Day 6: Preparation before returning to Varadero

I get up before the sun again this morning. Another wonderful sight! Today I'm going to get ready to leave. I'm going to take one last day of rest and then do the 100 km I have left to do to catch my flight tomorrow night at 9pm. It's pretty special! Tomorrow morning I'm going to leave to catch my flight. It's like I'm leaving Victoriaville to go to Sherbrooke. I start by having my little Cuban coffee in the same little kiosk from the day before. I buy myself 3 ham rolls and a dozen donuts in advance for tomorrow's trip. I buy more vegetables to eat tonight: a yuca, a potato (Boniato), a chili pepper, an onion and three tomatoes. The cost: 25 CUP ($1.40) I take advantage of this penultimate day to go for a little bike ride, but I'm not the one pedaling. Cost: 20 CUP ($1.20) This morning again I am helping Osmany unload "cossins" to sell at the market which is located opposite my house. Afterwards, I take a short break by enjoying a ham sandwich and a mango juice for 20 CUP. ($1.20) I'm going to see my neighbor downstairs and her little, affectionate, untethered dog! I take a long walk on the beach and I see a dead goat with flowers. I learned a little later that it is an offering to the female god of the sea who is called Yemaya of the Yoruba religion. Here is the representation of Yemaya according to Wikipedia located in Brazil

Statue of Iemanja in Santa Vitória do Palmar in Brazil

Learn more about Yemaya: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iemanja Learn more about the Yoruba religion:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_(religion) I meet Rodolfo, a taxi driver, who owns a beautiful 1957 Ford Fairlane . The name is derived from Henry Ford 's estate , Fair Lane (en) , in Michigan . This vehicle is worth 30,000 CUC ($42,000)

I return to the beach and leave an ephemeral trace in the sand.

I also see a type of jellyfish here called Barquito del mar. Apparently the burn is very painful. I haven't tried it, because I tend to take these things at face value!!!

If you crush it, it makes a POP , like a plastic bubble. Later, I observe young people playing a game similar to tennis, but also similar to squash. After a while I am asked if I want to play and I happily accept. This game is called tennis de cancha . Tennis as I know it here is called tennis de campo . The serve must hit the front wall and fall between the 2 red lines drawn on the ground.

I am very happy to live this new experience!

I admire the patience of this fisherman near a ruined bridge.

I am amazed by this young girl who is celebrating her 15th birthday: quince de años . This important moment in the life of a young teenager is celebrated in an intense way.

Learn more about the 15th birthday party: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_des_15_ans I go back to the street and I see a coachman who had a problem with his tire that came off the wheel. It's more like a piece of rubber that is wrapped around the wheel. Fortunately, he fixed the situation quickly...

There are really a lot of electric scooters on the streets. These little machines cost 2000 CUC ($2800). The registration of these vehicles will be mandatory starting next year. For now, it is possible to drive these machines without registration.

I met Marcel, a Quebecer who comes to Guanabo several times a year to get some body heat. No photos for obvious reasons... For the past three days I've been taking the opportunity to eat ice cream for 1.75 CUC ($2.45). It's my little end-of-afternoon ritual!

Here is my dinner, potatoes (Boniato)....

And yuca...

I see a dog in the park taking time to rest before the eventful night. I can observe the signs of dream activity in this little mutt. These signs are manifested by rapid movements of his limbs.

In the evening, I go back to buy three donuts for immediate consumption, they are so good. Cost of the operation: 0.45 CUC (0.63$)

I can't wait to start cycling again!!! Three days in the same place is a bit too much for me! It reminds me of a certain episode with Martin Matte in the beautiful malaises.... ah ah ah. Tomorrow will be my last day! I am very happy to have learned more things about the customs and traditions of Cubans. Be good and life will reward you! A smile costs nothing, so you know what to do...

David Beauchesne

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