Don't worry I did come back from Cuba!

Apologies for my blogging absence!

Since getting back from Cuba I've been mad with union stuff, work and my friends leaving to live in New Zealand! (and am now on nights though work has decided to block blogger!)

Cuba was an amazing experience. The time was spent with over 100 young people from across the globe, with lots from the UK. We spent a lot of our time visiting places and seeing what the Cuban system had to offer as well as meeting with trade union and other leaders. This included a really inspirational trip to a Polyclinic where I was able to spend time talking to the staff (with the help of Kendal to interpret). Seeing what they can deliver in a community clinic was amazing, from ultra sound to endoscopy!

We also did our share of agricultural work. Which even though was in the morning the heat made doing manual work very difficult.

One of the highlights of the trip was being guests at the central May Day rally in Havana. Over half a million Cubans marched in celebration of socialism there, with over half the population taking part in activities across the country.

From my trip I have committed my self to work on three key areas:

• The Miami 5 - supporting these Cubans arbitrarily detained in the US for trying to PREVENT terrorism!
  
• End the blockade - the illegal US blockade (supported b EU sanctions) is having a devastating effect on Cuba, limiting the people's achievements
  
• Learn from the health service - The Cuban system is amazing with it's focus on prevention, local delivery and of course free and delivered by the state

Also, I'm on a personal crusade against Bacardi! They not only massively support the US boycott, but have actually been linked with terrorist organisations who murder Cubans and tourist. So if you see me in a bar asking to speak to the manager, that's probably why.