Professor Sharon

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What I know about Jell-O and life…

July 1st, 2013 · Musings

 

Well, the first thing I actually didn’t know is that it is spelled that way!  I’ve always spelled it jello!  What I know about Jell-O is that it is, in fact, one of my favorite foods.  Can it be considered a food though?  I’m tempted to stop and start researching, because I’m pretty sure, over the years, I’ve heard many issues with the nutritional value of commercial Jell-O.  I know many parents who restrict their children’s intake of Jell-O to the gelatin that you buy – a powder – and then you put fruit juice in it so that it’s “healthy.”  I think I know, although research is again in order that it used to have something to do with being made from animals’ bones or marrow of some kind.  As a kid we were always teased by someone that it was made from horses’ hoofs.  Was it?  I don’t know. Certainly the gelatinous thing that happens on platters with left over meats suggests there’s something related in the product. I do know it’s a favorite food of mine!  Just last week, at our 40th wedding anniversary surprise party, one of the pot lock items that were brought was Jell-O!  I loved it!  I waited to eat until everyone else had – one of my habits at a party – even though I was told to eat first.  By the time I made it to the table laden with all kinds of summer goodies: chicken bits, strawberries – plain and in a fruit salad, a lentil dish, and lots of empty platters and bowls, I found the bottom of the Jell-O offering.  Yeah!  It was yellow – meaning lemon (a Jell-O connoisseur knows what color goes with what flavor) – with strawberries floating in it.  Yeah, who cared what else I ate.  I found who made it, thanked them profusely and practically inhaled that Jell-O in celebration.  I remember feeling that way about my life whenever I got Jell-O as a child.  I don’t even know how often it was dessert, but it was never refused by any of my siblings and I.  It would be served with a dash of milk on top!  I loved the sparkling pieces of red, like icebergs, poking up through the deep white milk.  So refreshing.  Nothing could go wrong, no one could bother me, no one would yell or be yelled at, no chores had to be done – all was at peace in the world – at least my corner of the vast kitchen table with so many around it – when Jell-O was being served.  This week when I was gifted Jell-O for the party potluck, I felt the love imparted in a bowl of Jell-O that so many others did not.  What I did was share my peace and delight in the moment by declaring “I love Jell-O! What a great party!”

 

(For my readers – if I have any – this begins an experiment on my part.  My life, in the coming year, is going to have some time in it for me to pursue writing.  So I am going to use some of the results of my writing practice as blog posts.  Published writers advise new writers to be sure to share their writing.  So, here’s to the experiment!  All comments welcome!)

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Cuba Sojourn – Day 6 – Last full day

February 26th, 2013 · Cuba, eating, family, Food, Learning Spanish, Musings, photo of the week, Site Seeing, travel

Dear Readers,           (Lots of photos at the end!)

I hope you come back and find these next blogs about the end of our Cuban adventure!  As I’ve said before, it’s a lot easier to blog at night while on vacation than back at home while working!  My apologies!

Today, I’ll chronicle our last full day in Cuba.  But, come back, as I haven’t completed what I want to post.  I have to tell you about the wonderful piece of art we purchased and its artist.  And, I want to do a bit more research about a few topics, and perhaps post a little about the food, or other things we experienced; or perhaps didn’t experience!  So come back to my site again!

So, here goes:

On our last full day in Cuba, we began our day with the “too much food for even looking at” buffet.  (I actually heard someone say that while filling their plate to overflowing.)  I have to admit that both hotel’s breakfast buffets were a stereotypical American tourist’s dream — way too much to eat, but we’ll eat it anyways.  I’m not sure Cuba is ready for the numbers of Americans that would travel there just for the beaches and the food should they ever change the conditions of the embargo.  But anyways, onto the bus.

We went first to Cardenas to visit with the Director of the Centro Cristiano de Reflexion of Dialogo.  It was a lovely building with a beautiful courtyard where they offered us coffees after his talk.  They are partially funded by Bread for the World organization.  He was open to our questions, but yet often seemed “careful” about certain questions we asked.  It services folks who come in who wish support for homelessness, domestic violence, and drug use.  I think he was saying that they also offer nationwide trainings for counselors as well.  What didn’t seem to get answered, or at least the answers were not “satisfactory” to several of our group was that it would appear that the locals had to come to the center for support, and they did not actually go out on the streets or neighborhood to seek out those who needed support.  His response to an example of domestic violence was that in Cuba you (the woman) just took the children and went home to live with your parents — this assuming that you didn’t already live with them.  It was a lovely place, but I’m not really sure it fit into our tour very well.  Perhaps being outside of Havana, there was less to focus on in terms of the arts?  I haven’t figured it out.

