I did my BSc at Birmingham, and adored every second. Fantastic place and everyone's really really friendly.

Yeah, basically there's this amazing old colonial hotel which does the most amazing ones. They have an outside bar with a fountain in the middle where you just relax under the sunset and a man comes and brings you everything, and cos its Cuba its not even that expensive. I really can't remember the name, but I'm going home this lunch time so I will ask my mum and update you!

I'm really excited too. We should meet up and have our PGF meeting in Cuba! Anyone else care to join us? We'll meet you buy the fountain!

Yup, def def def stay in a Casa, they cost about five quid a night and are the best way to enjoy Cuba I would say. (The government has a rule about only spare rooms in the house being used, iteresting fact)Hotel's just aren't the same out there, even though most of them are state run. Actually, when ever we go away we use www.hostelworld.com its not just hostels and there's loads of places in Old Havana on here, will show you what they're like, Don't expect salubrious conditions, but the old worldy charm is def there. Oh and some of them are really guady, but worth a look!

No way?! I'm going to be in Havana over Christmas!!!

My grandparents live there, (I was actually born in Wales).

Old Havana is like nowhere else in the world, its utterly amazing. So beautiful and so different. Try and hire an old Cadillac for the day, they normally come with drivers, but they cost nothing and its a great way to see the town. Food is shockingly bad, and tough if you're veggie, as they don't really get that concept. They don't have much in the way of range, and I don't think that I have ever seen a vegetable...(however, the state buys every child in the land a birthday cake - how cool is that?!). Ahh, but you don't need food when you have those beaches (Holguin on the south is so beautiful) and that white rum and the LIVE MUSIC...its actually out this world, the whole place. And you get to go now before Fidel is no more. Communism always looks sexier in the sun.

Ha! I'm Lovely and Welsh Sylvester...I can highly recommend us!

Well what the hell does he know?! I don't think he knows just how much he is upsetting you. I agree with H, the time has come for a slap! Don't worry, we still love you!

Ahh, BanD...I wondered if this might tickle your fancy come on, tell us how it should be done, the gold standard way...I love it when you come over all stats...makes my heart flutter...

For the record, I am in complete agreement with Adem, and PhDFreak, I'm not black. I am not white, I don't believe that mixed race people can simply pick the side that they like best. You have to accept who you are.

But I think we should leave it now.

We have all had our say.

Love you all!!xx

PhDFreak, did you just accuse me of "slagging of my BREDRIN"?! You cheeky sod, I have never heard such crap in my life. Just because I am mixd race don't come at me with your street slang. Its pathetic. I don't have to to 'stand united' with anyone I think is a hypocrite. "My bredrin" are of my chosing. The black carribean in my family, by the way is Cuban, so don't bother with the London-boy Jamaican. I think if Castro heard you talking like that he'd have you shot. Viva La Revolution!!

Yeah there was, the end of the road where I'm from was affected, and freakishly, this one in London hit two roads down from a friend of mine...slightly concerned that The Big Man's giving me a warning...eek!!

Jesus, my typing is getting worse and worse...please noone comment on my awful spelling

...
Going out-wise, totally depends what you're into. Soho's always buzzing, as is Camden, but can both be a bit of a nightmare at the weekends. ULU's always good for cheap(ish, this is by London standards) drinks.

Blimey, there's a wealth of places! We all tend to head out around Russel Square area for lunch. Tonnes of little Italian cafes that do really good food and coffee which doesn't cost the earth!

Evening, food-wise I would go for Thai, there's a great Thai place on Museum St (Thai Garden or something) or there's another amazing Thai place between Gower St and Goodge St tube. Or there's a few cheap n cheerful places down Charlotte St. Of course, you may not be looking for cheap n cheerful, but it pays to in London in my experience! However, having said that, never, NEVER buy the hotdogs from street vendors. My partner did (he was drunk, but it still serves him right...) and he was in bed with food poisoning for 4days. It was horrendous. The first thing the pharmasist said to me when I asked her advice was, "was it a hotdog by any chance?!" You have been warned!

Hey Fifi, coolio, did they do in in Lahn-don?

Come on, he must be just kidding about the Nature paper...you're extremely lucky to get published in Nature as an academic full-stop, let alone as a first author in the middle of their PhD! Seriously though, I would say he isn't actually expecting that from you, and would be surprised that you have taken it seriously. Talk to him about the pressure you're feeling. If the results aren't going to happen by Jan, I'd make sure he know's asap, rather than the day before the meeting!