NJT Manitoba – Winnipeg wishes to thank traveller Arliss who took supplies to Cuba.
“Not only did I meet people from all over the world, but the locals were interesting as well. Most locals I met are well educated but work in the tourism industry because they get paid better than in other industries. It was sad to hear this coming from a doctor who worked at the resort I stayed at. “Pepe,” my cab driver who took me to Matanzans was an electrical engineer and we had a fantastic time talking to each other.
I took an excursion to Santa Clara, Trinidad, and Cienfeugos. Having to take rural routes to get to these cities, one really see just how difficult life really is for most Cubans. Lack of food, medicine and housing and the lack of electrical power make life difficult. I was ashamed as a tourist being driven around in an air-conditioned bus and eating a meal at their better restaurants understanding that this isn’t how life is in Cuba.
I wanted to try to do a little more than taking the usual products that we as tourists take along with us… T-shirts, personal hygiene products to give out to the staff at the resorts. I wanted to give something to the people who really need it, something that could possibly save a life. Not Just Tourists gave me that opportunity. For that I’m eternally grateful, because I couldn’t have done this on my own.”
Arliss
