Quimbombo

[bembacolora]

I have been amazed lately by the news coming from Cuba. Many of my friends call me saying, "What do you think of the news that the Cuban government is now going to allow Cuban citizens to purchase computers and cell phones and electronics?" Things only government officials and communist elite were able to have

Comments

[bembacolora]

Grandma was an amazing cook back in the day. It amazes me that later in life she took such joy from some very simple things. She had been beaten down by years of the Castro regime.

Both she and my step grandpa Cheo spent time in prison for anti-revolution activity. Once they were released it was hard for them to find work so they took to making their living on their own on the black market. Cheo made shoes and abuela cooked. She would cook and deliver meals for a living. She had a huge kitchen in their flat in the Vedado district of Havana. One of my most constant memories of her, before leaving her in Cuba, was of sitting at this big table she had in the middle of the kitchen watching her cook as she talked to me, every once in a while walking over and kissing the top of my head. I can clearly remember her grinding meat on one of those manual grinders that attach like a vice to the kitchen counter. She would make the most delicious croquettes on that thing. I can still smell that kitchen.

When she was here for a week in 1990, I believe, she was grossed out at the thought of eating ham or a McDonald's hamburger. She kept saying, "No, they're made from ground worms!". Apparently that's just what Castro's government was passing off as ham and hamburger to the people. You should have seen her beautiful face when she finally dared to eat "real" ham again. And, oh did she fall in love with the Whopper!

From the time I left Cuba at 7 years old until I was well into my 30's I got to spend TWO WEEKS of real-time with her. The last time I saw her when I was 7 was as she fell to her knees crying behind an airport fence watching my mom and I board a plane to leave Cuba. And then once again in my 30's. I miss her terribly. She was with me through all those years, though not physically. She still is.

Shit, sorry for the length. Sometimes the melancholy creeps up on me.

[debbiejoy]

A story's never too long when it's about family. It shouldn't make you feel melancholy too much either. When we talk about the people we love it brings them closer and keeps them alive for yourself and others. See, now your grandma has a woman in Mt. Pleasant who knows some of her stories and will pass them on to other people as well. Tell me all the stories you want...I love hearing them! And when my sinuses FINALLY decide to clear up and I'm feeling human again, I'll tell you a story or two about my two grandmas and how I was lucky to have time with them. :o)

[bembacolora]

I would enjoy that.