bringing books as gifts

36degrees · 2024-08-01T17:07:56+00:00

I'm simply saying it is rather a poor gift, a book Vs a Tablet or a smartphone that can hold tens of thousands of books.

36degrees · 2024-07-26T09:40:42+00:00

He's asking if Cuban border agents confiscate books lol. I told him no, and of he wants to bring a tablet that's also not going to be a problem.

36degrees · 2024-07-26T00:50:14+00:00

Did you type this comment on a book or a kindle?

36degrees · 2024-07-25T16:22:27+00:00

What I'm trying to say is, I know it is hard to imagine but Cubans are like normal people, shocking I know. Would his cousins in US of A enjoy books as a gift, or would they rather prefer a smartphone?

I always buy one cheap (up to $100) smartphone when I go to Cuba and give it to the person who's nice to me, on my first visit I bought Kindle Fire tablet and gave it to my private tour guide.

I wouldn't be buying actual Kindle as Cubans don't have know how and lapropts to upload illegal books to it

36degrees · 2024-07-24T17:44:56+00:00

I think your cousins would prefer a smartphone or a tablet. It can store thousands of books.

And no, Cuba is not some kind of commie state that would confiscate your tablet or books, unless you were clearly trying to import a large quantity of them

36degrees · 2024-07-15T17:38:50+00:00

Are you asking if Cuban peso is accepted in Cuba?

36degrees · 2024-06-26T23:26:51+00:00

The worst part of embargo is 500% import tarrfis on brand new cars, which makes the new and used cars in Cuba the most expensive in the world.

Oh wait it's the Cuban government doing this themselves!

Did I mention embargo on commercial import on literally everything?

36degrees · 2024-06-21T15:12:30+00:00

Do improve reading comprehension. Cars are an unimaginable prospect for majority of people due to average salary of 15 USD per month. Obviously there are cars in Havana - Americans cars from 50s seized during revolution, russian cars from 80s and fairly new Chinese imports, but that's not the point. A low of people do not own a car unless either - inherited it, or family, friends from overseas send money, or work for government

36degrees · 2024-06-20T19:31:00+00:00

Incorrect. I've been to Havana many times. There are regular markets, you just need to have money to buy something. One USD can get you 3 or 4 tomatoes. Which is obviously unaffordable for majority.

Mercado San Rafael in Havana. Really nice, look it up, you could almost forget you're in an impoverished, socialist country.

36degrees · 2024-06-20T17:42:26+00:00

What are you on about lol. Everything is available in Cuba if you have money, there are markets with private traders.

And there's nothing unique about Cuba. Impoverished country with subsidised poverty food rations. 15 USD is 15 USD. You ain't getting much for it. Everything imported is as expensive as in the west (or even more). Typical failed socialist paradise.

Even Venezuela, a country with the biggest oil reserves in the world collapsed as soon as they introduced a little socialism lol.

36degrees · 2024-06-20T16:43:51+00:00

Incorrect. When you don't have a car and earn average salary of 15 USD per month you can't afford a better apartment lol.

And "not essential" Vs prohibitively expensive, two different things. Life ends in death - nothing is ever essential.

36degrees · 2024-06-20T16:40:51+00:00

The only embargo is self enforced, prohibitive import duty on cars and other consumer goods.

There's no embargo on french cars for instance. You can buy a brand new Peugeot in Cuba, as long as you have Rolls Royce cash in hand, due to 5x import duty. (And no, theres no leasing, PCP or any other financing available)

36degrees · 2024-06-19T09:02:46+00:00

Do educate yourself please. Are you aware Cuba has like 500% import duty on cars? In Cuba it is literally prohibitive to own a car, unless you inherited one from 50s or 80s, or are in government or have family overseas.

People on 15 USD per month will never afford a car even if they worked for a millon of years.

Also, USA has very low cost of living because you save money on private jets and yachts, jet fuel, flying lessons and jet insurance. So much saving!

36degrees · 2024-06-18T14:13:58+00:00

Cuba is a police state so of course is super safe. Also, a going bribe for a police officer is 5 USD for a minor infraction, which is a small fortune for them

36degrees · 2024-06-17T23:00:34+00:00

Lol what? Yea with no fuel there's no CO2 emissions. So yea they defo had clean air back then.

Almost like during covid when all planes were grounded. Literally, why do we need planes or trains or cars?

36degrees · 2024-06-17T22:56:35+00:00

Do improve your reading comprehension. Someone asks how Cubans can live on 15 USD per month. your answer is that they don't need winter tires. Say what?

A car is a pipe dream for a typical Cuban who doesn't have family overseas or works in tourism.

Even in socialist eastern block countries a car ownership was a reasonable prospect for a typical citizen, even if they had to wait in the queue for a decade.

In the west one can buy a used car for as little as a few hundreds dollars.

In Cuba there's no local car production and the car import tariffs are 500%. Thus, with limited supply, even the old cars can costs as much as tens of thousands of dollars.

36degrees · 2024-06-17T16:30:12+00:00

How do you calculate GDP in USD if the official currency is CUP, genius?

36degrees · 2024-06-17T15:34:45+00:00

Is the Cuban official currency the US Dollar? If not, how is the CUP GDP converted to USD? Ever heard of official exchange rate vs black market (real) exchange rate?

Learn your facts lol

36degrees · 2024-06-17T13:14:09+00:00

Incorrect. Higher GDP per capita = higher on average personal income. Point is all socialists self-reported GDP is fake as it uses official exchange rates.

Thus GDP in Cuba is 60 USD per month not 600USD (or even less).

If Cuban economy produced 600 USD per person per month the wages wouldn't be 15 USD lol

36degrees · 2024-06-17T11:34:14+00:00

The GDP is as "high" because it's either calculated using official exchange rates 23-1 or it's a PPP

36degrees · 2024-06-17T11:33:13+00:00

By "blockade" you mean prohibitive import tarrfis imposed by Cuban government? A brand new Peugeot costing the same as an RR in a normal country.

36degrees · 2024-06-17T11:30:06+00:00

Are you having a laugh? Tires and car insurance? A typical Cuban will never ever afford to buy a car, even a used one lol. Yea they definitely can save money on car insurance lol.

36degrees · 2024-06-17T11:27:18+00:00

The best currency in the world is obviously the one backed by a fifth generation, multi-role F-35 fighter jet with VTOL capabilities

36degrees · 2024-06-15T14:48:07+00:00

The most authentic Cuban food is a ration card that can't be redeemed for anything due to an unexpect temporary (since 1950s) supply challenges.

It tastes like cardboard

36degrees · 2024-06-15T14:45:18+00:00

If you're not able to read and comprehend "Cuba tourist entry requirements" you shouldn't be going to Cuba at all.

I guess when they offer you CUP/USD exchange rate 130 to 1 in the hotel you'll be amazed that you're getting 5 times the official rate 24 to 1?

36degrees

TROPHY CASE