New Eyes on Trinidad and Havana, CUBA

Since I didn't take many photos, I am trying to select some of the interesting ones sent to me from some of our group members. The woman police photo was taken in Havana.

We traveled as 8 making it easier to carry a quantity of medical supplies, including recycled prescription glasses, catheters, medications and much more.  Four of our group members had never been to Cuba and were actively processing what a different world it is.

Delivering Medical Supplies to Cuba

After we traveled to the hospital in Sancti Spiritus we were delighted to find a clinic in "La Boca" where we were all staying in Casa Particulares.  We gave this simple clinic what we had left, met the charming nurse and doctor and were impressed that so many small communities in Cuba have medical support (but never enough supplies).

LEAVING TO CUBA TOMORROW, FLIGHT & DETAILS

Hello Everyone,

We depart to Cuba tomorrow  on Sunwing Airlines Flight 676 leaving Vancouver at 11:35 at night Sunday, Nov. 13 arriving 8:35 AM.  If things go as planned, we will spend Nov. 14-16 in Varadero at the Mar del Sur  Hotel then transfer to the Ancon Hotel near Trinidad Cuba on Nov. 17.  Then return to Varadero  Nov. 26 before our departure on the 28.

We are now a group of 8, but my sister and her two friends will fly almost a day before us on an Air Canada Charter flight leaving 7 AM Nov. 13 and arriving around 6:30 PM.

We will all meet at the Mar del Sur Hotel which is centrally located. Our lovely Cuban friend Liliety will help us fine tune our plans and we look forward to another reunion with her lovely family.

If the Mar del Sur has any problems Liliety can transfer us to a nicer hotel!!

Best contact phone number in any emergency is Liliety's as she speaks English and is generally home  8 PM eastern time (but has days off too). She will know where we are and is an English speaking tour guide so can pass messages on to us. Her number from Canada is


011-53-45-610303

Telephoning Cuba sometimes takes more than one try!

It is not easy to check our emails in Cuba but we will definitely manage to check a few times so do email us for any reason but especially if any problems arise.

eviblueth@gmail.com

We return home (weather considered) on Nov. 28 (Sunwing Air Flt. 677) arriving home at
12:30 (noon) if it leaves on time.  We hope to be on the coast and sleeping off our jet lag that day and night!

Everyone is ready, and the cooler temperatures today will not be missed.  It sounds like the weather in Cuba is currently pleasant with sunshine,  clouds, occasional wind...so we will happily dive into the warm sea, Ivan may do a shallow scuba dive,  and we will all enjoy snorkeling where magic and colour come alive.  Swaying corals, and schools of iridescent blue fish, followed by a myriad of other colourful sea life.  This is my favourite theatre!

Our  dynamic group of 8 will be a delight, and when our intentions are realized with the generous contributions from all  (we thank you all) reaching the many hospitals and clinics will be our mission.  (We have purchased some specific things requested at the Hospital in Sancti Spiritus).

"Life is a work in progress"

Enjoy the days and we will post our story and pictures once home.

We will also do our best to keep in touch by email re family but Cuba is always an "unknown quantity" so the Internet does not always work.

Keep the home fires burning, enjoy those gorgeous sunny autumn days and wish us luck!

Evi, Ivan, Irene,  Lynda, Mahmood, Sylvene, Cas, and Nori

Hasta luego!

Abrazos!




I wish everyone

My Birthday Party at our House (Sept 20- 2011)

Ivan and friends made me a lovely Birthday party and I was delighted to see so many friends from many different aspects of my life.  Ivan followed Sylvene's recipe and made that delicious cake that we had for Asaka's 16th party. (I guess I was jealous, her party looked like so much fun)

Time has passed, but thank you dear friends and family for the wonderful evening.

Occupy Vancouver

A group of us participated in the "Occupy Vancouver Movement".  I kept wondering when people would rise up and speak out.

The global movement for change is happening, and it was great participating in Vancouver's version, and I was grateful that it remained peaceful.

It is exciting to see people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds joining in an effort to  "think out of the box" to create a new infrastructure and do it from the ground up. 

There are currently so many issues at stake,  my hope is this huge global think tank will influence change....perhaps slowly and with difficulty.  But with the determination and excitement I felt at "Occupy Vancouver"  my feeling is this is just going to get bigger.

Hope I didn't overwhelm you with my backwoods pictures

Hello Folks,

I started the blog the way I usually do, taking coastal BC with me in picture form.  If you scroll down and join me on my many local wanders (in picture form)  you will reach the text regarding our departure to Cuba re Humanitarian Aid Trip, then our departure to Mexico, Dec. 14- April 10.

I like to use the blog so you know where we are, what we're up to, and welcome comments.

Email me at

eviblueth@gmail.com

when I am traveling but now I am still at

eblu1929@uniserve.com
 

If you have a chance, let me know you are receiving it.

Abrazos,

Evi

Some Gentle Hike Photos (first one compliments of Scott Bleakley)