Tonight I am writing to you from Havana, as it is our tour group’s last night in Cuba. Every time I come here I learn so many new things. We’ve had a couple heads of state visit the hotel where we are staying in Havana, and we’ve had close encounters with artists and musicians all week long. The colors and rhythms of this island nation have become deeply rooted in my heart over my 3 trips here in the last year.
Our group of intrepid travelers come from the US, UK and New Zealand! They have been extraordinarily generous, so we’ve been able to donate guitar strings, sax and clarinet reeds, sewing supplies, pain relief and other medications, art supplies, soap and cosmetics, and other things that are not readily available here due to the embargo. Our tour guide would turn down country roads and find hidden lanes with the poorest of the poor, and there our donations were dispersed, to the exuberant surprise of the rural folk living in poverty.
So please note: If you are planning to go to Cuba in the near future, bring gifts and donations for those here who have so little! US citizens have to bring cash because Americans can’t use credit cards or ATM machines. Internet coverage is sparse and slow. We stayed in a bed and breakfast in a UNESCO Heritage town, and the building used to be the Spanish Consulate during the days of the sugar empire… Such interesting extremes of contrasts.
I will spend the day flying home Sunday, with salsa music dancing in my head. To those trying to reach me by email – give me a day or two to catch up! Adios!
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
Luana
