Friday, March 25, 2011

FFF Kissed by the Sun

God I remember the Summer of '58 like it was yesterday.  It was after Elvis and before the Beatles, but more importantly Bautista was still hanging on and Havana was one wonderful place for a young kid with an eye on life's experiences. 



My doting Cuban mom and strict Merchant Marine dad wanted college for me but I wanted a different education so I spent one youthful summer in Cuba.   I had spent some time on fishing and pleasure boats out of Key Biscayne and saved enough money for a Gibson guitar bought at a pawn shop in South Beach.  I had taught myself a few jazz and Latin riffs so I was sure I could get a few gigs in Havana or at worst make a living playing pool or poker.

What I didn’t realize was that I would be going to school.

That summer in Havana was where I met Nadja.  She was a dancer at a club I performed at on occasion and was a rare beauty who's hair had been "kissed by the sun" as they used to say.

On those warm Havana nights Nadja gave me the education that every boy dreams of but few ever receive.

Thanks for the idea! http://insatiabear.blogspot.com/

5 comments:

Naughty Lexi said...

Ah, education: the most important thing for young people ;) Now I just want to know to what use he put this education. Maybe a follow-up story? ;)

France said...

Oh, we should all have had one summer like that in our teenage years, instead of working or going to summer school. Great take on the pic!

Ryan Beaumont said...

Ah yes..... Mambo Kings meets Maggie May! I can hear that Salsa style mandolin right now :)

Anonymous said...

Very nice take on the picture.
I can imagine it fully.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed this very much. I liked the voice of this story. Would love to read more of his adventures and education. ;-)