Day 5: Guanabo

I get up really early, around 4am. I'm going to take a short walk to the small park where Internet access is possible. While walking, I realize that there is a disco 200 meters from my house and it's still the fiesta... It's really not my style! I'm more of a morning person!!! It's not the same pace for everyone. I go back to bed and I'm still sleeping phew. Here is the daily pollution on the beach. People don't use trash cans. I often saw people throwing trash on the ground. I even almost got knocked out twice by a can when I was riding my bike. People throw their debris directly on the asphalt road. Yesterday I learned some sad news... ** My friendDominic Brouillet died at the age of 43. Goodbye My friend! I will enjoy life in your honor!!! I have the impression of seeing you on the horizon... my eyes are pouring down a rain that haunts me Blurs my sight! Goal today: Enjoy... I find really cheap coffee at 2 CUP ($0.12). It's a well-hidden little kiosk! I also talk to tourists who are there for months. The reason for their trip is a bit special. These are people seeking body heat. It's not my style, really not! I'm going to change the subject because it disgusts me... I now have to change my money because I've been living with 140 CUC ($200) for almost 5 days. There are two options available to me: the bank with an endless line or the exchange house (Cadeca) with a line of 10 people. I choose the modest line... The very important thing when you make the Cuban line is to ask who is the last (el ultimo). He is the only person to follow with his eyes. The latter knows who to follow and so on. When a new person arrives it becomes el ultimo. It is magic! The Cuban queue is very chaotic, but when you know how it all becomes easier. I change $300 and get 222.55 CUC. It's a very good exchange rate compared to the airport...Except that I learn later that the CUC currency is destined to disappear. The same rumor had circulated several years ago. Then I change 20 CUC and I get 480 CUP. Wow a fortune!!! I will be able to buy more than 96 ham rolls with this sum. A chance that my religion allows me! We must not forget that everything is expensive in Cuba. Old cars in good condition are worth 30,000 to 50,000 CUC. The price of chips is 4 CUC (100 CUP) or $5.60. I will pass my turn. I opt for a healthier option instead. I buy myself a few tomatoes, a pepper, an onion and Yuca for only 20 CUP ($1.20) Yuca looks like a potato when boiled. It is very good with salt. Of course, you have to remove its tough skin. A Cuban showed me the trick to remove the skin easily... In the photo, I didn't know this trick yet! I take a long walk on the beach, I discover a very special bouquet washed up on the seaside. I capture the moment... I will understand the meaning later! (See the goat episode tomorrow!) A building in ruins, but people occupy the second floor, because the first floor was devastated by a storm. I walk and walk again. I move away from the center to discover pretty little houses. Here is a very free little girl, I titled this photo: Naked freedom Did you find the little girl? I return to the beach. I see a 4 star hotel. I ask the guard if I can go to the reception to find out the price for one night. He lets me pass and I can see several Italians enjoying an all-inclusive stay. The price for one night is 131 CUC ($183) Heuuuu no thank you!!! This is the amount I spent in five days!!! I prefer to eat yuca and sleep in my modest room. I return to the central park and observe the children playing with beautiful games. A permanent hopscotch. I'm going to buy some pastries. It's quite strange. There are two separate businesses in the same pastry shop. On the left the section where you have to pay in CUC. The desserts are more tempting and more expensive. And on the right the CUP section the queue is huge and the prices lower. The desserts are very simple and worth 1 CUP ($0.06) Very special...A two-speed system! In the evening I chat with Nelson and Nancy. We'll eat a pizza at the corner of the street for 20 CUP ($1.20). I meet Georgio an Italian retiree.

Great day again!!!

Thank you life...so thank you!

David