HI! I'm going to Cuba april 2001. Does anyone out there have suggestions for my trip? <BR>1. Can I drink the water at a RESORT on VARADERO Beach? I am staying at the PLAYA DE ORO. I want to eat salads and fresh fruit, but wonder if I should. <BR>2. Do I need a light jacket? Sweater? <BR>3. How much does gasoline cost....is it easy to get? I think I'd like to rent a car for 3 days..........any suggestions? <BR>4. I am told the Cubans are poor. When I look at pictures, they are dressed nice? What can I take as gifts to the poorest there? Where? <BR>5. Are my things safe in my room at the resort or do I have to be careful. Will they steal out of the rooms? <BR> <BR>I heard this from one tourist on a tour there.....she said that the kids go to school and then they have to work in the fields after school. True or not?? <BR> <BR>THANKYOU for any help. JAN

Jan, <BR> <BR>I can't answer your first few questions because I've not been to Varadero, not been to Cuba in April and not rented a car but as for your other questions.... <BR> <BR>The standard of living in Cuba is much lower than what we tourists are generally used to in our home countries. The people I saw when we toured around were generally neat and tidy but didn't have the best of everything. <BR> <BR>As for gifts, things for the kids seemed to be most appreciated. <BR> <BR>Although we didn't leave things laying around our hotel room, nothing was ever disturbed. We learned from one of the bartenders at our resort that the hotel staff are very well paid comparatively speaking and most wouldn't risk their jobs for theft. <BR> <BR>I do remember one of the tour guides talking about some of the schools only doing half days lessons and part time working in the fields. I don't remember the particulars but it may have only been during harvest time. <BR> <BR>I hope this helps.

Jan <BR>We travelled to Varadero-Breezes resort. <BR>It was one of the best vacations that <BR>my husband and I have ever had. While <BR>not alot to do in Varadero the beaches <BR>are incredible and the people are <BR>amazing. <BR> <BR>Yes you can drink the water and eat all <BR>the fresh fruit and salad that you wish. <BR>We never had a moments problem. The food <BR>however is very bland. I found the pasta <BR>dishes however to be delicious. <BR> <BR>You may want to take a light sweater but <BR>in May it was very very warm! <BR> <BR>You may want to think twice about renting a car in Cuba. Our insurance will not cover you. They have their own <BR>system. If you are involved in an mva and you are responsible you will not be <BR>allowed to leave the island until the <BR>issue is resolved to their satisfaction. <BR>This could take forever to procced through their legal system. There was an article posted by Sun Media on this very issue. Take care if you rent. <BR> <BR>The people of Cuba appear to be very happy and yes the staff that you see at <BR>the resorts are very well dressed and <BR>very well groomed. They do appreciate a <BR>"Tip" for their efforts and enjoy receiving cosmetics, paper, pens, tshirts, hats, soaps, nail polish etc. <BR> <BR>As far as leaving items in our room - <BR>first we did not take anything of real <BR>value jewelery wise. We kept all of our <BR>documents in the room safe. Nothing else <BR>was touched. I believe that the Cuban <BR>people appreciate their jobs and would <BR>not do anything to jepardize their employment. <BR> <BR>As for children - they were in school when we were in Cuba. Education is very <BR>important to these people. I do not think that the children were working in <BR>fields. <BR> <BR>I can also recommend the Jolly Roger <BR>Catamaran sailing trip. It was entire day - the food was not that great - but the sailing was fun. <BR> <BR>If you have any other questions - please <BR>email me. If you go to Cuba with the <BR>only expectation that you want to relax <BR>and have a good time - you will. <BR>

Went 2x once in April.Might like to take a light sweater for late at night.Doubtful tho.Stayed at Beaches both times. Varadero is wonderful.Beach great, food good, we drank water.People are great, probably best in Caribbean. <BR>Don't rent a car or moped! Education is number 1 for their kids, only to a certain age tho. Take small things, makeup, nailpolish, kids clothes, markers, colouring books etc.Cubans love to be clean, and well dressed.Doubtful anyone would steal, use your safe. It is one of our favorite places to go !

I should have mentioned in my post above that the schools where the students worked part time in the fields where either high schools or colleges/universities.

I'm sure you will enjoy .. other posters have covered the territory pretty well. Don't rent a car. If you can, take a daytrip to Havana (with a group).. a full day, but well worth tne time and $. Most tour guides are University grads and are extremely knowledgeable. Ours to Havana had a masters in English Lit. and we spent hours picking his brain about the political situation. The water ... has always been tap safe, however the last time we were down there was a concerted effort to promote bottled water in the restaurants .. Sol Melia group. At the bar ice water was served upon request!! Just check it out. You will not see children working in the fields. There are "residential schools" in the countryside where older students spent a portion of a semester, part of the ed programme is agricultural. Cuba is one of the places where tourist safety (e.g food) and comfort is paramount.... their means of survival at the moment. Have a great time!