9.5" Requinto I had made while in Cuba.

[ABAKUA]

in the barrio of Havana Vieja for 35.00 CUCs a night and breakfast for 3.00 a day. These were friends of my buddy and they took good care of us. Their son turned us on to some good Cuban cigars(tabac) for an excellent price. No counterfeits, real Cubans. There's more counterfeits sold to tourists than genuine ones.

Sorry to be the one to say it, but you were getting scammed/jineteado. In Havana Vieja you should not be paying anymore than 20 CUC a night at most. You were paying them approx a month and a half salary per night you were staying. Im guessing that at least 10 of that 35 CUC was being passed on as a commission to your 'buddy' that referred you.
Its not out of malice, its out of necessity that they single out people for this type of 'transaction.' Usually 'first timers' or those which simply dont know any better and have the cash to burn in short time stays.
Also there are no GENUINE cigars sold off the street/through a connection/aunty who works at the factory etc etc those who offer 'REAL' cigars cause they have a connection to the factory or know someone etc are all lies! NO cigars leave the factory, there are some extreme security checkings to prevent any theft and all seconds or inferior made ones are destroyed and crushed into mulch. Even less of a chance of genuines leaving the factory in packs/cases etc It is highly illegal and there is no way in hell a Cuban is going to risk jail term for a few shitty CUC's. They are ALL counterfits which are offered on the streets, some better than others, through people in hospitality or other husslers. YOu must remember they are extremely crafty people.
The ONLY place to buy genuine cigars is at the factory (cheaper option) or specialist tabacco places (which will be over inflated prices). No matter what crafty story you are told, its all lies!! Sorry man, but its true.
Take it from me, I was in on part of the scam of tourists with some of the guys I knew through the rumba scene.

[pcastag]

Well, there's "scammed" and then there's "SCAMMED". If all they're getting out of you is 10 USD a day I wouldn't worry about it too much. My first time there I stayed in miramar en la tercera in a former diplomats house 25 a day, very nice place. The second time I stayed in Playa ( both times were with family of a singer I play with here in Houston, first time in-laws second time with mom) same price but they fed me and drove me around a lot walking distance to the casa de la musica Miramar. . My teacher wanted 20 for 2-4 hour lessons with him and his son ti was great since I was studying bata to have three of us playing, I gave him more because I felt it was worth it and because he needed it. he's been the director of the folcloric percusion for the conjunto for years and doesn't even have a car or an air conditioner. Could I have gotten them cheaper, worked out a bargain? Sure, but why? No sense in being cheap, the people there are great, but they do have a lot of necesidades. You should've seen the trip we made just to find an avocado! Incredible. I'm surpirised you were in on a scam marcello , bad bad, helping those rumberos rip off the tourists! As far as cigars go back when I was there it was my understanding that the people who worked in the fabricas wee allowed a certain amout for personal consumtion, maybe thats not the case. regardless I bought four boxes 20 -25 each, two of them were really good, but hey still didn't compare to the romeo y julietas my Cunado brought me back from Spain. It's well known the best cigars make their way into the shops in London and other European cities.

Anyways, I've sacked away enough in my fund for another trip, I think I'm going to wait a couple of years until my Son's 18 and take him with me, this time I'll stay at albertos house in Santo Suarez and try to take a longer trip, at least 2 weks instead of 10 days, want to complete the oro seco and cantado.
PC

[ABAKUA]

'scam' was innocent enough, selling 2nd rate/counterfit sigars were their way of funding extra instruments, clothes & cash flow for their families aside from gigging.
Id help em out by sending english speaking tourists their way.

[pcastag]

Always an "invento" in La Habana! Really, i saw so many different hustles and gigs there, almost NOBODY, or at least the people i hung with worked a straight job, casi no vale.
PC

[Jerry Bembe]

In many places in the world the musicians are equivalent to criminals because there is no money in playing music. The musicians make money by any means necessary.

Nothing new.

[pcastag]

In Cuba it's not just the musicians, everybody has to hustle, like so many people told me " El communismo no va!' or " esto no es evolucion, es desevolucion" We are DEVO!

[buckoh]

Let me elaborate: I paid 25.00 CUC/night for the room. My buddy lives in Wisconsin and has been to Cuba 8 times. Hence, we were previous customers and to all others the rooms are now 35.00/ night. The place was super secure and I'll stay there again. I'll argue the cigars, too. These weren't bought from the guys on the street; "hey, my frien". These are equivalent to 30.00 cigars bought here. Everyone I've given them to liked them. Some of these people are experienced cigar smokers and know the difference. I'll trust their judgment. Glad we got that settled. Thanks, Buck

[Mr. Conga]

I think we conga forum members should plan out a trip to Cuba together, at the same time..and go enjoy music over there..what do u guys say we plan a trip to Cuba?

[Omelenko1]

Have not been to my country in 49 years. Is a sad nostalgic feeling, I'm very much Cuban in every way, eventhough I've been in the States 90% of my life. When "Patilla" dies, then I will visit my beloved land of birth, promised my old man and will keep that promise. Cuando Fideluco se rompa, entonces regreso a meter una rumba en el Parque Tulipan de El Cerro. Merowo Timbo Olode.

Dario

[pcastag]

I played with a cuban guy here in Houston for four years straight, four nights a week, " Angelucho y su copacabana" when I went to Cuba I took a picture of his house in Santo Suarez, my teacher lived por la cret and his house was one block over , gerneral lee, brough tears to his eyes, he hadn't seen it since he was 12.
PC

[juancho]

I think we conga forum members should plan out a trip to Cuba together, at the same time..and go enjoy music over there..what do u guys say we plan a trip to Cuba?

[BMac]

You know, based on those pictures of the "rumba," I might put up with a little scamming on cigars and hotel rates to find some accommodations with a few more ladies in the house. I mean ... I don't don't know Cuba, but I know a pickle party when I see one.
Just saying.
Somebody had to say it.
Cheers!
BMac

[ABAKUA]

You know, based on those pictures of the "rumba," I might put up with a little scamming on cigars and hotel rates to find some accommodations with a few more ladies in the house. I mean ... I don't don't know Cuba, but I know a pickle party when I see one.
Just saying.
Somebody had to say it.
Cheers!
BMac

Based on the pics of the rumba I posted here? If so, you havent read properly. Those pics were not from Cuba, they were taken at a local rumba back home where I took the quinto.
Back to the pickle party? Far from it, why cause I only posted pics of the rumba and its participants? I could post some eye candy pics if I wanted to, but that wasnt the point of the thread.
If you dont know Cuba, then you cant really make too much of an informed comment can you? As far as knowing Cuba, daily life, plus its musicians, dude, I can tell you I know it very very well, not only did I live with, but also performed with most the top bands and rumberos of the island twice a day, 7 days a week, I also had the honour of being guest of honour performing with NG La Banda @ the Havana International Jazz Festival, not to mention a regular sit in 2 - 3 times a week for the entire duration of my stay there, plus being invited back with them, amongst several others, an invitation I will follow through with as I am going back once I tie up some loose ends locally.
You mentioned ladies in the house... I really dont need to go into detail, but women were the least of our concern, el que sabe, sabe! Candela las mulatonas.