Will you return to Viejas Casino when it reopens on May 18 ...

Rule #1, always be one step ahead of your opponent, predict their next move, and then have extra 2-3 moves after that. Will it always work? maybe not, but it's definitely a way life works now.
Don't you get tired of doing so? what happens to those who don't play ahead? Does it mean their life sucks more? or just makes it more fun?
My mom keeps reminding me every time we talk, open your heart, find joy and joy will come find you. Okay, sure.... i don't think so mom.
I forgot what joy feels like, i forgot how it feels to discover a brand new place, and not fear what could happen. And i blame this to having the rule#1 to everything, and yet again, i chose to have this rule in life, because i thought i wouldn't be a failure if i did so.
Everything scares me now, and my comfort zone is slowly getting smaller and smaller. Where did all my adventure go? where is my confidence? what happened to the girl who could hop on a plane and walk in a strange place? What happened to the old and young me? Aren't i supposed to always move forward? wasn't that my plan?
What is stopping me? what is truly wrong? what is missing? and what can i do to change that?
Remember when you were a kid, and you looked at your sisters and thought i wish i could be older like them, how about now huh? The irony of life, jokes on you.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? what would be the first thing that you will tell yourself? TAKE IT EASY, IT AIN'T THAT BAD.
Remember the movie click? and how you hoped to have that in real life, fast forward things you wanted to avoid, and rewind to those you wanted to re-live. if you really had that in you, what would you rewind? and when will you fast-forward? and where do you stop? Oh well, that's why that was a movie right?
I always think, how many others are feeling the same way as i do? and i wonder what they do to move pass that, do they have the same mechanism as me? sometimes i wish i knew someone that feels the same as i do, and i could ask them for advise.
Those who ever hurt you, will shape and make you stronger, bla bla bla yeah right. yada yada. No, they don't, because maybe they aren't aware of how they tend to hurt. if you let that happen, then that's on you, you let it happen. And yet you don't chose to take actions.
I see it, and i knew i was right thinking that way, but i needed someone else to tell me the same thing, so i could open my eyes, and see through it. Truth hurts, but doesn't change the fact. Now you know what has to be done, in order to move forward. Can you do it? or can you at least try? its the only way to get you down to earth. And stop imagining things that aren't real.
Maldita vieja insípida, púdrete hija de perra

Since I recently played through the game in Spanish, I thought I'd record some of the differences/similarities between the Spanish and English translations. I'm pretty certain that both versions were translated from the original Japanese, so the Spanish isn't just a later copy of the English version; they're just adapted differently from the source. No matter how I played it, I enjoyed going through this game twice. If I missed something you want to know, specific or otherwise, I can answer it.
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OVERALL:

• The tone of the game is the exact same across English, Spanish and Japanese. English is by far the most different of any Paper Mario TTYD translation that I've seen. Spanish is a lot closer to Japanese. Think about how Nintendo of America makes a lot of changes, whereas Nintendo of Europe makes less changes. That's a way in which you can see the difference. Sometimes it's better in English when things get exaggerated, somethings it's better in Spanish when exaggeration really isn't needed.
• This is a side-effect of the PAL version (which thankfully can run at 60hz like NTSC), but Mario cannot raise his hand in Spanish. This is because the PAL version outright removes that animation. A case of Nintendo being sensitive, as Nintendo of Europe thought that Mario raising his hand looked too much like a Nazi salute. It doesn't change anything, but it's weird. I mean, I'm pretty sure he does it in the PAL version of the first game.
• A lot of the in-universe text was altered to reflect the Spanish language. So signs that say OPEN now say ABRIERTA. The rotating sign in front of the Glitz Pit says BIENVENIDOS instead of YOU'RE WELCOME. Unlike the first game, I don't think everything was translated. But most is.

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PARTNERS:

• All names were changed except for Koops and Yoshi. Goombella is Goomarina, Flurrie is Claudia, Vivian is Bibiana, Bobbery is Bombard and Ms. Mowz is Lupina.
• In regards to personality, they're all the same. Goombella is snarky, Koops is timid, Flurrie talks more fancily, etc. They're not quite as exaggerated as in English though.
• Vivian is male in the Spanish localisation. In addition to the scene from Chapter 2, her partner description reads, "Este antiguo miembro del Trío de las Sombras parece una chica, pero en realidad es un chico." In English, "This long-standing member of the Shadow Trio looks like a girl, but is a boy in reality." I still like hehis character nonetheless; personality-wise, she's the exact same.
• Flurrie always refers to Mario as pichoncito. I don't know how I'd translate this. It's literally little/baby bird, but it's used as a term of endearment here. Similar to how she says darling in English.
• Vivian constantly refers to Mario as cariño. This is the equivalent of calling someone sweetheart or baby. She does this as early as Chapter 4 too. She also has a tendency to scream like "Kyaah", unlike other characters.
• Yoshi still calls Mario Gonzales. Although he uses the original Spanish spelling of the name, Gonzáles.
• She's not a partner, but I don't know where else to throw this in. Toadette. This is the only Mario game in Spanish where she has a different name. Granted, it makes sense because it's the first game they translated with her in it (Double Dash is either English or Japanese). She's called T. Ana in this game. It's a nice sounding name, but later games continue to call her Toadette like the rest of the world (except for Asia).

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SPECIALS:

• All the Crystal Stars retain their names, just properly brought over to Spanish. The only exception is the Gold Star, which has been dubbed the Topaz Star in Spanish.
• Sweet Treat (Map) is Recuperar, meaning Recover.
• Earth Tremor (Diamond) is Terremoto, meaning Earthquake.
• Clock Out (Emerald) is Tiempo Muerto, meaning Dead Time.
• Power Lift (Gold) is Recargar, meaning Recharge.
• Art Attack (Ruby) is Ataque Estelar, meaning Star Attack.
• Sweet Feast (Sapphire) is Como Nuevo, meaning Like New.
• Showstopper (Garnet) is Golpe Final, meaning Final Strike.
• Supernova (Crystal) is Tormenta Estelar, meaning Star Storm.

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PROLOGUE:

• Rogueport is called Villa Viciosa (Vicious Town).
• Lord Crump is called Peke X. This is close to his Japanese name, ペケダ― (Pekedá).
• The X-Nauts are called Mega X, which is again, a closer adaptation of the Japanese name.
• Lord Crump asking where Mario and Goombella disappeared to was shortened heavily: ENGLISH: Where'd they go?!? Huh? You! Johnson! Did you see them? Did anyone? Uh... Crud! They bolted! SPANISH: ¿Dónde se han metido? ¡Maldición! ¡Se han escapado! REVERSE: Where did they go? Damn it! They've escaped!
• Frankly is changed to Goomez. He mistakes Goombella's names as Goomberta and Goomaría here.
• Goombella's comeback to the Goombas hitting on her: ENGLISH: Oh, it is, like, SO sweet that you boys think I'm cute! Seriously! Yeah, guys like you make me feel like TOTALLY BARFING! Now get out of our way! SPANISH: Sois muy amables al reconocer mis encantos. Pero lamento deciros que a los tipos como vosotros... ¡NO LOS AGUANTO! ¡Así que ya os estáis largando con viento fresco! REVERSE: You guys are really nice, recognising my charms. But I'm sorry to tell you that I CAN'T STAND guys like you! So get out of here as fast as you came!
• The Chest Demons in general aren't as...silly in the Spanish version: ENGLISH: Buggly-wuggly-WOOOOOOO! You're cursed! SPANISH: ¡Caiga la maldición sobre ti! REVERSE: May the curse fall upon you!

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CHAPTER 1:

• Petalburg is called Villa Verde (Green Town). Petal Meadows is called Llanura Estelar (StaStellar Plain).
• Dupree, the blue guy with the pink afro, is literally called Afro in Spanish. He doesn't have a fake French accent here, but still tries to talk in try-hard a flirting manner, so his humour is maintained.
• The questions for the test in the fortress are all the same.
• Fuzzies say "¡Miiiimiiiooon!" in Spanish.
• Shine Sprites are just called Soles (Suns) in this game. Probably a holdover from Super Mario Sunshine's Spanish translation.
• Hooktail is male. I think this is even a change from the Japanese version. Her (or his) name is Gombaba, which is the exact same as the Japanese version.
• I thought one of the questions Hooktail asks would be different in Spanish. But from start to end, they're similar, albeit simpler: ENGLISH: Well, I suppose I could apologise by letting you smell the bottoms of my feet. People pay good money to do this. I'm being completely honest right now. Really. So? Care to take a whiff of the rich, yet delicate scent of my world-renowned feet? (Maybe just a quick sniff... / That's disgusting!) SPANISH: En ese caso, te concederé el honor de ver las garras de mis pies. ¿No te gustaría acercarte y admirar su belleza? (Solo un poco / ¿Estás bromenado?) REVERSE: In that case, I will grant you the honour of seeing the claws of my feet. Wouldn't you like to get closer and admire their beauty. (Just a little / You're joking, right?)
• Sir Grodus is called Señor Xenón (Sir Xenón) in Spanish. All other X-Nauts and Beldom refer to him as usted, which is used in Spanish for talking to superiors or strangers (respectful). Characters like Peach refer to him as tú, which is meant generally for friends, family or peers of the same age. It's rude to call somebody older that if you don't know them well enough, which makes sense for Peach (he kidnapped her).
• With that, the X-Nauts don't talk in a casual buddy-buddy fashion. Most of the time, they talk appropriately and like they're on a serious job. It unfortunately takes away a bit of the humour, but makes more sense to make them seem like a credible threat.
• TEC is CIM (Computador Inteligente de Mega X) in Spanish. What's odd is that his initials refer to him as computador (more Latin), but in dialogue, he always calls himself an ordenador (more Spain). In terms of how he addresses characters, he does it casually like in English; he address Peach with tú and not usted.
• When Mario gets an e-mail from Peach, Goombella's response: ENGLISH: Mario? Are you OK? You're totally shaking... Do you need a bathroom? SPANISH: ¿Te pasa algo, Mario? Estás temblando. ¿Te encuentras mal? REVERSE: Is something wrong, Mario? You're shaking. You sick?

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CHAPTER 2:

• The Boggly Woods are called El Bosque Maravilloso (The Wonderful Forest) in Spanish. The Great Tree has the exact same name as in English, El Gran Árbol.
• Beldom is Piruja in Spanish. It's a pun on bruja, the word for witch. Marliyn is Maruja. With a name scheme like that, you can see how Vivian sticks out (Bibiana). Also, Marilyn says "Vaya" in Spanish.
• When Beldom realises who Mario is, her dialogue is way longer in English. I knew something was off when I played in Spanish: ENGLISH: Wow! This Mario guy looks so manly! Check out that bushy mustache... How handsome! You know something, though, my lovelies? I swear I've seen this gentleman before... AAAAAAAAAAAACK! He's Mr. Mustache! SPANISH: ¡Maldita sea! ¡Si es el tipo del bigote! REVERSE: Damn it all! It's the guy with the mustache!
• Instead of saying "The three..." Marilyn continues to just say Vaya. It's interrupted like this: BELDOM: Somos... (We are...) MARILYN: Vaaaya... VIVIAN: ¡Las Hermanas Sombra! (The Shadow Sisters)
• Beldom's insult to Vivian. Spanish is basically from the Japanese version: ENGLISH: I don't see three beauties! I see two, but then there's you, and you're PLUG-UGLY!!! SPANISH: ¿Y de dónde te has sacado eso de hermanas? ¡Pero si tú eres un hombre! REVERSE: And where did you get sisters from that? YOU are a MAN!
• Goombella's Tattle on Vivian as well: ENGLISH: That's Vivian. She's the youngest of the three Shadow Sirens. She doesn't seem all that noteworthy. Uh... She is kinda cute, I guess... She might even be cuter than I am... I guess... ...Uh... What am I thinking? SPANISH: ¡Es Bibiana! La más pequeña del trío... Bueno... EL más pequeño. No posee ninguna característica especial. Aunque es verdad que... Hmmm... Es bastante mono. Tal vez más que yo. ¿Eh...? ¿En... en qué estaré pensando, si se puede saber? REVERSE: She's Vivian! The smallest girl of the trio... Well... the smallest BOY. He doesn't have any special characteristics. Although it's true that... Hmmm... He's pretty cute. Maybe even cuter than me. Eh...? W-What am I gonna be thinking about later, if I may ask?
• After defeating the three, Beldom goes: ENGLISH: Mmmmwee hee haaaack! Oooog. Maybe we were just a touch overconfident... SPANISH: ¡Maldición! ¡No deberíamos haberte subestimado! REVERSE: Damn it! We shouldn't have underestimated you!
• I can't remember specifically, but I believe the "You got a Super Boots" typo was corrected in Spanish. For non-English/Japanese languages, the game has a programming system to specify what gender each item is. With that, I believe they put something along the lines of, "Has conseguido unas Súper Botas!" (You got some Super Boots)
• The exchange between the Puni Elder and Lord Crump is less exaggerated in Spanish: ENGLISH: WHAT?!? Did you just call me an "old geezer"? Where do you get off, talking like that? You got no respect, brat! Don't think my age has a thing to do with my might! Even if it kills me, I won't let you through! I'm ready! ELDER POWER ACTIVATE! SPANISH: ¡Estúpido! ¿Qué modales son esos, jovencito? ¿Acaso no sabes a quién te estás dirigiendo? ¡Me parece que voy a tener que leerte la cartilla! REVERSE: Dumbass! What kind of manners are those, young man? Don't you know who you're addressing? Looks like I'm going to have to read you the primer!
• An example of the X-Nauts more direct talk in Spanish: ENGLISH: Uh, I'm sorry, sir! Unfortunately, Mario laid a beating on all of them! SPANISH: Por... por desgracia parece ser que han sido incapaces de derrotar a Mario... REVERSE: Un... Unfortunately it seems that they were incapable of defeating Mario...
• This isn't Chapter 2, but I honestly forget when this encounter happens. When Bowser enters the Great Tree with Kammy, his dialogue choices are different in Spanish. I like them more in English, for the latter choice: ENGLISH: (You're BOTH too old! HAR) (It's hag vs. hag! Awesome!) SPANISH: (Si son igual de viejas) (Mira quién habla) REVERSE: (They're both just as old) (Look who's talking)

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CHAPTER 3:

• Glitzville is called Ciudad Dojo (Dojo City) in Spanish.
• Rawk Hawk's name in Spanish is Hawk Hogan. You can guess where that comes from. He also says that amateurs should stay at home playing Super Smash Bros. Melee.
• Grubba in Spanish is called Leonardo.
• Jolene in Spanish is T. Lisa. For Mush, they made his real and stage names more different. His real name is T. Roonie, but his stage name (which the game asks in Chapter 7's quiz) is T. Rex.
• Just because I thought it was funny, Crawdaddy is literally called The Bone Crusher in Spanish, Rompehuesos.
• Crawdaddy's line is very similar between both versions, just more direct in Spanish: ENGLISH: Foolish mortals... I will drag you through the gate to the netherworld! SPANISH: ¡Os mandaré hasta las mismísimas puertas del infierno! REVERSE: I'll send you [all] to the very gates of Hell!
• Grubba once you catch him. He doesn't have a unique accent that I can detect in Spanish: ENGLISH: I gotta say, y'all are a coupla slack-jawed idiots, sniffin' 'round my business... Now you know my big secret, I'm afraid yer gonna have to take a li'l ol' dirt nap. SPANISH: ¡Habéis sido muy imprudentes siguiéndome hasta aquí! ¡Ahora que sabéis mi secreto, lo pagaréis muy caro! REVERSE: You all have been very reckless, following me here! Now that you know my secret, you're gonna pay dearly!

