Comments on: Cuba: Housing Recommendations http://blog.arlomidgett.com/2004/02/14/cuba-housing-recommendations/ Sporadic and rambling by design. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Arlo http://blog.arlomidgett.com/2004/02/14/cuba-housing-recommendations/#comment-31 Arlo Thu, 23 Jun 2005 13:54:54 +0000 http://blog.arlomidgett.com/?p=18#comment-31 Thank you, Calixto! If I do go back to Cuba, I'll definately take you up on your suggestion -- Twice I've been there and I still haven't crossed to the other side of the Havana harbor! Maybe I'll send you an e-mail before I go, to ask for more specific directions... Thank you, Calixto! If I do go back to Cuba, I’ll definately take you up on your suggestion — Twice I’ve been there and I still haven’t crossed to the other side of the Havana harbor! Maybe I’ll send you an e-mail before I go, to ask for more specific directions…

]]> By: Calixto P. Zerquera http://blog.arlomidgett.com/2004/02/14/cuba-housing-recommendations/#comment-30 Calixto P. Zerquera Thu, 23 Jun 2005 10:59:24 +0000 http://blog.arlomidgett.com/?p=18#comment-30 Next time you visit Cuba, you should stop En La Havana del este which is locating right behind the Morro the light house or la cabana how some people calle that is where my sister live, it is beautiful down there and you can see all the bay from the shore. Next time you visit Cuba, you should stop En La Havana del este which is locating right behind the Morro the light house or la cabana how some people calle that is where my sister live, it is beautiful down there and you can see all the bay from the shore.

]]> By: Arlo Midgett http://blog.arlomidgett.com/2004/02/14/cuba-housing-recommendations/#comment-29 Arlo Midgett Mon, 01 Mar 2004 03:38:25 +0000 http://blog.arlomidgett.com/?p=18#comment-29 Actually, we did notice and remark among ourselves about the whole 13th floor issue. I’m not so sure that it was a “Cuba thing” and not a “Soviet Russia” thing, though. Remember that from the 60’s to the 80’s, Cuba was heavily influenced by the Russians.<br /> <br /> I guess, for me, it's more interesting that the U.S. places such heavy weight on that particular superstition in hotels and airplanes. Among my friends and family, I can’t really point to anyone and label them superstitious. Sure, every once in awhile someone will knock on wood or rub my bald head for good luck, but I don’t think they live their lives by those superstitions. Do you honestly believe that knocking on wood will keep you safe? If you were looking for an apartment, would you really turn down something on a 13th floor? If so, why? Do you think an earthquake could manage to smash only your unlucky floor? It just doesn’t make sense…<br /> <br /> Soviet Russia (as opposed to "Old Russia") doesn't appear to me to put a lot of weight into spiritual/religious/superstitious beliefs... I may be wrong on that, but didn’t the Soviet government actively try to put an end to that kind of stuff when they went communist?<br /> <br /> Your comment did spark one Russian/Cuban memory, though, C. In Santiago they have some railroad tracks in the streets, but I never saw any cable cars. I asked a cab driver what they were there for, pretty much knowing the answer, but just looking for conversation, you know? He told me that they’re no longer in use, but that they used to have a “Tramvai” in Santiago. Oh, hmmm. “Interesting,” I said. It wasn’t until a couple hours later that I realized why that word was so familiar – “Tramvai” is Russian for “Cable Car.” That system must have been put in by the Russians and the Cubans of Santiago just adopted their name for it. (You can't know how happy I was when I pulled "Tramvai" from the depths of my brain's Russian 101 experience -- I was so proud of myself!) Actually, we did notice and remark among ourselves about the whole 13th floor issue. I’m not so sure that it was a “Cuba thing” and not a “Soviet Russia” thing, though. Remember that from the 60’s to the 80’s, Cuba was heavily influenced by the Russians.

I guess, for me, it’s more interesting that the U.S. places such heavy weight on that particular superstition in hotels and airplanes. Among my friends and family, I can’t really point to anyone and label them superstitious. Sure, every once in awhile someone will knock on wood or rub my bald head for good luck, but I don’t think they live their lives by those superstitions. Do you honestly believe that knocking on wood will keep you safe? If you were looking for an apartment, would you really turn down something on a 13th floor? If so, why? Do you think an earthquake could manage to smash only your unlucky floor? It just doesn’t make sense…

Soviet Russia (as opposed to "Old Russia") doesn’t appear to me to put a lot of weight into spiritual/religious/superstitious beliefs… I may be wrong on that, but didn’t the Soviet government actively try to put an end to that kind of stuff when they went communist?

Your comment did spark one Russian/Cuban memory, though, C. In Santiago they have some railroad tracks in the streets, but I never saw any cable cars. I asked a cab driver what they were there for, pretty much knowing the answer, but just looking for conversation, you know? He told me that they’re no longer in use, but that they used to have a “Tramvai” in Santiago. Oh, hmmm. “Interesting,” I said. It wasn’t until a couple hours later that I realized why that word was so familiar – “Tramvai” is Russian for “Cable Car.” That system must have been put in by the Russians and the Cubans of Santiago just adopted their name for it. (You can’t know how happy I was when I pulled “Tramvai” from the depths of my brain’s Russian 101 experience — I was so proud of myself!)

]]> By: C. http://blog.arlomidgett.com/2004/02/14/cuba-housing-recommendations/#comment-28 C. Mon, 01 Mar 2004 02:44:33 +0000 http://blog.arlomidgett.com/?p=18#comment-28 You only have 3 faithful readers? Geeze. You should start taking out advertisements on fark or google or something. <br /> <br /> One interesting point I thought to ask while reading your comments was on the last place you stayed. You mentioned that while at the Edificio Turquino the party stayed at the 9th and 13th floors. As I understand it, here in the US, we don't have 13th floors... Do they have a "bad" number in Cuba? Did you notice any other (similar?) differences in culture?<br /> <br /> Anyhow, keep 'em comin'! I'll work to be in the top readership of your site!<br /> <br /> -C. You only have 3 faithful readers? Geeze. You should start taking out advertisements on fark or google or something.

One interesting point I thought to ask while reading your comments was on the last place you stayed. You mentioned that while at the Edificio Turquino the party stayed at the 9th and 13th floors. As I understand it, here in the US, we don’t have 13th floors… Do they have a "bad" number in Cuba? Did you notice any other (similar?) differences in culture?

Anyhow, keep ‘em comin’! I’ll work to be in the top readership of your site!

-C.

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