I wake up and my hosts Yoandry and Elena have prepared a delicious breakfast for me. To thank them I give a Fast123 sweater to their little boy named David. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo because he was still sleeping this morning. Yoandry would like to buy my bike on my last day. We agreed on a price and he will come and meet me at the airport in a week to pick up my bike. He will give it to his boy for his birthday on January 22nd. I can't wait to see if he will show up on the agreed date and time because he has to borrow a car to come and meet me at the airport. I leave Viñales with joy, because I don't like cities crowded with tourists. Viñales is a beautiful little city of course, but yesterday I ate a sandwich for 50 Cup (2$ USD) which is very expensive at the prices I am used to paying, almost 5 times more expensive. The Cuban atmosphere is not there either. I can't wait to get to the city of Pinar del Rio. The road is beautiful....again.
I was taking a picture of Che Guevara when a Cuban asked me if I had a light. I took out the pack I bought two days ago. I chatted with him a bit and we wished each other a happy new year and he kissed me on the cheek. I just couldn't believe it!
More beautiful scenery.
I visit the Baseball Stadium of Pinar de Rio, it is magnificent.
Here is a short 11-second film that I made with the help of my Cuban accomplice.
Today is New Year's Eve and it's Sunday. Sunday means that life stops to allow people to rest. A tradition that is being lost in Quebec with the incessant consumption! The streets are deserted. The stores close at noon. I find myself a nice room on the third floor of a house.
I am relaxing on my private balcony.
Here is my route for the day. Only 34 kilometers.
Watch my bike ride on Strava:
In the evening, I enjoy the most popular attraction in all Cuban cities: the Coppelia ice cream shop. This is the place where you can enjoy a good ice cream at a ridiculous price.
Here is my gigantic portion.
How much do you think I paid??? Only 9 Cup or 45 Canadian cents. After that I'm going to go to a video game center.
I have a small fruta bomba juice for 1 cup, which is 5 cents. The prices here are really low.
I asked my hosts for the day if it was possible to wash my clothes. They said of course yes. How much is it? It's free, come on!!! The lady kindly washed my clothes and hung them on the clothesline for $0. When I went to pick up my clothes at the end of the day I gave 3 CUC. The lady was happy... The evening begins, the streets come alive. I'm going to go for a walk later with my mask.
Finally, the streets are quieter than I thought...
The countdown begins, the men on fire.
For many years, in Cuba, it has been a tradition to throw liters of water out the window. A custom that would prevent the arrival of a drought in the country. A way of throwing the old year out the window and starting anew.
Happy New Year 2018
David Beauchesne