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Traveling to Cuba, any precautions needed?

Towards_the_gap said:
As for Wi-fi, I honestly didn't even think to look last time I was there (2010), I'm sure the upscale resorts (5*+) might have it but then again, I didn't go to Cuba for the internet :)

What good is going on a vacation in a sunny destination unless you're going to post the obligatory photos of oneself on a beach with a pina colada in one's hand to thumb one's nose at everyone shovelling snow back in Canada?  ;D
 
Considering how slow the Internet is in Cuba you'd be home beforee the pics were downloaded. A good thing too as some people may not appreciate your sense of humour and forget to shovel your driveway and/or pick you up at the airport. You'd look prety pathetic in the cab lineup at Pearson in short shorts and Che T-shirt in the middle of Feb.  8)

It was fun watching from the swim up bar all the twenty somethings last week from Quebec, Italy and Germany, frantically wandering around the resort trying to find a wifi hotspot for their iPhones without any luck.  ::)
 
I have to admit, as someone who travels quite a bit (more than 50 countries) I am amazed at some of the advice given on here to people in an attempt to maintain OPSEC.

From my experience, having travelled with people who are less experienced, the more concerned you are with OPSEC and hiding that you are in the military, the more of a target you potentially become. I have been to a number of countries that are on the list of places to avoid, or maintain strict OPSEC, and have never had an issue. While in Russia I told a few people I met that I was in the military, there response was minimal interest and to ask if we have conscription.

The fact is, that at the level many of us are at, we dont have the knowledge of sensitive items that would be interesting to anyone out there. Most of the stuff that people who arent in SF units, or who arent deployed/about to be deployed, can be easily found through a google search.. much of which I am sure would lead back to this site, and stuff like militaryphotos.net

Teaching people to be safe is an excellent idea, teaching them to be paranoid, not so much. My travels have taught me many things, one of the most valuable is that if you stay out of bad areas, dont get too drunk, dont break the local law, and dont go looking for trouble, chances are you are going to have a great vacation and will have zero problems.

If anyone does have any questions on travel to weird places, shoot me a PM, or post it here so we can all learn from it.

Just filled out my notice of intent to travel to Belarus... this should be interesting!
 
This is interesting:


Thank you for submitting your Notice of Intent to Travel to Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. Travel dates are 2013-06-30 through 2013-07-19. It is understood that these dates may vary slightly.  We are pleased to provide pertinent security information intended to protect you as a member of DND.

Please note that CFNCIU does not approve or disapprove travel. Our function is solely to provide appropriate security information. Travel approval remains a local command issue.

In order to ensure you are aware of the current security climate in your intended destination, please take the time to browse the Canadian DFAIT website at:

http://voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp

You may also want to view the US, UK, or Australian websites at:

USA  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html
UK  http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/?l=E
AUS  http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Based on the review of your submitted Notice of Intent to Travel, there is no requirement for a face-to-face Defensive Security Briefing prior to your departure. If you become aware of suspicious activity involving foreign nationals, please contact the national DSB Co-ordinator

If they dont want to see me face to face about travel to Belarus, then I dont imagine there are many countries that they do want to speak with people in person about!!
 
Hey, the good news is now the Belarusian's are going to know that CFNCIU doesn't see an Infantry MCpl as being worth a DSB prior to travelling there.

Just because you are judged to be low risk certainly doesn't mean others travelling to the same location would be as well.  Each notice is evaluated case by case.
 
garb811 said:
Hey, the good news is now the Belarusian's are going to know that CFNCIU doesn't see an Infantry MCpl as being worth a DSB prior to travelling there.

Let me guess, you're indignant about the horrible OPSEC breach that chowchow just committed?

Who CARES????

 
Towards_the_gap said:
...
Who CARES????
My point exactly actually...he does seem rather shocked by that fact though.
 
garb811 said:
Hey, the good news is now the Belarusian's are going to know that CFNCIU doesn't see an Infantry MCpl as being worth a DSB prior to travelling there.

Just because you are judged to be low risk certainly doesn't mean others travelling to the same location would be as well.  Each notice is evaluated case by case.

OMG !! OPSEC!!!! Imagine the secrets they could gain from me!!! I bet there is going to be someone at the border waiting for me to ask me all sorts of questions about stuff they could easily google!!!
 
chowchow1 said:
OMG !! OPSEC!!!! Imagine the secrets they could gain from me!!! I bet there is going to be someone at the border waiting for me to ask me all sorts of questions about stuff they could easily google!!!

hey could have been worse. You could have decided to visit another former Soviet Socialist Republic.

borat-swimsuit.jpg


I hear he's now runs border inspections. 8)
 
Danjanou said:
hey could have been worse. You could have decided to visit another former Soviet Socialist Republic.

borat-swimsuit.jpg


I hear he's now runs border inspections. 8)

And wait 'til you meet his sister!
 
chowchow1 said:
OMG !! OPSEC!!!! Imagine the secrets they could gain from me!!! I bet there is going to be someone at the border waiting for me to ask me all sorts of questions about stuff they could easily google!!!

My point exactly.

I foresee the fall of the ABCA/NATO alliances should Belarus learn the secrets of templating a 5.56 field firing range, or the effective range of a 60mm mortar.
 
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