At the three-house hamlet known as Vitoria, we ask for directions again. Women look out of their front doors at the sight of a backpacker with two young men in street clothes with trepidation. Maykel approaches them, greeting them with a smile.
“No need to alarm them more than necessary,” he explains to me. Two güajiros working on their tractor nearby come to see what we need. Alejandro and I explain that we want to reach El Purio “por dentro.” Maykel returns, relaying the directions offered by the women. The güajiros overhear and disagree with the instructions passed on by the women.