Farnival Update: Cuba

Hi y’all. I’m both excited and nervous because I’m leaving for Cuba Sunday night, taking a red-eye from Phoenix (where I’m working) to Havana. I’m excited because I’m going to learn about a new culture and get to practice my woeful Spanish. That whole tropical- island-in-the-Caribbean thing doesn’t hurt either. I’m nervous because I’ve never visited a communist country before, and I’ve already encountered some interesting restrictions.

In most impoverished communities, there are a lot of stray dogs. Cuba is no different, but they have an added problem. Rescue organizations don’t have access to products we can buy at any Wal-Mart. Flea and tick medicine, antibiotics, and heartworm preventative are at the top of their wish lists, but they also have difficulties getting stuff like gauze, syringes, and towels or blankets.

The interesting restriction is that when customs asks me why my suitcase is filled with Frontline, I have to say they are gifts. I can’t call them donations. If I do, they can be confiscated. I’ll be in Havana for a week. When I get back, I’ll update all you animal-loving freaks about our dog friends’ situation in Cuba. Wish me luck. And as always, thanks for reading.