Recently I traveled to Cuba, and it sure was one hell of an experience. The country is beautiful and it is definitely a place stuck in time. It's refreshing to be somewhere where you become disconnected from the world and learn to enjoy the present place you are in. My biggest take away from being there just a few days was the amount of humility in the people of Cuba. It's a very poor country, especially the main city of Havana. There are limited resources and very little money. It's so poor that people ask tourists for supplies and materials like clothes or toiletries instead of asking for money. It opens your eyes to the small things we take for granted, like a bar of soap. Because of limited resources, there are a few things you should always take with you even if you think you may not need them. Trust me when I say that the condition of a country can be a total surprise when you arrive. Below is a list of some of the basic items to keep in mind to take on your next trip:

1. Soap.

I know it seems like soap is obvious but often people may think that where they are going, it will be immediately provided to them. It's not technically true. I recommend taking a bar of soap that you can use for showering and for washing your hands.

2. Toilet Paper.

It was very hard to find toilet paper outside of the house we were staying in near Old Havana. Even in the nicest hotel that was located in the city, toilet paper ran out quickly and was rarely restocked. We eventually learned that tourists were carrying around their own rolls because they knew about the situation.

3. Bug Repellent.

This is important for any place you go. Trust me, you will need it and it will save you much discomfort.

4. Towel.

Although our AirBnb came with fresh towels every day, I remember staying on an Island for some other trip where we never got towels. So always take a towel with you, it could save you from asking around for one.

5. Money for Phone calls or Internet access.

The first thing I noticed when I got to Cuba was that I couldn't connect to the internet as easily and I didn't have service. Unless you have a traveling plan with your cellphone provider, then you should have cash for whenever you may need to pay for a phone call or a card that will allow you to access the internet.

Wherever you go, always make a list and make sure you have all you basic necessities. Happy travels!