I know it's been a while since I've written anything, but I trust my first-born kept you entertained while I was gone. (thanks, Amy Kikita!)
I have so much to tell you that I don't know where to start….
Okay, so my husband Eric had to go to Las Vegas to work. And because I can be opportunistic sometimes (=D) I invited myself along. Since Adam didn't have to work, I invited him along to keep me company.
So, I mentioned this to my online/blog friend, Amy Arnaz, and she invited us to come visit her and Desi in Boulder City (not far from Vegas). Yes, I realize the story is taking a kind of surreal turn here, but that's not important right now….
Which is how Adam and I found ourselves in Boulder City, Nevada at the Historic Boulder Theatre watching Miss Amy and her ballerinas rehearse for their upcoming performance of The Nutcracker.
We were already delighted by the quaintness of the town and the theater, not to mention getting to watch a sneak peek of The Nutcracker Ballet, when we spot one of the tech guys adjusting the lights on-stage.
"Adam, that's Desi!"
"No, Mom. That's a tech guy."
That was no ordinary tech guy.
I was right. It was my beloved Desi. Desi Arnaz, Jr.
Amy brought him right over and introduced us. (be still my heart. *sigh*)
And okay, for like about 30 seconds I was a bit nervous, but then… we started talking….
Can I just tell you how funny, and smart and well-read this man is? I kept forgetting he was the son of Lucy and Desi – okay, well, of course, I didn't forget forget. It's just that I was so enjoying sharing stories with my new friend, Desi.
We talked and talked and talked. About how he and Amy met and how they ended up in Boulder City. About how his parents met. About life in their small town.
We talked about his paternal grandfather, whom I knew was kind of a legendary political figure in Cuba. I remember my parents always telling the story that the elder Desiderio was the mayor of Santiago de Cuba, but that his intention was not to actually run for mayor, but he was so popular that he won as the write-in candidate. Isn't that awesome?
He told me about how his dad left Cuba and kind of accidentally ended up in show business. I told him my own "how I left Cuba" story. We talked about Cuba now and about going back there someday. He told me about the time he met Arturo Sandoval and yes, Andy Garcia!!! (He brought it up. Surreal. Shut up. I know.)
Desi has a wonderful sense of humor and again, I almost forgot about who his parents were since we were talking about so many different subjects (okay, yes, I know they are probably the most famous TV icons EVER, but I got distracted, okay?) until….
He did a dead-on, wild-eyed impression of his dad with that distinctive accent. Shut. Up. It was crazy-awesome!
Just when I thought it just couldn't get any more surreal, his friend, Billy, stopped by…..
Mr. Billy Hinsche. Of Dino, Desi and Billy fame, of course, and who later played with the Beach Boys!! (who I went to see as often as they played in L.A. all through the 70's, but that's not important right now).
If I had taken the time to fantasize about how my encounter with Desi might have panned out, I don't think I would have been clever enough to add "and then Billy drops by for a visit." Again, another treat!
Picture me as a young tween seeing these adorable faces of Dino, Desi, and Billy for the first time singing their hit, "I'm a Fool" (I actually even owned this record and wore down the grooves from being over-played – I was TEN, okay??):
Aren't they just FREAKING ADORABLE??? Do you see what I'm talking about here?
Okay. Sorry. I know I'm babbling a little. I was just so surprised and delighted to meet these guys and to find they were so…. accessible and well….just plain nice. I had a total personal-time-warp moment when I realized if called upon I could totally sing "I'm a Fool" from memory, but that's not important right now, either.
They have since re-grouped (and un-grouped) as Ricci, Desi, and Billy.
After many hugs and kisses(!) and lovely parting gifts (an autographed live cd – YAY! and chocolate. =D) we had to say goodbye.
I was genuinely sad to go. I felt like I was leaving old friends "de vida" – you know?
Thank you to the lovely Miss Amy, for the invitation.
And thanks to Desi and Billy for making my visit so wonderful and memorable.
You guys are awesome!
I like to call this photo: Marta, Desi, and Billy. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? 😉
I spent the rest of the afternoon replaying our visit and conversation (while Adam and I wandered about Las Vegas) and thinking once again that I really do lead a charmed life and then just look who I ran into at Madame Tussaud's:
That's right. Desi's mom. 😉
OH.MY.GOD.I have no words. For real. That is so friggin’ awesome!
Dear Marta!Your visit to our Theatre last Saturday was the best! Thank you for visiting us. I love the photos you posted above but I think my favorite photo is “Billy, Marta & Desi” — sounds like a new, hit group to me. See you next time you’re in the Las Vegas area.
Big Hug,
Amy
Marta,What a wonderful entry! Thank you for making me smile today (which hasn’t been very good so far, but that’s a story for another day). I discovered your blog about 3 weeks ago, and bookmarked it, and have checked it religiously every day since. I found you when I googled “pastel de pollo” because I had lost my aunt’s recipe, and my 11 year old daughter kept begging me for Tia Elizabeth’s pastelon. I made your recipe, and all 3 of my kids (2 boys 17 & 13, plus my princess) just LOVED it. I will make it again tomorrow, so that I can show my Cuban mother-in-law (in town for Thanksgiving) how it’s made. I am dominican, married for 23 years to a wonderful Cubano. Needless to say, I feel just as Cuban as I do Dominican after all these years! I just wanted to let you know how you have enriched my life, and reached all the way across the country to South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale, to be exact). Take care, and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful family.
