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 lunch at the hotel under renovation. Here is the swimming pool... The pool bar. Everything seems to be in ruins. Didn't see any other customers, only workers. While walking on the site I saw this wonderful motorcycle. I finally take the road...I cross on my way the University of Matanzas. My number one goal according to Maslow's new pyramid is to find some Wi-Fi to tell my family that I'm alive and survived the ride in the dark the night 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 one hour. A friendly 14 year old really good with phones. I had a great time with him discussing everything and nothing. Aldo informs me that he really likes to play baseball. I asked her how much her braces cost to straighten her teeth. Don't think people in Cuba spend the same amount as in Canada. How much do you think? Go on! A little test!! He paid 100 times less than someone in Quebec, that is 70 CUC ($98 CAD). This amount may seem low for a Quebec consumer, but for a Cuban it is a lot of money... especially considering that a Cuban's monthly salary is 30 CUC ($42 CAD) I head to a small market to buy bananas to avoid calf cramps. People are so generous. I ask about the price for 2 bananas. The merchant refuses to be paid. Thanks!!! I take the opportunity to buy a small juice in a kiosk in the street. I pay this small refreshment 2 CUP the Cuban currency. It is really economical to eat in the street, because 1 CUC = 24 CUP So I paid $0.12 CAD for this juice. I took the opportunity to eat churros at 3 CUP ($0.18 CAD) They are succulent. I can't stop thinking about my Moisson Estrie project!!! I have 67 km left before reaching my destination for the day: Guanabo. The temperature is ideal for cycling, it's winter here. It's hot, but a light rain sprinkles me on occasion. 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 on my way the wind is very strong against me. It's 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, the nature is lush. I see another banana seller and ask him the price for two bananas....V'lan two more free bananas. After several kilometers of effort I finally arrive in Santa Cruz del Norte. I take this opportunity to eat a little. A bread with mayonnaise at 3 CUP ($0.18). I also take 3 pineapple juices for a total of 6 CUP (0.36 cents). A cheap stop!!! Here is the price list in CUP... I also take the opportunity to have a small coffee at 1 CUP ($0.06) Cuban houses 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 breaks often. I buy myself some carbs at 0.50 CUC ($0.70) it helps me feed those aching muscles. The sea sometimes has this comforting power. It's the holidays... Go pedal... I finally leave the Mayabeque province at the same time as my favorite sight: the sunset. I have to hurry and get to Guanabo as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I only have 4 km left to go. Old cars are everywhere on the island. I finally arrive in Guanabo, I walk in the small streets and I meet a lady who rents me a magnificent room for 20 CUC (28$ CAD) It is really very big. I'll be fine to sleep. I will now find a place to eat my supper standing on a counter... and V'lan a blackout that plunges the city into complete darkness for 30 minutes. Fortunately, people use gas for cooking. I get my chicken with rice, it's really delicious. I paid 25 CUP ($1.50) For dessert, a good little fresh donut at 0.15 CUC ($0.21) What a great 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. Silky generous with people!!!