What to take to Cuba

What to take to Cuba

The list is below after my short reasoning behind it.

My reason behind this list and post is that while checking my stats, which I know everyone who has a blog does, the phrase, what to take to Cuba, ranks very high.   So I thought that I would do my best to make a detailed list to help people who are their first adventure to Cuba.

First and formost, go with an open mind and NO attitude.  This though should be the case no matter where you are travelling to.  Remember, this is not home and things WILL be different.  You are a guest in their country.   Customs and rules are different and you should respect that.  What may seem just damn outrageous to you is the norm in Cuba.  This is a latin country and the art of communication between sexes is most definitely different than our culture.  Do not be alarmed, take it in your stride and savour the compliments!  Remember too that Cubans work long hours but do not work at the same pace as we do.  So do not get frustrated and angry if you are not attended to right away or something is not “fixed” right away.  You will be served, it will get fixed.  Relax, enjoy your vacation.  You got a deal.  You are in the warmth away from the gray days of winter.  So the list, here we go.

  1. Couple rolls of toilet paper – it may not always be available to you.
  2. Mosquito repellent if you are anywhere near lagoons.  Yes, the resorts are sprayed, but lagoons are natural breeding grounds.
  3. Emergency medical supplies – just a small plastic bag, for example: antibiotic cream, q-tips, alcohol wipes, bandages, head ache pills(you just may need them one morning), rehydration salts (gastrolyte) – just in case, and ladies don’t forget sanitary towels.
  4. Batteries and/or charger – also you may want to get an AC adapter, not all hotels have our outlets although you can get one from the larger resorts
  5. Suntan oils, lotions and after sun tan lotion – you will need it.
  6. Extra shampoo and or conditioner – just the little bottles is fine.
  7. Pack light.  You will not need a suitcase full of fancy clothes.  Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, sarongs, sandals, some kind of sun hat – you get the picture.  My suitcase gets lighter each time I visit.
  8. Baby clothes as gifts.  Everyone and everybody knows someone with a baby.  These are expensive to buy there and are greatly appreciated.
  9. Extra cash for tips.  Sure you bought an “all inclusive” but TIPS does stand for “to insure prompt service” – and a peso or half a peso means a lot.  Make sure you keep 25 pesos to leave Cuba!
  10. Safe sex.  Don’t just have sex with a Cuban – fall in love with a Cuban.  Just thought I would add that one for the singles out there reading this.

Go, have fun.  Take some trips outside the resort.  Introduce yourself, make friends – it will not be hard in Cuba.  My list may not be complete but it should give you a pretty good idea of where to start.  And try to pick up a little Spanish while you are there …….. hasta luego ……

Sunrise Cayo Coco

Sunrise Cayo Coco

4 Comments

Stephanie, February 2nd 2009 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Change, Habits, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba

Dubois Foundation and help to Cuba

The Dubois Foundation

The Dubois Foundation is arranging their next container for shipment to Cuba to assist in the rebuilding after Hurricane Gustav and Ike.  They have been assisting for many years now, I urge you visit their website and contact John ASAP to offer what you can to help those in need.

Monetary donations are also accepted, which is used to purchase bulk items at reduced cost from local businesses.

Dubois Foundation

Dubois Foundation

Here is a note from John received just today:

The next can will be for the hurricane victims in PINAR DEL RIO Province, which suffered the double barrel effects of Gustaf as a category 5 hurricane, and then were buffeted and practically drowned by hurricane Ike.

The situation in that province is very grave, with whole villages almost completely destroyed, and the area’s hospital seriously damaged.

The situation on the ground in Cuba is so critical that we are considering loading another container next weekend, if we can get the needed support from our wonderful and generous volunteers, as well as me being able to logistically organize the necessary bits and pieces required to make it happen.

Marion and i were greatly inspired by the marvellous show of support and hard work at the container loading yesterday. 39 persons participated in this task, and everyone that had commited to attend, (and more), showed up, from near and far, ( in spite of the most recent price of gasoline).

Incredible commitment!. From that Oshawa man who could barely get around, but brought a full cube van and his wonderful family, the couple from Perth who rented a van to bring their great donations, the folks from Cobourg who had to get up earlier than i go to bed , in order to pick up donations from someone who had made her apartment available as a collection center, and still get here in good time. To June who fed all of us,after the packing, to the lady from Newmarket who worked incessantly to get us all those sheets and towels, to all the others who so unselfisfly gave up their Saturday to help make a difference in some people’s lives; people that they have never met and likely never will.

1 Comment

Stephanie, September 15th 2008 | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Change, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba

How to Help Cuba after Hurricanne Ike

This is directly from Yoani Sánchez who writes http://desdecuba.com/generationy/ from Habana.

All the items would be easy to carry when ever you visit Cuba ……… please pass it on.

Those who have plans to travel to Cuba in the coming months and would like to show their solidarity by helping, I recommend bringing in your luggage a few kilograms of supplies to deliver directly to the victims. While anything can help those families that have lost their possessions, there are certain things and resources that are a priority.

* Water purifying tablets.

* Vitamins, every kind of painkiller, thermometers, band-aids, oral hydration salts, disposable syringes, cotton, medicinal sprays for asthmatics, aspirin, paracetamol and suture thread.

* Clothing of all kinds, including underwear and shoes.

* School supplies, especially notebooks and pencils.

* Rechargeable batteries, flashlights and portable radios.

* Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, shampoo and toothbrushes.

* Baby clothes and things for babies. Remember that babies have been left without even a bottle.

A recommendation to take into consideration: It is always preferable, whenever possible, to deliver the aid directly to those in need. Personal delivery or sending things through friends is the most secure.

View pictures of the devastation in Cuba:  miamiherald.com/photogalleries/…676019.html

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Stephanie, September 13th 2008 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Change, Stephanie Evers, Stephanie's blog, cuba