Day 1: The kindness of people (Matanzas to Guanabo)

I can't help but find Cubans friendly, welcoming and generous. I get up early and go to breakfast at the hotel under renovation. Here is the swimming pool...

The pool bar.

Everything seems in ruins. I didn't see any other customers, only workers. Walking around the site I saw this wonderful motorcycle.

I finally hit the road...I come across the University of Matanzas on my way.

My number 1 goal according to Maslow's new pyramid is to find Wi-Fi to tell my family that I am alive and that I survived the walk in the dark the day before. See story day 0 . I meet a nice Cuban who helps me install a special application that allows me to use the internet for 9 hours for only 2 CUC (2.80$ CAD). The normal price for tourists is 1 CUC (1.40$ CAD) for an hour.

A friendly 14 year old teenager who is really good with phones. I spent a good time with him chatting about everything and nothing. Aldo tells me that he really likes to play baseball. I asked him how much his braces cost to straighten his teeth. Don't think that people in Cuba spend the same amount as in Canada. How much do you think? Come on! Let's try it!! He paid 100 times less than someone in Quebec, 70 CUC ($98 CAD). This amount may seem low for a Quebec consumer, but for a Cuban it is a lot of money... especially if you consider that the monthly salary of a Cuban is 30 CUC ($42 CAD). I head to a small market to buy bananas to avoid calf cramps.

People are so generous. I ask the price for 2 bananas. The merchant refuses to take payment. Thank you!!!

I take the opportunity to buy a small juice in a kiosk in the street. I pay 2 CUP for this small refreshment, the Cuban currency. It is really economical to eat in the street, because 1 CUC = 24 CUP

So I paid CAD$0.12 for this juice. I took the opportunity to eat churros for 3 CUP ($0.18 CAD)

They are delicious. I can't help but think about my Moisson Estrie project!!! I have 67 km left before reaching my destination of the day: Guanabo.

The temperature is perfect for cycling, it's winter here. It's warm, but a light rain occasionally sprinkles me. Sometimes the landscapes are breathtaking.

The road is quite safe. People are courteous to slower vehicles: bicycles, horses, motorcycles, etc. The road has 2 lanes in both directions.

I stop to buy a good pork sandwich for 10 CUP ($0.60)

I continue my journey, the wind is very strong against me. It is a very difficult day. The first days are very difficult. I wonder why I put myself in such a situation. The landscapes are very beautiful, nature is lush.

I see another banana seller and ask him the price for two bananas....Bang, two more free bananas.

After several kilometers of effort I finally arrive in Santa Cruz del Norte. I take the opportunity to eat a little. A bread with mayonnaise for 3 CUP (0.18$). I also take 3 pineapple juices for a total of 6 CUP (0.36 cents). A stop that costs little!!! Here is the list of prices in CUP...

I also take the opportunity to have a small coffee for 1 CUP ($0.06)

Cuban homes are sometimes very dilapidated.

Breakdowns are common.

I see people buying large live birds sold on the side of the road by two friendly Cubans. These animals will be the Christmas feast for many families. This bird costs 20 CUC (28 $ CAD)

I am now 45 km from the Cuban capital: Havana. This distance also represents my age...

I pedal again and again to fight against this incredible wind. It seems that this wind is rather unusual. Normally I should have had the wind at my back!!! I have to take frequent breaks. I buy myself some carbohydrates for 0.50 CUC ($0.70) it helps me to nourish these suffering muscles.

The sea sometimes has this comforting power. It's the holidays... Come on pedal...

I finally leave the Mayabeque province at the same time as my favorite spectacle: the sunset. I have to hurry and get to Guanabo as soon as possible.

Luckily, I only have 4 km left to go. Old cars are omnipresent on the island.

I finally arrive in Guanabo, I walk through the small streets and I meet a lady who rents me a magnificent room for 20 CUC (28$ CAD)

It's really big. I'll be fine to sleep. I'm now going to find a place to eat my dinner standing on a counter... and bang a power outage plunges the city into complete darkness for 30 minutes. Luckily people use gas to cook. I get my chicken with rice, it's really delicious. I paid 25 CUP ($1.50)

For dessert a nice little fresh donut at 0.15 CUC ($0.21)

What a beautiful day of cycling.. I rode a total of 87.2 km in a time of 5 hours and 34 minutes. I think I'm going to sleep well!!! Thank you life for giving me the chance to live these adventures that fill my heart. Be generous with people!!!