Story 78: A cautionary Cuban tale

      When my brother Bruce and I went to Cuba in early 2000, we traveled extensively around the country, but nothing was as magical as walking in the city of Havana. Cars from the 1940’s and 1950’s zipped around town, and murals of Che Guevara and Fidel were everywhere.  That and a good share of anti-American rhetoric.  It felt like I was in a time warp.  In a country where there were only three channels  on TV just like in the 1950’s, but the only thing on was usually Fidel’s latest speech.

The bars however were great. The  mojito’s at La Bodeguito de Medio were awesome despite the argument I had with a bartender after I neglected to give a tip. It did not spoil the moment however. I also remember fondly having an outstanding daiquiri at a bar that was “La cuna del daiquiri” supposedly the location where Hemingway invented it.

I was enjoying my daiquiri with my backpack across my back, when a beautiful young traveler came into the bar.  Our eyes met, she smiled warmly, and she came over to talk.  Things were going great until I reached into my backpack to get something to write with, and a roll of toilet paper spilled out.  
     I watched in horror as it rolled the entire length of the bar.  Every patron seemed transfixed as it continued it’s long slow journey. Time really did seem to stand still.  Like a boy scout, I was always prepared. I brought toilet paper whenever I traveled because you never knew what bathroom would be out of it.  In Cuba you were lucky if you got a toilet seat. I just wish I had stored the paper in a ziploc.

The woman smiled nonplussed and asked,  “Does this happen to  you often?”

“Sometimes,” I answered with a laugh.  “But it’s ok that’s how I roll.”  and then ordered us a few more daiquiris, in my mind thinking even Hemingway would have been pleased.

Life Lesson 78:  When life gives you lemons make lemonade, and when things don’t go your way, live like the Cubanos and simply roll with it.