My name is Henry Hynd. My wife Margaret and I went to Cuba in 1976 to Varadero. It was the beginning of tourism from Canada. There were 26 Canadians at Villa Cuba, mostly from Ontario and Montreal.
Villa Cuba was no five-star hotel. The complex of homes was formerly owned by rich Americans and Cubans. It was located on the former DuPont estate. Hot running water was in short supply and the food was of poor quality. The staff were as curious about us as we were about them. Few spoke English, and we did not speak Spanish. However, the beach was beautiful, warm, buoyant, and amazingly calm. Fish swam around us, and beautiful shells were left on the shoreline. It was like paradise.
We have a photo that was taken on the beach. In both directions along the shoreline, there is nobody in the picture. We were the only people on the beach, 17 kilometres long.
We visited Matanzas, Havana, and the town of Varadero. We found them interesting and inviting.
We have gone to Cuba every year since our first trip. We returned to Villa Cuba many times. We now stay at Villa Morelos, which is next door to Villa Cuba.
But our reasons for visiting Cuba are not only to lay on the beach and swim in the ocean. We have developed lasting friendships with several families in Cuba who live in Santa Marta, Cardenas, and Caibarien. We have visited Cuba every year since 1976, mostly twice a year. We have taken our children and our grandchildren many times to Cuba. It is an extremely safe place, especially for tourists.
I believe the level of education in Cuba--most Cubans are university educated--is amazing. A great many Cubans speak several languages, mostly English, German, and French, as well as their native Spanish.
In all my time in Cuba, I have never heard of any tourists being robbed, assaulted, or even harassed. Cuba is an extremely safe place.
Cubans are a handsome people, mostly fit, healthy, and helpful. They appreciate those who visit their country.
While the system of one-party rule in Cuba may be important to some Canadians, there must be an appreciation of Cuba's history of democratic elections in previous years and what corrupt governments that produced, with gambling, prostitution, live sex acts, and drugs. Those in government were extremely rich, while the mass of the population were poor and in ill health, uneducated and overworked.
Today in Cuba, people are much better off. They are well educated and healthy. Most are in good physical condition. They have decent housing. For those who become ill, doctors and medicine and hospitals are free. The Cuban people, mostly university educated, are polite, and engage with tourists.
On one of our early visits to Havana, my wife and I spotted two young boys staring at us. They were about 15 years old. I assumed they would come asking for candy, gum, or something like that. However, when they approached us, they wanted to learn some words in English. We spent some time with them. As they were leaving, I offered them some money. They declined but thanked us for spending time with them.
On a later visit to Havana, I left my car lights on; when driving from Varadero into Havana, you enter through a tunnel, requiring the turning on of your lights. I drove to a parking lot, but when I returned in the evening, the battery was dead.
My Cuban friend Rego asked a Cuban man if he could help. He responded positively. I assumed he had cables. However, I was wrong. He took the battery out of my car and replaced it with his own battery. He started my car, then reversed the procedure. I was impressed. My friend Rego thanked him. However, I wanted to pay him for his trouble. He refused. I asked Rego to convince him to take $20 U.S. The man declined, but after some haggling accepted $10. Another positive experience.
I have a third story. My wife and I were driving to Caibarien in a rental car. We were in the country. Our car died near a house. An old man came down to our car. I tried to communicate to him that I had mechanical problems. However, he did not speak any English, and I don't speak any Spanish. He just walked away.
Shortly after this, a young man appeared. He was a mechanic. He checked the car and told me that the solenoid was gone and that it would have to be replaced.
I asked if there was a telephone nearby, and he took us to a house with a phone. I called the rental company, and the young man spoke with them and said it would be at least an hour before they could arrive with our replacement car. The young man told them exactly where we were. Again I tried to give him some money, and he also declined. After some discussion, he accepted when I convinced him that he could buy a gift for his two young sons: again, in my view, another example of how generous Cubans are. As we waited for the car, the lady of the house brought us drinks of homemade lemonade. We have often stopped outside the house on our way past to wave and wish them well.
Those are a few examples of Cuban hospitality and how kind Cubans are. Cuba is a beautiful country, safe, hospitable, and drug-free. The penalty for bringing illegal drugs is harsh, as it should be. Tourists who try to enter with illegal drugs are not allowed in the country and are banned from future entry.
Cuba in many ways is a miracle, bombarded by the most powerful country in the world. Cuba's major export was sugar. Sugar is no longer a desirable product, and yet Cuba survives. The small island can still provide university education for free, and when one finishes university they work in their field for two years at reduced wages.
Canada as a country has historically helped Cuba. I don't know to what degree we still trade and assist with fishing and farming. I know that one businessman, Ian Delaney, is not only in the nickel business, he has helped Cubans fund and develop organic vegetables throughout the country. He has also expanded his business interests to cobalt, coal, and real estate. He describes Cuba as a terrific place to do business.
I describe Cuba as a great place to visit, and I know that Canadians will continue to visit Cuba. I hope that Canada will continue to work with Cuba to help Cuba in mutual ventures. My wife Margaret and I carry medicines to doctors and local hospitals when we visit Cuba. We are supporters of Not Just Tourists in Toronto.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.