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CHAPTER 4:

• Twilight Town is called Villa Sombría (Gloomy Town).
• Creepy Steeple is called Templo Lúgubre (Gloomy Temple).
• Doopliss is called Rumpel. This is actually consistent with every version but the English release. Even the Japanese version called him Rumpel [ランペル] (you have to find the katakana "ン" letter instead of the Latin letter "p"). I don't know why they changed his name in English, as he's clearly based off Rumpelstiltskin.
• Doopliss also doesn't call Mario by "Slick". He has no nickname for him in Spanish.
• Doopliss's laugh is changed. Instead of going "Yuk", he goes "Juasjuasjuasjuas". In English it'd be like "Huahuahua", but the H would sound more like a Dutch/German CH (loch).
• Doopliss's reaction to you discovering his name is bigger in Spanish: ENGLISH: Wha... What did you just say?!? It can't be... NO! NO! NO! WHY? WHY? WHY? HOW? HOW? HOW? I'm...feeling...faint... SPANISH: Co... ¿¡Cómo has conseguido acertar mi nombre!? No... no me lo puedo creer... No... no... no... No... puede... ser... ¿Pe... pe... pe... pero cómo lo has adivinado? ¡Ayayayayayayayayay...! ¡Todo me da vueltas...! ¡¡Qué mareooo...!! REVERSE: How... How did you get my name right!? I... I can't believe it... No... no... no... It... can't... be... How... how... how did you guess it? Ayayayayayayayayay! Everything's spinning...! So dizzy...!!
• What Vivian says when she learns she was helping Mario. She expresses concern about what her sisters will do to her: ENGLISH: I don't believe it. All this time I was helping Mario... I feel like an idiot... SPANISH: Pero entonces... ¿He estado ayudando a la persona equivocada...? ¿Y ahora qué será de mí? REVERSE: But then... I've been helping the WRONG person...? Now what's gonna happen to me?
• Doopliss's follow-up remark: ENGLISH: What's going on here, huh? Fight with your girlfriend? Well, don't expect any sympathy from us, ghoulies! SPANISH: Vaya, vaya... ¿Así que hay disensiones en el grupito...? ¡Que sepáis que no por eso voy a trataros con mayor respeto...! REVERSE: Well, well... So now there's a division in this little group...? Just to let you know, that doesn't mean I'm going to treat you with any more respect!
• Vivian's line when she comes back to the party is retained, but shorter. When she's underground she admits her final choice and when she surfaces she throws support to Mario. In English, she doesn't do the latter. Both work, but the English version is stronger for her development: ENGLISH: I'm... I'm sorry, Sis... This Mario is the only person who's ever been kind to me... * Mario! I'm fighting by your side from now on! I've... I've made my choice! And I'm not turning back! SPANISH: Lo siento, Piruja... Pero estoy decidida a ayudar a Mario. * ¡No desfallezcas, Mario! Mantente firme... ¡Que ya casi lo tienes! REVERSE: I'm sorry, Beldom... But I'm committed to helping Mario. * Don't worry, Mario! Keep it together... You're almost there!
• Doopliss's line after defeat: ENGLISH: Rats! YOU KILLJOYS!!! SPANISH: ¡Maldita sea! ¡¡Te acordarás de esta!! REVERSE: Damn it! You'll remember this!! (speaking directly to Mario, not the whole group)
• Vivian's penultimate line: ENGLISH: Uh... Listen, Mario... Sorry about earlier... I'd be happy to travel with you if you'd have me. SPANISH: Me da un poco de vergüenza volver a decir esto, Mario... ¿Me dejas ser tu amiga, cariño? REVERSE: I'm a little embarrassed to say this again, Mario... Will you let me be your friend, sugar?

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CHAPTER 5:

• The fourth-wall references are the exact same.
• Keelhaul Key's name is generic in every language but English and German. Here, it's Isla Trópico (Tropical Island).
• Podley, local resident bar asshole, is called Don Bean in Spanish.
• Scarlette's name is changed to Bombaret.
• Flavio's name is Marco. Pa-Patch's name is Bomberto. Flavio's ship, the S.S. Flavion, is called El Temido (The Feared) in Spanish. Ironic given Flavio's scared nature.
• Cortez is the exact same, although he adapts the original Spanish spelling, Cortés.
• Embers are...kind of bizzarre. They're called Ascua in Spanish, which is the literal translation of the word. So it's not incorrect by any means. It's just weird because in the first game, I remember them being called Elmos, which makes more sense because it's an adaptation of the Japanese name, which is a reference to St. Elmo's fire.
• Chuckola Cola is Bombioja in Spanish. It's a pun on Bomb and Rioja, which is a place in Spain known for wine. The drink is actually red wine, so the name change makes sense.
• The Black Skull is called the Black Joke in Spanish. Yes, it uses an English name.
• Peach's reaction to getting naked is toned down mildly: ENGLISH: What?!? That's indecent! No way! SPANISH: ¿¡Qué has dicho...!? ¿No te das cuenta de que...? REVERSE: What did you say!? Don't you realise...?

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CHAPTER 6:

• This is where you start to see how lazy some of the places get named in the Spanish version. Poshley Heights is called Villa Preciosa (Precious Town). That is the fourth main area with Town in the name. Riverside Station is just a literal translation, Estación de Riverside.
• Pennington still calls Mario Luigi in Spanish. But his name is changed to Holmot.
• The Smorgs are known as Miomio in Spanish. It's not the same as the Japanese text (Moamoa), but it's closer than English. If you read their name like normal Spanish (remember, they say they're name out-loud all the time), it sounds like they're saying, "Mine, mine, mine, mine!" Like the seagulls in Finding Nemo.

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CHAPTER 7:

• Fahr Outpost is called Bomburgo. From how the characters speak, you wouldn't detect much of a foreign/Russian accent. That's the case for many non-English languages in media; there are a lot of potential local dialects, but not many international ones. Spanish is more international though, so I don't know, since the game is already based on a Spain accent, they could've given the bombs an Argentian accent (saying vos sos instead of tú eres) or something.
• During the General White chase, Pa-Patch directly tells Mario that General White went to Glitzville in Spanish. In English, he just mentions an arena. If you're speeding through the dialogue (without direct knowledge of where to go next), you'll at least catch where to go in Spanish.
• On that, General White in Spanish is a pun name, General Bomblanco (General White-Bomb).
• The Mayor is less rude to Bobbery in Spanish: ENGLISH: SHUSH! You call yourself a Bob-omb? I spit at you! You know rules! There is to be NO mention of cannon to non-Bob-ombs! NO mention! SPANISH: ¡Oh! ¡Tú también eres un Bob-omb! En ese caso, seré franco. No puedo revelar nada sobre el Gran Cañón a nadie que no sea un Bob-omb. REVERSE: Oh! You too are a Bob-omb! In that case, I will be frank. I cannot reveal anything about the Grande Boom to anyone who isn't a Bob-omb.
• Crump's boast about Magnus von Grapple 2.0: ENGLISH: Yeah, last version was buggy, so we made improvements... One... two... A DOZEN!!! SPANISH: ¡Mazinrobo X2 no se puede comparar con el anterior, ni en velocidad ni en potencia! REVERSE: Von Grapple 2.0 can't be compared to the previous revision, neither in speed nor prowess!
• Right before fighting Magnus von Grapple 2.0, I noticed Vivian's line is changed; I like it more in Spanish: ENGLISH: You're the one who's going to suffer, Crump! No matter how many times we do this! SPANISH: Como diría Piruja: ¡Jijijí! ¡Te daremos un escarmiento! REVERSE: Like Beldom would say: Mweeheehee! We're gonna give you a punishment!
• Same goes for Bobbery's line: ENGLISH: I say, old boy, I rather think YOU'RE going to be the one doing the suffering! SPANISH: ¡Fruslerías! ¡Déjate de tanta palabrería barata y demuéstralo! REVERSE: Nonsense! Quit all that cheap talk and prove it!
• TEC's description of what will happen to him is less wordy in Spanish: ENGLISH: When the power is all gone... I will... Cease to exist...as an artificial consciousness. SPANISH: Sin suministro de energía... yo... dejaré de estar operativo. REVERSE: With no power supply... I... will no longer be operational.

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CHAPTER 8:

• The Palace of Shadow uses its Japanese name in Spanish, El Palecio de la Oscuridad (The Palace of Darkness).
• What Dark Bones says before being awoken: ENGLISH: Glurgggghh... Bluuuurgh... None shall pass by... Let those who would disturb her sleep fall into the depths of endless darkness... SPANISH: ¡Uuuh! ¡Uuuoooh! Este lugar está vedado a los mortales... Aquellos que osen profanar el lugar donde ella reposa, se sumirán en las tinieblas. REVERSE: Oooh! OOOH! This place is forbidden to mortals... Those who dare to desecrate the place where she rests shall be plunged into darkness.
• Gloomtail's name is Bumbaba. This is the line he says confirming Hooktail's gender: ENGLISH: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!? You destroyed my precious younger sister?!? SPANISH: ¿¡Cómo!? ¿Qué habéis hecho con mi hermano? REVERSE: What!? What have you [all] done with my brother?
• Vivian's line to Beldom before fighting her: ENGLISH: I'm with Mario all the way! Today, Sis... I'm going to punish YOU, you hear me? SPANISH: ¡Mario ha sido mi salvador! ¡Y él os dará vuestra merecido! REVERSE: Mario's been my saviour! And HE'S gonna give you guys what you deserve!
• Remember that weird oversight in the English version with Grodus responding opposite to what you chose? They fixed it in Spanish, simply by swapping Attack and Don't Attack.
• Bowser's comment before facing Mario: ENGLISH: Aww, all worn out from battle, Mario? Yes! Easy pickings! Today's the day I flush a plumber down the drain! SPANISH: ¡En tu patético estado, no serás rival para mí! ¡Esta es mi gran oportunidad de acabar contigo! REVERSE: In your pathetic state, you're no match for me! This is my grand opportunity to finish you off!
• Grodus refers to the Shadow Queen as tú in Spanish, showing that he views them on the same level or is still above her. If he were to show respect, he'd use usted or maybe even vos.
• Shadow Queen right before possessing Peach. Can't tell which is creepier: ENGLISH: Yessss... A fine vessel... Now... SPANISH: Hmmm... Joven y bella... Me parece perfecta... REVERSE: Hmmm... Young and beautiful... She's perfect for me...
• Upon zapping Grodus, Shadow Queen: ENGLISH: You would do well to learn your proper place, slave. No one commands me. SPANISH: Está claro que no sabes con quién hablas y ello te ha valido un severo castigo. REVERSE: It is clear that you do not know who you are talking to, and this has earned you a severe punishment.
• Shadow Queen after Peach heals the player: ENGLISH: GRRRRRR! Very cunning, Princess! But you will not undo me!!! Know me as your queen! SPANISH: ¡Hagas lo que hagas, será inútil! ¡Yo soy la Reina de las Sombras! REVERSE: No matter what you do, it's in vain! I am the Shadow Queen!

EDIT: Added things/fixed a few typos.

Part 3 in the COVID series.
To try and make this list more helpful, I have added Weekend Day and Weekend Night, as those can be vastly different than during the week.
I'm trying to monitor Twitter and the Vegas Message Board to get some additional information.
Keep sharing all that wonderful goodness.
I'd like to update the wiki to talk about what sidebets casinos have, so if you know that info, I can add it to the table comments.

Vegas Strip Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Weekend Day	Weekend Night	Dividers	Comments
Aria	10	10	Unknown	Unknown	No	Updated 7/26
Ballys	10	15	10	Unknown		3 tables Updated 8/8
Bellagio	10	25	Unknown	Unknown	Yes, all tables
Caesars	15	25	Unknown	Unknown	No
Cosmo	15-25	50-100	Unknown	Unknown
Encore	10	10	10	10	Yes, on some tables	Updated 8/12
Excalibur	10-15	15	10	15		Updated 8/12
Flamingo	15	15-25	Unknown	25		Updated 8/8
Harrah's	15	25	25	25	No
Linq	15	15	Unknown	25	No	Updated 8/8
Luxor	10	10	15	15n		Updated 8/12
Mandalay Bay	15	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
MGM Grand	10	25	Unknown	Unknown	Yes
NY/NY	10	15-25	15	Unknown	Yes	Updated 8/8
Osheas	Unknown	15	Unknown	Unknown
Paris	15	15	Unknown	Unknown	No	Updated 8/8
Sahara	5	10	10	10		Updated 8/15
Strat	Day	10	Unknown	10	25	No
Treasure Island	5	15	Unknown	Unknown
Venetian	10-15	25	Unknown	Unknown	No
Wynn	10	10	10	10	Yes, on some tables	Updated 8/12

Downtown Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Weekend Day	Weekend Night	Dividers	Comments
Binions	5	10	Unknown	Unknown		Binions had $5 table several times (opens at noon) Updated 8/17
California	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		Tables open at 11AM Updated 8/10
The D	10	15	Unknown	Unknown	No glass
Downtown Grand	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		Table opens at noon. Updated 8/10.
El Cortez	10	10	10	10	Yes, some tables	2 tables Updated 8/15
Four Queens	10	10	10	10	No	Updated 8/15
Fremont	10	10	10	Unknown		Updated 8/10.
Golden Gate	10	15	Unknown	Unknown		Updated 8/18
Golden Nugget	10-15	10	Unknown	Unknown		$15 with one table open on 8/18
Plaza	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		Updated 7/30
Sams Town	15	15	Unknown	Unknown		1 table

Offstrip Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Weekend Day	Weekend Night	Dividers	Comments
Aliente	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Boulder Station	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Cannery	5	5	Unknown	Unknown		up to 2 tables - now allowing 4 per side
Ellis Island	5	5	5	5		1 table - Updated 8/17 - I just called the pit at Ellis. Craps table opens up at 10am and its 5 dollars 90% of the time
Gold Coast	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Green Valley Ranch	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		2 tables open
The Orleans	10	25	Unknown	Unknown		up to 4 tables, I was asked to wear a mask
Palace Station	10	10	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Palms	N/A	N/A	Unknown	Unknown		No open date announced
Red Rock	10	15	15	Unknown		Updated 8/14
South Point	5	5	5	10	No	Updated 8/15
Strat	5	10	Unknown	Unknown
Sunset Station	5	5	Unknown	Unknown

Other NV Casinos	Day Min	Night Min	Weekend Day	Weekend Night	Dividers	Comments
Edgewater (Laughlin)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Harrahs (Laughlin)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown	no
Atlantis (Reno)	5/10	5/10	Unknown	Unknown		3 tables on weekends
Cal Neva (Reno)	5	5	Unknown	Unknown
Circus Circus (Reno)	Closed	Closed	Unknown	Unknown		Closed table game pit
Eldorado (Reno)	5	10	Unknown	Unknown
Grand Sierra (Reno)	15	15-25 Unknown	Unknown
Peppermill (Reno)	5	5	10	10	3 craps tables
Silver Legacy (Reno)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Hard Rock (Tahoe)	5	5	Unknown	Unknown
Harrahs (Tahoe)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Montbleu (Tahoe)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown
Nugget (Wendover)	5	5	5	5		Updated 7/31
Peppermill (Wendover)	5	5	10	10		Updated 7/31
Rainbow (Wendover)	5	5	10	10		Updated 7/31

