Hello Wednesday walkers,

Here in Cuba it's 8:30 in the evening and I'm starting to write this post to tell you about the great bike ride I had today. If it were up to me I would go out every day to cycle, but I have other responsibilities, you know?

So I'll tell you about it. 😃

The morning was very productive. My alarm clock was my neighbour, she shouted to me from her house that she had reserved a spot for both of us in the line at the liquefied gas station.

7 am. 😣 I got insomnia. However, as the situation demanded, I hurried out of bed, without much complaint.

Here in my neighbourhood this procedure can be done (when the product is available) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But I have already told you on other occasions that we had a shortage weeks ago and I was already considering cooking with firewood. Lol.

After finally getting the cylinder of liquefied gas in the morning, I thought it would be a good idea to cycling around the Havana neighbourhood of Miramar. My idea was to get to 5th Avenue and 10th Street to take some photos that I needed to do for a long time.

For this occasion I had a companion who loves photography and had asked me to let him know when I decided to go out on this mission.

This is the general route. I divided it into two parts because in the first part I accompanied him to the market on 3rd and 70th Street. He wanted to buy some food for his mother.

While I was waiting for him I bought Cubita coffee in a kiosk, some cookies that seem to be delicious (they are reserved for tomorrow)... and you know, what I can't miss on my bike trips. 😁

Those bicycles you see in the background are not ours. Two cyclists like us also came to the kiosk to buy their energy snack.

This malt was really tasty, but my friend suggested I buy some over there at the market where you see the sign, which he assured me are the best in the world. I'll let you know. Haha... I refrigerated one for tomorrow. I wish I could do malt reviews in the beer community.

He did his shopping and we dropped the stuff off at a friend's house, who lives relatively close by. Then we went to this newly built hotel to take a few photos. It is the five-star hotel Gran Muthu Habana, on 66th Street, between 1st and 3rd, Miramar.

The light was really not suitable for this pictures with my mobile phone. But I used my mirrorless camera there, and soon, when I edit them, I will share them properly.

We stayed there for a while and then went to the coast on 70th Street, where I have been before. But there is always music there and it makes me a bit dazed, so I asked him to go to a quieter place.

...

And then something happened.

We arrived as if guided to the coast of 26th Street and as we walked down that little street towards the sea and the dogtooth this sign greeted us.

If I have to go to hell for being with you, I would do it and I would brag to all the demons that I was in paradise without going to heaven.

(I think the original phrase is about a kiss)

“If I were to kiss you then go to hell, I would. So then I can brag with the devils I saw heaven without ever entering it.”
― William Shakespeare
_{www.goodreads.com}

And beyond that, another:

The sky on that side was so beautiful...

And it says that even in a world full of art I'd still stare at you.

I think this one also has a slight change.

And yes, the sea is also perfect... no matter if it is angry or calm, warm or frozen.

We were in the ruins of a public baths which, it seems, were also once perfect and suitable for everyone, children, young people, elderly people.

Before the triumph of the Revolution in 1959 they could be used to enjoy the calm sea and the benefits of salt water. Well laid out with tiles and even stairs, a real delight.

These facilities could also be found in the Vedado neighbourhood along the Malecón. My friend told me that as a child he would come to bathe on this coast and see people with chisels and hammers peeling off the tiles to take them away. How sad I always feel when they tell me these stories! 😥

Although the place is still magical, as well as being in ruins, I can't lie to you, there is also a lot of rubbish.

At that hour there was a lot of glare over there. I think maybe another day if I go again I can get a better view.

I understand that all buildings in this area, or in other areas close to the sea, suffer a lot from saltpetre. But really, things are left to die here in Cuba. Something that fills me with sadness, impotence and even anger.

But... enough, enough... we need to change the little face now.

😃

We breathed in the fresh air, enjoyed the wiggling of the sea on the rocks, watched its tender and, at the same time, voracious seduction... and decided to continue a little further on to the so called beach on 16th street.

In this café we had two coffees, he ordered Carajillo and I ordered Irish Coffee.

And then it was time to go home. I did it fast, I put passion into every pedal stroke, because at 5 PM it starts to get dark... and from there... there was still a long way to go.

In the end I understand that the best thing to do (sometimes) is not to make plans... it is better to be surprised.

I hope you enjoyed these views and learned a little more about Havana.

🤗

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