traveltales: POPULAR CUBAN DRINKS

Sunday, April 24, 2011

POPULAR CUBAN DRINKS

A Meal Surprise

At lunch my first day in Cuba we were served our first mojito, a well-known local drink. At that point little did we know that we would be drinking a lot of mojitos, as one was served with every meal.

We were instructed, "A mojito starts out with the juice of a half lime, an ounce of rum, and the rest of the glass is filled with lemon-lime soda.Fresh mint is a must for making mojitos The four-prong stirrer is to crush the mint leaves/sprig to release the essence of the mint.”

Hemingway enjoyed Mojitos. Now I know why!

One day we had lunch in Old Havana at the lovely Floridita Restaurant. The ambiance was wonderful with the gorgeous wooden walls which were real wood, not paneling. The bar at Floridita was a special haunt of Hemingway.

This day we were served a daiquiri, another drink made famous by Hemingway, but that was originally concocted way south, just a few miles east of Santiago. In 1898, shortly after the Spanish-American War, a mining engineer arrived in town to find mine workers apprehensive about drinking the water because of malaria.

Being a creative man he added a bit of rum to boiled water and then topped it off with lime juice and sugar. The concoction was soon duplicated. It didn’t take long for the drink we know as the daiquiri to move to the ‘refined society’ in the city. The rest as they say is history, but this is where and how the daiquiri originated.

The Floridita restaurant has been serving food at the present location since 1819. In the recently refurbished restaurant waiters hovered in tux jackets and bow ties. It all was quite delightful. It is said that Hemingway’s ghost haunts the dark mahogany bar. The novelist’s seat is preserved as a shrine while his bronze bust watches over things from where Constante Ribailgua once served frozen daiquiris to the writer.

After the tour of a sugar mill we walked across the street to another building containing the lab. There we were given guarapo de cana (sugar cane juice). The gal added a good dose of rum to each glass of the tan colored liquid. I expected it to be sticky and very sweet, but it was not. Actually it was quite good. Maybe it was the rum!

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Travel Tips

Wet feet, who has rubbers these day? To dry wet shoes put crumpled newspaper inside the shoe and it will wick out all the moisture. If you expect your travels to take you where your feet are likely to be walking in puddles or streams, pack a section of newspaper in the bottom of your suitcase.
In many places in the world the tip is included in the restaurant bill---good to know!
In Europe bathrooms are referred to as WC or toilet. Any other term is not understood.
When hiking, stop to tighten shoe/boot laces before starting down hill.
When traveling by plane be sure to wear all cotton clothing, which today is no problem. In case of fire, man-made fibers melt, cotton burns instead, leaving a clean burn vs one with all kinds of junk melted into it.
Didn't expect a sunburn and have no Rx for it? Dab the area with a cool wet tea bag. the tannin in the tea will reduce inflamation.
I bet you travel with a small bottle of hand sanitizer either in your purse or pocket. Did you know that when you spill something in your lap or wear part of your lunch that a few dabs of hand sanitizer on the spot will make it disappear like magic!
Speaking of shoes, I do not recommend removing them on a long flight. Untie and loosen them. I have actually seen people not be able to get their shoes back on because their feet have swollen during a long flight. Oach!
As painful as it may be limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. You are not traveling to make a fashion statement. Wear your heavest pair which should be a good pair of walking shoes. Pack a lighter pair or sandals.
Make a copy of all your documents and credit cards before leaving home and carry seperately. Also before leaving home leave a copy of your itinerary including hotels and their phone numbers and dates of stay with a family member.
It's always tempting to take a sleeping pill on a long overseas flight, BUT I never do because in the unlikely event of problems I want to have all my senses about me!
Afraid of bedbugs these days? Carry a small squirt bottle of lavender along with your other liquids. Spray your pillow and around your bed and mattress. This will give you a good visual and also repel the little devils.
I carry a couple of aspirin in my pocket and once the plane is in the air I swallow one. I feel this is especially important on long overseas flights to avoid leg problems.
If you do need to do laundry when traveling wring it as dry as possible by hand, then lay the article flat on a bath towel and roll tightly. Unroll and hang. It should be dry by morning.
I carry a small empty water bottle when traveling. I place it in the tray along with my plastic bag of liquids. Once through security I fill it from the water fountain. I always have water to take a pill or a drink when I'm thirsty.
Beware that European bath tubs are very deep and water is often scalding hot. Be careful especially if you have hip or knee problems.
If you're going to be gone more than a few days water your indoor plants well then cover with a large plastic bag tucking the edges well under the pot. If you use a laundry bag simply knot the area where the hanger protrudes. When you return your plants will be healthy and well.
In the largest print possible print your last name and hotel on a sheet of paper and place it on the top of your clothes before closing your suitcase. If your bag gets way laid hopefully it will make it to your hotel.
If you are the owner of the common black bag personalize it by adding various cut outs from colored duct tape. It will be easier to identify than if it carries a bit of ribbon.