3.9 - LA CASA DE MARIA LA CHINA

With feet firmly on the Ground

She wanted to just look around

But “CUZ” had many plans

And we were in her hands

With many adventures to be found

Seems Like Nantucket may not make it to the blog, which is probably a good thing.  Time to finish Saturday and arrival at La Casa de Maria la China [pronounced la cheeena].  Real Name:  Maria R. Lee [yes... part Chinese, hence the nick-name]

55 Linea between M & N streets is quite a lovely little "pension" style house with many rooms on many floors.  In Cuba it is called a Casa Particular [why, I have not idea].  But the most important part, clean, fairly modern and very conveniently located 1 block from the Malecon, 2 blocks from the Hotel Nacional and 10 minutes from anywhere we wanted to go.

 “Other CUZ” of Tampa along with Tia Chela and Chucky and the Cuban Chick got ground floor rooms with separate baths, while “CUZ”  of Tampa and her tribe got a 2^nd floor 2 room apartment with shared Bath, a small kitchen and sitting room.  Perfect.

While our shower left a bit to be desired, the water was hot and the bed a little firm, but most importantly, the hospitality of our Hostess was evident in the excellent manner in which the house was kept.  A large living room on the ground floor was comfortable and would serve as morning coffee and gathering spot for the planning of adventures and entertaining family who had planned to visit.

After getting settled, it was time to take “CUZ” of Cuba and Ramon home to 109 Trocadero between Prado Y Consulato off the Paseo Prado, also called the Paseo de Marti and Paseo de Colon [too many streets have several names which makes for a fun time to find places depending on who you ask]. 

As we approached the turn onto Trocadero with of the Sign "Lido Hotel"--> sparking memories, Illy’s excitement was growing but upon sight of 109 Trocadero the emotion became overwhelming.  Pictures all over, tears flow, and then the climb to the rooftop apartment.

And what a climb.  The marble staircase ends at the second floor.  In days of old, access to the rooftop was via a spiral staircase in the rear of the second floor, but since the house was now divided to a multi-family building, access to the spiral stairs was no longer available.  In Addition the top of the spiral stair supports had long since collapsed,so a rickety, precariously angled metal staircase was fashioned to get up to “CUZ’s” place on the roof..  The Acrophobic Cuban Lady was hyperventilating at the sight and wasn't sure she could make the climb but the need to visit the house of her grandmother where she played as a child was so great that she buckled up, and grimaced her way to the top.

The roof top patio was delightful as was the cute little apartment, with 3 bedrooms [each the size of the average walk-in closet] upstairs.  Hugs and kisses all around and we headed back to collect the family for dinner as it was getting late.

The trip back to 55 Linea was uneventful and then the major conference on where to eat commenced [one of many such conferences to follow for the rest of the stay in Cuba.]  Finally Maria la China was consulted for the closest “Decent” place for a meal and we were directed to La Casona on the street behind the house. 

Organizing even the smallest event with Expedition Montalvo, as our trip has come to be referred to, has become a real challenge and we finally get everyone together, the wheelchair out the door and began the trek on rocky sidewalks to la Casona.

We quickly find that its better to use the street with Tia and finally arrive a lovely converted house to settle in for dinner.  An eclectically decorated place, La Casona's menu was reasonably priced but lacking in serious variety.  Some ordered fish, some ordered a combo, fish, chicken Pork and two tried a roasted pork dish.  being late and hungry, the mealy too waaaaayyyy to long to get out of the kitchen,,, in fits and starts, but finally all were served.

Unfortunately it did not live up to Maria La China's raves, hard Arroz Blanco, Dry Moros Y Christianos [black beans and rice cooked together] uber dry pork and tasteless fish dishes were the low-lights of the meal.  Mojitos not bad, Wine "OK" overall Chucky Rating, 1+ stars.

The trek home, with the wheel chair was fairly uneventful and we all headed for a crash and burn... the trip has pretty much worn us all out.  Chucky of course had to finish GETTING OUTTA CASA D’CHAOS as they wanted to get to the Hotel in the AM Monday to see just what they were up against.

Apparently posting from the Mezzanine of the Hotel Nacional along with the balky Cuban Email system has caused the last two posts to multiply like the cats along the Paseo de Colon so we are waiting to get to better internet connections to continue posting.

Stay tuned... this is REALLY gonna be a Bumpy but fun ride.

Check in and lets us know your thoughts on the trip so far.

HASTA LUEGO,
Uncle Chuck & The Oh So Glad to Be Home in Vedado

Cuban Lady
Sippin' some seriously Fine Aged Rum, Plantanitos, and Cafe con Leche