STILLS

AuthorHouse

Contents

Dedication...................................................vThanks.......................................................viiEpigraph.....................................................ixIntroduction.................................................xvCubaIn Living Color..............................................1... To Grandma's House We Go!................................5Spirits......................................................9Innocent Bystander...........................................13Three Strikes You Are Out....................................15The Womb.....................................................19Tools Of The Trade...........................................21Pruning The Family Tree......................................25One Lump Or Two?.............................................29Park Place & Boardwalk.......................................33Alma Mater...................................................37The Apple....................................................41Apocalypse...................................................45Leaving The Nest.............................................49Water World..................................................57One Last Look................................................63Miami, Florida USAEverything's Pretty In America...............................67The Day The Music Died.......................................71Shake, Rattle And Roll.......................................75Tulsa, Oklahoma USAThe Beverly Hillbillies......................................79A Bowler's Split.............................................83West New York, New Jersey USAA Good Place To Live And Shop................................89... And God Created Woman....................................93What The Lord Gives .........................................959-2-5........................................................99Politically Correct?.........................................103CubaComing Home (The Arrival)....................................109Coming Home (The City).......................................111Coming Home (The Farm).......................................115Coming Home (Freedom)........................................117Have Boat Will Travel-Part One...............................119Have Boat Will Travel-Part Two...............................123West New York, New Jersey USAGive Me Your Tired, Your Poor ...............................129Earned One Stripe At A Time (Red = Life).....................131Second Stripe (Orange = Healing).............................133Third Stripe (Yellow = Sun)..................................137Fourth Stripe (Green = Nature)-Part One......................141Fourth Stripe (Green = Nature)-Part Two......................145Fifth Stripe (Blue = Art)....................................149Sixth Stripe (Purple = Harmony & Spirit).....................151San Francisco, California USAThe Milky Way................................................155I Will Survive...............................................159White Picket Fences..........................................163Where In The World Is ...?...................................167Caracas, VenezuelaWelcome To ... Venezuela!....................................171Santa Fe De Bogota, ColombiaWelcome To ... Colombia!.....................................177Mexico City, MexicoWelcome To ... Mexico!.......................................183Dallas, Texas USAWelcome To ... Texas!........................................189Miami, Florida USAThis Too Shall Pass..........................................195See You In Heaven............................................199Rude Awakening...............................................203match.com....................................................205Final Chapter................................................207Conclusion...................................................209

Chapter One

* * *

Cuba's population comes from a mixed background of Spanish, African, Chinese, and any other country folk who called this beautiful island their home.

My father Roy was a white man. His adoptive family members on the other hand were all blacks. My mother Ingrid is also a white woman. Her father moved to Cuba from Galicia (Spain), and her mother was of Cuban descent. The reason my father was adopted and why others moved to Cuba when they did has always been a mystery. When the questions were raised during my life in Cuba, the answers were not provided. The older family members that remain in the US do not know this information or are taking the secret to their graves.

Cuba had many eccentric people that were unique in many ways. These individuals were later immortalized in songs that today are still being played in many Cuban homes here in the US or abroad.

There was a bearded man dressed in a beret and a cape that carried an artist's palette. He walked around Havana and the rest of the island from time to time loudly expressing poetic statements. He was named "The gentleman from Paris".

We also had a black skater, who went around the island every year from town to town, singing and skating up a storm. He was always smiling and carrying a tune in his head, pre "iPod" era!

The street vendors were also a barrel of fun, one that was unique to the town was the "mulato" man (A cross between a black and a white person), who was always dressed impeccably with a Cuban "guayabera". This is a specially made cotton shirt that was the dress code of the island, sort of, what a flowered shirt is to the Hawaiian Islands. This person sold delicious tiny cookies that are similar to the American shortbread version but made with pure butter and natural ingredients. He carried them in his own display case, big enough to place on one of his shoulders while singing and tap dancing whenever a potential customer was spotted. If those moments could have been saved on tape to play back now, it would have been precious!

The "Pirulelo" or candy man was an older white man that carried his homemade cone shaped candies on a stick made in various sizes, from two inches to the colossal rainbow colored twelve-inch types. These were attached to a circular cardboard pole that was carried at a height of six feet while the bottom of the pole rested on a specially made contraption attached to his belt.

The "Manicero" man sold long paper cones filled with salted roasted peanuts and another type made with sweet caramel. These were stored in a carrying case that was built ingeniously out of a two-foot tall square covered can that was used in Cuba to sell oil or lard products. He prepared this can by adding a wire grill to its interior three inches from the bottom, and cutting away an opening to the outside. The bottom section would be filled with charcoal, where once lit, would keep the peanuts always hot and with a strong aroma that enticed everyone to buy after leaving the movie houses or bumping into him around town.

There were many other eccentric or unique people, such as the "fritas" vendor. He was an oriental man who sold delicious tiny hamburgers by the harbor's main avenue. Today, I can still remember my father driving on breezy and starry late nights to this vendor's streetcar and buying his goods by the bag-full. What a treat that was! Many people have tried to recreate this flavor here in the US, with no success.