Non/NV Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Weekend Day	Weekend Night	Dividers	Comments
Wind Creek (Wetumpka, AL)	15	25	Unknown	Unknown		4 to a table Updated 7/31
Sycuan (San Diego, CA)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		Masks required
Barona (So Cal)	10	15	10	10-15		2 tables 2 per side, dealers managing bets for players. Updated 8/21 ($10 at times)
Harrahs (So Cal)	15-25	15-25	15-50	15-50	No	Updated 7/31
Viejas (So Cal)	N/A	N/A	Unknown	Unknown		No live tables
Foxwoods (CT)	15	25	Unknown	Unknown
Mohegan (CT)	15-25	25	Unknown	Unknown		2 were 10, 2
Harrington (DE)	15	15-25	Unknown	Unknown		Must wear mask and face shield
Rivers (Chicago, IL)	15	15
Blue Chip (Michigan City, IN)	5	10	Unknown	Unknown		5 minimum prop bets, 5 min ATS bet.
Caesars Southern IN	10	15	15	25		Updated 8/5
French Lick Resort (French Lick, IN)	15	15	25	25		Tables open at 11am and close at 3AM. Updated 8/5
Harrah's Hooiser Park (Anderson, IN)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Indiana Grand (IN)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown	No
Belle (Baton Rogue, LA)	5	10	Unknown	Unknown		one half sized table sometimes they open the big one. $5 small table and $10 big late at night
Hollywood (Baton Rogue, LA)	5	10	Unknown	15		Updated 7/24
L’auberge (Baton Rogue,LA)	15	15	Unknown	Unknown	No
L’auberge (Lake Charles,LA)	15	15	Unknown	Unknown	No	1 bubble craps $5 min
El Dorado (Shreveport, LA)	10	10	10	10		Updated 8/17
Horseshoe (Shreveport, LA) 15	15	15	15		Updated 8/17
Margaritaville (Shreveport, LA) 15	15	15	15		Updated 8/17
Ocean Downs (MD)	10	15		Unknown	Unknown
Maryland Live (MD)	25	50	50	Unknown	Yes	5 tables, 4 per side. Electronic craps 15 min
MGM @ National Harbor	50-100		Unknown	Unknown	Yes	4 craps tables 2 were $50 and 2 were $100 mins. Not bubble craps or low roller options.
Firekeepers (Battle Creek, MI)	10	15+	Unknown	Unknown	No dividers, only distancing	1-2 tables depending on demand, did see it at $15 during the day $25 on Fri/Sat night. Masks required, no smoking. $3 Bubble Craps.
Four Winds Casino	15	15	Unknown	Unknown		Digital craps table 5$ min Tuesday and Sunday night. Did not check bubble craps
Gun Lake (Wayland, MI)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown	No	Temp check, masks, usually the crapless table is open
Turtle Creek (Traverse City, MI)	5	Unknown	Unknown	Unknowned		2 tables, temp check, masks
Soaring Eagle (Mt Pleasant, MI)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown	Yes	5 players per side with glass. Tough to hear dealer.
Hollywood Casino, Maryland Heights (St Louis) MO	15	15	Unknown	Unknown		1 regular table & 1 no craps. 4 per side. No outside drinks.
River City (St. Louis, MS)	20	20	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	4 players per side. $20 min. You have to have at least a $20 bet for every throw to "hold your spot"
Beau Rivage (Biloxi, MS)	25	25	Unknown	Unknown	unknown	3 tables
Boomtown (Biloxi, MS)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	1 table
IP (Biloxi, MS)	25	25	Unknown	Unknown
Scarlett Pearl (Biloxi, MS)	15	25	Unknown	Unknown	No	Masks required, temp check
The Palace Biloxi, MS)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown
Treasure Bay (Biloxi, MS)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Harrah’s Cherokee & Murphy	15	15	Unknown	Unknown	No
Harrahs River Valley (Murphy, NC)	25	25	Unknown	Unknown
Ballys (AC, NJ)	15	15	Unknown	10		Updated 7/29
Caesars (AC, NJ)	15	15	Unknown	15-25		Updated 7/29
Harrahs (AC, NJ)	15	15	Unknown	Unknown
Hard Rock (AC, NJ	15	25	Unknown	Unknown		2 tables - Updated 7-29
Resorts (AC, NJ)	15	25	Unknown	15	Yes	1 table - Updated 7-29
Ocean (AC, NJ)	10	15	15	25	Yes	4-6 tables
Buffalo Creek (NY)	15	25	Unknown	Unknown
Seneca Niagra (NY)	10	15	Unknown	Unknown		1 table, can go up to $25
Jack/Harrah's (Cincinnati, OH)	25	25	25	25		3 tables, $25 open to close
Hollywood (Columbus, OH)	10-15	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	2 tables, masks required
Hollywood (Grantville, PA)	15	25	Unknown Unknown	Unknown		2 tables, masks required
Harrah's Philly (PA)	Unknown	Unknown	15	25		Updated 8/10
Meadows (PA)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown		2-3 tables.
Mohegan Sun (PA)	Unknown	Unknown	25-50	Unknown
Windcreek (PA)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Mount airy (PA)	10	10	Unknown	Unknown
Valley Forge (PA)			10
Parx (Bensalem, PA)	15	25	Unknown	Unknown		15 but maintaining 25
Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis, TN)	N/A	N/A	Unknown	Unknown	Yes	4 tables all closed. Other pit games open with plexiglas dividers. Bubble craps $5 minimum.
Mardi Gras (Nitro, WV)			15			Usually open on weekends - Updated 7/28

*Last update 8/21
Part 1. It's getting buried so I figured we would make a new one. Part 2
Pulled additional info from here.

The previous post is here. It's getting buried so I figured we would make a new one.
Keep reporting those minimums:

Vegas Strip Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Dividers	Comments
Aria	10	10	Yes
Ballys
Bellagio	10	25	Yes, all tables	)May be lower on weekday nights, $15 has been seen) Poker tables open
Caesars	15	25	No	Poker tables open
Casino Royale	N/A	N/A	N/A	Table Games not open
Cosmo	15/25	50-100
Encore	50	100	Yes, on some tables	Reports of $10 tables during the day
Excalibur	10-15	15		10 crapless, 15 regular
Flamingo	10-15	15-25
Harrah's	15	25	No
Linq	10-15	10-15	No
Luxor	10	10
Mandalay Bay	N/A	N/A
MGM Grand	10	25	Yes, all tables
NY/NY	10	15-25	Yes, all tables
Osheas	Unknown	15
Paris	10-15	15	No	Opened 6/18 - Masks required at tables.
Planet Hollywood	N/A	N/A		No open date announced
Rio	N/A	N/A		No open date announced
Sahara	5	10
Strat	Day	10	Unknown
Treasure Island	5	15
Venetian	10-15	25	No
Wynn	25-50	50-100	Yes, on some tables	Updated 6/16

Downtown Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Dividers	Comments
Binions	5	10		Binions had $5 table several times with little to no social distancing
California	10	10		From 7/15 on Vegas Message Board
The D	10	15	No glass
Downtown Grand	10	10		Checks your temperature before letting you into casino, also NO valet, self-park only.
El Cortez	10	10	Yes, some tables	2 tables
Four Queens	10	10	No	From 7/16 on Vegas Message Board, Four queens had a $5 table in the morning on saturday
Fremont	10	10		From 7/15 on Vegas Message Board
Golden Gate	10	15		From 7/14 on Vegas Message Board
Golden Nugget	10	10		From 7/15 on Vegas Message Board
Plaza	10	10
Sams Town	15	15		1 table

Offstrip Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Dividers	Comments
Aliente	10	10
Boulder Station	10	10
Cannery	5	5		up to 2 tables - now allowing 4 per side
Ellis Island	5	5		1 table
Gold Coast	10	10
Green Valley Ranch	10	10		2 tables open
The Orleans	10	25		up to 4 tables, I was asked to wear a mask
Palace Station	10	10	Unknown
Palms	N/A	N/A		No open date announced
Red Rock	10	15
South Point	5	5		2-3x tables w/ only one $5 buy in
Strat	5	10
Sunset Station	5	5

Other NV Casinos	Day Min	Night Min	Dividers	Comments
Edgewater (Laughlin)	10	10
Harrahs (Laughlin)	10	15	no
Atlantis (Reno)	5/10	5/10		3 tables on weekends
Cal Neva (Reno)	5	5
Circus Circus (Reno)	Closed	Closed		Closed table game pit
Eldorado (Reno)	5	10
Grand Sierra (Reno)	15	15-25
Peppermill (Reno)	10	10	3 craps tables
Silver Legacy (Reno)	10	10
Hard Rock (Tahoe)	5	5
Harrahs (Tahoe)	10	10
Montbleu (Tahoe)	10	15

Non/NV Casino	Day Min	Night Min	Dividers	Comments
Foxwoods (CT)	15	25
Mohegan (CT)	10-50	10-50		2 were 10, 2 $15, 1 $25, 1 $50. Plus a high rollers table
Harrington (DE)	15	15-25		Must wear mask and face shield
Blue Chip (Michigan City, IN)	5	10		5 minimum prop bets, 5 min ATS bet.
Harrah's Hooiser Park (Anderson, IN)	10	10
Indiana Grand (IN)	10	15	No
Belle (Baton Rogue, LA)	5	10		one half sized table sometimes they open the big one. $5 small table and $10 big late at night
Hollywood (Baton Rogue, LA)	5	10		one half sized table sometimes they open the big one. $5 small table and $10 big late at night
L’auberge (Baton Rogue,LA)	15	15	No
L’auberge (Lake Charles,LA)	15	15	No	1 bubble craps $5 min
Harrahs (Shreveport, LA)	15	25
Margaritaville (Shreveport, LA)	25	25
Ocean Downs (MD)	10	15
Maryland Live (MD)	25	50	Yes	5 tables, 4 per side. Electronic craps 15 min
MGM @ National Harbor	50-100		Yes	4 craps tables 2 were $50 and 2 were $100 mins. Not bubble craps or low roller options.
Firekeepers (Battle Creek, MI)	10	15+	No dividers, only distancing	1-2 tables depending on demand, did see it at $15 during the day $25 on Fri/Sat night. Masks required, no smoking. $3 Bubble Craps.
Four Winds Casino	15	15		Digital craps table 5$ min Tuesday and Sunday night. Did not check bubble craps
Gun Lake (Wayland, MI)	10	15	No	Temp check, masks, usually the crapless table is open
Turtle Creek (Traverse City, MI)	5
Soaring Eagle (Mt Pleasant, MI)	10	15	Yes	5 players per side with glass. Tough to hear dealer.
Hollywood Casino, Maryland Heights (St Louis) MO	15	15		1 regular table & 1 no craps. 4 per side. No outside drinks.
River City (St. Louis, MS)	20	20	Unknown	4 players per side. $20 min. You have to have at least a $20 bet for every throw to "hold your spot"
Beau Rivage (Biloxi, MS)	25	25	unknown	3 tables
Boomtown (Biloxi, MS)	10	10	Unknown	1 table
IP (Biloxi, MS)	25	25
Scarlett Pearl (Biloxi, MS)	15	25	No	Masks required, temp check
The Palace Biloxi, MS)	10	15
Treasure Bay (Biloxi, MS)	10	10
Harrah’s Cherokee & Murphy	15	15	No
Harrahs River Valley (Murphy, NC)	25	25
Harrahs (AC, NJ)	15	15
Hard Rock (AC, NJ	25	25	Yes	2 tables
Resorts (AC, NJ)	15	25	Yes	1 table
Ocean (AC, NJ)	15	25	Yes	4-6 tables
Buffalo Creek (NY)	15	25
Seneca Niagra (NY)	10	15		1 table, can go up to $25
Hollywood (Columbus, OH)	10-15	Unknown	Unknown	2 tables, masks required
Hollywood (Grantville, PA)	15	25	Unknown	2 tables, masks required
Meadows (PA)	10	10		2-3 tables.
Windcreek (PA)	10	10
Mount airy (PA)	10	10
Parx (Bensalem, PA)	15	25		15 but maintaining 25
Sycuan (San Diego, CA)	10	10		Masks required
Barona (So Cal)	5	5		3 tables, dealers managing bets for players.
Harrahs (So Cal)	15-25	15-25		Bubble craps $5 min, Interblock bubble $3 min, 1 electronic table $5 min
Viejas (So Cal)	N/A	15		1 table
Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis, TN)	N/A	N/A	Yes	4 tables all closed. Other pit games open with plexiglas dividers. Bubble craps $5 minimum.

Last update 7/21
Pulled additional info from here.

