The Cuban Threat

[Kyle]

i just heard if you REALLY want to go, it can happen..

 

[cobraboy]

Nothing will happen to you unless you go looking for trouble and as far as the US finding out that you've been there I've heard they might fine you but I don't think they will throw you in the torture chamber or anything like that, after all you do live in a civilized country where you have freedoms right?

Kyle claims he works for the US State Dept. In his case, I would imagine his Cuban visit would be "career limiting".

 

[cobraboy]

after all you do live in a civilized country where you have freedoms right?

"Freedoms" within the law.

The law states no Cuban visits without specific permission of the US government. So a visit would to bring whatever sanctions that may be in place under the law.

It's all about risk and reward, and one's perceived balance of them.

 

[NALs]

"Freedoms" within the law.

It's all about risk and reward, and one's perceived balance of them.

Yes indeed!

Unfortunately, people tend to undermine the risks they should not undermine and they tend to exaggerate the risks they should not exaggerate.

Ever wonder why the insurance industry is so profitable or why most insurances are a scam? Same reason.

Heck, ever wonder why many people are afraid of flying, but they don't feel a thing about driving? Guess in which mode of transport a person has a higher risk of getting in an accident or even dying?

-NALs

 

[AnnaC]

Back to topic

What do you think the opening of Cuba to Americans would mean to Dominican tourism?

A) Dominican tourism will collapse.

B) Dominican tourism will be hard hit.

C) Dominican tourism will not feel much.

D) It will mean nothing, Dominican tourism will remain strong.

 

[Kyle]

overall i think if cuba becomes a "hot spot" there will be a large influx of people, businesses for a while then it will level off. of course trip reports and accounts will be of great value but i believe it will take years for cuba to be ready for tourists. with about 1/3 about the tourism population in the DR, i don't think it will not feel much in the long run.

 

[sodapop]

Gentlemen and ladies: Have any of you been to Cuba? Seen it as it is now???

Let me tell you, I live among Cubans here in Miami...things are not pretty down there...they would have to do a lot of rebuilding and construct new AI's and fix up their beaches and roads before it even starts affecting the DR...

Besides, once they do all that, and people start to actually go on vacation to the island, the sankies will wreck havoc with the ladies...it will be much, much worse than in DR...trust me, the Cubans have the sankie routines down to a tee!!! and can be MUCH slicker than the poor, uneducated Dominicans that now practice that profession...

I know...I live among them here..



.MQ

i have been to CUBA the last three years in a row for christmas .the resorts and beaches are beautiful, so are the people .go to some travel web sites and check it out.

 

[paddy]

Sex tourism is big in the DR...from what I understand Cuban women socializing on any level is a no no in Castros Cuba..should that change..the DR may take a hit...my opinion.

 

[KeithF]

Sex tourism is big in the DR...from what I understand Cuban women socializing on any level is a no no in Castros Cuba..should that change..the DR may take a hit...my opinion.

Then sorry, but you understand wrong. Socialising on a 'social' level is fine. "Socialising" on a sex level is also fine. As I said in an earlier post, we say on the veranda of a Havana hotel and the prostitutes were very openly walking around the block, the same ones as if in a beauty pagent. Blokes would choose the girl very openly and take them off. All very open.

 

[paddy]

Then sorry, but you understand wrong. Socialising on a 'social' level is fine. "Socialising" on a sex level is also fine. As I said in an earlier post, we say on the veranda of a Havana hotel and the prostitutes were very openly walking around the block, the same ones as if in a beauty pagent. Blokes would choose the girl very openly and take them off. All very open.

Then my vote is that the opening of Cuba would have a minimal effect on the DR.

 

[Texas Bill]

Keith,

You can be as snotty as you want! LOL--but only because I enjoy reading your stories! I didn't see a McDonalds, Burger King or KFC in the DR--do they exist there?

The Buena Vista Social Club is an excellent band as well (so I hear, but I have never heard their music). I plan to check them out as I have heard nothing but good things about them. I think the fines that they could charge me if I was found out to have been there would definitely be a problem for me if I was caught, as well as the fact that I was (and kind of still am) actively pursuing a career in the Foreign Service and having snuck off to Cuba might not look too good on my background check results. So I have stayed away so far and hope and pray for a reversal of the embargo in the near future.

suitlady79;

FYI, in Santiago there are Burger King's, MacDonalds, KFC's, aco Belle's, Pizza Hut's, etc. What you want is what you get. These "franchises aare all over the DR, ie., Santiago, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, etc. They're a little expensive, but they do have to import most of their ingredients from the States as do most franchises anywhere.
Want a good steak, go to the "OutBack Steakhouse" in Santo Domingo.
Just wish they had a "Long John Silver's" here in Santiago.

Texas Bill

 

[Texas Bill]

Well this is one tourist that the DR lost without the opening of Cuba. Either do something about the water or hand out anti-diarrheal tablets at the airport.:ermm:

That same scenario applies to Mexico.
It's all about the symbiotic bacteria in your gut. You have to get rid of the old and take on the new, pardner. It's the same the world over.

Texas Bill

 

[suitelady79]

suitlady79;

FYI, in Santiago there are Burger King's, MacDonalds, KFC's, aco Belle's, Pizza Hut's, etc. What you want is what you get. These "franchises aare all over the DR, ie., Santiago, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, etc. They're a little expensive, but they do have to import most of their ingredients from the States as do most franchises anywhere.
Want a good steak, go to the "OutBack Steakhouse" in Santo Domingo.
Just wish they had a "Long John Silver's" here in Santiago.

Texas Bill

Thanks Texas, I haven't been to these cities yet, but I plan to hit santo domingo when I get there in a few days. I won't get a chance to do Santiago on this trip because it's many hours. I think I'll have to fly into STI next time and go there then. I haven't had LJS in YEARS!! "Sounds good to me!!"

 

[Texas Bill]

Thanks Texas, I haven't been to these cities yet, but I plan to hit santo domingo when I get there in a few days. I won't get a chance to do Santiago on this trip because it's many hours. I think I'll have to fly into STI next time and go there then. I haven't had LJS in YEARS!! "Sounds good to me!!"

suitelady79;

Sorry, but don't think Long John's is anywhere in the DR.
The others mentioned are all in Santo Domingo, however.
Good luck on your trip.
The DR is a very beautiful country if you don't look too closely at the poverty here. Scenery is unsurpassed anywhere in the Caribbean as long as you get out into the countryside and take a look at it. GREEN all over the place.

Texas Bill

 

[suitelady79]

Ok, Thanks Tex! I guess I'll get my seafood fix from somewhere else. That's ok. I'm not really going to the DR to eat the stuff that I can eat here. I'll definitely post about my trip when I get back! Leaving tomorrow! Can't wait!