"Carnavales" is Cuba's version of Mardi Gras. Like New Orleans and Brazil, it is celebrated the days before the religious holidays of Lent. There is no way for me to express in writing the feeling of "Carnavales" in my town.

The preparation for this event goes on year round and it lasts approximately two weekends with the entire town in a constant party atmosphere.

One key event is the opening ceremony named "The sardine's funeral". It is a way for saying good-bye to the prior year and ring in the new, similar to our American New Year's tradition. The city of Cienfuegos is the shrimp capital of Cuba and has a very important maritime industry, probably the reason why a sea creature was chosen for this event.

The sardine was placed inside a real coffin and paraded from the main plaza to the harbor. The procession moved through the city streets attracting people along the way. The dress color code for the event was black and conversation was kept to a minimum; all you could hear was the sound of marching feet. Women were crying and men sniffling (All faking). The deceased was carried on pallbearer's shoulders. Once the crowd arrived at the edge of the harbor, words were said to the departed and the coffin was opened. The "body" was then thrown into the warm waters, must likely eaten before it hit bottom.

At that moment, all hell broke loose; lights went up all over town, church bells rang and the festivities started full blast.

The event was carefully staged through the city streets with floats, "Comparsas" which are neighborhood dance groups that try to upstage each other for a final prize of being named the best of the year, plus the fame and recognition that comes along with the title. Brazil does the same but on a very grand scale.

My grandparent's home is located only seventy-five feet from one of the parade route's main intersections. On Fridays, during parade season, my cousin Beth would move ten or twelve chairs and rocking chairs to the street corner to secure the perfect spot in anticipation of the parade. Later in the evening, we would all participate in the festivities. Usually we threw streamers at the floats with dancing women and men that were advertising a popular brand of household products, usually beer or liquor, in the parade. The rhythm of the music was hot and inviting. The streets and people were littered with confetti and colored streamers in celebration.

The whites would put on black cloth facemasks and imitate being black women with aprons dancing in the streets and making fun at the people by the sidelines. The sounds of laughter and camaraderie were all around. The music beat was loud and when the sound was close, you saw everyone join in from the sidewalks into the streets. Young and old alike, the skin color was all the same, perfume and sweat blending; bodies undulating to the African beat and the alcohol flowing. This may seem weird, but I had this vision of the sound being a fine golden thread that made its way through everyone's ears keeping them close together, as if someone up in the sky was manipulating a bunch of marionettes, making them jump at will. Now, I do remember seeing someone selling these during the parade. Maybe that is what gave me the idea in the first place.

It was difficult to spot the segregation of the people by looking at their style of living or the day-to-day faces that became part of my immediate world.

The party will soon be over, everyone take their places! Even when the people seemed to get along fine as one race, in real life, this was not really accepted. Coming from an affluent black family background, I learned to know the limitations the dark skin color had to endure. My father, mother, and I were able to go to the beach club for whites only but were also welcomed at the black beach club only a few miles apart. However, on the other hand, the black members of the family attended their beach club named "Minerva", but were not allowed in the white sections. There was also a city club across from my grandparent's home with the same name where the rules were the same.

In Cuba, the minorities were still treated far better than in the US. The separation was accepted and kept private. Due to the fear of government retaliation, there were not many people voicing their opinions on this subject.

Segregation became difficult to handle in my later years. The older I got, the more I wanted to change people's attitude towards my black family side. No progress was made. The black movement in the United States was not yet known.

When I immigrated to Florida in 1962, I could still see the segregation of the minorities, even after the law was passed prohibiting such practices. Public transportation buses were still displaying the fine painted line dividing whites (Front) from blacks (Back). The drinking fountains were also divided. There were two units placed side by side with a sign indicating which one could be used and by whom. Most places would rather cater first to whites, followed by anyone else (Including Cubans in this group), then blacks.

A daring television show named "Julia" was breaking the barriers by allowing a black woman (Dianne Carroll) to be its primary star. It was a sitcom, in which Julia played the part of a "Donna Reed" type, but widowed and with a child.

This show was brought to you "In living color", while color television was still in its infancy.

Progress? Yes.

Free, free at last! Yet to come.

Chapter Two

* * *

My grandparent's home on the side of my father was a beautiful and huge house built in the center of town. I spent a lot of time at this location in my earlier years while both my parents were at work.

This home was very plush with large spaces. It had five bedrooms with two baths and the ceilings were at least 12 feet high. There was a main living room, followed by another room specifically made for the grand piano, where on many nights; friends and relatives enjoyed our Cuban melodies. This music room was adjacent to a family room type of area used solely for seating in the afternoons on wooden rocking chairs and for watching television. The main patio followed, and then a divisionary wall with another secondary patio that was used by the maid for performing laundry and home cleaning chores. On the opposite side were located the bedrooms and main bath. One of the five bedrooms was turned into a chapel, which included a full size altar and some small pews. Then there was the main dining area that had seating for approximately 12 to 16 people, followed by the kitchen area. A main hallway that ran from the front door to the farthest point of the home connected all of the rooms in the home.