Background story: It was in January before the pandemic and at Christmas both me and my friend in this story who we will call Sergio gave us some nintendos switch (to me the 2017 version and the Lite version pokemon sword and shield), now we have to To say that Sergio is 19 years old now and I have known him for a long time (I was 14 years old in January) and Sergio studied self-defense for 6 years and had in his arms a type of bracelet where he wore nightwing-style combat bars (yes I'm a fan of DC) and pepper spray oh, and that is very high (1.90) and I who 6 months ago also got into personal defense (average 1.74) now if we go with the history made up of:
Sergio: something huge, sturdy and intimidating.
Karen: Crazy who looks like she came from Arkham asylum itself.
ND: child with rights who seemed to be about 16 years old but his age will surprise you.}
GS: security guard
P1: police 1.
P2: police 2.
Q: Father of ND and very good people.
and me: He who is above all races (guess who this phrase is).
History:
Well, it was January and it was very hot so Sergio and I decided to go out with our nintendo and its accessories to go out and have fun and refresh ourselves, so around 6:00 PM we were in a famous shopping center in my country and we went to order Something to eat in the food court and while we wait (and we wait a lot) we diverted to a video game store to see what games we want to buy next and in those they call us to receive our order and there we were playing in the food court while Nd (measures 1.80) comes close to us:
ND: hey, is that a nintendos switch ?? !!
Me: yes, they are.
ND: Could you lend it to me. (It should be noted that I have trust and security problems due to problems with the school)
Me: No, sorry (sounding as polite as possible).
ND already a little annoyed: Then give me yours and your friend's. me with a Wtf face? and sergio with the face of "are you okay, mijo?" (mike wazowski's).
Me: Sorry, what did you say?
ND: I WANT YOUR NINTEDO NOW !!!!!
Me: Nel pie, we tried really hard to get these consoles.
ND: I don't mind give it to me now !! (while extending his hand).
I (already knowing how this is going I say): Not now go before I denounce you for harassment. Then Nd starts throwing a tantrum that even my 3-year-old nephew does and then he goes away. He thought it was all, but how naive he was, five minutes later MD comes (who is around 1.68, is very pretty and a little body and don't get me wrong) goes to us and says.
MD: WHY DON'T YOU GIVE MY ANGEL THEIR CONSOLES. Me: why are they ours?
MD: But he wants them, so give it to him }
Me: You two are nothing and nobody to take away our belongings !!!
MD: I DON'T CARE GIVE IT TO ME NOW AND WITH YOUR CELL PHONES AND ALL THAT SHIT YOU HAVE, NOW AND THEY BUY US SOME BURGERS BUT LIKE NOW.
Me (sarcastically): and he's going to want a coffee with his order or some complaints of harassment or he already gets some good free beatings to shut his fucking mouth. Md slaps me, but I don't do anything to him (first because I have great patience and second because at home they instilled in me the courage not to hit a woman). Nd wants to grab the console but sergio stops him, so the MD wants to hit him but I stop and face her and then in ND he pushes me and says.
ND: METETE WITH ME HAVE Sergio fed up with this shit (I have to say that he is a bit temperamental and gets angry easily), he stops and gets between me and ND who shrink just by looking at him. Then because of the commotion the guard comes and says:
G: What the fuck is going on here?!?!
Md: This mucus-
I interrupt her and say: If you are going to say your shit that we stole your son's console and that we attacked him then shut up !!! and I tell him our whole version.
G: is this true ma'am ??
MD: No, these brats robbed us and wanted to hit !!!!
Sergio: Let's have a look at the security camera. MD and ND go white.
G: Good idea, accompanied. Then Sergio, when putting both switches in their respective cases, before closing both DMs he grabs them and throws them, they collided with a wall before falling into a fountain.
MD: IF I DON'T HAVE THEM NOBODY WILL HAVE THEM. And it runs away. And all pissed off I go after her but Nd gets in my way but Sergio takes it and they start to fight while MD runs away, so I consider myself somewhat slow but that day I ran like hell and managed to tackle her at the door of a restaurant knocking down and breaking the door (I'm not exaggerating as the restaurant door was already very old and made a squeaking sound every time it was opened) and knocking over a table. Then MD starts to scratch me and hit my face but I in my anger grabbed a glass thrown on the floor and I break it on her face, disfiguring it then she hits me with much more force until the guard comes and knocks me down and MD stands up and I tried to step on my head with his heel but the P1 shoots him with a taser and he falls to the ground. So I leave the restaurant and see Sergio and ... oh my god. I see him with several cuts and his branded clothes (his parents are average up so they could afford such a luxury) ruined. and a razor embedded in his abdomen. And ND was worse, not even in the zombie movies they showed so much blood, he had a broken head with several bruises and torn clothes with some protruding teeth and Sergio's bars had blood. Then they took us to the police station that was one block from the shopping center and there they showed the security videos rather than the police took some witnesses. Then came Fr.
Q: I finally found you Karen (yes, that's what I call her).
MD:RAUL GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW !!!
Q: I AM NOT GOING TO DO IT, NOW YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES AND YOUR MICHAEL (I mean ND), how disappointed I am in you.
So Karen had to pay us $ 15,000 (they didn't take us to the hospital because our injuries weren't that serious so they treated us at the police station and Sergio got stitches and they put alcohol and bandages on us) and they paid 15 years in jail but he was They added other charges for similar things and another charge was imposed on the MD because he apparently lost custody of his son when he was a minor and then kidnapped him. In total ND (who was actually 19 years old WTF ???) was given 25 years and MD was given 45 years. P apologized profusely and we accepted them (he was a good guy), then it was already 8:00 PM and the mall closed at 11:00 PM so we went back, bought some clothes for Sergio but less expensive (well he didn't care) and leaving the store G approached us with a bag containing our ninety switches and our broken cell phones. G: Do you guys still want her? Me: No sir, I don't want to see my babies, just take it with you. We went to buy in the video game store and we bought the consoles (but I the version of the 2019 XD) and Sergio also the lite version pokemon sword and shield, our accessories (and we were able to buy the SMASH ULTIMATE and THE SPLATOON 2 and new better than old cell phones and other accessories for the switch) End.📷
If you want me to put more stories leave more stories tell me and I do it because in my now fifteen years of life I have come across several karens and I know people with the same anecdotes.
what I write is not important for the story I am only writing it in Spanish(lo que escribo no es importante para la historia solo la estoy escribiendo en español)
Historia de fondo:
Fue en enero antes de la pandemia y en navidad tanto a mi como a mi amigo de esta historia al que llamaremos Sergio nos regalaron unas nintendos switch(a mi la versión del 2017 y a el la Lite versión pokemon espada y escudo), ahora hay que decir que sergio tiene 19 años ahora y lo conozco desde hace mucho tiempo (yo en enero tenía 14 años) y sergio estudio por 6 años defensa personal y tenía en su brazos un tipo de brazalete donde llevaba unos barrotes de combate al estilo nightwing(si soy fan de Dc) y gas pimienta ah, y que es muy alto(1.90) y yo que hace 6 meses también me metí a la defensa personal( media 1.74) ahora si vamos con la historia conformada por:
Sergio: cosa enorme algo fornido e intimidante.
Karen: Loca que parece salido del mismísimo psiquiátrico Arkham.
ND: niño con derecho que parecía tener unos 16 años pero que su edad los sorprenderán.
GS: guardia de seguridad
P1: policía 1.
P2: policía 2.
P: Padre de ND y muy buena gente.
y yo: Aquel que se encuentra encima de todas las razas(adivina que quien es esta frase).
Historia:
Pues bien, era enero y hacía mucho calor así que Sergio y yo decidimos salir con nuestra nintendo y sus accesorios para salir a divertirnos y refrescarnos, entonces alrededor de la 6:00 PM estábamos en un centro comercial famoso en mi país y fuimos a ordenar algo de comer en el patio de comida y mientras esperamos(y esperamos mucho) nos desviamos a una tienda de videojuegos para ver qué juegos queremos comprar próximamente y en esos nos llaman para recibir nuestra orden y ahi estábamos jugando en el patio de comida mientras Nd(mide 1.80) se nos acerca:
ND: oye eso son unas nintendos switch??!!
Yo: si, si son.
ND: Me la podrías prestar. (cabe recalcar que tengo problemas de confianza y seguridad por problemas con la escuela)
Yo: No, lo siento (sonando lo mejor cortés posible). ND ya un poco molesto: Entonces dame la tuya y la de tu amigo. yo con cara de Wtf? y sergio con cara de "estás bien mijo?"(la de mike wazowski).
Yo: Perdón que dijiste??
ND: QUIERO SUS NINTEDO AHORA!!!!!
Yo: Nel pastel, nos esforzamos mucho para conseguir estas consolas.
ND: No me importa dámela ya!!( mientras extiende su mano).
Yo (ya sabiendo como va esto le digo): No ahora vete antes que te denuncie por acoso. Entonces el Nd comienza a hacer un berrinche que ni mi sobrino de 3 años hace y luego se va. Pensó que era todo, pero que ingenuo era, cinco minutos después viene MD( que mide alrededor de 1.68, es muy linda y algo cuerpona y no me malinterpreten) va hacia nosotros y dice.
MD: POR QUE NO LE DAN A MI ANGELITO SUS CONSOLAS.
Yo: porque son nuestra?
MD:Pero el las quiere a si que dásela
Yo:Ustedes dos no son nada ni nadie para quitarnos nuestras pertenencias!!!
MD:NO ME IMPORTA DÁMELA AHORA Y CON SUS CELULARES Y TODA ESA MIERDA QUE TIENE, AH Y NOS COMPRAN UNAS HAMBURGUESAS PERO COMO YA.
Yo(con sarcasmo): y va a querer un café con su pedido o unas denuncias por acoso o ya se unas buenas palizas gratis para que cierre el puto hocico. Md me da una cachetada, pero no le hago nada( primero porque tengo una gran paciencia y segundo porque en mi casa me inculcaron el valor de no golpear a ni una mujer). Nd quiere agarrar las consola pero sergio se lo impide, entonces la MD le quiere golpear pero me paro y la encaró y entonces en ND me empuja y dice.
ND: METETE CONMIGO HABER.
Sergio harto de esta mierda(he de decir que el es un poco temperamental y se enoja fácilmente), se para y se interpone entre mí y ND quien se encogen con tan solo verlo. Entonces por el alboroto viene el guardia y dice:
G: Que mierda pasa aquí?!?!
Md: Este moco-
la interrumpo y digo: Si va a decir su mierda que que le robamos la consola a su hijo y de que lo agredimos entonces callese!!! y le cuento toda nuestra versión.
G: esto es cierto señora??
MD: No, estos mocosos nos robaron y me quisieron golpear!!!!
Sergio: Haber miremos la cámara de seguridad. MD y ND se ponen blancos.
G: Buena idea, acompañados.
Entonces sergio al guardar ambas switches en sus respectivos estuches, antes de cerrar ambos MD los agarra y los tira, chocaron con un muro antes de caer a una fuente.
MD: SI YO NO LOS TENGO NADIE LOS TENDRÁ. Y se va corriendo.
Y todo encabronado voy tras ella pero Nd se pone en mi camino pero sergio lo toma y empiezan a pelear mientras MD huye, entonces me considero algo lento pero ese dia corrí como el demonio y la logró taclear en la puerta de un restaurante derribando y rompiendo la puerta(no exagero pues la puerta del restaurante ya estaba muy vieja y hacía un sonido chirriante cada vez que se abría) y tirando una mesa. Entonces MD me empieza a arañar y golpear la cara pero yo en mi ira agarró un vaso tirado en el piso y se lo rompo en la cara desfigurandosela entonces ella me pega con mucha más fuerza hasta que viene el guardia y me derriba y MD se para y me intente pisar la cabeza con su tacón pero el P1 le dispara con un taser y cae al suelo. entonces salgo del restaurante y veo a sergio y ... oh por dios. Lo veo con varias cortadas y su ropa con marca(sus padres son promedios para arriba así que se podían dar tal lujo) arruinada. y una navaja incrustada en su abdomen. Y ND estaba peor, ni en las películas de zombies mostraban tanta sangre, estaba con la cabeza rota con varios moretones y ropa rota con algunos dientes salidos y los barrotes de sergio tenían sangre. Entonces nos llevaron a la comisaría que estaba a una cuadra del centro comercial y allí mostraron los vídeos de seguridad más que los policías se llevaron a algunos testigos. Luego vino el P.
P: por fin te encontré Karen(si, así la llamo).
MD_ RAUL SÁCAME DE AQUÍ YA!!!
P:NO LO VOY A HACER, AHORA VAS A PAGAR POR TUS DELITOS Y TU MICHAEL( o sea ND), que decepcionado estoy de ti. Entonces Karen nos tuvo que pagar 15,000$ (no nos llevaron al hospital pues nuestras heridas no eran tan graves así que nos atendieron en la comisaria y a sergio le hicieron unos puntos y nos pusieron alcohol y vendas) y pagaron 15 años de cárcel pero se le agregaron otros cargos por cosas similares y al MD se le impuso otro cargo más pues al parecer perdió la custodia de su hijo cuando era menor de edad y en ese entonces lo secuestró. En total a ND(que en realidad tenía 19 años WTF???) se le dieron 25 años y a MD se le dieron 45 años.
P se disculpó profusamente y nosotros se las aceptamos(pues era un buen tipo), entonces ya era las 8:00 PM y el centro comercial cerraba a las 11:00 PM entonces volvimos, compramos unas prendas para sergio pero menos caras(pues a él no le importaba) y saliendo de la tienda G se nos acerca con una bolsa que contenía nuestras nintendos switches y nuestros celulares rotos.
G: Aun la quieren chicos??
Yo: No señor, no quiero ver a mis bebes, solo llévese lo. Fuimos a comprar en la tienda de videojuegos y nos compramos las consola(pero yo la versión del 2019 XD) y sergio igual la versión lite pokemon espada y escudo, nuestros accesorios( y nos alcanzó para comprar el SMASH ULTIMATE y EL SPLATOON 2 y nuevos celulares mejores que los antiguos y otros accesorios para la switch) Fin.
Si quieres que ponga más historias déjame más historias cuéntame y lo hago porque en mis ahora quince años de vida me he topado con varios karens y conozco gente con las mismas anécdotas.

