Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.

If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are common
and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be hard
to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their cuisine,
everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not busy?
You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take whatever
chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out the
meal. As for prices, this I don't know.

I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
travel, it is one place I would like to visit. I have seen travel shows
about it and they showed people waiting in long lines along the road to try
to get black market foods.

On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
.. .
>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
>If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are common
>and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be hard
>to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their cuisine,
>everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
>whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
>restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not busy?
>You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take whatever
>chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out the
>meal. As for prices, this I don't know.

Hmm, doesn't sound all that appealing, but that would be worst case
scenario food for the locals, I guess. I had more in mind restaurants,
cafes etc. Not home cooking as such.

>I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
>travel, it is one place I would like to visit.

Yes, same here. I find it a fascinating place in all sorts of ways.
It's not at the top of my list of possible destinations but I'm
seriously considering Cuba for my holidays later this year.

On 7/17/2016 12:17 AM, Je�us wrote:
> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>
>> If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are common
>> and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be hard
>> to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their cuisine,
>> everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
>> whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
>> restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not busy?
>> You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take whatever
>> chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out the
>> meal. As for prices, this I don't know.
>
> Hmm, doesn't sound all that appealing, but that would be worst case
> scenario food for the locals, I guess. I had more in mind restaurants,
> cafes etc. Not home cooking as such.
>
>> I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
>> travel, it is one place I would like to visit.
>
So, the sage of Bothel is giving her opinion on somewhere she has yet to
visit?

On 7/17/2016 11:47 AM, graham wrote:
> On 7/17/2016 12:17 AM, Je�us wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>
>>> If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are
>>> common and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be
>>> hard to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their
>>> cuisine,
(snippage)
>>
> So, the sage of Bothel is giving her opinion on somewhere she has yet to
> visit?

Hey, she's "read" about it.

Jill

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 09:47:13 -0600, graham > wrote:

>On 7/17/2016 12:17 AM, Je?us wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>
>>> If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are common
>>> and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be hard
>>> to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their cuisine,
>>> everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
>>> whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
>>> restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not busy?
>>> You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take whatever
>>> chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out the
>>> meal. As for prices, this I don't know.
>>
>> Hmm, doesn't sound all that appealing, but that would be worst case
>> scenario food for the locals, I guess. I had more in mind restaurants,
>> cafes etc. Not home cooking as such.
>>
>>> I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
>>> travel, it is one place I would like to visit.
>>
>So, the sage of Bothel is giving her opinion on somewhere she has yet to
>visit?

Oh well I note that travelling is yet another 'hate' of hers...
what an outlook on life.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 09:47:13 -0600, graham > wrote:
>
>>On 7/17/2016 12:17 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>>
>>>> If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are
>>>> common
>>>> and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be
>>>> hard
>>>> to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their
>>>> cuisine,
>>>> everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
>>>> whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
>>>> restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not
>>>> busy?
>>>> You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take
>>>> whatever
>>>> chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out
>>>> the
>>>> meal. As for prices, this I don't know.
>>>
>>> Hmm, doesn't sound all that appealing, but that would be worst case
>>> scenario food for the locals, I guess. I had more in mind restaurants,
>>> cafes etc. Not home cooking as such.
>>>
>>>> I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
>>>> travel, it is one place I would like to visit.
>>>
>>So, the sage of Bothel is giving her opinion on somewhere she has yet to
>>visit?
>
> Oh well I note that travelling is yet another 'hate' of hers...
> what an outlook on life.

I'm headed to Seattle to swap tubular meats. That's about as far as I go.

