Most of the decor in my home is bright and colorful and Cuban-esque.
My "theme"? I was originally going for Cuban Beach Cottage. (Our home is small.) And so, I have collected posters and art and maps and things that are a throwback to the simple days of my Cuban childhood.
These three framed postcards, for example, are of 3 places that I remember vividly: (from top to bottom) Varadero Beach, The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, and the Malecón.
I've shared with you before about my fascination with the Hotel Nacional and the amazing gift I received from my friend, Ody.
I've written many times about how many of my earliest memories are of the beach. Specifically Varadero Beach in the Cuban province of Matanzas.
I have been to some beautiful beaches in my lifetime, but I still believe (as do most Cubans that I've met) that there is no beach on earth that compares with Varadero.
I vividly remember digging my toes into the soft powdery sand. I can practically smell the sea air. The water was walk-right-in warm. It's one of those perfect sensory memories that is seared into my brain.
Ah, Varadero! How can anything compare with the memory of your perfection? The most beautiful beach in the world.
Amy Kikita brought back some souvenirs from her Cuba trip. Some were gifts from the cousins and uncles. Some she chose herself at one of the flea markets.
There was a baseball hat from Los Industriales, some goat-skin maracas, a baseball bat & ball for Jon with his name carved into it, some jewelry for Lucy, wooden cooking utensils (how apropos!), an unusual wine-bottle holder.
How much fun we were having! We opened gifts and she told us the stories of how she came to acquire each one and who and where they were from. We laughed and celebrated the thoughtfulness of each item.
In the midst of this rowdy exchange she pulled out one last bundle which reduced me to tears…
It was a container made of heavy marble. (I have an extensive collection of small boxes/containers from all over the world, but that's not important right now) This one was from the amazing Hotel Nacional.
I thought this was "el colmo." ("the ultimate.")
Until she handed me the ziplock bag full of sand from the most beautiful beach in the world.
I am still speechless. Gracias, Mimi.
I'm the little girl in the white dress, all Shirley Temple curls and big red airplane-size hairbow. Please go back in time with me to the Varadero of my childhood…. (bring tissues…)
Awesome post Marti! you made me cry with that movie.It’s amazing the things we remember from years ago. I remember two specific things, our home in El Reparto Apolo (close to the Vibora en la Havana), and the beach as well. I remember those gigantic pinos (Australian Pine Trees) that lined the beach in Guanabo. Every time I see one of those trees here, it takes me back to then. I was only five when I left Cuba, but there are things that are impressed upon you that you never forget. Thank you for taking me back there once again.
how awesome to have this memory, this is sooo much better than photos which makes time stand still…this makes you relive the moment! my mom would have loved to have something like this of her days in Varadero, Cerdenas and Guanajay! …you were a VERY cute little girl…looks like some of the pictures of Kikita that you have posted! thanks for sharing! brought a smile to my face this morning!
So beautiful Marta and so poignant! I also have memories of Varadero because although we lived in Havana, my father was from Matanzas and we visited family there often. As a seven year old, I still remember the warm water and how you could walk forever and it only reached your waist. One memory I have of Cuba is that everywhere there were these little blue flowers my mother called “embelesos”. When we arrived in New York, I remember being so angry at my parents for bringing us to such an “ugly place,” un “lugar tan feo,” with no embelesos, no royal palms, no beautiful beach. Lol, I was just a seven year old child, but I knew everything I had known was gone and after all these years I still remember.
we gotta go back…ready?
Yes, but I think we should leave the airplane-bows behind. 😉
Beautiful, poignant, nostalgic. I love your blog, and the feelings I get from it.
Beautiful as usual, Marta. Do you have any creative ideas for displaying the sand?