Cuba Climbing

Post by **canadaclimbergirl** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 5:58 pm

Hey all,

I'm thinking of going to Cuba for a week in March, and I want to climb while there.
I haven't decided if I want to go to a resort, and cab it to the climbing everyday so that I may wine and dine in comfort (and shower and sleep in a bed and enjoy my rest days in a drunken stuper) or...
go and stay at a hostel or local climbing hang out and forget about the booze and showers....

I've checked out www.cubaclimbing.com and it is great, but I'd like some first hand knowledge.
can anyone help?

Post by **Crankmas** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:05 pm

Federal government has travel ban on Americans going to Cuba, little ball droppage by JFK in the early sixties lead to unfortunate situation there. Cuba was run by good ol'boy network (similar to today's Iran, just they were gangsters not cleric pole smokers) that came crashing down with Castro and before mentioned JFK debacle. I've heard there is wonderful fresh water fishing there and some cragging, just go ice climbing.

Post by **canadaclimbergirl** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:15 pm

thats nice Crankmas....I'm Canadian.

want me to bring you a cigar when I come back....

Post by **Meadows** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:22 pm

Bring him a cigar?! You won't even come the Red! I can't believe you're going there instead of here. Crazy woman! Sabes espanol?

Post by **andy_lemon** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:44 pm

No habla... Una cervesa porfavor?

Post by **Meadows** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 8:29 pm

You mean, "No hablo ... " I thought you were out shopping? You lied to me! Who is the other woman, Andy? Who's sweet talking you into your Prana discount?

Post by **andy_lemon** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 8:32 pm

I am going shopping... I had to stop talking because I was getting ready to take a shower. Now I'm trying to download some climbing videos before I go because they are going to take hours on my 50k.

signed,
Saint Nicolas

Post by **andy_lemon** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 8:34 pm

p.s. I mean no habla... it is my southern dialect. Don't worry, the Mexicans at the taco stand understand what I'm saying.

Post by **Legion** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 12:22 am

you might turn something up on rec.climbing
I remember a thread there.

Post by **tomdarch** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 12:27 am

Oh sure! Just rub it in! "Nyah, nyah! I'm from a country where the level-headed majority can prevent a microscopic bunch of revolution-loosing extremists from having a disproportionate sway in federal policy! Fbbbbbbbbblllttt! Ha Ha!" Thanks! Thanks a lot!

Americans actually can set foot in Cuba legally, we just can't spend any money there - technically. Over the last ten years, things were getting better for Americans visiting Cuba. Basically, enforcement of the "Trading with the Enemy" act was lax. Given how close Florida is polling for the 2004 presidential election, and how important it obviously is for our electoral system, the current administration has beefed up the harrasment of Americans who go to Cuba. The idea is to choke the Castro regime off from hard currency, specificallly US dollars. The only problem is that Cuban exiles in the US are allowed to send cash to Cuba and can get permission to visit and spend money there - loophole, anyone? Basically, the whole system is a gift for the yahoos in Miami.

In the end though, all I know is that a relative who went to Cuba (as part of an actual education trip) said that it was fantastic - but I don't have any good details.