"graham" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/17/2016 12:17 AM, Je�us wrote:
>> On Sat, 16 Jul 2016 22:47:51 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>
>>> If you mean actually visiting there, then it depends. Black beans are
>>> common
>>> and so is rice. You might find chicken or other meats but they can be
>>> hard
>>> to come by. Unless things have changed since I last read of their
>>> cuisine,
>>> everything is rationed. So if you eat at someone's house, you'll get
>>> whatever they could get their hands on which might not be a lot. At a
>>> restaurant, what is available would depend on how busy they are. Not
>>> busy?
>>> You might get a whole piece of chicken. Busy? They'll likely take
>>> whatever
>>> chicken they have, cut it up and mix it into other things to pad out the
>>> meal. As for prices, this I don't know.
>>
>> Hmm, doesn't sound all that appealing, but that would be worst case
>> scenario food for the locals, I guess. I had more in mind restaurants,
>> cafes etc. Not home cooking as such.
>>
>>> I do find Cuba to be a fascinating place. And for as much as I do hate
>>> travel, it is one place I would like to visit.
>>
> So, the sage of Bothel is giving her opinion on somewhere she has yet to
> visit?

I said I hadn't been there but I have seen shows, read articles, etc.
According to what I just read on the Internet, food is still rationed. But
if you go to Trip Advisor, they list restaurants with good ratings. No menus
though. It does say much depends on where you go.

On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je�us wrote:
> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.

My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.

For the best Cuban cusine and a lot easier visit Miami, FL.
There are some excellent Cuban restaurants on Lung Guyland too.
Much Cuban cooking is the same as Puerto Rican.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 09:08:14 -0400, Brooklyn1
> wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>
>>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>
>>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>
>For the best Cuban cusine and a lot easier visit Miami, FL.
>There are some excellent Cuban restaurants on Lung Guyland too.
>Much Cuban cooking is the same as Puerto Rican.

No point in that, Cuba is a great place for a vacation. Lovely
people, great food, unspoiled beaches and nice warm water.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 10:52:14 -0300, wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 09:08:14 -0400, Brooklyn1
> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>
>>>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>
>>>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>>
>>For the best Cuban cusine and a lot easier visit Miami, FL.
>>There are some excellent Cuban restaurants on Lung Guyland too.
>>Much Cuban cooking is the same as Puerto Rican.
>
>No point in that, Cuba is a great place for a vacation. Lovely
>people, great food, unspoiled beaches and nice warm water.

Um, how is Florida different from what you describe? I've been to
Cuba, before Castro and after... much of Cuba is impoverished filthy
slums.

"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message

> Um, how is Florida different from what you describe? I've been to
> Cuba, before Castro and after... much of Cuba is impoverished filthy
> slums.

They have some great muscle cars though.

Cheri

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:57:15 -0400, Brooklyn1
> wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 10:52:14 -0300, wrote:
>>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 09:08:14 -0400, Brooklyn1
> wrote:
>>>For the best Cuban cusine and a lot easier visit Miami, FL.
>>>There are some excellent Cuban restaurants on Lung Guyland too.
>>>Much Cuban cooking is the same as Puerto Rican.
>>
>>No point in that, Cuba is a great place for a vacation. Lovely
>>people, great food, unspoiled beaches and nice warm water.
>
>Um, how is Florida different from what you describe? I've been to
>Cuba, before Castro and after... much of Cuba is impoverished filthy
>slums.

I haven't been to either Cuba or Florida, but even I know that is a
ridiculous statement. I'm pretty freakin' sure Florida doesn't have
their architecture, old American cars etc... You're just a bitter,
drunken old man.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
> > Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
> > are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
> > knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
> > well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
> > Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
> My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
> year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
> had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
> in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
> to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
> was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
> Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>
>
One of my FB friends has in-laws in Cuba and visited a few months ago.
Vegetables are conspicuously missing at their Cuban home table.

--

sf

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.

Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
culture, for that matter.

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 05:28:32 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>
>>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>
>>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>
>Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>culture, for that matter.

