?Gifts for Cubans?

8th October 2003, 09:01 AM

My wife and I are about to take our first trip to Cuba.

A number of people have told us to take gifts for the people there.

I have 2 questions.

What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?

How do you get it to the people who need it\want it? (And not just make the
hotel staff richer)

Thanks for any comments.

Bill

8th October 2003, 08:30 PM

I am interested in the answer to this too. I have definitely heard to bring
as much aspirin as I can carry. I am told that I will meet people on the
street and to freely pass the aspirin out in small quantities at a time so
they will more likely be used than black marketed.

Is there danger of being arrested if I do this?

"Bill Jarrett" <jsbs@sentex.net> wrote in message
news:3f840aba$1@news.sentex.net...
> My wife and I are about to take our first trip to Cuba.
>
> A number of people have told us to take gifts for the people there.
>
> I have 2 questions.
>
> What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?
>
> How do you get it to the people who need it\want it? (And not just make
the
> hotel staff richer)
>
> Thanks for any comments.
>
>
> Bill
>
>

10th October 2003, 04:08 AM

"Bill Jarrett" <jsbs@sentex.net> wrote in message
news:3f840aba$1@news.sentex.net...
> My wife and I are about to take our first trip to Cuba.
>
> A number of people have told us to take gifts for the people there.
>
> I have 2 questions.
>
> What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?
>
> How do you get it to the people who need it\want it? (And not just make
the
> hotel staff richer)
>
> Thanks for any comments.
>
>
> Bill
>
Pens, paper, shampoo, soap, tampons (very much appreciated by the ladies)
and a lot of candy.
A CD with western music can do wonders too.

--
DaWoE

11th October 2003, 09:57 PM

>>
>>>What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?
>>>

Freedom, all they can get.

12th October 2003, 01:19 AM

In article <20031011215719.15443.00000886@mb-m28.>,
brwencino@ (Brwencino) wrote:

> >>
> >>>What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?
> >>>
>
> Freedom, all they can get.

Books by Rush Limbaugh?

Bob Vandiver

12th October 2003, 01:43 AM

>
>> Freedom, all they can get.
>
>Books by Rush Limbaugh?
>
>Bob Vandiver

No, by Al Franken, the fool who is free.

13th October 2003, 04:33 PM

Cheryl <cheryl5@ispwest.com> wrote:

>I am interested in the answer to this too. I have definitely heard to bring
>as much aspirin as I can carry. I am told that I will meet people on the
>street and to freely pass the aspirin out in small quantities at a time so
>they will more likely be used than black marketed.
>
>Is there danger of being arrested if I do this?

No, bringing medicine is fine, though you might want to think
twice about doling it out in the street. If you stay in private
homes people will happily accept it, or will probably know the
local doctor or clinic. You're allowed to bring 10 kg worth
of medicine...if anyone arrests you it'll be the americans.

--
Ken Tough

13th October 2003, 04:33 PM

Bill Jarrett <jsbs@sentex.net> wrote:

>My wife and I are about to take our first trip to Cuba.
>
>A number of people have told us to take gifts for the people there.
>
>I have 2 questions.
>
>What gifts, in what amounts are appropriate?

People like clothes, or school supplies for kids, or children's
medicines etc.

>How do you get it to the people who need it\want it? (And not just make the
>hotel staff richer)

Stay in private homes/bed and breakfast.

--
Ken Tough

19th October 2003, 09:00 AM

Just returned from Cuba...and took loads of over the counter meds,
school and hospital supplies. Most wanted....VITAMINS, all kinds,
Children's...PRE NATAL!!! Womens, Mens Seniors. Go to the 99 cent store
and get all you can. PLEASE do not pass out 'gifts' on the streets. The
kids love it, but nearly all the people we met said it's turning them
all into little beggars, constantly following tourists with hands out.
Find a library and give them the school supplies to give to the kids.
And give meds and vitamins to small clinics and small village doctors.
Ask around for help finding these places. The Cubans are very proud
people, and most will want to help you get these thing to the most needy
people. It's an amazing place, have a GREAT time!!! Blue

19th October 2003, 10:02 AM

Sounds like very good advice. By doing it this way, we also protect our own
egos from overinflation. Use a local third party.

"'BLUE'" <ScaryLobster@> wrote in message
news:27725-3F928AF3-62@storefull-2195.public.lawson....
> Just returned from Cuba...and took loads of over the counter meds,
> school and hospital supplies. Most wanted....VITAMINS, all kinds,
> Children's...PRE NATAL!!! Womens, Mens Seniors. Go to the 99 cent store
> and get all you can. PLEASE do not pass out 'gifts' on the streets. The
> kids love it, but nearly all the people we met said it's turning them
> all into little beggars, constantly following tourists with hands out.
> Find a library and give them the school supplies to give to the kids.
> And give meds and vitamins to small clinics and small village doctors.
> Ask around for help finding these places. The Cubans are very proud
> people, and most will want to help you get these thing to the most needy
> people. It's an amazing place, have a GREAT time!!! Blue
>