Stairs located in the main patio took you to the rooftop, where you can see the neighboring Masonic building complex, which was usually very dark and quiet, I always wondered as to what went on in this place since kids were never allowed. The house roof was used mainly for hanging laundry to dry, but could also be used for seating in the sun.

The home was located on Calle Arguelles between Prado and Gacel (Street names). In that particular block, you would find on the corner of Prado, a famous coffee shop that was named "El Palais". Right next-door was the car repair business of Bienvenido, a friend of the family. In this shop worked Bacallao, who later in life became another famous Cuban singer and dancer of the Aragon music orchestra. Bacallao used to carry me around as a baby when my mother passed by their front doors.

Minerva, the black social club, was also located within the same block, and right after that was an apartment building, where a school friend named Oscar was living with his grandmother. There were not many friends from school living in that part of town, so Oscar and I spent a lot of time together when in that vicinity.

Crossing the street on the corner of Gacel, you would find a Chevrolet car sales showroom. As well as other smaller houses, a Chinese fruit & vegetable store, then prior to arriving at the corner of Prado, a Soda Shop was located. I frequented this last one daily to buy my favorite "Bazooka" chewing gum and drink their handmade Cola drinks. This was truly delicious stuff!

One day I was running home and jumped to one of the long steps that were in front of the Masonic building and continued going through. Stupidly, I had my two hands in my pockets for some unknown reason, and stumbled. My head banged against one of the granite pillars at the base of the building's columns located along the steps. A two-inch wound opened in the middle of my forehead. All I could do is place my hands in my face and continue to run home.

Upon entering, my aunts and other family members started screaming and ran to the street holding me to find someone to take us to the hospital. Ambulances like those that we know today were not customary; you had to find your way to the hospital in the event of an emergency.

I still remember clearly that moment and have the faded sign of that wound still in my forehead to prove it!

It was a form of habit to take a siesta nap during the afternoons, but this was something that I never got used to. While everyone else was asleep, I spent the afternoons playing around in the patio trying to find lizard eggs and other things to kill time. The naps lasted anywhere between one and three pm. The maid at that time would make Cuban coffee (Espresso type) and pass it around to everyone while still in bed. The dead has risen!

The family took me to the movies on a regular basis; we had the Luisa and Prado movie houses within two blocks from the home, right along side of the famous El Prado. This was sort of a narrow park that divided the city's main avenue, where people walked throughout the day and evening for enjoyment. It was fun going to the afternoon matinees to see the usual cowboy or Tarzan movies, but it was better at night, where I can see grown-up movies. I remember the first movie where a kiss was shown and my mother immediately covered my eyes, while making a negative comment about the future of movies. If she only knew then how far they would go, she would have collapsed on the floor!

A short time later, my cousins Beth and Sandra, teenagers then, took me to see "Rock Around The Clock". This movie was advertised as "revolutionary" and it sure was. During the famous title song scene, Bill Haley of the Comets group played and everyone in the movie house got up and started dancing in the aisles. A riot started and the police was called. We ran out through one of the side doors and hid in the home until all was clear. The riot lasted a couple of hours and many arrests took place, all of this for just dancing in a public place. The news gave the impression that it was a film not to be seen, since it drove children wild. It sure did and it was fun.

My grandparents owned a record player where at that time used a needle for generating the sound and you had to wind it up with a handle to be able to play the 78 speed records of the Andrew Sisters and other old time favorites. Within a few years, we were able to switch to the 45 speed records on all electric units, where rock and roll and Elvis would become the hits. The 33-1/3 speed long-playing albums from Elvis Presley and others were still way into the future.

If you stayed in the home at night, television was very simplistic, with very few channels or shows to watch. Everything was in black and white then. My favorite shows as a kid were the Adventures of Flash Gordon (A Sci-Fishow), Zorro, Gene Autry, Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and Tarzan. The rest of the evening was mainly targeted for soap operas, comedy, and musical/dance shows.

Radio was still very much used in the late fifties, my uncle Charles was hooked on an early evening show about someone named Tanganyika, some sort of a strange Tarzan type of a main character. The rest were also interesting soap operas. These last ones I found to be better than television, since your mind created the characters at your own imagination.

During Christmas season, the area was very festive. Lights were placed in all of the surrounding buildings and throughout El Prado. It was customary for the front door of homes to be left open so that passersby can say hello and be treated to a drink or a snack even if the person was unknown to the family. There were never any cases of misconduct or insecurity as seen in today's world.

My father would assemble a model train set in more than half of the living room space, complete with city and farm areas. The Christmas tree was placed right next to it. Later on, family members went out to buy the gifts and hide them until the morning of Christmas or Three King's Day, as it is customary in Cuba (Celebrated January 6). One of those years, I saw an airplane wing protruding from one of the store bags as they walked into the home ... that is when I knew that The Three Kings was just a story and not the "real thing". This was a "must have" toy of the time. Sure enough, I saw the full-blown plane on the special day, when my father said it was brought by the Kings while I was asleep. Yeah, tell me another one ...

I truly miss this period of my life.

Excerpted from STILLSby Lazaro Agustin Alvarez Copyright © 2009 by Lazaro Agustin Alvarez. Excerpted by permission.
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