With the war against organized crime that President Felipe Calderón undertook at the end of 2006, the radiography of national and transnational criminal organizations has undergone a change that has plunged some states of Mexico into an endless wave of violence, confrontations and executions. Together with the commission of the thousand of crimes that generate millions of dollars of illicit profits for the old and new criminal cartels, there is no end in sight.
In 2006, the criminal organizations that carried out their illegal activities in the country, that were in the business of the trafficking of drugs in to the US, was orderly regulated by major large cartels that at the time consisted of the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, Sinaloa/Pacífico, Tijuana/Arellano Félix, Juárez, Beltrán Leyva and Familia Michoacana, which had controlled some states in the north of the country, mainly those that are close to the northern border region. Alliances were broken and truces were violated, some as a result of greedy bosses attempting to expand their territory but at other times, it was personal. This conflict, along with the Calderon's war he was waging against particular cartels (almost all except perhaps Sinaloa) found a change that defined how cartels operate today.
The operations undertaken by the secretariats of the Armed-Navy of Mexico (Semar), and the National Defense (Sedena), as well as by the Federal Police (PF) generated arrests and deaths of the top leaders of major large cartels, heads of logistical support, chiefs of sicarios and financial operators. This break up in the structures of some criminal organizations, such as Los Zetas, Golfo, Familia Michoacana, Tijuana/Arellano Félix and Juárez, which came to the point of disappearing from the map of organized crime in Mexico. Suddenly, the fragmentation of these large cartels was not very organized, as many cells took on their own life and started operating independently, in attempts to forge a place in the narco hierarchy of the drug cartel business. Plaza bosses saw the opportunity to take over trafficking routes along the entire Mexico landscape and form alliance to cement their dominance.
In 2019, there is a substantial change in the large criminal organizations that were broken up, giving way to cells or splits that opened their way, and resulted in an uncontrolled increase in violence. No longer were their activities matters of organized crime, as the violence and crime was no longer very organized, as it was when old school top bosses kept the business of trafficking as organized as possible avoiding heating the plazas too much, as not to create too much attention from Mexican or US authorities.
With a low, but constant profile, the Gulf cartel or Cartel del Golfo (CDG) has managed to stay barely afloat within the drug trafficking map in Mexico. Due to their poor stability in the domains of its power and the internal disputes within the organization, the Gulf cartel has not managed to consolidate as an organized unit. For its part, the CDG suffered a fragmentation in its structure due to the arrest and death of its main leaders and lieutenants. It is said that numerous criminal cells help the CDG maintain operations in the north and south of the country, they are; Los Metro, Los Rojos, Los Fresita, Los Dragones, Cyclones, Los Pelones, Grupo Lacoste, Grupo Dragones, Grupo Bravo, Grupo Pumas, Grupo de Apoyo Ceros, M3, Los Sierra, and Los Talibanes. It is said that Los Metros have forged an alliance with the CJNG, that might prove helpful to the leader of the CJNG, Nemesio Oseguera Cervante, "El Mencho" for if or when he decides to make a move toward the gulf region. Golfos have tried to make a surge, but seem to be drown out by the many cells scattered all over the gulf coast that at times no one seems to know who they operate under.
There has been information of other smaller CDG cell groups called Grupo Sombra, Grupo Pantera, Comando del Diablo, Los Sierras (Sierra Division), Scorpiones, Grupo Operativo Z and Alcatraz de los R (small group, associated with the comando de diablo), but have made no progress in the fight for dominance in the region.
Their limited area of ​​influence is located in places like Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo and a part of San Luis Potosí. This organization, despite the alliances they had in more than a decade, is at the brink of disappearing from the map of organized crime.
Los Zetas are said to be pretty much gone after the arrest or death of almost all of their leaders that left a vacuum in the structure that was not easy to fill. Now, like many other criminal organizations, Los Zetas have been divided into two rival cells: the Cártel del Noreste (CDN), a rebrand of los zetas with new players and the weaker Los Zetas de la Vieja Escuela, a dissident group that has a presence in Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Veracruz, Zacatecas, Campeche, Tabasco and Quintana Roo. In the case of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, there is the armed wing called La Tropa del Infierno.
The Zeta cells that once reigned with immense power and strength have not seen much advances, most have come and gone. Some of these cells are; Sangre Zeta, Grupo Operativo Zeta, Comando Zetas, El Círculo, El Extranjero, Unidad Zeta, Néctar Lima, Grupo Delta Zeta, Zetas Vieja Escuela, and Fuerzas Especiales Zetas.
Lately the so-called Northeast cartel or Cartel del Noreste (CDN) has made an impressive presence in Coahuila, Nuevo León, Guanajuato, Tabasco and Quintana Roo. They also have a presence in the United States, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia
CDN was a remnants of Los Zetas, primarily formed by the Treviño Morales family, who two of the brothers, Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales, alias "El Z-40" and "El Z-42" were top bosses of the Zetas in the hay days (Both are currently incarcerated). It is said that the nephew of Z-40 and Z-42, Juan Gerardo Treviño, aka El Huevo leads CDN.
"Los Marucheros," is one of the the cells of the Cartel del Noreste that recruit women and children that are based out of the state of Tamaulipas. These type of cells tend to be the lowest rank of the criminal organizations, mostly working as "halcones, estakas" or lookouts.
The Dead Live on
The alliances between cells or factions of the big drug cartels have allowed some criminal organizations that were about to disappear in the last two years (2018-2019) have begun to resurface with a new economic structure, new sicario team and large scale weapons with the purpose of taking over their so-called “plazas” (states or municipalities) for their own to operate in illicit activities to generate high profit.
One of the clearest examples is the Tijuana/Arellano Félix Cartel, now called the New Generation Tijuana Cartel or Cártel Tijuana Nueva Generación (CTNG) name given due to their alliance with the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel or Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). It has been strengthened with a new structure of sicarios and weapons to fight against the Pacific cartel (Cártel del Pacífico) or Sinaloa cartel (CDS), the only cartel left left in the state of Baja California.
In the case of the Juarez Cartel or Cártel de Juárez/New Juarez Cartel or Nuevo Cártel de Juárez (NCDJ), together with its armed wing of La Linea, which, in turn, have under their control the street gangs of Los Mexicles and Los Aztecas (Barrio Azteca), they have begun to actively participate in the confrontations and trafficking of drugs to the United States. Many had given the Juarez cartel as dead, after a fierce battle with Sinaloa cartel and getting hit hard by the federal police/military, but looking at how thing have played out, Juarez, is alive and well.
This criminal organization was about to get completed taken out due to the war waged by the government of Felipe Calderón Hinojosa when he tried to rescue Ciudad Juárez from a wave of violence for three consecutive years (2009-2011), that was considered the most violent city in the world. It seem like Sinaloa flourished while cartels such as Juarez and Tijuana that were getting hit hard by the military were destined to die a silent expedited death.
A decade later, the so-called Nuevo Cártel de Juárez (NCDJ) controls the entire state of Chihuahua (including the prized Ciudad Juarez), mainly the municipalities adjacent to the state of Sonora, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas, United States.
La Familia Michoacana, on the verge of being taken completely out, merged into the Caballeros Templarios or Knights Templar, and dedicated themselves in the manufacture of synthetic drugs, drug trafficking, kidnapping, homicide, money laundering, human trafficking, among other crimes. After the death and detention of its leaders in 2016, La Nueva Familia Michoacana emerged with its armed wing of Los Troyanos, which expanded from Michoacán to the State of Mexico, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Colima, Nuevo León, Baja California and Coahuila, thanks to alliances with other criminal organizations.
One of its great alliances is with Las Moicas, which were considered in 2009 by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a regional suppliers of methamphetamine and heroin in to California, specifically in the center and north of the state.
The Beltrán Leyva Cartel and the Gente Nueva is a clear example of cartel fragmentation after the arrest and death of Arturo, Carlos, Alfredo, Mario, Esaúl and Héctor Beltrán Leyva. This organization has risen to eight criminal cells that have continued with the activities of drug trafficking, human trafficking, executions, weapon smuggling, money laundering, kidnapping and collection of tax/fee (pago de piso) from the business community.
Los Rojos, have presence in the north and center of Guerrero, as well as in much of Morelos. Their origins were in the municipality of Chilapa, Guerrero, and its founder and leader Jesús Nava Romero, El Rojo, was lieutenant of Arturo Beltrán Leyva.
The Mazatlecos were created as an armed wing of the Beltrán Leyva Organization to deal with the sicarios of the Pacific Cartel. Over the years they rose from sicarios to become drug lords. They began operations in Mazatlan to exercise control in the states of Sinaloa, Durango and Nayarit. Thus they were responsible for the trafficking of drugs in huge quantities to the United States. From marijuana, cocaine, heroin and even methamphetamines; Its area of ​​influence is located in Sinaloa and Baja California Sur.
Los Ruelas Torres, whose leader is José Luis Ruelas Torres was also lieutenant of Los Beltrán Leyva before the arrest and death of the bosses (Beltran brothers), this organization began in the heroin trade to the United States, from Los Angeles to New York.
The Granados began their activities of trafficking drugs on the Costa Grande of Guerrero for the Beltrán Leyva Cartel; However, they began their criminal career at the hands of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Familia Michoacana.
Los Ardillos With more than 20 years operating in the Guerrero municipality of Quechultenango dedicate themselves entirely to the planting of poppy, the collection of tax/fees (pago de piso), piracy and kidnapping. They currently operate in the Mountain Regions and downtown Guerrero.
The Acapulco Independent Cartel or El Cártel Independiente de Acapulco (CIDA) is considered a local criminal organization, with its main area of ​​operations being some colonies in the port of Acapulco, Guerrero. Their illicit activities are drug trafficking, kidnapping, "pago de piso" and executions.
El 2 Mil. The name of this band comes from the nickname of Javier Hernández García, known as El Panchillo or El 2 Mil, who was part of the security of Los Beltrán Leyva, operated in Coahuila, Chihuahua, San Luis Potosí and Sonora. He was arrested and extradited to the US just recently.
Guerreros Unidos is another of the groups that emerged from the late Beltran Leyva Cartel. It was considered one of the most violent organizations that expanded through Guerrero, México State and Morelos, where they began a fierce fight against the Cártel del Pacífico Sur and La Mano con Ojos. Guerreros Unidos for the most part have ceased to exist.
Sinaloa cartel is one of the criminal organizations that has remained after the imprisonment of its main leaders, such as the case of Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, El Chapo, who created several armed wings such as La Gente Nueva to defend the states where he has been embedded, mainly which is Sinaloa, Durango, Coahuila, Baja California, Baja California Sur and Sonora.
However, in the last five years it has expanded into small cell groups where other criminal organizations predominate. A lot of these cells, as is with most of all cartels, have started to operate independently such as the Cartel del Tigre, Los Cabrera, Los Salazar, Los Paredes (Los Pesados ​​Apson) and Los Memos.
The Lebaron Massacre
A perfect example of cells operating independently and running amok like a chicken without a head, is the massacre of the Mormon Lebaron family in a community of La Mora in Bavispe, Sonora (a Sinaloa cartel controlled region), on November 4, 2019. The cartels that get hit the hardest by the Mexican government and have their top bosses in key roles taken out, usually leave their network of cells in different plazas operating without rules and out of control. While armed to the teeth, they actively seek to engage rival cells without thinking of the repercussions. A rush in the power struggle emerges as other rival cells attempt to move in to neighboring plazas to take control. La Linea is scattered throughout Chihuahua state in different factions, having Ciudad Juarez as their center base of operations.
Days before the massacre, La Linea entered Agua Prieta, Sonora on the border of Douglas, Arizona. Their purpose was to heat up la plaza. This is deep in Sinaloa territory and the Agua Prieta plaza is heavily protected by Los Salazar and Los Paredes (Los Pesados ​​Apson), cells of Sinaloa cartel (CDS). There was a gunfight at night that resulted in a couple of fatalities, it was said to be the members of La Linea. Rumors immediately began circulating that people from Gente Nueva (armed wing of CDS) were on their way to reinforce the plaza.
It was reported that La Linea, while retreating out of Sonora state, for some reason decided to engage three SUVs that were occupied by the LeBaron family, all children and women. They killed nine people, some burned alive in a SUV (three women and six children, all of whom held dual US–Mexican citizenships). There has been a lot of controversy over who is responsible for the massacre, not much has come out from the Mexican government and at times they have released information that has turned out to be false. Word on the streets made thing even more confusing and has not been resolved, possible because of the corruption and/or fear. But one thing is for certain, some cell was responsible for the attack and this cell probably overstepped their authority. They have plenty of good reasons to be quiet about it, as someone made a grave mistake.
This attack created a heavy response from Mexican authorities and pressure from the US for Mexico to do more to tackle the cartel violence. Most top bosses do not tolerate any cell, be it their own or rival, to disrupt drug trafficking operations. The CDS also has traditionally avoided killing women and children. Word on the street was that the top boss of the "old guard" of the Sinaloa cartel, Ismael "Mayo "Zambada, was not very happy.
Immediately after the massacre, the violence in Ciudad Juarez intensified. Los Mexicles (a gang under Sinaloa cartel) started heating up the plaza by burning buses and executing 9 members of La Linea in the Cereso (jail) in the city. It seem like some of these cells have now remain real low key and there is more presence of CDS in Sonora.
The New Cartel in Mexico
The economic structure, the organization, its hired sicarios and the power of high capacity weapons have extended the areas of influence of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) that went from being a local organization to the first drug cartel controlling a lot of the territories in Mexico and expanding out of the country. In the early stages some cells operating under the structure of Sinaloa Federation/Pacifico broke away to form the arm wing known as Matazetas to try to exterminate the Zetas. With the death and arrest of key capos in and around Guerrero, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho saw an opportunity to expand his territory and started a power grab that continues today with the CJNG.
Today, their cells carry out crimes in Jalisco, Nayarit, Mexico City, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Veracruz, Yucatán, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Guanajuato, Oaxaca and San Luis Potosí. Outside Mexico: United States, Central America, Colombia, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
Towards the center of the country, mainly in the states of Guanajuato, Querétaro and Puebla, where there is a fight for control of the theft of hydrocarbon and gas.
The fight between cartels is sustained by some local organizations, such as the so-called Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and La Nueva Familia Michoacana; while in other states the confrontations are carried out from cells that originated from Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel.
The dispute over the so-called Huachicol (fuel) has increased violence in the states of Guanajuato and Puebla, where the organization (CJNG) headed by El Mencho, focuses on the so-called Triángulo of Huachicol and Triángulo Rojo in Puebla.
The constant confrontations and executions in Guanajuato, are focusing on the municipalities of Valle de Santiago, Jaral del Progreso, Cortázar, Yuriria, Salamanca, Irapuato, Silao and León, which are within the so-called Huachicol Triangle, between the CJNG cells and their break away cell of Santa Rosa de Lima, commanded by José Antonio Yepes, El Marro.
According to the information disseminated by the Sixteenth Military Zone of the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), the fight between the two organizations is for the theft of LP fuel and gas.
Violence has moved to the state of Querétaro in the corridor that makes up the municipalities of Palmillas, San Juan del Río, Pedro Escobedo and Corregidora, where the Tula-Salamanca pipeline runs.
In the so-called Red Triangle, which is made up of the municipalities of Acatzingo, Palmar de Bravo, Quecholac, Tecamachalco and Tepeaca, there are constant confrontations taking place between the CJNG cells against the sicarios of Roberto de los Santos de Jesús, aka El Bukanas, leader huachicolero at the service of Los Zetas.
The violence generated by the CJNG has spread to the state of Michoacán due to the dispute over the trafficking of narcotics, the production of synthetic drugs, and is a nasty war against La Nueva Familia Michoacana and Los Viagras.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cartel and Jalisco Nueva Generación, contest the state of Aguascaliente for control of a variety of crimes ranging from kidnapping, extortions, collection of money (cobro de piso), drug trafficking, executions and abductions (levantones).
While in San Luis Potosí there is a silent war between the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, La Nueva Familia Michoacana and CJNG.
In Morelos, the fight for the sale and distribution of the drug, kidnappings and "cobros de piso" result in constant confrontations with the criminal organizations of Los Rojos, Guerreros Unidos and recently with the CJNG.
In the case of the State of Mexico, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cártel and La Nueva Familia Michoacana cells have generated an increase in insecurity in the last decade in various Mexican municipalities.
For its part, Mexico City went from being an area of ​​cartel links, negotiations and alliances, but now has become a battleground between the local organizations of the Tláhuac Cartel, Los Rodolfos and Los Ojos fighting against the Unión Tepito and Los Molina.
Guerrero, a Nest of Fragmented Cartels.
Currently in the state of Guerrero there are two large drug cartels, the Cártel del Pacífico/Sinaloa cartel and the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), the latter made alliances and a truce with the smaller denominated cartels to have control of planting, distribution of poppy and rubber opium, as well as trafficking cocaine and other illicit drugs.
The Pacific/Sinaloa Cartel has alliances with some local bands in various areas of the state.
The alliances that the Pacific/Sinaloa Cartel has woven with some local groups are directly responsible for the increase in violence in some areas of the states of Guerrero and Michoacán.
The example is the area of ​​the Costa Chica, where the following groups work for the so-called Sinaloa Cartel.
Don Luis, Grupo de Los Torralba, Grupo de Los Charchove, Grupo de Los Hermanos Carrillo Salmerón, Grupo de Sofía Mayo Ramírez, Sofi and La Reyna de la Costa Chica..
They also have a strong alliance with La Nueva Familia Michoacana with its armed wing known as autodefensas (self-defense groups) or policías comunitarias (community police), among which Los Arreola and Tepalcatepec Cartel, led by Juan José Farías, aka El Abuelo, stand out in the two states that, in turn, have an alliance with Los Caballeros Templarios, Los Viagras, and Sangre Nueva Guerrerense. The autodefensas typically like to come across as militias fighting all the cartels, but they do take sides, and help particular cartels fight off other cartels.
La Nueva Familia Michoacana also has among its allies the so-called Cártel de Cuajinicuilapa, Los Añorve, Cártel de Los Rodríguez; Los Ardillos, Los Rojos, Cártel de la Sierra, Los Jefes and Cártel del Fantasma. In addition they have under them Gente Tijuana, Los Capuchinos and Los Palacios Galeana.
For their part, the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) has an alliance with criminal groups in the regions of Costa Grande, Tierra Caliente and mountains of the State of Guerrero, such as:
Los Granados, Fuerzas Especiales Guardia Guerrerense, El Gavilán, Ejidos Nuevos de Guerrero, Los Jaguares, El Águila, El Charal, Los Cuernudos, Ayala Huato, El Comandante Beto, El Profe, Cerebro, Chamuco, Chito Cano and Aburto
They also maintain an alliance with the remnants of the Cártel de Los Beltrán Leyva, Gente Nueva, La Empresa, Mochomera, Fuerzas Especiales de Acapulco (FEDA), Los Teletubis, Ojitos Verdes, Los Amigos and Los Rusos.
Cártel Independiente de Acapulco (CIDA), La Ciudadanía de Acapulco, El Pueblo de Acapulco, Los Sierreños, Comando MC de Mario Cabrera, Los Leones, Los Tequileros and their remnants, Cártel del Sur, Cártel de la Sierra, Cártel Sierra Unida Revolucionaria (SUR) and Los Marín.
In Oaxaca the only cartels operating are the Cártel de Los Zetas or Vieja Escuela, Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and el Cártel del Golfo to some extent.
While in Chiapas the Cártel del Pacífico/Sinaloa dominates, while Los Zetas or Vieja Escuela, Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) dispute some municipalities.
The AMLO Strategy
In 2018, Mexico broke a new record of 32,000 homicides but in 2019, that record was broken yet with 36,000 homicides. The violence can be attributed to the out of control fragmented cartels, where cells of trigger happy young men that are heavily armed and are more than happy to challenge any rival cell and get in full blown shootouts with military and police forces. Their slaughter of their targets usually involves multiple groups of victims creating massive violence in almost every parts of Mexico, but places where cartels are in a heated battle have suffered the most, like Guanajuato, Michoacán and Guerrero.
The new president of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has been criticized for his soft approach to take the war to the cartels, not wanting to use the same strategy as former president Felipe Calderón. He is often criticised for his comment about his strategy to use "abrazos y no balasos" or "hugs and not bullets." He initially limited the role of the Mexican marines, that have been successful in the past taking out most of the top level cartel bosses. AMLO has expanded the roles of his Guardia Nacional (National Guard) to play more of a role to confront these out of control cells within the communities that have out of control violence. He has recently, on a limited basis, has allowed the Mexican marines to help with problematic regions. His weak stand to take on these cartels head on, has embolden break-away cells who are killing indiscriminately with total impunity.
Alliances with US Gangs The Sinaloa cartel designated by US authorities as traffickers of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine has networks of alliances with gangs or criminal organizations in the US such as Latin King and Queen Nation, Border Brothers, Bloods, Eme, Crips, Ms-13, Sureños, Tango Blast and United Blood Nation.
The Tijuana Nueva Generación Cartel (CTNG) traffic in cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine, They have links with Latin King and Queen Nation, Border Brothers, California Mexican Mafia, Florence 13, Logan Heights Gang and Sureños
The Cártel de Juárez or Nuevo Cártel de Juárez (NCDJ) traffic in cocaine and marijuana. They have links with 4 gangs or criminal organizations in the United States: Latin King and Queen Nation, Barrio Azteca, Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos and Los Carnales.
The Gulf Cartel traffic in cocaine and marijuana. They have links with 8 gangs or criminal organizations in the United States: Bloods, Crips, Emi, M5-13, Latino Gunmen Brothers, Mexican Revolutionary Party, United Race and Texas Syndicate.
The Cártel del Noreste or Zetas cartel trafficking cocaine, marijuana, synthetic drugs and human trafficking. They have links with 12 gangs or criminal organizations in the United States, including Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, Latin King, Queen Nation, Bandidos Motorcycle Club, Bloods, Crips, Eme, Emi, MS-13, Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos, Sureños, Norteños and Texas Syndicate
While the remnants of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel or Gente Nueva traffic in cocaine, heroin, marijuana, they allied themselves with gangs Mexikanemi, Barrio Azteca, Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos, MS13.
Guerreros Unidos traffics cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamines have links with 8 gangs, Latin Kings, Queen Nation, Crips, Eme, Los Cholos, Murder Inc, Sureños, Tango Blast and MS-13.
The Nueva Familia Michoacana or Caballeros Templarios wove alliances with Latin King and Queen Nation, Crips, Eme, Los Cholos, Murder Inc, Sureños, Tango Blast and MS-13.

