Bring → Cuba

¶[k!] EXTRA/HX— Power banks (20000mAh)... 30€

[!!**>m] limits on bringing power banks?
is there a reason not to bring 10x?


————— regarding limits [!→]


Iberojet (cuba flight)
https://www.iberojet.com/en/baggage-not-allowed
"If you are carrying lithium batteries or power banks (batteries) (device-mounted or as spares), please inform the check-in staff about the type and specifications."
https://evelop-ezycommerce.cdn.prismic.io/evelop-ezycommerce/fe3178ea-6407-4faa-a746-d21b95ce522b_Lithium+Batteries+in+Iberojet+Airlines.pdf
"Lithium Ion equal or less than 100Wh Lithium Metal equal or less than 2g | Installed in device: max 15 batteries | Spare: max 20 batteries"


Iberia (m flight inside EU)
https://www.iberiaexpress.com/en/general-info/passenger-information/in-the-plane/electronic-devices/lithium-batteries
2 batteries if in 100-160Wh range
4 batteries if in 0-100Wh range


Already packed (m):
large x230 battery = 71Wh
20Ah xiaomi power bank  = 74Wh

In general, the 100Wh/160Wh limit seems universal, the difference is in how many and in what combinations of carry-on / hold.

¶[k!] EXTRA/HX— USB storage

* tiny usb key 128GB (15EUR)
* ###

¶[k~] HX— Smart watch

Useful for tracking activity, phone security (notifies when out of bluetooth range, etc).

k* xiaomi miband 7 (~50EUR)

¶[k!] EXPN/EXTRA/HX— Laptops (2 max pp) ... 100€
bringing an extra x201, maybe also an x230

thinkpads
    x250 (d)
    x230 (d)
    x201 (m)

——— general
Lenovo thinkpads! ~200€ per piece
Are extras available? (RAM/SSD)?:
    * 4GB (m)
Are HDDs valuable?

¶_[re!!!**] EXTRA/101— Currency: Euros (and dollars)
(okay)

Some reccomend 100€ per day, in addition.
Can live with 10€ (for casa) + 5-10€ (for eating) + 5-10€ for extras.

¶[k!!!] HX/EXTRA— Power adapters: Type-A (ungrounded) and Type-B (grounded)
got one B-type, plan to hack a multiplug with local plug there

CHECK THAT YOUR DEVICES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH 110/220V AND 50/60hz!
All our (thinkpad) laptop adapters and mobile phone bricks are fine with it, but double check.

* Type A/B (M) → Schuko (F)

* Type A/B (M) → IEC C5 (M), direct to laptop AC-DC power adapter
    https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conector_IEC

¶[k!!] @PHARMA— Probiotics
have some in a multivit we're bringing

Will help with diarrhoea, both to prevent and to cure.

¶[k!!] @PHARMA— Bandaids (minor cuts / blisters / with-antibiotic)
For minor cuts and (preventing) blisters.
Gel ones for healing blisters?

¶[k!!] @PHARMA— Iodine (liquid or as cream)

###

¶[k!!*] EXTRA/@PHARMA— Antibacterial cream (double/triple)

    * Polysporin (=double, bacitracin/polymixin B)
    * Neosporin (=triple, bacitracin/polymixin B/neomycin)
    * Bacitracin (single)

Info:
    https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/polysporin-neosporin-bacitracin

¶[kr!!*] @GEAR/@CUBA— Quick-dry towel x1
[!!] should get an extra one? → try to get there
"""
Nomandia Microfibre Towel: A quick-dry and lightweight towel designed for the beach.
"""

¶[kr!!] EXTRA?/@PHARMA/@SHOP— Disinfectant spray / gel / alcohol / hand sanitizer
"Hand sanitizer is scarce in Cuba. Commonly, locals use hypochlorite instead."

