Key West, Miami - Visiting Cousins
Spring Break 2018 with Jessica - March 9-16
On Thursday afternoon we left work and headed up to Huntsville to pick up Jessica. When we reached her apartment at Sam Houston we were surprised by how much luggage she had. It looked like she was going away for several weeks. Her large suitcase, a plastic Bin full of tennis shoes, and another bag. Carmen and I looked at each other, but we didnt say anything, we had the car, we did not have to check any luggage into an airplane. Jessy told us that she needed all that she was bringing, we just looked at each other and said OK. We drove several hours to LaFayette, LA... finally arriving after 10pm. We were very tired already after being at work all day.
In the morning we took off after a restful sleep without being rushed to get up early, we drove all the way to Lake City, FL that night.
On Thursday afternoon we left work and headed up to Huntsville to pick up Jessica. When we reached her apartment at Sam Houston we were surprised by how much luggage she had. It looked like she was going away for several weeks. Her large suitcase, a plastic Bin full of tennis shoes, and another bag. Carmen and I looked at each other, but we didnt say anything, we had the car, we did not have to check any luggage into an airplane. Jessy told us that she needed all that she was bringing, we just looked at each other and said OK. We drove several hours to LaFayette, LA... finally arriving after 10pm. We were very tired already after being at work all day.
In the morning we took off after a restful sleep without being rushed to get up early, we drove all the way to Lake City, FL that night.
In the morning we drove the length of Florida to West Palm Beach where we were to spend the night with my Aunt Xiomara. We arrived to her community at about 6pm and quickly went out to dinner to Don Ramon, where she is close friends with the owners. It was late, the ladies did not eat but a soup, and I ordered a large meal but didn't eat much of it. My aunt went to talk to her friend the owner then came back to the table, and as I paid and we were ready to leave the owner came out with a Birthday Flan with a candle and they sang me Happy 57th Birthday. It was a very nice surprise my aunt had done for me.
My aunt is now 71; but looks at least 10 years younger, and is in great shape with all of her Cuban Club involvement and Cuban dancing at the Club. My Aunt Xiomara and her family had always treated me very nicely. It was incredible, here she was singing me Birthday Wishes at 57 and made me think about the picture I have with her when I was one year old.
After dinner we went back to her home were we sat around the table sharing stories with Carmen and Jessica. My aunt offered us her bed while she sleep on the sofa. One other memory I have of her which we brought up was when Carmen and I, as newly weds went to visit her and her family in Mexico City. They knew we were short on money and put us up for the night in a hotel, as well as fed us.
My aunt is now 71; but looks at least 10 years younger, and is in great shape with all of her Cuban Club involvement and Cuban dancing at the Club. My Aunt Xiomara and her family had always treated me very nicely. It was incredible, here she was singing me Birthday Wishes at 57 and made me think about the picture I have with her when I was one year old.
After dinner we went back to her home were we sat around the table sharing stories with Carmen and Jessica. My aunt offered us her bed while she sleep on the sofa. One other memory I have of her which we brought up was when Carmen and I, as newly weds went to visit her and her family in Mexico City. They knew we were short on money and put us up for the night in a hotel, as well as fed us.
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In the morning we had breakfast with her, and she made us sandwiches for the travel on to Fort Lauderdale. The typical Cuban family mom wanted to give us much more to eat, but we assured her that we were to have a big meal that night at Vivian's. From Xiomara's we drove to the beach were Jessica and I got in the cold water while Carmen filmed us. After an hour at the beach we made the short drive to out hotel near Vivian's, where Jessica and I worked out at the hotel before our 4 pm meetup with my cousins. March 11th We were the first to arrive at Vivian's, we met her husband and two daughters and I gave Vivian a strong hug the way my father would always hug everyone. We caught up a little, talked about her missions to Haiti with her church, her husband Scott, and their very mature daughters Alicia and Marissa. |
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Vivian, I think spent a lot of time making a very special get together dinner for everyone. Next showing up was my cousin Ana Maria and her husband Robert, I had not seen her in over 40 years, Here again a strong hug for my cousin Annie. Tony showed up last with his girlfriend Odaly. Tony I had not seen since the early 80's at college.We talked, Vivian thanked all for coming in a toast and then I thanked Vivian for putting it all together and telling my cousins that It felt like I had just been with them about a week ago, because I just felt so comfortable with them like if we never lost touch. Vivian shared with us her father Alberto's paintings from years back, I shared with her that it was her father that taught me how to draw from a small picture by doing grids. She also shared her personal digital art work. Art is in many of our lives as our cousin Tony is also a painter.
Our grandfathers love and talent to paint has been passed down to us as well as our own children. I am thankful to Vivian for taking the time to cook for us all a fantastic Cuban dinner of Plantains, Yuca, Pulled Pork and Black Beans with Rice as well as organize the event with all my cousins and their families.