Background story:
It was in January before the pandemic and at Christmas both me and my friend in this story who we will call Sergio gave us some nintendos switch (to me the 2017 version and the Lite version pokemon sword and shield), now we have to To say that Sergio is 19 years old now and I have known him for a long time (I was 14 years old in January) and Sergio studied self-defense for 6 years and had in his arms a type of bracelet where he wore nightwing-style combat bars (yes I'm a fan of DC) and pepper spray oh, and that is very high (1.90) and I who 6 months ago also got into personal defense (average 1.74) now if we go with the history made up of:
Sergio: something huge, sturdy and intimidating.
Karen: Crazy who looks like she came from Arkham asylum itself.
ND: child with rights who seemed to be about 16 years old but his age will surprise you. GS: security guard
P1: police 1.
P2: police 2.
Q: Father of ND and very good people.
and me: He who is above all races (guess who this phrase is).
History: Well, it was January and it was very hot so Sergio and I decided to go out with our nintendo and its accessories to go out and have fun and refresh ourselves, so around 6:00 PM we were in a famous shopping center in my country and we went to order Something to eat in the food court and while we wait (and we wait a lot) we diverted to a video game store to see what games we want to buy next and in those they call us to receive our order and there we were playing in the food court while Nd (measures 1.80) comes close to us:
ND: hey, is that a nintendos switch ?? !!
Me: yes, they are.
ND: Could you lend it to me. (It should be noted that I have trust and security problems due to problems with the school)
Me: No, sorry (sounding as polite as possible).
ND already a little annoyed: Then give me yours and your friend's.
me with a Wtf face? and sergio with the face of "are you okay, mijo?" (mike wazowski's).
Me: Sorry, what did you say?
ND: I WANT YOUR NINTEDO NOW !!!!!
Me: Nel pie, we tried really hard to get these consoles.
ND: I don't mind give it to me now !! (while extending his hand).
I (already knowing how this is going I say): Not now go before I denounce you for harassment. Then Nd starts throwing a tantrum that even my 3-year-old nephew does and then he goes away. He thought it was all, but how naive he was, five minutes later MD comes (who is around 1.68, is very pretty and a little body and don't get me wrong) goes to us and says.
MD: WHY DON'T YOU GIVE MY ANGEL THEIR CONSOLES.
Me: why are they ours?
MD: But he wants them, so give it to him
Me: You two are nothing and nobody to take away our belongings !!!
MD: I DON'T CARE GIVE IT TO ME NOW AND WITH YOUR CELL PHONES AND ALL THAT SHIT YOU HAVE, NOW AND THEY BUY US SOME BURGERS BUT LIKE NOW.
Me (sarcastically): and he's going to want a coffee with his order or some complaints of harassment or he already gets some good free beatings to shut his fucking mouth.
Md slaps me, but I don't do anything to him (first because I have great patience and second because at home they instilled in me the courage not to hit a woman). Nd wants to grab the console but sergio stops him, so the MD wants to hit him but I stop and face her and then in ND he pushes me and says. ND: METETE WITH ME HAVE Sergio fed up with this shit (I have to say that he is a bit temperamental and gets angry easily), he stops and gets between me and ND who shrink just by looking at him. Then because of the commotion the guard comes and says:
G: What the fuck is going on here?!?!
Md: This mucus-
I interrupt her and say: If you are going to say your shit that we stole your son's console and that we attacked him then shut up !!! and I tell him our whole version.
G: is this true ma'am ??
MD: No, these brats robbed us and wanted to rob me !!!!
Sergio: Let's have a look at the security camera. MD and ND go white. G: Good idea, accompanied. Then Sergio, when putting both switches in their respective cases, before closing both DMs he grabs them and throws them, they collided with a wall before falling into a fountain.
MD: IF I DON'T HAVE THEM NOBODY WILL HAVE THEM. And it runs away. And all pissed off I go after her but Nd gets in my way but Sergio takes it and they start to fight while MD runs away, so I consider myself somewhat slow but that day I ran like hell and managed to tackle her at the door of a restaurant knocking down and breaking the door (I'm not exaggerating as the restaurant door was already very old and made a squeaking sound every time it was opened) and knocking over a table. Then MD starts to scratch me and hit my face but I in my anger grabbed a glass thrown on the floor and I break it on her face, disfiguring it then she hits me with much more force until the guard comes and knocks me down and MD stands up and I tried to step on my head with his heel but the P1 shoots him with a taser and he falls to the ground. So I leave the restaurant and see Sergio and ... oh my god.
I see him with several cuts and his branded clothes (his parents are average up so they could afford such a luxury) ruined. and a razor embedded in his abdomen. And ND was worse, not even in the zombie movies they showed so much blood, he had a broken head with several bruises and torn clothes with some protruding teeth and Sergio's bars had blood. Then they took us to the police station that was one block from the shopping center and there they showed the security videos rather than the police took some witnesses. Then came Fr.
Q: I finally found you Karen (yes, that's what I call her).
MD:RAUL GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW !!!
Q: I AM NOT GOING TO DO IT, NOW YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES AND YOUR MICHAEL (I mean ND), how disappointed I am in you. So Karen had to pay us $ 15,000 (they didn't take us to the hospital because our injuries weren't that serious so they treated us at the police station and Sergio got stitches and they put alcohol and bandages on us) and they paid 15 years in jail but he was They added other charges for similar things and another charge was imposed on the MD because he apparently lost custody of his son when he was a minor and then kidnapped him. In total ND (who was actually 19 years old WTF ???) was given 25 years and MD was given 45 years.
P apologized profusely and we accepted them (he was a good guy), then it was already 8:00 PM and the mall closed at 11:00 PM so we went back, bought some clothes for Sergio but less expensive (well he didn't care) and leaving the store G approached us with a bag containing our ninety switches and our broken cell phones.
G: Do you guys still want her?
Me: No sir, I don't want to see my babies, just take it with you. We went to buy in the video game store and we bought the consoles (but I the version of the 2019 XD) and Sergio also the lite version pokemon sword and shield, our accessories (and we were able to buy the SMASH ULTIMATE and THE SPLATOON 2 and new better than old cell phones and other accessories for the switch) End.
If you want me to put more stories just tell me because in my now fifteen years of life I have come across several karens and I know people with similar experiences
P.D: what I'm writing is not important, it's just the story in Spanish (esto que estoy escribiendo no es importante es solo la historia al español).
Historia de fondo: Fue en enero antes de la pandemia y en navidad tanto a mi como a mi amigo de esta historia al que llamaremos Sergio nos regalaron unas nintendos switch(a mi la versión del 2017 y a el la Lite versión pokemon espada y escudo), ahora hay que decir que sergio tiene 19 años ahora y lo conozco desde hace mucho tiempo (yo en enero tenía 14 años) y sergio estudio por 6 años defensa personal y tenía en su brazos un tipo de brazalete donde llevaba unos barrotes de combate al estilo nightwing(si soy fan de Dc) y gas pimienta ah, y que es muy alto(1.90) y yo que hace 6 meses también me metí a la defensa personal( media 1.74) ahora si vamos con la historia conformada por:
Sergio: cosa enorme algo fornido e intimidante. Karen: Loca que parece salido del mismísimo psiquiátrico Arkham.
ND: niño con derecho que parecía tener unos 16 años pero que su edad los sorprenderán.
GS: guardia de seguridad
P1: policía 1.
P2: policía 2.
P: Padre de ND y muy buena gente.
y yo: Aquel que se encuentra encima de todas las razas(adivina que quien es esta frase).
Historia:
Pues bien, era enero y hacía mucho calor así que Sergio y yo decidimos salir con nuestra nintendo y sus accesorios para salir a divertirnos y refrescarnos, entonces alrededor de la 6:00 PM estábamos en un centro comercial famoso en mi país y fuimos a ordenar algo de comer en el patio de comida y mientras esperamos(y esperamos mucho) nos desviamos a una tienda de videojuegos para ver qué juegos queremos comprar próximamente y en esos nos llaman para recibir nuestra orden y ahi estábamos jugando en el patio de comida mientras Nd(mide 1.80) se nos acerca:
ND: oye eso son unas nintendos switch??!!
Yo: si, si son.
ND: Me la podrías prestar. (cabe recalcar que tengo problemas de confianza y seguridad por problemas con la escuela)
Yo: No, lo siento (sonando lo mejor cortés posible).
ND ya un poco molesto: Entonces dame la tuya y la de tu amigo. yo con cara de Wtf? y sergio con cara de "estás bien mijo?"(la de mike wazowski).
Yo: Perdón que dijiste?? ND: QUIERO SUS NINTEDO AHORA!!!!!
Yo: Nel pastel, nos esforzamos mucho para conseguir estas consolas.
ND: No me importa dámela ya!!( mientras extiende su mano).
Yo (ya sabiendo como va esto le digo): No ahora vete antes que te denuncie por acoso. Entonces el Nd comienza a hacer un berrinche que ni mi sobrino de 3 años hace y luego se va. Pensó que era todo, pero que ingenuo era, cinco minutos después viene MD( que mide alrededor de 1.68, es muy linda y algo cuerpona y no me malinterpreten) va hacia nosotros y dice.
MD: POR QUE NO LE DAN A MI ANGELITO SUS CONSOLAS.
Yo: porque son nuestra?
MD:Pero el las quiere a si que dásela Yo:Ustedes dos no son nada ni nadie para quitarnos nuestras pertenencias!!!
MD:NO ME IMPORTA DÁMELA AHORA Y CON SUS CELULARES Y TODA ESA MIERDA QUE TIENE, AH Y NOS COMPRAN UNAS HAMBURGUESAS PERO COMO YA.
Yo(con sarcasmo): y va a querer un café con su pedido o unas denuncias por acoso o ya se unas buenas palizas gratis para que cierre el puto hocico. Md me da una cachetada, pero no le hago nada( primero porque tengo una gran paciencia y segundo porque en mi casa me inculcaron el valor de no golpear a ni una mujer). Nd quiere agarrar las consola pero sergio se lo impide, entonces la MD le quiere golpear pero me paro y la encaró y entonces en ND me empuja y dice.
ND: METETE CONMIGO HABER Sergio harto de esta mierda(he de decir que el es un poco temperamental y se enoja fácilmente), se para y se interpone entre mí y ND quien se encogen con tan solo verlo. Entonces por el alboroto viene el guardia y dice:
G: Que mierda pasa aquí?!?!
Md: Este moco-
la interrumpo y digo: Si va a decir su mierda que que le robamos la consola a su hijo y de que lo agredimos entonces callese!!! y le cuento toda nuestra versión.
G: esto es cierto señora??
MD: No, estos mocosos nos robaron y me quisieron robar!!!!
Sergio: Haber miremos la cámara de seguridad. MD y ND se ponen blancos.
G: Buena idea, acompañados. entonces sergio al guardar ambas switches en sus respectivos estuches, antes de cerrar ambos MD los agarra y los tira, chocaron con un muro antes de caer a una fuente. MD: SI YO NO LOS TENGO NADIE LOS TENDRÁ. Y se va corriendo. Y todo encabronado voy tras ella pero Nd se pone en mi camino pero sergio lo toma y empiezan a pelear mientras MD huye, entonces me considero algo lento pero ese dia corrí como el demonio y la logró taclear en la puerta de un restaurante derribando y rompiendo la puerta(no exagero pues la puerta del restaurante ya estaba muy vieja y hacía un sonido chirriante cada vez que se abría) y tirando una mesa. Entonces MD me empieza a arañar y golpear la cara pero yo en mi ira agarró un vaso tirado en el piso y se lo rompo en la cara desfigurandosela entonces ella me pega con mucha más fuerza hasta que viene el guardia y me derriba y MD se para y me intente pisar la cabeza con su tacón pero el P1 le dispara con un taser y cae al suelo. entonces salgo del restaurante y veo a sergio y ... oh por dios. Lo veo con varias cortadas y su ropa con marca(sus padres son promedios para arriba así que se podían dar tal lujo) arruinada. y una navaja incrustada en su abdomen. Y ND estaba peor, ni en las películas de zombies mostraban tanta sangre, estaba con la cabeza rota con varios moretones y ropa rota con algunos dientes salidos y los barrotes de sergio tenían sangre. Entonces nos llevaron a la comisaría que estaba a una cuadra del centro comercial y allí mostraron los vídeos de seguridad más que los policías se llevaron a algunos testigos. Luego vino el P.
P: por fin te encontré Karen(si, así la llamo).
MD. RAUL SÁCAME DE AQUÍ YA!!!
P:NO LO VOY A HACER, AHORA VAS A PAGAR POR TUS DELITOS Y TU MICHAEL( o sea ND), que decepcionado estoy de ti. Entonces Karen nos tuvo que pagar 15,000$ (no nos llevaron al hospital pues nuestras heridas no eran tan graves así que nos atendieron en la comisaria y a sergio le hicieron unos puntos y nos pusieron alcohol y vendas) y pagaron 15 años de cárcel pero se le agregaron otros cargos por cosas similares y al MD se le impuso otro cargo más pues al parecer perdió la custodia de su hijo cuando era menor de edad y en ese entonces lo secuestró. En total a ND(que en realidad tenía 19 años WTF???) se le dieron 25 años y a MD se le dieron 45 años.
P se disculpó profusamente y nosotros se las aceptamos(pues era un buen tipo), entonces ya era las 8:00 PM y el centro comercial cerraba a las 11:00 PM entonces volvimos, compramos unas prendas para sergio pero menos caras(pues a él no le importaba) y saliendo de la tienda G se nos acerca con una bolsa que contenía nuestras nintendos switches y nuestros celulares rotos.
G: Aun la quieren chicos?? Yo: No señor, no quiero ver a mis bebes, solo llévese lo. Fuimos a comprar en la tienda de videojuegos y nos compramos las consola(pero yo la versión del 2019 XD) y sergio igual la versión lite pokemon espada y escudo, nuestros accesorios( y nos alcanzó para comprar el SMASH ULTIMATE y EL SPLATOON 2 y nuevos celulares mejores que los antiguos y otros accesorios para la switch) Fin.
Si quieren que ponga mas historias solo díganmelo pues en mis ahora quince años de vida me e topado con varias karens y conozco gente con experiencias similares

