Day 6: Preparation before returning to Varadero

I get up before the sun again this morning. Another wonderful show! Today I will prepare to leave. I'm going to take a last day of rest and then do the 100 km I have left to do to catch my flight tomorrow evening at 9 p.m. It's quite special! Tomorrow morning I will be leaving for my flight. It's as if I were leaving Victoriaville to go to Sherbrooke. I start by having my little Cuban coffee in the same little kiosk the day before. I buy myself in advance 3 ham buns and a dozen donuts for the road tomorrow. I'm still buying vegetables to eat tonight: a yuca, a potato (Boniato), a pepper, an onion and three tomatoes. The cost: 25 CUP ($1.40) I take advantage of this penultimate day to take a little bike ride, but it's not me who pedals. Cost: 20 UPC ($1.20) This morning again I am helping Osmany to unload "cossins" to sell at the market which is located in front of my house. Afterwards, I take a little break enjoying a ham sandwich and a mango juice for 20 CUP. ($1.20) I'm going to see my downstairs neighbor and her adorable little dog untied! I take a long walk on the beach and I see a dead goat with flowers. I learn 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://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iemanja Learn more about the Yoruba religion: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_(religion) I meet Rodolfo, a driver from taxi, which owns a stunning 1957 Ford Fairlane. The name is derived from Henry Ford 's estate , Fair Lane (in ) , Michigan . This vehicle is worth 30,000 CUC ($42,000) I go back to the beach and I leave an ephemeral trace in the sand. I also see a type of jellyfish named here Barquito del mar. It seems that the burn is very painful. I have not tried the experiment, because I tend to take these things at face value!!! If you crush it, it makes a POP , like a plastic bubble. Afterwards, I observe young people playing a game similar to tennis, but which also resembles squash. After a while they ask me if I want to play and I happily accept. This game is called cancha tennis . Tennis as I know it here is called tennis de campo . The serve must touch 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 turns 15: quince de años . This important moment in the life of a young teenager is celebrated in an intense way. Learn more about the 15th anniversary celebration: 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 coming off of the wheel. Rather, it is a piece of rubber that is wrapped around the wheel. Fortunately, he resolved the situation quickly... There are really a lot of electric scooters on the streets. These little cars are worth 2000 CUC ($2800). The registration of these vehicles will be compulsory from next year. For the moment, it is possible to circulate with these machines without registration. I met Marcel, a Quebecer who comes to get some body heat several times a year in Guanabo. No photos for obvious reasons... For the past three days I've been taking the opportunity to eat ice cream at 1.75 CUC ($2.45). It's my little late afternoon ritual! Here is my supper, potatoes (Boniato).... And yuca... I see a dog in the park taking the time to rest before the eventful night. I can see the signs of dream activity in this little pooch. 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 pedaling 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 discomforts.... ah ah ah. Tomorrow will be my last day! I am very happy to have still learned things about the habits and customs 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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