Havana ain't Wall Street.....

[El Presidente]

We were in Havana Vieja on the first Monday and before a late lunch at El Templete (excellent tapas menu done very well), I had to change some 3000 euro to pay the balance of the house rent for the week. We went to one of the larger CADECA's in old Havana.

Now you have to que outside as they only let one person in at a time. Apparently they were closed for an hour ...middle of the day and all...makes sense

Not to worry...we went for a short stroll to Conde, looked around at the big customs, had a chat...and came back. Qued up again and I was let in.

The first teller (there were 3 in total), sent me to the third teller when I said I wanted to change 3000 Euro.

The third Teller said she coud do it but that it would have to be in 10 CUC notes. i politely pointed out that "Teller 2 " next to her had plenty of 100 CUC notes that I could clearly see.

"We cannot change money between tellers" she said.

"Why?" I said

"It is complicated" she said.

"Not really....you give her 10 x 10 CUC notes for every 100 CUC note "......I saifd.

"or I could gve you nothing" she said. I noted that she was not smilng

So what if you give me the 3000 Euros in 10 CUC notes and then I change it with Teller 2 for 100 CUC notes? I asked.

"Can't be done" she said.

"Why" I asked

"Don't know" she said"

The end result

[demiurgic]

HAHA! priceless!

[Ryan]

CUCs on top and bottom of the bundles, the rest is moneda nacional.

It's complicated.

[Overproof]

Lucky you took the man purse.

[KyleHaldane]

If only it was 100CUC notes hahaha

[TheBaron]

"Computer says no."

Great anecdote Rob. Great to hear a lack of common sense is not only restricted to Australia.

[Rushman]

Yeah, what's up with the man purse?

---

I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631483,-87.070544

[brazoseagle]

At least your are fulfilling your perfected look of "Era accurate Drug Kingpin/ Pimp"

Haha

[Paneotto]

Nice watch.

[El Presidente]

Yeah, what's up with the man purse?

IT"S MY DOCUMENT WALLET!!!!!!!!!

Really

[stogieluver]

Yeah, what's up with the man purse?

THAT is a European ManBag. It is NOT a purse.

[Stevieboy]

Now that's a helluva wedge...great story

[mk05]

i would have had a giant urge to go to the nearest establishment and make it rain.

[tdlfoto]

LOL!! I went to a bank one day, around 1pm. After waiting outside, in the sun, for about 40 minutes we were advised the bank was now closed for roughly an hour for lunch. good times.

[Fshaw]

IT"S MY DOCUMENT WALLET!!!!!!!!!

Really

It's definitely a murse.

[Nino]

Welcome to the cookie "Brick" Club, Rob !

Here's my similar Cadeca experience at the Miramar "Business" Center :

Went to change money at the Cadeca this morning.

Waited my turn, went in, waited for the employee to finish her private conversation with a friend, handed in my money and ID, explained my first and last name to her, watched her check the Euro bills like ten times in slow-mo , type in the transaction in even slower motion and then 5 minutes later grin happily at me : All I have is 10 cookie bills .. so I’d schlepp a brick of money home with me.

No problem, I can see your colleague next counter has 20 and 50 cookie bills, let’s have those.

Oh, no – you have to wait in turn at his counter and repeat the whole thing.

OK, so another 10 minutes later, same procedure. 5 minutes later the guy is finally ready to hand me the money and gives me just 20’s – I ask about the 50 bill and he says he can’t give that one away.

Called the Gerente and she explains the money truck hasn’t arrived but gives me the 50 bill...

Es Cuba !

[First Lady]

Brilliant love it

[CBL]

"Computer says no."

That had me busting a rib

I once tried to buy an incomplete box at LCDH Avenue 5th and the guy almost had a panic attack because he couldn't sell us an entire box if it had cigars missing and he would have to sell them as singles, but if he sold the entire box minus 4 cigars the till wouldn't be accurate and he'd have trouble with his taxes.... thankfully he took the time to figure out a way for us to buy the box without him getting into trouble with the government. Crazy rules in Cuba.

[dicko]

Classic

[Chaki]

On the bright side, they did not offer you their "AAA-rated yield-enhanced downside-protected senior liquid residential mortgage-backed convertible note"...

[maverickdrinker]

Sssooooo..... That money was to pay for the 'house'......LOL

[Upmann2009]

Lmao...

[CanuckSARTech]

Sssooooo..... That money was to pay for the 'house'......LOL

I know of a certain Salon where that money could go a LOOOOOONNNNGGGGGG way!!!!

Do it for the children!!!!