Hi all. Loved Cuba, thought I'd give back to a subreddit that helped me prepare, + talk about a wonderful country and people, if only to hold me over before I go back.
I considered not giving away too much, in a silly/futile/arrogant attempt to keep from over-exposing some great restaurants/keep Cuba hidden from the next wave of tourists, but what's the point... I have faith in Cuba stubbornly staying Cuban, for better and worse.
*Please correct any misunderstandings I've gathered about the country/people/etc.*
basic tips
It's all been covered already here, how to be a responsible and prepared traveler (American or not) in Cuba. Do a few hours of research at least a week before you leave, ideally right after you book flights. These older posts still held true when I went last week:
https://www.reddit.com/cuba/comments/5uk85z/my_perspective_on_havana_as_a_hopefully_nonshitty/
https://www.reddit.com/cuba/comments/469nr7/money_exchange_for_americans_visiting_cuba/ (take what u/Kananaskis_Country/ says seriously in general)
https://anywhereweroam.com/travel-tips-for-cuba/ (and the blog more generally)
You'll see the same stuff over and over again with slight deviations. Where you see conflicts, feel free to post and we'll sort it out. As of this moment (January 2020), just read the above/ignore the rest of my post and you'll be great.
additional tips (TL;DR of below)
keep reading and/or post if you wanna know more about any of these...
- if you're hiking/in nature, maps.me might be better than google maps
- i offline-downloaded the above blogs + restaurant guides below + my own notes - super easy. + brought 2 guidebooks from local library
- the black market for US dollars is indeed alive and well, you can get 1 CUC for 1 Dollar from some restaurants/cab drivers, so perhaps don't change all your money at the airport
- local collectivos and buses are a super-cheap, easy and fast way to get around Havana and get a local experience. try it
- the food is great if you do some research, like much of latin america; if a foodie, consider shifting your goals/expectations; Cuba aside, food is an experience, not only a taste. also: no pork? no problems, on my end.
- i heard from multiple sources that Cuba is considering a new currency which might render CUC/CUP useless, so even if you're returning soon, maybe change your CUC back/take the hit
- "what to bring" - i just brought 10 packs of my favorite chewing gum, gave some to a young teenage girl neighbor I met in Vinales, and to three workers in various casas for their children. I tipped according to the 10% standard, more heavily to a couple of great guides. Nothing insane, as it will raise prices for locals - part of being a responsible traveler in a developing country.
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itinerary (standard gringo trail)
there's plenty of sample itineraries out there, though mine packs more stuff in/is less-"relaxed" b/c of my style/goals - lump this in with the rest of 'em + ask me if you want details.
I had a great trip and it worked for me. If you're similar to me, it will work for you, but many other itineraries would as well. If you're different, it also might work for you, but happy to offer "advice" on adjustments.
a bit about me/assumptions:
30s, US-citizen living in Northeast U.S., have travel experience in Latin America, Asia, etc.. Have conversational Spanish from high school. I strive to be an responsible traveler.
Foodie, grew up eating South Asian food so spicier the better. I mention this because the food in Cuba seems to be a big topic, the only one I'll really elaborate on.
I'm an optimizer - like many Americans, I get limited vacation time. Right now, traveling == a treasure hunt for anything (a good hike, meal, museum, walk, or conversation) that meets two out of three of: 1) authentic/local/educational 2) unique/novel 3) pleasurable/tasty/stunning. I don't pre-plan my trips beyond ~few day blocks, but once I'm there I'm relentlessly hunting for what's next. This often requires continuous internet (no-go for Cuba)/guidance from locals. I walk fast, even when aimless, and try to see everything, and do get frustrated if I miss something so will then try to squeeze it in. I also usually end up with a few days on my trips to chill/re-visit stuff.
I pre-booked all casas on airbnb, but was open to changing it if i wanted to stay somewhere/re-direct to Playa Larga or something. between all the "seeing", spent time eating/drinking on rooftops or streetside. Also took two guidebooks from the library (Moon and another one) which proved indispensible esp. lacking cellular data.
morning arrival -> 3 nights in Havana
- stayed in Vedado, walked all of Havana Vieja/saw the sites and much of Centro and Vedado. All the sites you'll find on a map/guidebook (Museo de Revolucion, Plaza de Revolucion, and so on...), + caught a Ballet at Gran Teatro.
2 nights in Vinales
- horseback ride/farm tour in Valle de Silencio booked through airbnb, early morning pre-sunrise hike up a mogote guided by a neighbor of the casa, hike through the valleys, Cayo Jutias in a private taxi for the afternoon, plenty of wandering through the street fiestas in town.
3 nights in Trinidad
- walked much of the city/plazas/saw all the sites, some galleries/a museum, a day at Topes de Collantes mountains, hiking self-guided to Vegas Grande *and* Caburni waterfalls (this was against guidebook/local advice, but is doable for experienced hikers with maps.me), disco ayala, full day at Playa Ancon lounging...
2 nights in Havana -> night departure
- stayed in Havana Vieja, wandered east to CohimaAlamar self-guided, saw a local farm in Alamar, wandered Miramar, the art museum in Havana (awesome), more hanging on the Malecon, etc.
minor issues:
- I screwed up my offline download of Google maps for Trinidad/Vinales, and no amount of Cuban wifi allowed me to completely download these once I got there. Do it before. Also consider Maps.me esp. if you're hiking - it apparently had trail maps in Topes de Collantes that would've avoided a treacherous off - trail hike for me.
- all the casas will assure you that the travel they book for you to the next city, via collectivos usually, is secure/safe/guaranteed. This is usually true but speculative. In Vinales, they said they'd have a taxi for us to Trinidad on Monday morning, and come Monday, the government had decided that most of the taxis running were illegal/not registered, so Vinales was a **itshow. People who had prior "tickets" for collectivos got first dibs, so in this case going to the office ourselves a couple days prior instead of relying on our host would've been better. Many stranded travelers trying to go to Havana/Cienfuegos/etc. were stuck that day - we yelled/screamed and banded together 20 people trying to go to Trinidad so that Cubatur could get a bus, but this was a very frustrating "shit happens" day.
costs/money matters
came to about 88 CUC per person per night, for two of us - does not include casa bookings and flights, but includes everything else including inter- and intra-city transport/food etc.
Ate/drank luxuriously at the best restaurants almost every night, more local/cheap fare for lunch (if at all), breakfast at the casa. Also skipped lunch a couple of days, instead ate snacks/bars brought from the states.
But, did not take taxis most of the time in Havana - used collectivos that run along major routes (it's basically Uber for Havana - awesome system, you gotta hail em, don't be scared - guidebooks don't mention them as much as I'd like) and local buses (our first casa host gave us some CUPs - buses cost nothing/a fraction of a CUC). This can save tens of CUCs a day that we put towards food + a couple of choice private taxi rides when strapped for time.
- I did not pre-convert my dollars to Euros/CAD before buying CUCs. Wasn't worth the hassle for me for a couple %.
- Black market for USD is indeed alive/perhaps growing: I found a cab driver in front of Gran Teatro who wanted USD, 1:1 against the CUC. A restaurant in Trinidad offered the same. I seized both opportunities, 100 dollars:100 CUC is much better than 100 dollars: 87 CUC.
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food
Cuban food makes use of scarce + rationed resources and produces satiating comfort food. The food scene echoes the local economy, amongst myriad other factors. This is not Hanoi - you won't find streetside-vendors and barbecue smells on every side street. But: new restaurants are popping up like wildfire, tweaking the cuisine + fusing it with others. Still, most Cubans eat "home-cooking" (both at home and at local paladares offering a working-man's lunch) + state-run fast food (pizza/pasta/"burger"/ice cream). Try it all, and enjoy the new restos as well. My goal was, again, to use food to understand the local culture/history, experience new tastes, and eat tasty stuff (pick two). Also, keep myself satiated/healthy/sane. Easily met this goal.
I made sure to eat at local paladares (home cooking + simple sandwiches), well-reviewed "tourist-y" paladares (most/half of my meals), world-class restaurants, pizza made with "government cheese" from the street, roast chicken and rice at a highway rest-stop, fresh breakfast at the casas, all the fresh jugo wherever I could find it, simple chicken/yucca dinner at a guide's farm. Everything after the first night (Nardos) was terrific.
I had no stomach discomfort, much less sickness, other than a tiny bit of nausea after a Cuba Libre drink at a Jazz bar in Havana, and it was gone morning after.
Also, visit the local markets (fresh produce markets and also grocery stores) - buy some guavas and bananas for dirt cheap, delicious. Or chips for the road, or just grab a picture of what a Soviet-style rationed grocery store looks like.
good lists I used/downloaded offline:
https://www.baconismagic.ca/cuba/havana-restaurants/
https://www.timeout.com/cuba/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-cuba
Some reviews, mostly of well-known spots:
Nardos - bad. an experience, waiting in line with Cubans. Bad execution on Cuban/Criolla food, huge/unwieldy portions for locals stocking up for a big weekend meal?
La Guarida - a tourist trap, sure, but great view and drinks, and good solid food. Western prices, so not the best value in Havana but a safe bet. I'm a sucker for the chocolate tres leches cake.
La Carida - just a local spot in Centro, hundreds others like it. Eat what the Cubans eat for dirty cheap ( < 5 CUC), home cooking. Get the flan at these places, wonderfully eggy and homemade.
Otramanera - Miramar - Completely world class/spectacular. Blown away. The sommelier used to work at El Bulli in Spain, and it shows.
Los Grados - Vedado... superb, elevated but authentic/"narrative"/prideful Cuban cuisine
Sol y Son - Trinidad - amazing food and setting. Lamb roganjosh was a treat as other Cuban food just when other food was feeling bland.
La Redaccion - Trinidad - v. good, nice curries/lamb burgea great break from classics.
Cuajani - Vinales - farm-to-table probably similar to Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso locally sourced, delicious, vegetable-centric. Amazing setting. Great wine.
Vista Gourmet - Trinidad - quite good, nice view/location.
Ivan Justo - Havana Vieja - terrific, elevated classics - great Cuban soup, jerked lamb, octopus salad, and drinks.
El Cafe - Havana Vieja - A portal into Brooklyn within Havana, for a "feels like home" breakfast on your tenth day, but amazing quality/not sure how they source all their stuff. great croissants somehow/everything.
Dona Eutimia - Havana Vieja - totally awesome, delicious slightly refined Cuban classics. Roast chicken and ropa vieja and flan were all superb.
Ajiaco Cafe - Cojimar, Havana - popular with tourists, for good reason. Totally delicious, hearty Cuban food. Probably the best executed Cuban food for me, with Dona Eutimia second.
Other thoughts:
- It's a mystery to me why Cubans don't use more spice/heat like similar cultures in Africa/Haiti/Latin America, to elevate simple dishes.
- not sure how some of the new places source ingredients and, well, kitchen equipment, that are clearly hard to come by for the people...
- I don't eat pork and surprisingly had no trouble. Though made a couple choice exceptions for a good-looking ham and cheese at breakfast plus I'm sure a lot of my yucca etc. was cooked in lard too.

