Day 2: Simplicity (Towards Havana)

I get up around 7am. I'll grab a banana milkshake around the corner for 10 CUP ($0.60). Then I have a pan con huevos (bread with an egg) for 15 CUP ($0.90). To conclude, I take a small espresso at 6 CUP ($0.36). I take the road to Havana. I am overtaken by 3 Cuban cyclists who are training. I tried to follow them, but I have to admit defeat... The landscapes are more beautiful than the day before. I try to follow the ocean as much as possible.

I'm trying to find a hairdresser to cut my hair. I find a very nice little place. Linda offers me a very good price: 2 CUC ($2.80). Here is the result... Before After I continue on my way and walk along a neighborhood by the sea. Young people are playing baseball. I find a peaceful place and I find a pineapple on the ground which I taste...it is delicious! I also find a dog skull. I take advantage of a brief moment of heat because Galarneau has shown up. I continue on my way on a bumpy road. Cows are eating grass on the edge of the ocean. I arrive in the Cojimar sector. I'm hungry and I eat a Pan con croqueta at 6 CUP ($0.36) I take advantage of the sun which warms my skin for the first time on the trip...hooray. I sit on the corner of the street in front of the food kiosk. There is a very beautiful fort on the edge of the sea. I pedal... again and again. I see a fresh meat stand. I take this opportunity to buy myself a carrot at 3 CUP ($0.18). A Cuban who sees me wanting to wash my carrot with water from my canteen rushes at me and leaves with my orange object. After waiting a minute he comes back with a beautiful peeled and washed carrot. She is succulent. I finally see Havana appearing on the horizon... A special session is offered to me... I try to take the ferry to get to the old quarter, but the ferry doesn't offer a crossing until tomorrow, so I have to take a 20 km detour to reach the capital. I walk past a small kiosk and ask how much a tomato costs. You know the rest... nice Cubans refuse to get paid. I finally arrive at Española Hotel at 752 San Martin. My hideaway found on Expedia this morning. This is the second time I've used this service in Cuba, so I saved $7 per night. It's convenient for finding good deals and above all I was not stressed to find something before nightfall. View from my room...there are chickens on the roof of my neighbors across the street. Short day of cycling today... only 55 km. I took the time to take the time! I visited Havana, it's always nice. Here is the Capitol at night... The cathedral and its nativity scene I find a restaurant that is not too touristy, but the prices are inflated in Havana. I ate the same thing as yesterday and I paid 5 times more, that is 7 CUC ($10). The bar is empty... I'm going to bed... Life is simple, I mustn't complicate it...

David Beauchesne

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