Playa Girón to Cienfuegos.
People touch here. The woman briefly hold hands when they pass each other amid the clusters of kiosks that serve as market squares in the rural town centers. They smile warmly into each other’s eyes before they move on.
The men are close talkers. They stand belly to belly, chest to chest, often reaching over to clasp a forearm or a shoulder.
Everyone rides bikes and sometimes there will be three or more people crammed onto a bike built for one, all hugging each other’s bodies to keep everyone safely on the ride. As people walk down the street they call “Hola.”, into the open doors of every casa. There is so much affection between the people, so much camaraderie, and it all adds to a feeling of security.
On this bike tour, it is the people that our the highlight. Their kindness, ingenuity, generosity and warmth has been incredible. Every night we are received graciously into our casa and offered a glass of fresh squeezed fruit juice. Sometimes mango or guava or pineapple. We sit in the shade, often in rockers and talk with our hosts, telling stories, comparing home lives and getting tips on the next part of our adventure. There is no rushing and no money exchanged. They are all so patient with my Spanish and do everything they can to make sure we are as comfortable as possible here in their country.
Today we made it to Cien Fuego and are staying in a stately house with 20 foot ceilings and a roof top patio-a vestige of another time here. Cien Fuego is known as the city of columns because the streets are lined with them. They hold up block-long verandas, and along with the trees planted alongside, create tunnels of shade and a respite from the relentless sun. It is a beautiful city full of history and pride.