They sort of ground to a halt when Russia stopped helping them. I was
intriqued to see blocks of apartments that looked just like the
Russian ones (in Russia) - they were totally unsuitable in a hot
climate and the people in them had tried valiantly to rig towels and
such to cover the windows awning-like. The people are poor, no two
ways, so they value tourists and will do anything to make you happy.
They love to chat and tell you all about their families etc. The ones
with jobs at the resorts consider themselves really blessed.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 16:52:41 -0300, wrote:

>On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 05:28:32 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>
>>>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>
>>>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>>
>>Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>>those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>>places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>>culture, for that matter.
>
>They sort of ground to a halt when Russia stopped helping them. I was
>intriqued to see blocks of apartments that looked just like the
>Russian ones (in Russia) - they were totally unsuitable in a hot
>climate and the people in them had tried valiantly to rig towels and
>such to cover the windows awning-like.

That reminds me of Darwin, Australia. After cyclone Tracy (which
destroyed the entire city on xmas day, 1974), the government built
extremely strong concrete housing that took no account of the fact
that Darwin is a hot tropical climate. No airflow and the only real
way to cool the house was by air conditioning. Totally inappropriate
for the conditions.

> The people are poor, no two
>ways, so they value tourists and will do anything to make you happy.
>They love to chat and tell you all about their families etc. The ones
>with jobs at the resorts consider themselves really blessed.

Most of the destinations of interest to me fit into the above
category. I'm going to have to make a choice soon, November/December
isn't that far away.

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 07:17:23 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 16:52:41 -0300, wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 05:28:32 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:33:40 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 2016-07-17 1:27 AM, Je?us wrote:
>>>>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>>>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>>>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>>>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>>>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>>>>
>>>>My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>>>year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>>>had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>>>in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>>>to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>>>was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>>>Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>>>
>>>Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>>>those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>>>places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>>>culture, for that matter.
>>
>>They sort of ground to a halt when Russia stopped helping them. I was
>>intriqued to see blocks of apartments that looked just like the
>>Russian ones (in Russia) - they were totally unsuitable in a hot
>>climate and the people in them had tried valiantly to rig towels and
>>such to cover the windows awning-like.
>
>That reminds me of Darwin, Australia. After cyclone Tracy (which
>destroyed the entire city on xmas day, 1974), the government built
>extremely strong concrete housing that took no account of the fact
>that Darwin is a hot tropical climate. No airflow and the only real
>way to cool the house was by air conditioning. Totally inappropriate
>for the conditions.
>
>> The people are poor, no two
>>ways, so they value tourists and will do anything to make you happy.
>>They love to chat and tell you all about their families etc. The ones
>>with jobs at the resorts consider themselves really blessed.
>
>Most of the destinations of interest to me fit into the above
>category. I'm going to have to make a choice soon, November/December
>isn't that far away.

If you were considering Cuba I can get you recommendations from my
grandson and granddaughter in law - they go every winter and love
Cuba, even got married there. Hasten to add, they are not into loud,
noisy spots.

On 2016-07-17 3:28 PM, Je�us wrote:

>> My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>> year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>> had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>> in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>> to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>> was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>> Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>
> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> culture, for that matter.


They are somewhat related. My co-worker was a frugal guy and used to get
last minute deals and would go on the cheap and stay at the all
inclusive and stay and eat at the hotel even though just about every
meal was rice and beans and chicken. I warned my son about that, and he
wasn't worried. He likes rice and beans and he likes chicken, but he is
a very adventurous traveller and went out in search of better things.
He could not turn down the lobster at that price.

He was pushing hard for us to take a trip there before the influx of
American tourists and inevitable crowds and higher prices.

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 17:52:43 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2016-07-17 3:28 PM, Je?us wrote:
>
>>> My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
>>> year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
>>> had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
>>> in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
>>> to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
>>> was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
>>> Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
>>
>> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>> culture, for that matter.
>
>
>They are somewhat related. My co-worker was a frugal guy and used to get
>last minute deals and would go on the cheap and stay at the all
>inclusive and stay and eat at the hotel even though just about every
>meal was rice and beans and chicken. I warned my son about that, and he
>wasn't worried. He likes rice and beans and he likes chicken, but he is
>a very adventurous traveller and went out in search of better things.
>He could not turn down the lobster at that price.
>
>He was pushing hard for us to take a trip there before the influx of
>American tourists and inevitable crowds and higher prices.

