YOU CAN START TO DREAM AGAIN...

As deconfinment is almost over and the planes will soon find their wings, share with your future friend with or without benefits, the softness and the tenderness that prevails in the Cuban heart. Personally, I am really found of this Cuban song Lagrimas Negras.

This song makes me nostalgic, it revives in me my most beautiful memories of Cuba.

I always marvel at the ability of Cubans to be happy and compared to us; they do not live with the same financial means. They appreciate what they have, they help each other. The family is sacred in Cuba. They have privileges such as education and health is free.

It is time to start buying a few things that are hard for them to buy. A cellular phone is always appreciated, it doesn't have to be new. You must not forget that the average salary is around $15CUC or US per month.

When you will be in Cuba, if you are invited by their family, go shopping before in the stores in CUC; don't ask them what they need, the Cubans are very proud. It is best to surprise them. For example, buy some pasta, tomato sauce, cold meats, chicken and why not some shampoo, laundry detergent. You cannot go wrong with a few beers and soft drinks or juices for the children.

Follow your intuition, don't go too much over your budget. Don't become a bank for them because after a while you will not be sure if the person is really a friend or only interested...Specially if it's your first or second trip to Cuba. Not everyone but a lot of them, when they see a foreigner, they want to help you, to show you the city, the restaurants, etc. They will do all they can to become friend with you.

It is wise to learn some Spanish before you leave for Cuba and bring a dictionary with you.

So I wish you a very good trip and I am sure like myself, you will adopt this country. It is now more than twenty years that I go to Cuba and I am always looking forward to go back. The Cubans have a love and an affection that is contagious, you don't find this kind of love or affection in Montreal or in Paris