New night at the Casa Colonial Elaine, and another early morning wake up and take the bus Viazul. We begin to know the price of taxis to the terminal, we are negotiating more. Once on the bus, three long hours of travel. A stop, first in Las Terrazas, charming town in the forest. Then stop in Pinar del Rio, Cuba city, half an hour of Vinales. After Pinar del Rio, the road becomes more irregular straight lines are behind us, the bus takes turns, and climbs into the hills. Finally, unfolds before our eyes the famous Vinales Valley, UNESCO classified it as well. We see the mogotes these great limestone slopes that are so atypical celebrity Vinales. The bus arrives, and among the twenty people who greet us at once advertisements for their casas particulares we fall by chance on the future of our next guests Lucillo and Nirma. The nice lady, understanding that does not come for her, but for its neighbors, has done us the honor to accompany us to the casa particular reserved in my name. 
Lucillo (right), former teacher, and Nirma (left), former professor of biology at the university, welcomed us with a freshly squeezed pineapple juice. Their daughter (thin, I forgot her name!) Construct the room during this time, and us with a nice smile: normal, she studied dentistry! We also come across Yunior, twink 22 year old who leaves the afternoon for Havana: it is a medical student. A family of intruits then, but that 
preferred to engage in the business of casas particulares and is a good initiative: the case of walking all the way! The two Englishmen who leave home Lucillo we strongly boast hyperbole hospitality of our hosts, and in the guestbook, they are qu'éloges and compliments in all languages. Suffice to say that we look forward. Nirma leads the life of the house, one who speaks English and keeps the accounts. Lucillo, meanwhile, talks about what to do in Vinales, and we propose mojitos before dinner in the evening. Excited, but anxious to leave the discovery of the valley, we left the casa and cross the main street. Turns right. Mogotes after the streets, horses at the same floor. Always the sun. The sea is no longer there, but all around, the green colors in triumph. Clichés. 
At a bend, a woman, nonchalantly, picking up leaves to make medicines. Or so she tells us. Sewing up, it brings us into a barn of straw to show us like the leaves of tobacco, the main crop in the valley, is dried. Then she takes us 
in his house, where a young woman holding two children in their arms. We sat down, the lady we did try the cigar that is produced here. Reflex of the cigarette, something not to do: swallow the smoke but crapoter, especially when you start! I choke, but take a taste. The girls also try and we promise to buy. As soon as the half-finished cigarette, the woman presents breeders of horses, as if by magic, have four horses ready for us. Well, since leaving the blow of the foil medicinal was rigged to give us a ride on horseback. But we agree: it is 16 hours, the ideal time to glimpse the valley setting sun. We ask for a ride of two hours, quite enough, our butts will be witnesses. And in no time 
hand, we are all perched on the four beasts of poor, dominated by a Cuban-style cowboy and fell in love with Catherine (being a blonde French girl even earned him the title " Princesse de Francia). The walk is beautiful. We stop after one hour in a hut where another woman is preparing a cane juice before our eyes: pressure of the cane juice flowing, mixed with a grapefruit. 100% pure cool! On the road again on our cattle, delighted and excited.
the evening, after a well deserved shower (everyone felt quite the horse!), We sit under the patio of the house. In the kitchen next door, it is working: we hear a spoon crush something. Two minutes later a Lucillo proud as a peacock happens, two glasses of mojitos hand, followed by Nirma, leading the other two glasses. Since our arrival in Cuba, we no longer count the number of mojitos, daiquiris , pina coladas drunk. But tonight, something happens: everyone unanimously admitted drinking the best mojito the world. Catherine and myself resume even for a second meal. The next evening, we will ask even Lucillo assist in the preparation of his cocktail. For now, we celebrate this evening, which is continuous with an excellent meal (chicken, beans and rice) prepared by Nirma to finish it all in a bar next to the village church.
The next day we planned a hiking
through the valley of Vinales. Up early to make the most of this beautiful day ahead. En route, backpack full of cakes and bottles of water we have taken a more our towel and swimsuit. Our end point is the Cueva del Palmerito, is located in a natural pool. We feel like to swim in this unlikely place! But for now, we're on the road. After a few detours (we have almost no reliable map of the valley), here we are on a path that takes us in the middle of the hummocks. AC heater box, and the red soil suggests mirages. All around, rock, green hills. We arrive at a tree resembles a baobab tree, which we find in the hollow statues, so that a decapitated Christ. We continue, and meet Luis, we saw the eve in a bar. He tells us (well, mostly our Eleanor conquered!) At one point, police came to see him and took him to the station to undergo a lengthy interview ... All because he had talked to strangers! Despite this incident, Luis asks us again that evening (where ever he wants to see especially Eleanor!). Appointments made at the Casa Cultural de Vinales, to 22 hours.