* Direct 96% ethanol can't fly...I guess? [!]
* Got 60% ethanol + benzo###

¶_[!!*] EXTRA/101/@GEAR/DENSE— Mosquito nets (single/double)
[!] bring: 2x for double bed! ~35$

"""
The most important thing that you must know when visiting Cuba is that you should always apply mosquito repellant and use mosquito nets when sleeping if necessary. Mosquito bites are usually itchy and can cause inflammation of the cells. If the mosquitoes are carrying the virus, then there is a high chance that they may infect you.
"""

¶[kr!!*] @SHOP/@GEAR/@PHARMA/101/EXTRA— Bug spray / Anti Mosquito Spray x2
aka Insect repellant

"""
Jungle Mosquito Repellant: Powerful mosquito repellant containing DEET
"""

It's very expensive, 15€ for a 75ml bottle.
At the pharmacy, she says this is "for 1 person for 1 week ... in the mosquito season".
Fingers crossed :D

In my experience, the low-containing DEET work okay as well, not only the 45% ones,
at least in low-mosquito areas, such as parts of Havana .

¶[/!h] MAYBE/NOMAD/@GEAR— Hiking shoes
D has sports shoes, M only general
"""
If you’re planning hikes, such as those in the Topes de Collantes National Park between Cienfuegos and Trinidad, you might want a sturdy pair of hiking boots to protect your feet and ankles. There are rough terrains in the national parks, so while it’ll be possible to tackle the trails wearing a pair of trainers with good grips, you might want to give your ankles and feet some extra protection.
"""

Tip: shoe fixers are super good, cheap, and common here in Havana.
Got a pair of shoes that fell apart sewn & glued fixed for 2€.
Bring shoes you'd like to have fixed ;-)

¶[!**] @SHOP/FOOD— (any other rare food you need)

* teas
* nuts
* spices
* oats
* gluten-free food
* ###

Example comment:
"""
But I also like variation, so would it be a good idea to bring a little of these foods as they're scarce and also allowed to bring? 
Starches such as oats, millet, quinoa, gluten-free pasta? 
Spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, chili, curry? 
Teas, such as green tea and herbal? 
Superfoods such as dried cranberries, aronia, goji, rainsins, green powders? 
Nuts and seeds, such as walnuts for omega 3's? 
"""

¶[k!**] EXTRA/@SHOP/FOOD— Cooking spices

###
Some are available, usually in smaller quantities.
If you love to cook, and intend to stay longer, I recommend bringing a bunch of spice bags.

¶[p/!**ef] @SHOP/EXTRA/SMOL— Rolling papers

Update:
    No suitable loose tobacco, it seems
    Though this doesn't explain the filterless cigarettes.

¶[k~] HX/COMRADES— Books
got Neuromancer (m)
A) ebook or two, for a library?
... but would it "reach its destination"?
B) get some cheap Lenins in Spanish and bring them in

¶[k!!] @GEAR/EXTRA!— LED headlamps (rechargeable)

People have asked for them:
    especially in rural areas, if the powers goes off at night, and you've got small kids, it can be very practical.

¶_[!**f] HX/@AMAZON/CAPITAL/DENSE/@FERRETERIA?/EXTRA!— Small water pumps

5W, easily battery powered, 2€
+switch +tubes

¶[krr!!*e] FOOD/DENSE/@SHOP/EXTRA!— Curado cheese!
@madrid

Could bring worse things than a few KG of pecorino. It's very dense.
Some say there is good cheese available here, but all I've seen is cheese sold at markets (unrefridgerated, bad conditions, expensive).

¶[/?] HX/EXPN/CAPITAL— (Tools)

* multi tools?:
    * a key that is a small blade + screwdriver (m)
    * something serious like swiss or leatherman? will it pass security?

* battery power tools?

###

¶[k] HX/CEDE— Photo camera
samsung nx300 → gift maybe

¶_[r!!**e] EXTRA!/101/FOOD!/@GEAR— Energy bars / High-nutrition food
* chocolate protein bar
* peanut butter (?)
* protein powder (?)
* ### [!!]

Not too expensive!:
    Should not cost more than ~5-10€ per kilogram, especially if it's simple carbs without much protein!

¶_[rr!!!**e] EXTRA!/101/@SHOP— Simple milk chocolates :)

The ~1€ 150g you can find in every supermarket in Europe.
Possibly with <50% sugar (=not the first ingredient on the list).
Best with nuts / almonds.
Half can be "dark".

Update:
    They produce chocolate here, but it doesn't seem that easy to find and buy.
    Found local:
        A) 100g bars for 200CUP (next to TV), very provisionally packed & not great quality.
        B) 100g "crocodile bars" for 200CUP (neighbour), and 150CUP (bus station):
            have Havana address!
            quite dark chocolate somehow (not a lot of milk?)

