3.10 - ALMUERZO EN 109 TROCADERO

Now the Cobwebs she did wipe from her Eyes

As from her slumber she arose with deep sighs

“No it wasn’t a dream

I’m in La Habana it seems”

So its time for our girl to arise

No Nantucket, but there have been reports that “Brutha Earl in Seattle” is working diligently to help that along.  Only time will tell if he will be successful, and not be ribald in the attempt.

Sunday came with a bang… welllll maybe a thump…OK  a Grunt - Whatever.  We arose a tad late as the travel day and all the car, taxi, running to Trocadero Chaos pretty much took it out of our erstwhile expedition Montalvo but we had to hustle as “CUZ” of Cuba was planning a luncheon.  Originally she was going to cook at home and bring it to 55 Linea but “CUZ” of Tampa talked her out of that plan since Tia was determined see the old homestead at Trocadero and wasn’t about to let the treacherous stairs deter her, regardless how bad the reports were.

Our Hostess had fresh Café Cubano waiting for us and greeted us with a big smile.  Nothing to nibble on but not to worry we'll grab something on the way to 109 Trocadero.

The night before, Doug & Chuck made a Beer and Water run to the Mercado Focsa around the corner from the house, across the street from La Casona, scene of last nights dinner and lugged back 3- 6 packs of 1.5 liter water bottles to refill the small ones that everyone planned to carry with them when out and about.  Oh, and a couple bottles of wine too so they were set for Hydration, Libation and whatnot for awhile.

The trip to  Trocadero was uneventful with an exception of a minor Girare-U as Chucky blew past the turn at Paseo Prado because the Cuban Lady was shrieking something about "Watch out for that lady and the Dog" but by time Chuicky spotted them they were safely across the street and he was past the Prado.  Not to worry... over the bridge to the port, a Girare-U at the Tour Bus park [Cuban Chick oooffffing and eeeeking all the way] hang a left at the Prado and Voila... back on course.  

But now as we turned the corner from the Prado onto Trocadero,.the emotions once again mounted  All the Vedado Girls [as the females of the expedition are being called since they are from that section of Habana] got pretty misty and quite Verklempt as they exited the cars and once again saw the house they left 50+ years ago.

Pictures galore and now the assault on the stairs was to begin.  A Looooonnnnggg and Painful trek it was to be as Tia had to do it One…. Step…. At…. A… time… with one of the boys in front, one in back and girls urging her on with “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]- “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]- “One…Two… Three…UP [Unh]  and of course then there was the oooofffiiing and eeeekkkiinnnggg on the rickety iron stair case at the top...suffice it to say the last person to set foot on the landing of the roof top apartment did so a full 25 minutes after we started the assent.

“CUZ” of Cuba… [Mary Niurka Valdes Montalvo Collazo], yeah – its easier to say “CUZ” [or maybe well call her PRIMA just to differentiate her from “CUZ” of Tampa and Other “CUZ” of Tampa]

Anyway... she was already in full swing with lunch preparations but had to stop for a whole lot of shriekin’, huggin and air kisses and more hugs, and shrieks… emotional bunch these Vedado Girls.  A quick show of the apartment and the boys started moving tables and chairs outside so we could all sit and chat while the cooking went on.  As expected, the timing was a bit off so Chucky jumped in to help finish rolling and frying the Buñuelos Cubano for dessert.  Unlike the sweet cheesy balls of dough made by his son’s Colombian Mother-in-law on her trips to the US of A, these are thin rolls about the length and diameter of a small cigarillo and then twisted into a bow.
And what fun - the gas stove in the apartment was lit by striking a grounded steel spike against the gas port to create a spark and we started to heat the lard to fry the pastry.

Meanwhile “CUZ”  is whipping up some mashed boñato, along with fresh steamed yucca, Moros Rice, Sliced tomatoes and shredded Slaw to Accompany the Cerdo Asado [Roast pork], with pineapple and Olive Oil.

Needless to say, when this crowd finally sat down at 1:30 it didn’t take long to inhale 15 pounds of pork, 4 quarts of Rice and Beans, 3 pounds of boñato and everything else and of course Chucky had to run make more Buñuelos Cubano because some folks just couldn't wait for dessert and ate theirs with lunch.

And So... a family long separated is once again united they way a family should be…around the dinner table over a fabulous meal, with a cool breeze blowing, the Wine flowing, the Chit-chat and laughter rolling across the patio in the shade, on the roof of 109 Trocadero in La Habana Central, Cuba… 

and all was right in the world again.

More to follow – strolls on the Prado, early evening tours of La Habana Vieja… wellll  you'll just have to wait for Chucky to finish that part… Tomorrow.

Annnnddddd – look out for pictures to be added to the previous Posts and from here forward, that are already posted on PicasaWeb Album--> NOWAT-HABANA2013.@ Picasa
or you can just click on the slide show here in the right column under the archives

Until then Deary hearts... 

  

HASTA LUEGO,

Uncle Chuck & The Way too Overwhelmed to Eat but she did

Cuban Lady

Eatin’ Fresh Pork Asado, Sweet Buñuelos & sippin’ Vino Tinto from Rioja