The walk continues, we go through another hut where a grandfather proposes a cane juice, as before. It refreshed a lot! We give him a few pesos in exchange for his drink, and ask our way to the Cueva del Palmerito. On the right, left, blah blah ... Here we are! It is 13 o'clock, and we pay the Signor cueva a right of passage to visit the 150 meters underground. Dan 
s black, our guide and Aurelie are the only ones with a flashlight, and several times, I miss the stones missing and falling. What would be a shame! We finally reach the famous pond in our vaunted Backpacker. At first sight, although it is a nice corner, nobody wants to swim. Eleanor, adventurer at heart (but not too much, eh!) launches the idea. I am Catherine Aurelie and approves the idea. We cut all the lights, the time to change, then we plunge into the water ultra-cold natural pool. We do two foot and three fathoms, under the amused gaze of our caring and Signor, who lit two torches for swimming. We do not stay long, it's cold: the time a few photos, and presto! Out of water!
After we refueled a bit on the edge of the water, leaving the cave, we undertake the journey back, by providing a detour through a Mogote. We have a simple project to touch one of these famous mountains. We find one, easy to access. Arrived at the foot, unable to undertake a small ascent too much vegetation, and we are not prepared for that. We touch despite the rock, very prominent and sharp, before we return to our little red path, towards the town of Vinales. Incidentally, we see climbers compete with steep cliffs mogotes. Activity theoretically prohibited by the state, which closes the eyes than anything else in the end. We turn one last time and admire Vinales Valley, the jewel of greenery and uneven. After traveling seven miles in a few hours we are in the village.
night, we drink our last glass of mojito on the terrace of the Casa Cultural de Viñales. Luis spoke in whispers of Eleanor, while cruiser by Aurelia is an old pervert. I run a few steps of Salsa with Catherine, then to the road to watch the stars. I may be drunk with rum ingested that night, but mostly happy and full osmosis. 2011, already for some days, but I quickly look back to 2010: retrospective back to realize the path. A year ago, I put on my file to RI for an exchange to Quebec. A year later, here I am, Cuba, after a semester filled with success and wonderful encounters and discoveries of all kinds, I tell myself that nothing could expect in France, for the moment. And finally, I did well to leave. I turned towards the future: what to expect this year? Travel, for sure! Work, absolutely! Meet new people, but above all, who knows the answers to questions, openings, barriers collapsing. My field of possibilities opens Little by little, and I think feel something that seems oddly sound like harmony. Finally.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we lose ourselves in thanks to Lucillo and Nirma, which gratify us with smiles and sincere "good year" at all costs. A little sad, we leave Vinales, and resume the road to Havana. This is our last day. Everyone knows that the next day at the same time, we will be back in our cold Quebec. So we organized something light to enjoy our last afternoon on Cuban soil. We return to eat Gardens East, history full circle. Then we vagabondons, through the old city. Catherine drags his suitcase, and we carry our backpacks with pain and shortness of breath. We sit down (lie down for Aurélie) on the Cathedral Square for an hour to enjoy this wonderful place that had so impressed the first day. Then we go one last time to the Malecon, where the sea, in a bad mood, just hit the walk. Last moments of sun facing the water, then take our luggage and return Plaza Vieja, one last drink daiquiri, pina colada one last . 18:30, we take a taxi to the airport. Afterwards, everybody knows ...
Montreal, cold, snow. I take refuge at Starbucks, waiting for my ride to Quebec. I just started to realize that everything is finished, vacations, my expectations, my plans. Crash unprepared. Re-entry. For it must go! And I want to. Especially at Quebec, a small mahogany chest is waiting for me. But that, I do not know yet ... I have friends to see, not them. I look at the photos last time, my Venti Mokka hand. A very nice trip.
And I repeat in my head, this phrase of Che (my new mentor):
in his house, where a young woman holding two children in their arms. We sat down, the lady we did try the cigar that is produced here. Reflex of the cigarette, something not to do: swallow the smoke but crapoter, especially when you start! I choke, but take a taste. The girls also try and we promise to buy. As soon as the half-finished cigarette, the woman presents breeders of horses, as if by magic, have four horses ready for us. Well, since leaving the blow of the foil medicinal was rigged to give us a ride on horseback. But we agree: it is 16 hours, the ideal time to glimpse the valley setting sun. We ask for a ride of two hours, quite enough, our butts will be witnesses. And in no time 
hand, we are all perched on the four beasts of poor, dominated by a Cuban-style cowboy and fell in love with Catherine (being a blonde French girl even earned him the title " Princesse de Francia). The walk is beautiful. We stop after one hour in a hut where another woman is preparing a cane juice before our eyes: pressure of the cane juice flowing, mixed with a grapefruit. 100% pure cool! On the road again on our cattle, delighted and excited. 
the evening, after a well deserved shower (everyone felt quite the horse!), We sit under the patio of the house. In the kitchen next door, it is working: we hear a spoon crush something. Two minutes later a Lucillo proud as a peacock happens, two glasses of mojitos hand, followed by Nirma, leading the other two glasses. Since our arrival in Cuba, we no longer count the number of mojitos, daiquiris , pina coladas drunk. But tonight, something happens: everyone unanimously admitted drinking the best mojito the world. Catherine and myself resume even for a second meal. The next evening, we will ask even Lucillo assist in the preparation of his cocktail. For now, we celebrate this evening, which is continuous with an excellent meal (chicken, beans and rice) prepared by Nirma to finish it all in a bar next to the village church. 
