Ciego de Avila – Moron - 40 km
Even though tired, I loaded up and cycled north to Moron, a small
town en route to Cayo Coco. I had no intention of going to Cayo Coco
as it was understood the city was packed with all-inclusive resorts.
Unfortunately, the weather came in and it started raining, which
turned out not the typical 30-minute storm. As a result, I arrived in
Moron sopping wet but mercifully discovered a surprisingly large
amount of casa particulars.
Moron was a typical Cuban town. The main road was lined with old
colonial buildings, a central plaza, and a few hole-in-the-wall eateries.
Yet, surprisingly, the town had a grand-looking railway station built in
1923, complete with horse carriages waiting to ferry passengers to
and from the station. One could have sworn it was 1923. A walk
along the candy-coloured colonnade pavement, with music coming
from open doorways, was typical Cuban. Old bicycles were leaning
haphazardly against walls, and a few pay-phones were still mounted
upon the walls. It felt as if I was caught in a time warp and I loved
every single moment of it.
By evening, villagers placed chairs outside doorways and watched the
world go by while chatting with neighbours. What a social bunch the
Cubans are. Street vendors magically appeared selling cake and
popcorn – one can’t fault a country where cake is considered street
food.