I wouldn't hold off for too long with Cuba, there are already moves
afoot to relax things there and allow McDonalds etc. Once that trend
starts it won't take long before it loses a lot of it's unique
character.

Jeßus wrote:


> I wouldn't hold off for too long with Cuba, there are already moves
> afoot to relax things there and allow McDonalds etc. Once that trend
> starts it won't take long before it loses a lot of it's unique
> character.


So, you want the Cubans remain impoverished for your "viewing pleasure", eh....???


And I guess you wouldn't visit France, since there are over 1200 Mickey D's, there...???

Cubans are aching to welcome hordes of Yank tourists. We're far better tippers than anyone else, plus which we don't have the churlish/condescending attitudes of you Canucks, Ozzies, Euros, etc...


--
Best
Greg

Dave Smith wrote:

> On 2016-07-17 3:28 PM, Je�us wrote:
>
> >> My former co-worker used to go to all inclusive resorts in Cuba every
> >> year, and every year he came back complaining about the food. He said he
> >> had rice and beans and chicken at almost every meal. My son went there
> >> in the spring and he liked it so much he made arrangements with a friend
> >> to go again a few weeks later. He had lobster a couple times because it
> >> was only about $9 Cdn and he found a place where they served incredible
> >> Cubano sandwiches for about 30 cents.
> >
> > Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> > those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> > places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> > culture, for that matter.
>
>
> They are somewhat related. My co-worker was a frugal guy and used to get
> last minute deals and would go on the cheap and stay at the all
> inclusive and stay and eat at the hotel even though just about every
> meal was rice and beans and chicken. I warned my son about that, and he
> wasn't worried. He likes rice and beans and he likes chicken, but he is
> a very adventurous traveller and went out in search of better things.
> He could not turn down the lobster at that price.


AFAIK ordinary Cubans are forbidden to catch, possess, and eat lobsters. "Officially", lobsters are reserved for rich First World tourists, or for export. There's apparently a large black market for lobster in Cuba...


> He was pushing hard for us to take a trip there before the influx of
> American tourists and inevitable crowds and higher prices.


"Gee, I guess I'd better visit Florida before it's infested by all of those cheap - tipping and churlish Canadian 'Snowbirds'...!!!"

Lol...



--
Best
Greg

On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:


> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> culture, for that matter.


Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...

I've got news for ya: the ordinary Cuban cannot *wait* until "generic fast food" and other manifestations of "contemporary western culture" appear, they will be celebrating.

Believe or not, ordinary Cubans desire things such as modern retail, internet, reliable sewerage and electricity, refrigeration and air conditioning, etc. There is no reason they should remain "quaint natives" just for the sake of rich First World tourists...


--
Best
Greg

"The Greatest!" > wrote in message
...
On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:


> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> culture, for that matter.


Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should
remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to
themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed
"socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...

I've got news for ya: the ordinary Cuban cannot *wait* until "generic fast
food" and other manifestations of "contemporary western culture" appear,
they will be celebrating.

Believe or not, ordinary Cubans desire things such as modern retail,
internet, reliable sewerage and electricity, refrigeration and air
conditioning, etc. There is no reason they should remain "quaint natives"
just for the sake of rich First World tourists...


--
Best
Greg

==========

+1

Cheri

Cheri wrote:
>
> "The Greatest!" > wrote in message
> ...
> On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>
> > Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> > those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> > places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> > culture, for that matter.
>
> Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should
> remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to
> themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed
> "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...
>
> I've got news for ya: the ordinary Cuban cannot *wait* until "generic fast
> food" and other manifestations of "contemporary western culture" appear,
> they will be celebrating.
>
> Believe or not, ordinary Cubans desire things such as modern retail,
> internet, reliable sewerage and electricity, refrigeration and air
> conditioning, etc. There is no reason they should remain "quaint natives"
> just for the sake of rich First World tourists...
>
> --
> Best
> Greg
>
> ==========
>
> +1
>
> Cheri

I agree too, Cheri and Greg. And it's about time that the US lifted that
stupid ban on Cuba.