April 17th, 1991:
Sleep, it was all Rodrigo Aoiz could think about. Despite the glare of the morning sun and the typical noises of his home life Rodrigo was in perpetual slumber. “Rodrigo ,cariño, you’re going to be late for a third time this week.” His mother attempted to wake him but to no avail. “If only he slept this much during the weekends.” she muttered to herself. Rodrigo’s older brother, Conrado, irritated by his mother’s futile attempts, decided to take matters into his own hands. With a pounding kick that caused the door to swing open, a startled Rodrigo had finally awoken. “Conrado, dios mio!” His mother said at her eldest son’s total disregard of their own property. Conrado scolded his younger brother while he was adjusting to his new state of consciousness. “Oye acere, don’t you hear the roosters crowing? It’s time to get your ass out this house!” “Conrado,that’s enough!” His agitated mother remarked so that he would stop. “I have your breakfast ready on the table.” Rodrigo, finally aware of his reality, didn’t have much of an appetite. “Just pack it up and I’ll eat it at school.”
Within the span of five minutes, Rodrigo was wearing new attire and had gathered everything he needed for his day at school. He sat down to put on his shoes when his grandfather, Luis, broke into conversation.
“What are you doing in that room that makes you sleep so late?”
“I’ve told you a thousand times before, abuelo. I study a lot.” Rodrigo replied.
“Yeah. Studying cars he can never afford nor ever have. When I woke him up, he had the most recent issue of Car and Driver glued to his face. I can guarantee you he knows more about the newest Corvette than he does about finding the mass of an atom.” Conrado remarked in an attempt to mock his brother’s intelligence.
“What would you know about my study habits? You’re an electrician and yet no one wants to hire you because you and your boss somehow figure a way to give people more problems then they already have. I would advise you to not give commentary on my academic progress when you don’t even know how to do your own fucking job!”
Right before Conrado could utter his response their mother intervened.
“Why is it that every morning you two have to squabble about even the tiniest details? Why do I have to keep giving you these same speeches? Can’t you realize that we all have our own problems to deal with? Conrado, you’re twenty-one and you bring money to this house. Rodrigo, you’re eighteen and you’re a high school senior and almost off to college; the first one in this family. You also work on the side for personal expenses. And me? I’m forty-five years old and attend to this house. I have to provide for your sixty-eight year old diabetic grandfather who is too weak to provide for himself. Let’s not forget that he is a widower and we’re the only family he has left. I would say more but my voice is already tired and one of you is running late for school.”
Rodrigo, after much delays, was finally heading out for school. But right before he opened the door, his mother gave him a reminder. “Rodrigo, I almost forgot. Zacarias called. His mom came in late again and she’s too tired to drive. You’re going to have to pick him up and take him with you.”
Zacarias, often referred to informally as Zach, was what most people would consider as Rodrigo’s childhood friend. He was often the outcast in elementary school due to his mother’s questionable occupation. At age six, he was diagnosed with ADHD which gave his teachers a headache. He also had interests that would classify him as a ‘geek’; comics, sci-fi and fantasy books, and an odd obession with nuclear physics. It seemed that no one wanted to be Zach’s friend. That is except for Rodrigo. Rodrigo was familiar with having a troubled family background. And though he didn’t have any learning difficulties like Zach, he was considered a weirdo because of his obsession with cars and computers. For two outcasts, their pairing couldn’t be any better. Although it wasn’t quite perfect.
“Come on, jackass! I got a biology report that’s due in second period and it’s two paragraphs unfinished.” Rodrigo yelled out the passenger window of his car towards Zach’s house while honking in hopes he would expedite his delays.
“Wait just a bit longer. I have to find my English textbook. I can’t find it anywhere.” Zach replied yelling out his bedroom window.
“You can borrow mine. I need all of first period to finish this report. Get your ass in this car, now!” Rodrigo responded back.
After a minute, Zach was in the car and the two were off to school. During the seven minute drive, Zach and Rodrigo engaged in their daily dialogue.
“You’re one to rush. You should’ve been here over half an hour ago. And thanks to you, Mr. Vasquez is going to be on my ass again about ‘evading the wisdom’ of his lecture. And how is it that you need all the time in first period to finish that biology report even though you only need two more paragraphs?”
“I could write ‘humans came from monkeys’ five different ways but Mrs. Garson wouldn’t accept that. She wants you to explain Darwin’s theory of evolution down to the molecular level. I could’ve been finished with it already but I put my attention elsewhere.”
“Let me guess? Motortrend? Car and Driver? You were reading about the new Porsche with a turbo, weren’t you? Or is it the new BMW that you’re drooling over? All those cool cars and yet here you are driving this six-year old Toyota Cressida.”
“First, you very well know that, as cool as those German cars are, it’s Japanese cars that interest me. Second, this Toyota might not be a fine example of an automobile but it was considered Toyota’s finest car back when my uncle bought this new in ‘85. Remember, this was before they made this new Lexus they have now.”
“That’s right. I forgot this was your uncle’s car. Wasn’t he arrested two years for selling crack?”
“Yeah. His new trial is coming up. But let’s not talk about that. How’s your mom by the way? Is she still seeing her ‘boyfriends’?”
“She’s fine, thankfully. Nothing’s happened thus far but I don’t know if it will remain that way for much longer. I wish she could leave her line of work and find another job but the thing is she isn’t qualified for anything else. What else should be expected of a Cuban immigrant mother who came to this country while pregnant at seventeen?”
“Your mom might not be the most skilled person but she can definitely find something that suits her. You should give your mom some more credit; she has a job that everyone gives her shit for or at the very least just disapproves of and yet she works to make sure you’re provided for. All the while making sacrifices along the way. I know that this conversation makes you uncomfortable so let’s leave it at that and stay silent until we get to school.”
“Agreed.”
Upon arrival at their school, Rodrigo and Zach exit the car with great haste and run towards the front entrance. Once inside, the pair split and run to their respective destinations. “Buenos dias, Rodrigo.” A teacher greeted Rodrigo as he raced towards class. “Buenos dias, señora Suarez.” Rodrigo responded back. Upon arriving to class, the teacher was in the middle of giving a lecture.
“Mr. Aoiz. You’re ten minutes late… again. Any specific reason?”
“I would say I was studying all night, which is true, but I doubt you would believe.”
“Take a seat, Mr. Aoiz.”
After the brief exchange, Rodrigo finds a seat with a familiar face. Upon sitting down, he opens his binder to continue working on his biology report. The familiar face to his right passes him a note. It reads ‘Will you be going to David’s party this Friday? If so, give me a ride?’ He looks to her and shakes his head. She grasps her hands together and gives him a begging expression. His response remains the same.
“Mr. Aoiz and Miss Udayar. Would either of you care to give your take on what the author was trying to achieve?”
“Well,...” Kanchana Udayar began. “I think the author wanted to… express… a certain emotion? And he does that by, um… by telling us…”
“I think what Stevenson was trying achieve with Jekyll and Hyde was that no one person has a set personality trait. On one hand, you have Dr. Jekyll; a well-respected doctor who maintains a good appearance and a calm demeanor. While on the other hand, you have Mr. Hyde; an evil and vile man with an almost beast-like appearance who has no regard for others including his own. And yet they inhabit the same body. We can see a similar trait in a lot of popular fiction: Clark Kent and Superman, Bruce Wayne and Batman, Peter Parker and Spider-Man, Matt Murdock and Daredevil, so on and so forth. How about a real life example? Ted Bundy, for instance. Many people saw a young, handsome man with an aspiring career as a lawyer. He also showed an interest of going into politics. He was showing the world Dr. Jekyll. Yet, deep down that handsome facade was a vicious killer who gave little thought to the consequences. He was a sadistic narcissist with a desire to kill young women for his own pleasure. He revealed Mr. Hyde. Now, my question to you Ms. Gonzalez is would you considered that an accurate assessment of the book?”
“Yes I would, Mr. Aoiz. You are the first student of any my classes to give such a well detailed and well thought of response. That won’t, however, excuse you from engaging in conversation, verbal or other wise, with Miss Udayar. I expect everyone to pay attention and engage with the lesson. Even with your ‘ability’ to doze off and yet somehow be the smartest student in my class the rules also apply to you.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, Ms. Gonzalez.”
The teacher continued with the lecture as Kanchana gave an approving smile and Rodrigo responding with a more subtle expression. He always wondered why a girl as smart her never says anything productive in class. Conversely, she always wondered what he was trying to prove with sticking up to his teachers. It is something that has bothered them throughout their friendship.
The school day went as it always did. There were first three class periods. Then it was lunch. Then the remaining four periods would keep the students occupied through the last three hours. Then the bell would ring to signal the end of the school day. It was at the end where Rodrigo and Kanchana would have most of their conversations throughout the school week. All the while Rodrigo waited for Zach in the car.
“So, how did your day go?” Rodrigo asked Kanchana.
“The same way it always does. What else would you expect?” Kanchana replied.
“I don’t know. I was expecting something that would make me question whether or not if any teacher is even qualified to work as a teacher.”
“And who do you think isn’t qualified to be a teacher? And don’t tell me… “
“Mr. Gallego? Who else? The signs are right there; the special treatment he gives to his female students, how he stares at them while he eats lunch, or how he talks to them. I don’t know if you remember but back when he was our freshman economics teacher he gave Linda Barbos an A plus on the first semester final. This was in spite of the fact that Linda was the most stupid person in our class which, unsurprisingly, meant that she got ever answer wrong. If that wasn’t enough, when he returned the papers it said on hers ‘those beautiful eyes made me reconsidered.’ Do you get it now?”
“You’re serious?”
“You think I’m joking? Ask Zach, Felix, Carlos, Alicia, or anyone else who was in that class. Not convinced yet? It’s very possible that Linda never returned because she and Mr. Gallego may have gotten too intimate. Now, I can’t confirm that but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out to be true.”
“Ok, I believe the part of the paper. You’re right when you say that Mr. Gallego is very lenient with the girls. But to go as far as… getting close with a student? I don’t think he is that capable.”
“Like I said, I can’t confirm such a story. What I can confirm is that he is showing similar favoritism towards Kathy. And you hang out with Kathy so you better warn her.”
“Kathy is quite a gullible person. I doubt Mr. Gallego will get to her but any of these jocks might.”
“That’s right. When you go to that party you better keep her close to you.”
“What? Kathy’s gullible but she isn’t stupid. She can tell when someone is trying to take advantage of her.”
“Are you kidding? This is the same girl who, at Melina’s birthday party last year, was easily convinced to take a certain cupcake. Next thing you, she’s high off her ass on PVC. We had to convince her dad into letting her sleep at your place. But we couldn’t take her to your place because your parents where there. I had to take her to Zach’s house where she spent the rest of the night. And let’s not forget…”
“Ok, you made your point. Kathy can’t be left alone and I have watch after here. Speaking of parties, why can’t you take me to David’s party?”
“You already know why.”
“Because you don’t like going to parties? You don’t have to go in. All I’m asking is that you take me and pick me up when it’s over. Is that so hard?”
“Why can’t your dad take you?”
“You really think my dad would let me anywhere near a party hosted by David especially after that fiasco at the abandoned warehouse party in February. You’re my only means of transportation.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t linger on it too long.”
Their evening conversation came to an end with Zach’s arrival.
“Sorry sweetie but he’s already taken”
“Is it that so? You don’t look like his type.”
“True but I’m not talking about myself. I’m talking about Fatty Letty over there.”
“Fuck you!” Letty said from afar.
“Well, I’m off now. I hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Take care Kanchana.” Rodrigo remarked.
From there, Rodrigo and Zach were off to their homes. But before they would go home, they stopped for food. Since Zach’s mother was always gone by the afternoon, he most likely didn’t have anything to eat for the evening. The pair stopped at a nearby buffet to eat some ropa vieja. They would use this time to discuss their day and talk about their plans for the remainder of the day.
“I’ve been eating here for as long as I can remember and yet I don’t think I will ever get tired of this food.” Zach told Rodrigo. “I could cook for myself but I don’t think it would turn out as great as this.”
“Well, you better find a way to cook something as good as this.” Rodrigo replied. “Your mom doesn’t make that much for you to go out eating and I won’t keep spending what I make working at Marco’s store on the weekends to feed your appetite. If you’re too lazy to cook, you could always come to my place. My mom is more than welcomed to serve you.”
“I would but your grandpa never leaves anything for me. As much as he eats, I’m surprised you guys have any food left at the end of the week. You remember that joke that your dad used to say? The one about why your grandpa came to this country and why everyone in Cuba is starving?”
“Yeah, I remember. He ate so much that the Castros were worried that he would cause a food shortage. So they kick him out the country. But when it came time to feed the people, the Castros couldn’t give them any food because he took all the food with him.”
The pair started laughing and grinning. Zach continued the joke.
“And there was more, right? When your family left Cuba for America they had to come in two boats because one boat couldn’t carry all that food.”
“No, it was three boats. They had to get another boat because the second one was starting to sink while it was still at the dock.”
“Your old man always was a master of political comedy. Speaking of him, when was the last time you were at his place?”
“Little over a month ago. He’s always on my ass about how little time I spend with me him and my younger siblings. What he doesn’t understand is that I have all this school work to focus on. That and he lives a little too far from the school.”
“Bullshit. Fort Lauderdale and Hialeah aren’t far from each other. You can just take the expressway and be at school in less than 15 minutes. You just don’t want to admit the real reason that you don’t want to see him.”
“And what reason would that be?”
“Two reasons, actually. Firstly, it’s the felling all sons of divorced parents feel; betrayal.” Rodrigo scuffed at the remark as Zach continued his explanation. “You feel as if he betrayed you and your mom for leaving her for Margarita. You also can’t face the truth about why your dad went for her. She was younger, more fertile, more feminine and by extension more submissive, and, of course, much more sexier.”
“Are you listening to yourself? You make me want to punch you in the face for making those remarks!”
“But it’s the truth!”
“The truth? What happened between my parents was down to a lack of understanding. They didn’t know what they wanted from each other anymore. This caused tension between them. Tension that ultimately ended in separation. It sucked but it was better than living through it and having worse problems arise. Then you have the nerve to mention Margarita. I’ve have you know that, at the time of my parent’s separation, Rita was just the secretary of my dad’s boss. They may have already been together during those final years but he waited until he was legally divorced to go with Rita. He wasn’t like Arturo who was a covert bigamist.”
“Once again. Bull… shit. I would continue but I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship over blind denial. That and I don’t like to argue when I’m eating.”
“You mentioned that there were two reasons. I’m curious to know what that second reason would be?”
“That’s right, I almost forgot. The second reason is your fledgling romance with Kanchana. I pretty sure you haven’t told him about that.”
“As if the first reason wasn’t ridiculous enough. What does my “romance”, as you put it, have to do with not wanting see my dad?”
“Let’s rewind the clock. Nine years ago when we were in the fourth grade… “
“I think I know where this is going.”
“Hold on! Let me finish the story. You may forgotten certain details. Anyways, your old man picks us up from school in that old car of his. You remember that car?
“Yeah. ‘68 El Camino with maroon paint. He still has it as a side car. I’m guessing this is about that time I told my dad about Regina?”
“See, that’s your problem! You always jump to conclusions and never let anyone finish. Can I finish the story?”
“Sure, go ahead. I still know how it ends.”
“True but you only remember it from your perspective. Listen to how I remember it. We were riding in that tight, uncomfortable El Camino on the way to his place. He asked us ‘How was school?’. You said ‘fine’. I also said ‘fine’. You were smiling and blushing. Your old man asks ‘why are you smiling like that, son?’. You replied ‘No reason dad.’ He asks ‘Oh really?’. You nod your head. I try to convince you tell him what it is you’re smiling about. You argue against me. I try a second time and you still wouldn’t budge. Your dad tells you ‘Come on, son. Tell me.’ You finally say it: ‘I kissed a girl today. It was my first time.’ Your dad responds ‘Oh really? What’s the girl’s name?’. You respond ‘Regina.’ Your dad asks you ‘What is this girl like?’. You start throwing adjective you can think of: smart, funny, pretty, nice, on and on. Then he asks you ‘What does this girl look like?’ and that’s where all the problems started. You said ‘She’s Chinese. Her last name is Zhang’. Your dad proceeds to give you a speech on why you shouldn’t see this girl. You tells you things like ‘See another Cuban girl’ and ‘She’s probably nice but she could bring problems’ and such reasons.”
“You were right when you said that’s how you remember it. I remember my dad being more aggressive and racist when I delivered that news. I remember him saying things like ‘racial purity’ and ‘those evil slanted-eye people’. The people on the street listening to him would have thought he was a white supremacist if they didn’t know he was Cuban.”
“My point is that your dad isn’t exactly a progressive person. If and when you tell him about Kanchana, it’s going to be a repeat of nine years ago. You don’t even have to go that far. It’s seems that ever girl you ever tried courting was foreign. And with Kanchana, that’s going to be a harder pill to swallow for your dad.”
“How so?”
“Do I really have to explain that to you?”
“I have a theory but I want to hear it from you.”
“She’s Indian! A very brown one at that. Just think how your dad is going to react to that. Regina was at least a little bleached.”
“Very brown? A little bleached? I’m guessing you think that you’re white but with a light tan?”
“I’m just saying it’s not going to be easy breaking it to your old man that you’re in love in another Asian girl only this time she’s of the southern variety.”
“First, I wouldn’t say ‘in love.’ And second, let me handle how discuss my private life with my dad.”
“Ok, I just don’t want you telling me that I was right.”
“Don’t think so highly of yourself. Look, It’s getting late and we have to get back. I got to study for my history exam. We can continue this nonsensical blabber tomorrow.”
The pair wrap up their meals to head back home. Rodrigo drops off Zach at his house and he head for his. Upon arrival, he is only greeted by his mother. His older brother and grandfather were sitting on the couch watching the evening news. Rodrigo wanted to join them but decided to instead retreat to his room. He removed most of his clothes leaving only his shirt and putting on some shorts.
He begins his study ritual. He searches his box of cassettes to choose a particular music. He picks out a cassette titled ‘Heavy Metal Mix #8’ and inserts it into his stereo. He proceeds to open his history textbook to the assigned chapter. He takes a few pieces of paper and begins taking notes.