Here are some ideas for the next time you visit the beautiful island of Cuba! I advise renting a scooter or two and travelling the countryside visiting the natives. Of course, exercise the requisite caution necessary to all travel anytime and everywhere. Don't be gullible. But DO be prepared to be welcomed into the lives of people lonely for news of free societies. Some of them have old radios that keep them in touch with the outside world. Other than YOU, home radios are one of their primary contacts with the outside world. They love batteries (hint...).
You are getting a very cost-friendly vacation, so don't be afraid to be generous to the people in small shacks who do little more than meet basic needs.
Many of them have received visits from forward thinking Canadians. They love to hear about our country and they love to share some of the good things about their island for which they have natural human pride. Don't be condescending and don't be judgmental. Let them do the judging of their own government and their own people. They know FAR more about it than you do.
Enjoy your visit. Leave your tribal superstitions at home and engage the real world and real people for a really nice change. You're welcome.
When going to Cuba, be a saint. Donate!
Cubans warmly welcome gifts however small. Everything you contribute is an overture of friendship – and a great ice-breaker. Cubans lack many basic items we in North America take for granted.
We strongly advise against handing out gifts or money to individuals you meet on the street. In areas frequented by tourists, professional scammers attempt to fleece foreign guests with sob stories that win them cash or items they can sell on the black market.
We suggest giving your donations to Cuban NGOs, schools, clinics and community organizations. This way many Cuban families and communities benefit from your generosity.
Gift giving to your new island friends is a most wonderful gesture. Go for it!
Suggested gifts for your new Cuban friends
Any and all art supplies
Musical instruments, guitar strings, reeds for wind instruments
Metronomes, pitch pipes, tuning forks, sheet music
Theatre make-up, ballet slippers
Baseball bats, balls and gloves, footballs, sport helmets and padding
Aspirin and substitutes
Band-Aids
Multiple vitamins and vitamins A, B, C, D,E
Medical gloves and masks, medical thermometers
Condoms, sanitary napkins, tampons, adult diapers and baby diapers
School supplies, all kinds, toys for children
Laptop computers no more than four years old
Spanish/English dictionaries and phrase books
High quality summer oriented used clothing and shoes
Sheets and towels
Kitchen gloves and sponges
USB memory sticks (favorite)
Nice chocolates, attractive jewelry
Cool new T-shirts, caps with neat logos, new sunglasses, hip key chains
AA batteries! Boring, yes. But they are scarce, costly and appreciated
Anything you’d give your friends at home
Reading glasses for elders
Do not bring these items to Cuba
Fresh food items, live plants or seeds
Outdated school text books
Expired medicine or vitamins
Old or non-functioning computers
Items considered to be weapons
Narcotics, pornography |