On Monday, 18 July 2016 10:04:03 UTC-5, Cheri wrote:
> "The Greatest!" > wrote in message
> ...
> On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>
>
> > Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
> > those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
> > places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
> > culture, for that matter.
>
>
> Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should
> remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to
> themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed
> "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...
>
> I've got news for ya: the ordinary Cuban cannot *wait* until "generic fast
> food" and other manifestations of "contemporary western culture" appear,
> they will be celebrating.
>
> Believe or not, ordinary Cubans desire things such as modern retail,
> internet, reliable sewerage and electricity, refrigeration and air
> conditioning, etc. There is no reason they should remain "quaint natives"
> just for the sake of rich First World tourists...
>
>
> --
> Best
> Greg
>
> ==========
>
> +1


I'm just badgering our Canadian friends a bit, no harm intended ;-)

But this attitude that Americans/western culture/chain restos/whatever is going to "damage" Cuban culture is sheer nonsense. Just because chain dining or whatever gets established doesn't mean that visitors to Cuba will be forced to eat at McD's, it's simply another option...

In the early 90's there was this sort of disdainful and condescending attitude the opening up of the former Communist states in Eastern/Central Europe, e.g., "Hurry up and see Prague/Warsaw/Moscow/wherever before the AMERICANS and MCDONALD's comes in to SPOIL everything...!!!"

Lemme tell, some Czech acquaintances mentioned that they were THRILLED when McD's, and Marks & Spencer, Tesco, IKEA, and other western chains opened up in their country. For them, it meant that they'd "arrived"...same is/will happen with the Cubans.

IIRC some tens of thousands of Muscovites lined up on the opening day of the first McDonald's in Moscow. And IIRC that location is the single busiest McD's in the world...

I can't stomach McD's, but I'm just sayin'... if all you've got to do is slag on fast food as a symbol that a country is forever "ruined", then you've a fairly **** - poor "argument".

North Korea is just about the only place left that is fairly devoid of "western influence", and that will eventually change, too. So visit there if what you're looking for is an unspoiled Third World/Communist "theme park' of a place.


--
Best
Greg

On 7/18/2016 9:38 AM, The Greatest! wrote:
> On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>
>
>> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>> culture, for that matter.
>
>
> Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...
>

I imagine it will have the same facade for decades but they sure deserve
every modern convenience that we have. Just as many cities in Europe
maintain historic districts, behind the walls are electric lights!

I have to wonder though, in a year or so of open tourism and cruise ship
invasions will they say "Yankee, go home"

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 19:43:02 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>On 7/18/2016 9:38 AM, The Greatest! wrote:
>> On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>>> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>>> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>>> culture, for that matter.
>>
>>
>> Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place should remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep the place to themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort of closed "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty shameful...
>>
>
>I imagine it will have the same facade for decades but they sure deserve
>every modern convenience that we have. Just as many cities in Europe
>maintain historic districts, behind the walls are electric lights!
>
>I have to wonder though, in a year or so of open tourism and cruise ship
>invasions will they say "Yankee, go home"

I dunno, but I wish them well and a little more prosperity in their
lives. I asked one of them what Fidel does these days and he said he
lives on an island (not far from where we were) thinks he is still
wonderful and has some women around him, not that he is wonderful
there either

On 2016-07-18 7:43 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 7/18/2016 9:38 AM, The Greatest! wrote:
>> On Sunday, 17 July 2016 14:28:39 UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Those are quite contrasting experiences there. I like the sound of
>>> those sandwiches. I *especially* like the idea of no generic fast food
>>> places contaminating the place, and much of contemporary western
>>> culture, for that matter.
>>
>>
>> Ya gotta love a snotty statement like this, declaring that a place
>> should remain dirt poor, just so rich foreigners like himself can keep
>> the place to themselves. Some think that Cuba should remain some sort
>> of closed "socialist Disneyland", unsullied by modernity. Pretty
>> shameful...
>>
>
> I imagine it will have the same facade for decades but they sure deserve
> every modern convenience that we have. Just as many cities in Europe
> maintain historic districts, behind the walls are electric lights!