¶[kr!!] EXTRA/@PHARMA/101— General cream (Nivea / Aloe vera / ...)

###

¶[k!*] ELX/CEDE— Bluetooth speaker
~20€

¶[k~] HX/ELX— Various converters
ps2 male -> usb female(m):
    likely not needed, useful to connect an usb keyboard/mouse to old computer 
2x usb-c male -> usb a 3.0 (m):
    very useful (connect to android, use spare c ports elsewhere)
usb-c to micro usb (m ordered):
    use old cables with new devices
micro hdmi to hdmi (m):
    useful for RPI4, and some cameras

¶_[rr!!!*] HX/ELX— Various USB cables

Bring + bring backups:
r!!* micro usb (including DATA, not just CHARGE)
r!!* usb-c (including DATA, not just CHARGE)
r!!* disk usb cable
###

¶[k!!*] 101/HX/ELX/@GEAR— Universal power adpater
Buy 1-2 in Madrid

https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/cuba/
(!) Warning:
    Voltage varies between 110-240V - check devices, and if not compatible, get a converter, not an adapter
Lenovo is ok, USB chargers I've checked are ok

¶[!**] HX/ELX/@GEAR - Surge-protecting power strips
For stormy days in Cuba, peace of mind/mitigation of potential frying threat to laptops

¶[k!] HX/ELX— Mini wireless keyboard + touchpad
1x with AA batteries included (m)
1x with me as well (d)

¶[k!!] @GEAR/EXTRA/SMOL— Small carabiners
2x from Decathlon
* to put on bag double zippers, to make unzipping and stealing from the back more difficult
* also generally very useful.

¶[p/!!!*] HYGIENE/101— Sun cream

good, non-toxic SPF50
###

¶[//k!!] ELX/HX/EXTRA?/@FERRETERIA— Duct tape
(got 3€ silver tape, not best but works)

→ Can buy here, silvertape available for 3€.
Bring something more special!

¶_[!!**] @SHOP/@GEAR— Water Filtration System (simple carbon filter)

However, carbon does not usually filter lead!

via:
    * https://indysoftwater.com/blog/what-carbon-water-filters-actually-remove/ :
        reverse osmosis (RO) is really the only things that works well here
    * ###

Options:
    * Brita-style filter
    * ###

¶[k!h] @GEAR/TUFF— Water Filtration System (advanced)
aka "Water-to-Go bottle"

(alternatives):
    * buy bottled water:
        (can find 1.5L for as low as 75CUP, street price ~200CUP)
    * cook the water:
        annoying, as you need to wait, store it, still tastes bad and has a lot of minerals, etc

suggested: "Sawyer Mini"
https://www.sawyer.com/products/mini-water-filtration-system

bought this @decathlon:
https://www.decathlon.es/es/p/filtro-cantimplora-flexible-y-compresible-mt500/_/R-p-307923 ?
there should have been a plastic bottle with compatible screw-on too, for 25€ (?!), but was not available
"""
Filter 99% of microbiological contents in water while on the go.
"""

————— 
[!!→]:
    @@antipest
    They filter bateria and protozoa, but not viruses?
    And also heavy metals, toxins etc?
    So is this sensible?
    Which viruses are a threat?

↓↓↓

Grayl (pressure system) works great, and fixes this!

¶[!] @GEAR/COMFORT— XXL beach blanket

for example like this
https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Water-Resistant-Waterproof-Sandproof-SC-CM-01/dp/B01FI1QXS8

Like 2.5x2m would be pretty cool (8x8 ft?)

"sand proof"
(==sand fleas proof)

¶_[!!!*] @PHARMA— Benzoyl peroxide (~2.5%), like Peroxiben 25mg/g (anti-acne)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, benzoyl peroxide is the most effective acne-fighting ingredient available without a prescription. It works best on traditional red, pus-filled pimples (pustules). 
1-10% , ~2% seems ok
----------
"Peroxiben 25mg/g" (2.5%), has:
    * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docusate
    * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeticone

¶[k/!!] 101/COMFORT— Pilowcase

A general-use and feel-good item,
can be synthetic,
can be used as a bag for clothes,

¶[!] @PHARMA— Hydrocortisone topical cream (swelling, itching, irritation)

"They can also help with the symptoms of: eczema. psoriasis."

