The Cuban Drug Deal

When I went to Cuba people told me there would be no internet. It was true the airbnb did not have the internet amenity checked, and when I got there…definitely no internet. Walking around Cuba usually resulted in zero wifi networks available. However, people told me I could get it from some “guy in a park”.

The time in Cuba came where I wanted some internet, so I kept my eyes peeled for guys in parks. Sometimes I would open my phone at a park and see if the phone found any broadcasting networks, but nothing.

At one point I went up to 2 people who looked sketchy and they had a bag. I said “Wifi? Internet?” and they looked at me like I was crazy and didn’t understand the words. I shuffled away.

I told my travel buddy Jason this internet deal was probably going to go down like a drug deal, and I was looking forward to it.

Then I was walking down the street and I saw a girl sitting on a ledge at the side of a building, laptop on the lap. First time I saw a laptop outside on the dirty streets of Havana. Next to her were a few more girls all on their phones.

I thought, this must be the place of the Internet! Past the girls there were a few guys, I stopped and said “Wifi? Internet?” A few looked up and said no, one guy on his phone with headphones didn’t even look up.

I passed by them and checked the wifi networks on my phone. There they were! 3 unlocked wifis!

I sat down next to the quiet guy with headphones and pulled out my phone. Tried to connect to one of the networks and a login screen came up. I looked at the guy next to me and he had the same login screen on his phone. I leaned over and asked if he knew the login info so I could use it on my phone.

He looked at me and shook his head no, and looked back down. Then he leaned over and whispered 3 pesos with 3 of his fingers held out. I said sí. I tried to give him a 5 CUC bill, he said no. Then he wanted to take my phone. I was hesitant but allowed it. He typed in the code and was getting it to connect but we were out of range.

We had to stand up and walk a few paces. Then the notifications started rolling in. I tried to give him money, still he said no. Jason was hanging out near me freaking out about this sketchy deal, since the guy kept looking around to see if someone was watching.

I had to write my messages standing up with everyone awkwardly hanging out around me, and then the headphone guy put 2 CUCs in my hand. He had seen my 5 CUC bill earlier. I discretely pocketed them, got my 5 bill and did the sketchy handshake.

The transaction was complete.

We also later realized it didn't have to be this way.