On the morning of the 12th we set out to Key West, we were looking forward to checking into La Concha, our IHG hotel for the night. Right in the center of the tourist area of Dubal street. We arrived and within the hour we were out walking around, went out to eat and tried their version of the Cuban sandwich but there was nothing Cuban about it; it was awful.
We walked the town for over an hour and headed in for the night, In the morning we grabbed a great breakfast at Le Petit Paris; where Carmen got the best breakfast of all of us, of French Toast. We had great coffee and we walked a bit before going to the second hotel. We arrived early, they told us our room was not ready, so we hit up the Scooter rental place and Carmen and I got a scooter for two, while Jessy got her own.
We walked the town for over an hour and headed in for the night, In the morning we grabbed a great breakfast at Le Petit Paris; where Carmen got the best breakfast of all of us, of French Toast. We had great coffee and we walked a bit before going to the second hotel. We arrived early, they told us our room was not ready, so we hit up the Scooter rental place and Carmen and I got a scooter for two, while Jessy got her own.
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Jessy had never ridden a scooter, but quickly learned after a quick lesson from the renter. We rode into town along the coast and then parked near Dubal were we again went shopping and later rode back to check into the hotel and had Vietnamese Pho at a small shop right by the hotel. After settling into our hotel Carmen and I went out on the scooters and slowly rode into and around town. Jessica met us later when she showed up in her scooter. We shopped, Jessica got an ice cream which I finished. Our visit to the Hemingway House and Museum was great, so many of the items that I had seen in books before or on the movie made of Hemingway on his Key West years. Lots of items such as the typewriter he used for many of his books including The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms. As a long time Hemingway fan this was a special side trip for me. |
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The next day it was on to see more cousins in Fort Myers. On the way out of the Keys we found a roadside Cuban restaurant called La Niña where local workers stop for Lunch, it was by far the best lunch we had. We ordered both a Medianoche and a regular Cuban sandwich with Platano Maduro, the lady at the register kept calling some some pet name I could not make out, but always smiling.
Tony and Patricia I had not seen in over 40 years, on the drive to their house I had hoped to see my aunt Myra in Homestead, but she was unable to see me because of work.
On the drive to Patricia's, Patty called me a couple of times concerned about what we wanted to eat, drink , what time we were going to arrive, she was as excited as I was to see each other again after so many years. Arriving at their house I went right up to both of them and gave them my big fathers hug. We were very pleased to see each other, in a very short time they brought out the family photos from my aunt Isabel and shared stories along with their mother and father photos over pizza, Patricias husband was also very nice as he was interested in our stories. I asked them if I could borrow all their photos, that I want to scan them and share then to the family website as well as with others that have never seen such valuable photos.
Tony and Patricia I had not seen in over 40 years, on the drive to their house I had hoped to see my aunt Myra in Homestead, but she was unable to see me because of work.
On the drive to Patricia's, Patty called me a couple of times concerned about what we wanted to eat, drink , what time we were going to arrive, she was as excited as I was to see each other again after so many years. Arriving at their house I went right up to both of them and gave them my big fathers hug. We were very pleased to see each other, in a very short time they brought out the family photos from my aunt Isabel and shared stories along with their mother and father photos over pizza, Patricias husband was also very nice as he was interested in our stories. I asked them if I could borrow all their photos, that I want to scan them and share then to the family website as well as with others that have never seen such valuable photos.
All in all we had planned on visiting some of my cousins that I have not seen in over 40 years and my Godmother Lala, but it was not possible to see her, but seeing six of my cousins made this a very rewarding trip. It gave me the opportunity to have Carmen meet my cousins as well as Jessica meeting some of her "Cuban" family.
Driving back home now we stopped off in a small town for the night having great Srimp Po-Boy before returning home the following day.
In retrospect, would I make this drive again? Most likely not, 2700 miles round trip was a lot, returning to South Florida is a definite yes, but next time we will fly in and if we wish to see Key West again, then we will catch a tour bus to the island and rent bicycles.
Finally I want to thank my cousins Vivian, Ana Maria, Tony, Big Tony ( 6'3", had to get on my toes to give him my fathers hug) and Patricia for treating us as we never lost touch. Family is definitely forever friendship, love and memories.
Driving back home now we stopped off in a small town for the night having great Srimp Po-Boy before returning home the following day.
In retrospect, would I make this drive again? Most likely not, 2700 miles round trip was a lot, returning to South Florida is a definite yes, but next time we will fly in and if we wish to see Key West again, then we will catch a tour bus to the island and rent bicycles.
Finally I want to thank my cousins Vivian, Ana Maria, Tony, Big Tony ( 6'3", had to get on my toes to give him my fathers hug) and Patricia for treating us as we never lost touch. Family is definitely forever friendship, love and memories.
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