By Marcia Davis
Bill Holm and I just got back from our trip to Cuba with the Grand Valley State University baseball team and will have more stories to share. Meanwhile, here’s one that Charlie Pryor, the team’s videographer for the week, captured as a couple of the players discussed with Coach Steve Lyon whether to drink the water.
So the question is: Is the water safe to drink? Bill and I have heard mixed answers in regard to tap water. In our Lonely Planet guide book on Cuba, the recommendation is no. In the three years we’ve gone, we always drink bottled water, although we do brush our teeth with the tap water in our casa particular.
We’ve been told it’s not unsafe water, just “different,” and some people’s bodies (like ours) have trouble with it. Despite our best efforts all three years, we’ve come home with a microbial infection in the lower intestines. It usually hits the last day of the trip and goes on for about a week or so at home. I imagine we pick it up from the vegetables and fruits that are washed with the water that we’re not drinking. Or from those delicious mojitos, which contain ice. But how can you not drink mojitos in Cuba? In any case, it’s not severe or debilitating but it might limit your activities away from home until it runs its course.
Bottled water is easy to find. In fact, there’s a store with lots of water (and lots of Havana Club rum!) just steps away from the casas where First-Hand Aid travelers stay. Maybe the trick is to stick with straight rum. Or cerveza. No matter what, we recommend Havana Club’s 7-year añejo (aged) variety. It’s good for what ails you!