The next day we planned a hiking
through the valley of Vinales. Up early to make the most of this beautiful day ahead. En route, backpack full of cakes and bottles of water we have taken a more our towel and swimsuit. Our end point is the Cueva del Palmerito, is located in a natural pool. We feel like to swim in this unlikely place! But for now, we're on the road. After a few detours (we have almost no reliable map of the valley), here we are on a path that takes us in the middle of the hummocks. AC heater box, and the red soil suggests mirages. All around, rock, green hills. We arrive at a tree resembles a baobab tree, which we find in the hollow statues, so that a decapitated Christ. We continue, and meet Luis, we saw the eve in a bar. He tells us (well, mostly our Eleanor conquered!) At one point, police came to see him and took him to the station to undergo a lengthy interview ... All because he had talked to strangers! Despite this incident, Luis asks us again that evening (where ever he wants to see especially Eleanor!). Appointments made at the Casa Cultural de Vinales, to 22 hours. 
The walk continues, we go through another hut where a grandfather proposes a cane juice, as before. It refreshed a lot! We give him a few pesos in exchange for his drink, and ask our way to the Cueva del Palmerito. On the right, left, blah blah ... Here we are! It is 13 o'clock, and we pay the Signor cueva a right of passage to visit the 150 meters underground. Dan 
s black, our guide and Aurelie are the only ones with a flashlight, and several times, I miss the stones missing and falling. What would be a shame! We finally reach the famous pond in our vaunted Backpacker. At first sight, although it is a nice corner, nobody wants to swim. Eleanor, adventurer at heart (but not too much, eh!) launches the idea. I am Catherine Aurelie and approves the idea. We cut all the lights, the time to change, then we plunge into the water ultra-cold natural pool. We do two foot and three fathoms, under the amused gaze of our caring and Signor, who lit two torches for swimming. We do not stay long, it's cold: the time a few photos, and presto! Out of water! 
After we refueled a bit on the edge of the water, leaving the cave, we undertake the journey back, by providing a detour through a Mogote. We have a simple project to touch one of these famous mountains. We find one, easy to access. Arrived at the foot, unable to undertake a small ascent too much vegetation, and we are not prepared for that. We touch despite the rock, very prominent and sharp, before we return to our little red path, towards the town of Vinales. Incidentally, we see climbers compete with steep cliffs mogotes. Activity theoretically prohibited by the state, which closes the eyes than anything else in the end. We turn one last time and admire Vinales Valley, the jewel of greenery and uneven. After traveling seven miles in a few hours we are in the village. 
night, we drink our last glass of mojito on the terrace of the Casa Cultural de Viñales. Luis spoke in whispers of Eleanor, while cruiser by Aurelia is an old pervert. I run a few steps of Salsa with Catherine, then to the road to watch the stars. I may be drunk with rum ingested that night, but mostly happy and full osmosis. 2011, already for some days, but I quickly look back to 2010: retrospective back to realize the path. A year ago, I put on my file to RI for an exchange to Quebec. A year later, here I am, Cuba, after a semester filled with success and wonderful encounters and discoveries of all kinds, I tell myself that nothing could expect in France, for the moment. And finally, I did well to leave. I turned towards the future: what to expect this year? Travel, for sure! Work, absolutely! Meet new people, but above all, who knows the answers to questions, openings, barriers collapsing. My field of possibilities opens Little by little, and I think feel something that seems oddly sound like harmony. Finally. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we lose ourselves in thanks to Lucillo and Nirma, which gratify us with smiles and sincere "good year" at all costs. A little sad, we leave Vinales, and resume the road to Havana. This is our last day. Everyone knows that the next day at the same time, we will be back in our cold Quebec. So we organized something light to enjoy our last afternoon on Cuban soil. We return to eat Gardens East, history full circle. Then we vagabondons, through the old city. Catherine drags his suitcase, and we carry our backpacks with pain and shortness of breath. We sit down (lie down for Aurélie) on the Cathedral Square for an hour to enjoy this wonderful place that had so impressed the first day. Then we go one last time to the Malecon, where the sea, in a bad mood, just hit the walk. Last moments of sun facing the water, then take our luggage and return Plaza Vieja, one last drink daiquiri, pina colada one last . 18:30, we take a taxi to the airport. Afterwards, everybody knows ...
Montreal, cold, snow. I take refuge at Starbucks, waiting for my ride to Quebec. I just started to realize that everything is finished, vacations, my expectations, my plans. Crash unprepared. Re-entry. For it must go! And I want to. Especially at Quebec, a small mahogany chest is waiting for me. But that, I do not know yet ... I have friends to see, not them. I look at the photos last time, my Venti Mokka hand. A very nice trip. And I repeat in my head, this phrase of Che (my new mentor):
"Be realistic: demand the impossible."
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