Take Care,
Angie Garcia
P.S.
I almost forgot, I ordered a bunch of your cookbooks, I got them a couple of days ago…they will make great Christmas presents for my husband’s brother and sister (and others on my list)! It’s a wonderful book…I need to order another one for me, because I had to give my mother-in-law mine when she saw it!
Te la comiste!!!! What did Eric say to your afternoon filled with surprises?!!! How wonderful for you to have had this moment.Your in Navada meeting Desi and Kikita is in LA meeting Andy. Las Cubanitas estan acabando!!!!!
I rejoice with you both!!!!!
Hi Angie,Welcome to MBFCF! Thanks for ordering my book and saying it’s wonderful – that makes me so happy. =D
Ody,
We’re just a couple of “atrevidas.” 😉
Besos,
Marta
WOW!! Just wow!! Desi. EL Desi. El de Lucy y Desi. My now deceased Bulldog was named Lucy for, yeah, THAT Lucy. My Bulldog after that was Lulou to continue the line. And my French Bulldog now is named Louie to continue the line in a manly way. All for the love of Lucy and Desi.I’m so happy you had this experience.
And your story made me pee down my leg a little. Just a little. LOL
Wow, you DO live a charmed life. So get this, back in Santiago, my abuelo and Desi were neighbors and played in my grandfather’s backyard, where my great-grandfather kept animals for the zoo (yep, I stole that scene for my book). Every time “I Love Lucy” came on TV, my grandfather would launch into one of the stories. It seems he and Desi were always fighting about something…All of this is to say that I should TOTALLY meet Desi Jr., too:)
We HAVE to move to California, I’m telling you…
I bet you couldn’t wait very long to blog this!
Yes, you were right…taking what you told me last night on the phone PLUS reading what you wrote makes for a well rounded version of THE event. I think you sounded very non-stalkery ;o)Please, PLEASE (is that too much of a stalkery tone???haha) let me come with you next time.
You rock! See you in drama later today :o)
Shut. Up. That is amazing. What awesome people you meet, get to know, and have fun with!Did you know that Bill’s best friend from his USMC flying days has the callsign ‘Babalu’? I don’t know if anyone ever calls him by his first name. I never have.
Bring on the bongos!
Marta, you are now officially Cuban Royalty!
What an incredible experience! There is something I have noticed about you in the pictures. Your ‘smile muscles’ soooooo take over your face when extacy sets in that you are incapable of opening your eyes! The world should have your ‘problema”. I wish I would have been there! I will be thinking of you and Desi and Amy tomorrow morning cuando tomando mi cortadito y refugio en Porto’s. Un fuerte abrazo!
Ed,Thank you for thinking of us . . . I too will be thinking of you and trying to not be jealous of your cortadito y refugiado . . .
jsb,I TOLD him I was sooo blogging about it and that the pictures would be specifically for that. =D
Susan,
I remember Bill mentioning his friend, Babalu!
George,
…at least in my MIND. LOL
Ed,
The squinty eye thing has plagued me my whole life. Photographer: “Open your eyes!”
Me: “Shut up! They ARE open.”
*sigh*
We’re starting to plan our Annual Christmas Pilgrimage to Portos already. =D
Marta, this is absolutely amazing and super coolisimo. I need to stop going away and having limited access to the Web because look at all I miss!Desi, so glad your mama and papi raised you right! You make us other half-Cubanitos proud.
Good for you! How fun, I am glad you had the experience. Wow you are famous now too.Besitos
xooxox
I love reading your posts… I am cubanita 100%!!! However my father made the decision as a political prisoner to bring us to a better life in La Yuma so I left my county at a tender age of 8 months, however, my parents made sure that my roots were never lost or forgotten. Although I was raised here, I am Cuban and very proud to say so. I have visited Cuba twice and felt the warmth of the country we all love sooo much!! Thank you for representing our Cuban roots and always making us smile…Besitos,
Iradys
I was just browsing the net and came across your pic with Desi Jr. It was certainly wonderful that you got to meet my favorite legendary family of all times. I remember when Desi Jr. had his band, which unfortunately didn’t make it famous in the music industry. It didn’t matter, he was trying to accomplish what was in his blood. Legendary Favorite Family….I can’t wait to try some of your wonderful looking recipes. They all look so homemade and not commercial.Take care and really enjoyed your blog…
What a beautiful little story. Just happened to stop by and read this. I always thought Desi Arnaz Jr was good looking. I read he left Los Angeles and moved to Boulder City Nevada to find himself. Cant blame him there. Los Angeles can become too superficial for words. Always wanted to meet Desi Arnaz Sr, He seemed like a humble man i think, despite all he achieved. God bless everyone…