After a long day of working at the Babalu Booth and making
sure people were signing the petition to free the political prisoners in Cuba, I asked Mami where we were going to have "dinner." (is it really dinner if it’s after 11:30pm?)
“We’re going to Versailles Amy, are you ready?”
And because I’m just so obedient, “Ok, Mami, I’m ready to
have my dinner at Versailles now!"
As we were getting ready to leave, someone said they
expected to see pictures of us at Versailles, and I’m just so obedient that I made sure we took pictures.
Ok, I’ve been to Versailles enough times to know that I shouldn’t be surprised to find a line out the door
late at night, but I still couldn’t believe it! There were huge groups of people showing up. Some of them I recognized from Cuba
Nostalgia, but then there were little girls in Rumbera Costumes, and young
couples dressed in evening wear, and older couples dressed in evening wear, and
people eating alone and . . . and I was so tired and so silly that I couldn’t
stop staring and I couldn’t stop laughing.
We ordered at pile of . . . I’m not really sure what we
ordered, it was so loud that we couldn’t hear the waiter, so when it sounded
like he was asking a question, we just nodded “Si.” Adam was daring enough to take the first bite
of the fried something . . . “Oh, they’re just really thick French fries!”
Um, Adam . . . that’s not potato, that’s yuca. (My hermano is still kind of a “gringo”)
Despite Adam’s lack of Spanish, he was still able to order
café and flan (I think it’s a Federal Mandate that if you’re visiting Versailles you have to
order a cafecito y flan).
But he only ordered one flan . . . so the three of us had to
share . . . and then there was only one big bite left . . . Adam and I went for
it at the same time, so I was going to be nice and give it to him, and then we
were going to fight over who should have the last bite. That’s when Mami swooped in, cut the bite in
half, and (since she was still feeling nostalgic) literally spoon-fed me.
Being the obedient daughter that I am, I gave in to the
choo-choo noises and really enjoyed that last, tasty bite of custardy perfection. =D
Sometimes, it’s good to be obedient.
Marta, Kikita & AdamWhat a wonderful experience it was for me and my hubby to have met you all. Now our daily “phone calls” (blog reading) will feel more personal. 😉 Yea right, As if Cubans had a way of feeling more personal. LOL!!!! When we give ourselves, we give ALL of our ourselves. Our love, our warmth our friendship our home, our food etc… 😉
When I got to our car, I called Chelsey my daughter right away and told her that Kikita asked for her. She was so happy for the gesture on your part.
After we left Cuba Nostalgia, we too headed out to Versailles!!! If I’d known, we would have gone with you all. I had the Arroz Imperial without the cheese and with lot’s of mayo. I know, sounds weird, but it’s so delicious!!!! Marta, that’s a recipe you need to pick up for a Thursday Babalu blog. 😉
Thank you all for allowing us to feel your love and kindness towards us. I look forward to blogging more with you and not feeling ackward that you might think I’m stalking you. LOL!!!!! Now we’re family!!!!! We leave on our trip on Thursday, but if you would like to come and
hang out in Miami Lakes before you leave, please just say so, mi casa tu casa. See I’ve given you my house already. 😉
Man! I would have driven over there and meet up with you!!Looks, and sounds, delightful!