Latino woman chewing gum

Photo by Karina Miranda on Unsplash

Regret is a strange harmful thing, and so is pity. Compassion and understanding opens up new perspectives. For example, we realised that certain “pitiful-stuff” in Cuba unfold aspects many of us in high-economical-class societies (so to say) long for. We needed to share our findings with you, in the eve of this NEW Cubacel promo, that took us back to Cuba… again. :)

But the point we’re making is that, although we don’t say it’s OK that certain things are missing in Cuba, the side effect is that people are less exposed to dangers, and have time for more valuable things in life. Don’t misunderstand us, we’re not for “the lack”, but just see the bright side of this story.

So, it hit us one day! Some things missing in Cuba are actually kind of harmful in those parts of the world where they exist in abundance. Take for example the traffic jam in the big cities, hours in traffic instead of being home with your kids or reading. Or the Internet use and abuse in teens all over the highly wired countries worldwide, while Cubacel internet or mobile credit is almost a privilege in Cuba and tight usage makes room for face to face encounters, dancing, chess and other offline activities. In countries where data and calling credit comes like bread on the store shelf, we take it for granted.

#1 Chewing gum

Not a big deal, we know… But think of those moments you get sticky surprises on your shoe sole. They rip of your thoughts while walking and get stuck to your shoe like a bad memory. Plus, when you actually chew your own gum your stomach gets bad signals and many stomach issues occur. Kidding or not, you get the point.

In Cuba, chewing gum is nice to have, but not really at hand. Cuban expats remember well that when they used to buy gum in Cuba or get it as a gift, that used to be a day investment, not a fling. Some even confessed that the average gum would last for a week or so. :) Less accessible chewing gum means less stomach stress. Let it rest, guys!

#2 Decision stress

Give me a choice and I’ll freeze, give one option and I’ll move on! (MobileRecharge.com team eureka line)

Spending time trying to make a decision like which deodorant, cream, spray to buy, is not really an option in Cuba. You either buy it or not. You’d say that’s a pity, but let’s face it, diversity in a consumerist society can be dazzling. As Conga used to say in an article about Cuba from 2016 on BestCubaTraveling.com, “there are only two brands: available or not available. So if you need a deodorant I would recommend the first brand.”

We couldn’t help not sharing this video with you about the paradox of choice when we experience a tiring business of too many shopping options. Not the case in Cuba. ;) 

#3 Traffic jams

Not a problem in Cuba, since there are not so many cars to get in trouble. Imagine a big city with an airy and relaxed atmosphere. When was the last you’ve seen that? :)

In Cuba, the authorities imported 125,000 Detroit-made cars, only to abandon them following the Castro takeover in 1959. “Though it may be renowned for its car fleet, actual car ownership in Cuba is relatively low, with only 60,000 cars between 11 million Cubans.” (Independent.co.uk)

Here’s the whole article: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/is-this-the-end-of-the-road-for-cubas-classic-cars-a7570636.html

Cuban car in the street

Photo by Daniel Klein on Unsplash

In Miami roomers of an experiment spread. Are you willing to go car-free? What would a big city look like? Is car-ownership a past thing? Here are some questions a new article in TheNewTropic.com tackles.

#4 People being ripped off

Violent crimes? Nope. Personal safety? Yes! We’re talking about what’s going on in Cuba TODAY. And poor literature on this topic. We call that Eden and a world model! But it has not been the same in the 50’s or 60’s.. Curious to know what it was like in Cuba in the “violent times”? Have a look on Wikipedia’s page on this topic.

On the opposite side, we have the USA. According to the FBI statistics, we have a crime variety like violent crime and property crime. Let’s see the subspecies: murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. That’s a rich vocabulary that covers some numbers like…
Total violent crime: 386.3
Total property crime: 2,450.7
Robbery: 102.8
England and Wales follow under according to Wikipedia.