Who says that they can't have economic progress without all the crappy
franchises and fast food joints?

> I have to wonder though, in a year or so of open tourism and cruise ship
> invasions will they say "Yankee, go home"

To be fair, the US had its eyes on Cuba in the mid 1800s. Daniel Sickles
was sent to Europe to feel out France and Britain about American hopes
to liberate Cuba from Span and annex it to the US. The US had a major
and very negative impact on the Cuban economy. Americans bought up large
tracts of land and used it to produce sugar, a very volatile commodity,
and later on there was decadent night live and the American mobsters in
cahoots with the corrupt Cuban government.

On 7/16/2016 10:27 PM, Je�us wrote:
> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>

Frankly, it's pretty shitty eatin'.
Unless you like everything flavored with fuskin' fruit.

Any more questions, sonny?

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 07:08:53 -0700, "Colonel Edmund J. Burke" > wrote:
>On 7/16/2016 10:27 PM, Je?us wrote:
>> Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>> are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>> knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>> well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>> Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
>Frankly, it's pretty shitty eatin'.
>Unless you like everything flavored with fuskin' fruit.
>
>Any more questions, sonny?
>

Checkmate sez: "The fruitier the better!"


--

Sir Gregory Hall, Esq.

"It is my learned opinion that a man
should not mince words just to spare
the sensibilities of the thin-skinned
or the ignorant."

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:27:41 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:

>Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.

very soon, daily flights from the United States begin into Cuba.

William

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:28:02 -0400, William > wrote:

>On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:27:41 +1000, Jeßus > wrote:
>
>>Whilst I have a general understanding that the food influences there
>>are African, Spanish and Caribbean, I was wondering if anyone here
>>knows what the food is really like there? By that I mean not their
>>well known dishes/recipes but what to expect if you eat out there?
>>Good, bad, indifferent? Cheap or expensive? Tnx.
>
>very soon, daily flights from the United States begin into Cuba.
>
>William

Canada never had an issue with Cuba, lots of kids come here on student
exchange and many from this area have been holidaying there for as
long as I can remember. They are lovely people. We dread the thought
that McDogs is going to start appearing

On Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:58:42 -0300, wrote:

>Canada never had an issue with Cuba, lots of kids come here on student
>exchange and many from this area have been holidaying there for as
>long as I can remember. They are lovely people. We dread the thought
>that McDogs is going to start appearing


oh yes, as Ayotollah Komeini says...The Great McSatan!

William

wrote:


We dread the thought
> that McDogs is going to start appearing


Why? Would you say the same about Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire appearing in Cuba?


--
Best
Greg

On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 06:28:46 -0700 (PDT), "The Greatest!"
> wrote:

wrote:
>
>
> We dread the thought
>> that McDogs is going to start appearing
>
>
>Why? Would you say the same about Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire appearing in Cuba?

Yes - though perhaps Crappy Tire would be useful to the Cubans

On 2016-07-18 10:50 AM, wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Jul 2016 06:28:46 -0700 (PDT), "The Greatest!"
> > wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> We dread the thought
>>> that McDogs is going to start appearing
>>
>>
>> Why? Would you say the same about Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire appearing in Cuba?
>
> Yes - though perhaps Crappy Tire would be useful to the Cubans
>
Hortons is a pretty sad statement of our standards these days. They
used to make good coffee and darned good donuts. They had quite a
variety of donuts and made them in the store. They have cut way back on
the donuts and have tried tarts, pies and cakes but without much luck.
Now they have a selection of soups and sandwiches which are not great,
with the exception of the Thai chicken soup which they serve only
occasionally. Their coffee went way, way downhill. About a year ago
they brought out the dark roast, which was a little closer to what it
used to be, but I just don't like it anymore. I used to go to Hortons
once or twice a day but now it is more like once a month.