August 3 UPDATE - Caravanistas return from Cuba

Hello all,

Once again - for well over 15 years -- Let Cuba Live and La Caravane D'amitié Québec-Cuba came together at the U.S. - Quebec border in the effort to get humanitarian aide material to the Pastors for Peace Caravan heading this week to Texas, and thence to Tampico to deliver it to Cuba.

Norton, VT, was a delightful site. Nice river, nice rapids in back flowing north Border officials were amiable and business like, thanks to advance notice of the transfer given by Steve Burke. Thirty or so Quebecers came down via a bus. Unfortunately not all brought passports and only ten crossed over bringing the boxes and getting together with us afterwards. And not all of our group of six had passports allowing us to cross over. So visiting on the Quebec side was not in the cards for us , especially for a Sudanesse friend with us who last week after a nine year struggle had just received notice of US acceptance of his plea for asylum. Wandering across the border now would have added complications.

We saw old friends - Sean, Maguy, Madeleine, Patricia, and more.. Our gathering behind the customs station was multicontinental: People from France and Italy to Quebec, Canada, US, Cuba in spirit, Kenya, Sudan. Our group took delivery of 30 plus boxes which will be taken to Greenfield, MA on July 5 along with Maine material.

Our thanks to Wells for heavy recruiting in Portland for the trip - Lora, Kinyua, Izzeldin. Greg and I represented LCL, Greg providing expert truck packing skills. Alison was going but a look at a small car crowded with five people on a hot day persuaded her not to go. The picnic meal she provided, eaten on the return at Screw Auger Falls at Grafton State Park was much appreciated.

Overall impression: Cuba has many, many good friends all over the planet - and Pastors for Peace has a few too.

Adelante, Tom