¶[k!!*] @PHARMA/COMFORT— Aloe vera cream (hi %)

Update: You can find aloe leaves on the markets here, and just use that directly!

¶_[rr!!*] @SHOP/FOOD/EXTRA!/DENSE/@CUBA?— Tuna / canned fish

It's 600CUP per 200g can of tuna can here!

UPDATE:
    * 500CUP for 3x80g (==2000/kg → 12€/kg) ... not bad
    * Friend sold me a bonito can, 100g for 250CUP (==20€/kg)

¶_[!*f] @GEAR/MUSIC/EXTRA/@CUBA?— Guitar strings and picks
Can bring 1-2 packs.

~10$ per pack
* Electric guitar
* Nylon guitar

Here:
    * https://www.revolico.com/compra-venta/arte/cuerdas-de-guitarra-electrica-marca-ernie-ball-calibre-010-43020876.html :
        1700CUP → 10 USD
    * https://www.revolico.com/compra-venta/arte/cuerdas-de-guitarra-43014285.html
So not that hard to get.

¶_[rr!!*] @SHOP/FOOD!/EXTRA!— Olive oil (extra virgin)

Bring it if you want to cook.
Expensive here (2-3x), and not quality.
Great gift as well.

¶[krr!!**] @PHARMA/@SHOP/LONGTERM/EXTRA!— Supplements (B12, Omega-3, Vitamin E)
aka Vitamins / Minerals

According to the diet as experienced here, most missing seem to be:

    * B12 & Omega-3:
        (lack of eggs, meat, fish)

    * Vitamin E:
        (always difficult to get, especially if you don't have quality oils available)

    ———————————— but also
    * Vitamin A:
        (lack of milk & fish, and supplemented processed food! ... but plenty in leafy greens, tomatoes)
    * A+D+E+K:
        (especially: when you can't get proper food: are ill, or cave-in for a week to work )
    →→ OR:
        EAT CHARD
        EAT BUTTER

————————————————
Round 1 <matic:
1x multivitamin for men
1x vitamin C 500g slow release
1x magnesium

https://trgovina.mercator.si/market/izdelek/16974138/vitamin-b12-vegetarijanski-nutrilab-60-kapsul
7€/2 months
* is there (better/worse) quality? [!!]

¶_[!!!*e] @SHOP/EXTRA!/CLOTHES/DENSE— Socks

Here:
    600CUP per pair, on street stalls, (fake "big brands"), not easy to get big numbers (>EU 44)

Bring:
    * Lots of cheap pairs:
        (for standard sizes & black or something normal)
        like 6 for 5$ probably exists
    * David size: 45 (US 11) ... 5 pairs
    * SOCKS not "LOW-CUT" socks

¶[!*] EXTRA/@PHARMA— Analgesics: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Etc → pain

* Paracetamol
aka "Tylenol"
aka "acetaminofén"

* Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
    Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen

¶[!*] EXTRA/@PHARMA— Anti-fungal ("Antimicotico"): Ketoconazol, etc
Ketoconazol (Cubans prefer cream, not gel!)

¶_[!!!*] @SHOP/@FOOD/EXTRA/DENSE— Nuts

~10€/kg
No weird tastes.

¶_[!!!*] @FOOD/EXTRA— Whey protein (low/no lactose)
Order May 2023: 8-10 lbs

* "some good brand":
    ###
* price:
    ###

Send a photo to confirm!


<--------------------------------------------------- (new)++((new))

¶[??] LONGTERM— Water quality measurement
* lead???

¶[!!] LONGTERM— Air quality measurement
* at least CO2
* particles & car pollution (for Havana!)
as
* Ventilation can be tricky
* havana is quite dirty
* weather can make things complicated

¶[!] Harmonica "Lee Oskar C blues"
>jose.alfredo
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lee%20Oskar%20C%20harmonica&ref=glow_cls&refresh=1
they cost ~$50

¶[p/!] HX/EXTRA?/CAPITAL— Network equipment

* passive gigabit 8 port switch (~30EUR) (m)
* old 3g huawei router ?? (m)
* old N standard usb wi-fi stick ?? (m)

¶_[p!!!**] HX/+DAVID— Official X230 battery

Find one :D
And test it, I suppose.
>matic

¶[!**] TOOLS/FOOD/@SHOP— Real can opener


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