is from the U.S., you must fill out a questionnaire in the kiosk at airport. The common reason for going is "support for the Cuban people" category. Then you must purchase your Visa and fill it out. Fill it out carefully because you cannot make erasures for mistakes. Ths last time went, I believe I paid $100 for the. That was right before the pandemic. You can purchase your Cuban Visa at the airport where you are departing for Cuba. Make sure you bring Euros to Cuba. You will not be able to exchange U.S. currency in the Cuban airport due to the political issues between the U.S. and Cuba. Some people in Cuba will except U.S. currency, but not government-run facilities. You can exchange your Euros in the Cuban airport at the Cadeca. Your U.S. credit card will not work in Cuba nor will your U.S. ATM card. The currency in Cuba is the peso.
OMG the water is like 15-29 pesos in the official water store
Did you notice while in Cuba no ads, no billboards for products or businesses only ads you see are reminding people to support the "revolución" There is no free market advertising.
The countries that most resemble the Cuban culture, way of life and even the way we speak the Spanish dialect are Dominicans I love people from the DR and Venezuelans a close third is Puerto Ricans we just have a different dialect. Costa Ricans too are very similar in their ways.
About the internet Cuba didn't have any at semi full capacity till 2007 any it was not until 2018 I think that the government started issuing permits for people to have internet at home.
Wow, I've heard the same exact thing from other tourists about Brazilian people,👍👍👍👍👍
Recently in Cuba there's been a rash of pickpocketing going for the cell phones and people have been stabbed for it. I've heard of two instances one in El Vedado another near East Habana, a RUclipsr's father was mugged for his phone wound up in the hospital.
Really enjoyed your videos, I grew up there had an aunt that lived almost right above La Bodeguita del Medio. I used to be all over that place when I lived there
Cuba is the safest country I have been to with regard to crime. The name he is looking for is jineteros.
We don't carry much money or expensive phones like other countries. Most people are broke. But you have to be careful at the beach anyway.
My first visit to Cuba in 2019 I saw single female tourists walking the dark streets late night with no worries because the authorities are very strict on crimes against tourists. I missed my plane back to the US with only 5 CUC left and one of the locals invited me to stay at his mothers house until the next day. The provided my own room and fed me a delicious dinner. Same thing happened when I visited there during hurricane Irma, strangers took me in for 4 days while the airports were shutdown and the refused to take any money…that’s Cuba!!! Let me add, I know little to know Spanish. I absolutely love the Cuban people and their very hospitable ways!
Where do you change your money? I hear that IS most convinient to change money in the street, It IS strange
I'm from Jamaica 🇯🇲
Hi Sly, I was waiting in line to leave you a comment but then my internet run out. Walked around to find a card and got a heat stroke. Wake up with half avocado in my hand 🥑 and no cell phone. I know I should drink more water but no way I'll exchange my dollars at the official rate (and anyways the “system” is down...). So I'll keep praying for rain 🌧 but I was told Cuban God is at “lunch”🍸in the Floridita so it may take up a while...
Correction, first visit in 2017
🇨🇺 I had always wanted to visit Cuba. I had mixed feelings about their community in Hialeah, Miami especially when it came to someone of color. But I guess that was some isolated encounter. Still, I would like to visit the real country Cuba though.
Don’t
You cannot compare the community of Hialeah, Miami with Cuba. As a person of color, I felt at home in Cuba moreso than in the United States.
@@jayparfaye2340 be my guest and stay there but not as a tourist!
Official rate is 1 usd 25 CUP so review your math. Very correct about Argentina. Thanks for this video, I will visit the place next month, it’s really useful.
This is Vieja. Centro is totally different.
Didn’t know Americans can travel to Cuba . Very surprised.
america is pretty close to the Caribbean islands
Good part of cuba is the crime is low and they are no guns like usa! I know the crazy thing is like if you get caught with drugs you might go in jail for a long time more than killing somebody! But those dinosaurs in the government they need to change the whole thing about cuba!I was born there like 40 minutes from the center of the city! Blessings and keep the good work! 👍
You have to know that if there is a country that daily people emigrate and has millions exiled , it means that nothing works there. Years passed and everything is bad to worst. Living in a misery conditions technicians, professional, artists….it’s a really mess.The capital looks like a war passed.
You gusanos always tell this lie yet the data can easily be checked. Cuba ranks better in quality of life indices than most comparable nations in the region and that's despite USA's economic sabotage.
You can thank the U.S. Embargo for that.....if you live in the U.S., call your representative and tell them to impress upon President Biden to end the 60 year old embargo against Cuba and its people, take Cuba off the list of terrorism, remove all of the samctions placed by former President Trump and President Biden and leave Cuba alone.
@@jayparfaye2340 So why doesn’t Cuba just trade with other countries?
That Havana is the one for the tourist, is no the one for Cubans Citizens, the True Havana is falling Down everywhere!!!
Over 1000 political prisoners right now (July 2022) in Cuban prisons. Mostly young Cubans, including minors, with sentences up to 25 years.
And did i mention that few weeks ago Cuban police killed the 4th black Cuban in 2 years? His name was Zidan, he was 17 years old, it happened in Santa Clara on July 4th 2022.
I hope you are aware that you are not in paradise.
The 4th black Cuban in 2 years????? How many black Americans are killed everyday by police in the U.S????? And your point is?????
@@jayparfaye2340
But... what about.... but.... what about... how sickening. How sickening it is to pull down assasinations in Cuba.
Saw an older man looking into the trash bin, you should have discreetly walk over to him and slip a $20 into his hand…just saying…..😎😎😎😎
Not really... This is how people from United States think...? Well, your nation is known around world and noone think good about that... You are just very wrong with your way of thinking
ITS LIKE TRAVEL TO THE PAST. IT'S SAD.
Havana is empty
The only McDonald’s in Cuba is in Guantanamo.
Jiniteros is the right word. Just be careful with people in general because 90% just nice to scam you
¡Viva la Revolución y el Chel l¡Viva el Socialismo! ¡Yo soy Fidel! 🇨🇺☭
Usted miro la destrucción de las calles en el video? La referencia a "Jinetero/Jinetera" 😱
This was attacked by the brain eater bacteria. Misery, hungry, no freedom and dictatorship are the axes of the cubans after 63 years of comunism. Patria y Vida.
Escucha como él dice "que ya viajo toda latinoamerica y nunca vio tanta pobreza". Para los que se creen que Cuba esta mejor que los países neo-libérales. Escuchen bien, porque Sylvester no es mandado por la CIA a Cuba 🤣🤡
🤦
That was real talk in the beginning the disclaimer 🫡🤌🏽smart guy