#5 Internet use vs. ab-use

When Danny Reagan was 13, he began exhibiting signs of what doctors usually associate with drug addiction. He became agitated, secretive and withdrew from friends. He had quit baseball and Boy Scouts, and he stopped doing homework and showering. But he was not using drugs. He was hooked on YouTube and video games, to the point where he could do nothing else. As doctors would confirm, he was addicted to his electronics. (Gabriella Borter in Reuters CINCINNATI, JANUARY 27, 2019)

tired man in front of the laptop

Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash

That’s one case that scares off the statistics about internet consumption and abuse in the USA, Australia, Europe, Canada and other parts of the world well wired. The age is decreasing more and more, and a whole network of illnesses and symptoms occurs. It’s getting a specific field for psychologists and scientists. From gaming and browsing to social isolation and addiction, it’s only one step.

A step that Cubans still living in Cuba can’t make it that easily, since Nauta spots are private-sensitive and cellular data still young in Cuba. And a step that Cubans abroad can make it that easily either, since offline education and offline entertainment gave them a sense of reality. A strange way to keep safe if you think about it. What you don’t really have can’t harm you.

Of course nowadays, relatives abroad can top up data for mobiles in Cuba online. That’s something possible (not to call it a mission! :) ) on MobileRecharge.com and MobileRecharge app as many already know.

#6 Calling credit

Calling credit is precious in Cuba. Cubacel has the monopole… We all know it’s expensive to buy credit in Cuba, and so valuable to spend it. But the side effect is interesting! Get togethers are common and phone-time is short, which keeps Cubans away from brain damage statistics. That’s what we find useful, an apparent bad thing (we’re still not saying it’s OK, it’s not), but here’s another face of the same coin.

Photo by whereslugo on Unsplash

Cubans who have relatives abroad are pretty lucky when it comes to calling credit, especially nowadays when Cubacel launches about 2 promos a month. Like the one next week, that adds MORE than 100% credit for free to people in Cuba, within 1 minute top up on MobileRecharge.com or MobileRecharge app.

So, anyone sending mobile credit to a Cubacel phone in Cuba sends automatically more than double the amount. Here are the details for the 2 x Cubacel bonus that applies starting Monday, June 10, 2019 (00:01 Cuba time) to Saturday, June 15, 2019 (23:59 Cuba time).

Doble Bono or MORE than Double Bonus if you choose to send…

  • You send 20 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets 50 CUC instantly
  • 25 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets instant 55 CUC
  • 30 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets instant 60 CUC
  • 40 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets 100 CUC split in two
  • 50 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets 110 CUC split in several chunks that get to the destination in Cuba minutes away
  • 60 CUC => Your friend / relative in Cuba gets 150 CUC split in several chunks

More about the PROMOTIONAL BONUS:

  •  The promotional bonus will expire in a month, on July 10, 2019 (23:59, Cuba time).
  • Your folks in Cuba can used it local and international calls plus SMS (including SMS entumóvil).
  • They cannot use it for Email (Bolsa Correo), MMS or Mobile Data.
  • Top ups of 40 CUC or more will be divided into 2 or 3 separate top ups, so that you receive the maximum bonus possible. The recharges may arrive several minutes apart.

DON”T FORGET, you can send an SMS along with your recharge, sending your folks or friends in Cuba your thoughts. The SMS is available before you proceed to payment. ;)

More about the MAIN BALANCE:

  • The main balance will keep the same validity as the previous promotions: 330 days from recharge date.
  • Between June 10 – 13, customers will be able to use their active Bono Dinero for International calls (any destination) with 50% off. Once Bono Dinero is over, customers will return to regular rates and main balance will be discounted.
  • If your folks in Cuba using Dinero Bonus still have balance  from the last promotion, the new expiration date will be July 10, 2019.
  • Your folks in Cuba will receive an SMS a few days before the expiration date of extra bonus. Wow, that’s good, right?
  • They can check their promotional balance via USSD (*222*266#) and their main balance by dialing *222# for free.
Top up a Cubacel mobile + BONUS