Quote: Morrace @ April 22 2009, 5:18 PM BSTThat makes you an ambiance chaser.
Qua qua qua quaaaaaaaaaaaa! 
Let's go. Quick! before it changes. Page 2
Quote: oldcowgrazing @ April 22 2009, 5:10 PM BSTI haven't been to Miami so I couldn't possibly comment on whether it's like a zoo or not.
Miami is ok, but most Floridians who don't live nearby try to avoid it.
I like Cuban food, Cuban music and Cuban people, but I can't stomach the Castros, extreme socialism, communists or Che Guevara. As soon as Cuba is free, democratic and friendly with the United States I'll gladly go there and inject some of my money into their economy. If Starbucks opens there it'll be because people want Starbucks, not because anyone held a gun to someone's head.
Or because Starbucks used massive economic pressure to squash their rivals.
Starbucks revolting overpriced coffee is the ultimate proof that capitalism has deep, deep flaws.
Quote: sootyj @ April 22 2009, 5:37 PM BSTStarbucks revolting overpriced coffee is the ultimate proof that capitalism has deep, deep flaws.
Here in the U.S. they're losing a lot of market share to cheaper alternatives - including McDonald's. To me, that's proof that capitalism works well and also has a touch of ironic humour.
I heard MaccyDs were hiring Barristas.
Like Vegas the house always wins.
Quote: DaButt @ April 22 2009, 5:43 PM BSTHere in the U.S. they're losing a lot of market share to cheaper alternatives - including McDonald's. To me, that's proof that capitalism works well and also has a touch of ironic humour.
Hahahathat's great, I hate Starbucks
I know I said upthread that Cuba is a country that time forgot but one thing we all forget is the great health system they have.It's ahead of the US and their infant mortality rate is much lower and life expectancy much higher.
Starbucks coffee is shite-Cafe Nero make great coffee.
Cuba's unique. I first went over there from Jamaica several years ago - the Canadians had just put a lot of money in to rebuild the airport, almost certainly cocking a snook at the US. No Starbucks or Pizza Hut or any other of the capitalist strongholds, but the buildings and infrastucture were crumbling pretty badly...
You get hassled a lot in Jamaica for money ("no I don't want a taxi/pedalo/hair braided/weed") and the same in Cuba so the girlfriend (who'd been before) and I naturally put the barriers up. Strangely enough it turned out that a lot of people simply wanted to talk to us, and just by inviting them to eat with us we had some totally amazing conversations.
When we flew back to Jamaica we made a lot of American friends in Negril, and to a person they were supremely jealous that we'd been. ("what's it like? what's it like?")
Oh yeah, and there really are street musicians on almost every corner.
Quote: oldcowgrazing @ April 22 2009, 6:38 PM BSTIt's ahead of the US and their infant mortality rate is much lower and life expectancy much higher.
At best, the mortality and life expectancy rates are about equal. How much of that is due to aborting troubled pregnancies and government manipulation of facts and figures is unknown. The equipment and supplies in Cuba lag far behind the United States.
The way I see it, people wouldn't jump in an old truck tire and try to float 90 miles across shark-infested waters if things were peachy at home.
So why is it that Cuba is so out of date? I get that the USA don't supply them with anything (or that's what I assume), but what's to stop the rest of the world supplying them goods?
I have put a deposit down to go to Cuba in November... will I be too late?
Quote: sootyj @ April 22 2009, 5:47 PM BSTI heard MaccyDs were hiring Barristas.
McDonald's did hire Barristas because they sued Dave Morris and Helen Steel for libel after they refused to apologise for distributing a leaflet titled, "What's Wrong With McDonald's?"
*checks meaning of 'Barristas'*
"Oooh f**k! Ah well ...." 
Years ago the Cubans decided to try and develop heavy industry instead of agriculture. Sort of an old Soviet-style model. Of course it was a disaster - the model simply didn't work.
In any case they relied on subsidies from the Soviet Union, which when it ceased to exist simply pulled the plug. Their economic philosophy simply wasn't sustainable.
Ellie, whereabouts in Cuba are you going?
Quote: EllieJP @ April 22 2009, 6:59 PM BSTI have put a deposit down to go to Cuba in November... will I be too late?
Go, you won't regret it. It won't have changed by November.
Quote: Ben @ April 22 2009, 6:59 PM BSTSo why is it that Cuba is so out of date? I get that the USA don't supply them with anything (or that's what I assume), but what's to stop the rest of the world supplying them goods?
CIA World Factbook gives Cuba's principal export partners (2007 figures) as follows:
China 27.5%,
Canada 26.9%
Netherlands 11.1%
Spain 4.7%
It gives Cuba's principal import trading partners (2007) as:
Venezuela 29.6%
China 13.4%
Spain 10.4%
Canada 6%
US 5.1%
Quote: Huge Bear @ April 22 2009, 7:04 PM BSTEllie, whereabouts in Cuba are you going?
PM'd you!