I had a good night's sleep, my fever has gone down. I feel better. Today I'm going to take a break from cycling. I met this lady this morning; she's 71 years old and still works.

I have lunch on the terrace of my accommodation.

It's a lovely view for a meal. Today is January 3rd, and the schoolchildren are back in class. Notice their uniforms.

This is a Russian church.

Some people wear white; it's a religion, but I don't know which one.

Is this the Virgin and Child in Russian in Cuba?

This city is still very beautiful.

Here are the fortifications.

A cat climbing a tree makes me think of Fastou.

This is the Havana Cathedral

A small ice cream cone in front of the Capitolio.

A lovely encounter with Yolanda in a park. She sang me Pablo Milanès' biggest hit (the song "Yolanda"). We chatted for a bit, and then she asked for some money; I gave her a 10 CUP note.

I saw the dynamo I was using, and it was from 1984. It cost 8.50 CUC. Phew! Welcome to friction.

Here are some people queuing to get into the thrift store.

Here are the prices of some essential items. Notice the soap at the top of the shelf at 6 cups ($0.30 CAD) and the toothpaste at 8 cups ($0.40 CAD). I went into an Adidas store and the sneakers were 2400 cups, or $100 USD. That's very expensive! Here's an impromptu baseball game in a park.

Here is a conversation between three women on balconies.

A little moment of relaxation very close to the Hotel Nacional.

This moment is sponsored by Fast123.ca

Here is the Hotel Nacional. It reminds me of the hotels in Las Vegas. Indeed, in the 1920s, during Prohibition (it was illegal to drink alcohol) in the United States, Havana became a favorite destination for wealthy Americans. Casinos and nightclubs were everywhere. During the 1930s, Havana was the Las Vegas of the United States. Numerous luxury hotels, flamboyant casinos, and nightclubs, each more dazzling than the last, all controlled by the American mafia with the blessing of dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Pure luxury. I took the opportunity to illegally relax by the pool. This is the lobby. Are we in Cuba?

I went up to the eighth floor using the vintage elevator.

Even Jean Chrétien passed through here to meet Fidel Castro.

Afterwards, I visited some tunnels very close to the hotel.

The sea is very rough today.

Two beautiful motorcycles...almost new.

A special place for assholes?

This is the Prado, which is to say a wide promenade in Havana.

After walking for six hours in this magnificent city, I return to my new room, the one I rented on day 24. It is really spacious and it's only 25 Cuc.

Life is beautiful! Isn't it?

It was a lovely day of rest.

David Beauchesne