We then were to go to visit an “orphanage,” but unfortunately Luiz, our Cuban guide, informed us that the government had decided we were not able to be there.  Many of us had brought gifts for the children; in fact, I bet my two bags weighed about 8 pounds!  I had even sewed fabric bags to carry them in, thinking the children or center could use that sort of thing.  I was really disappointed.  It was one of the things I really wanted to do – given I am in early childhood, I was thrilled to think I’d be able to talk with and see a place in Cuba that cared for children.  But, it wasn’t to be.  But, the bus drove back to the Center we had just been at – all this conversation had taken place while driving away from the Center.  So, we arrived back, and wonderful Luiz made a few phone calls and arranged for someone from the orphanage to go to the Center and pick up the piles of bags of goodies for the children later that day.  Many of us had brought toiletries, pencils, small games and such.   I had included about two dozen of a fad toy called Squinkies — I so wish I could have known what the teachers thought about those (not to mention the children)!

And, while I worry that perhaps I shouldn’t say this; apparently our two tour guides decided to allow us to get off the bus in the center of the town and walk about six blocks or so – apparently a break in the planned program, and walking unapproved ground is not permitted?  But, nonetheless, it became a highlight of our visit for almost all of us!    We ended our walk at the Cathedral Plaza de Colon erected in 1862.

It was lots of fun – walking along the street with so many Cubans doing their daily business.  All smiled at us as much as we smiled at them.  A baby and its mama waved from a balcony.  A decrepit building with Viva Fidel and Viva Raul painted on it turned up its music.  We walked by and could see families’ front rooms (or maybe only room); young people playing instruments in the fresh air, carts drawn by horses doing business, vegetable sellers and art in the sidewalks!  Delightful!

Back to the hotel with the afternoon on our own.  With one of the other travelers, hubby and I walked to the building next door called Mansion Zanadu, once owned by a Dupont and now a hotel and golf lounge (I guess that’s what it’s called!).  We had to walk up tiny stairs to a back porch bar area with beautiful views and gorgeous tiles and woodwork.  We then walked back past our hotel and went to the shopping mall to pick up some knickknacks.  Even the mall was so different from other countries.  Small shops with high-end Italian and British chains, boutiques, and souvenir shops; but no Starbucks, MacDonald’s or who’s it’s cookies.  It was really refreshing.

Back to the hotel where we split up, and Rich and I went to the beach.  Lovely, lovely, lovely!  Even hubby went swimming – not a common event as he gets cold easily.  The water was refreshing, clean, very salty.

After a bit of swimming, reading, and a lemonade, we went to dress for the evening.  First, we went to a Rum tasting, which was okay.  I still smile at the information that the rum of Cuba is aged in American oak barrels – interesting embargo isn’t it?

Then we had a last night dinner as a whole group at the Japanese restaurant in the hotel complex, Sakura.  They gave us a bottle of champagne to celebrate our anniversary.  We had mentioned to a few folks that we were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary year and this was the first of several special things we were going to do to celebrate.  One of our fellow travelers was celebrating her 86th birthday – Happy Birthday, Gloria!

After a lovely dinner, off to the Teatro to see the last half of that night’s show: something about the history of Cuba through dance.  Oh my, it wasn’t so good.  Tacky, risqué, men in the audience who were offensively (to me) enjoying the dancers bodies instead of the dance.  It was surprisingly different from the night before, even though it was the same dancers.  This show did not demonstrate their artistry at all.

With reluctance, back to our room knowing we would be leaving Cuba the next morning.  But, there was one last lovely surprise for us!  A “just married” sign on our door, roses, candies, a CD of music, a card, and lovely folded pillows!  Happy Anniversary indeed!

A wonderful trip.

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Cuba Sojourn – Day 5

February 12th, 2013 · Cuba, Dance, eating, Education, Food, Important People, Learning Spanish, Museums, Musings, photo of the week, Site Seeing, travel

I realized that I have skipped over a wonderful art studio and walking to dinner adventure that took place, but I’m saving those as they deserve their own posts!

So, let’s continue our account of our stay in Cuba:

This morning, more gorgeous weather (weather is on my mind as in the last four days, here in western MA, we have endured a snow storm of close to 2 feet, and then a 3 inch mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain – I just shoveled crushed ice – I loved Cuba winter weather!)!

We had to have our bags out by 7:30, then onto the bus to drive to Matanzas.  Once again, and as always, Luiz stood and told us so much about what we were seeing, Cuba’s history, Cuba’s geography and more!  The road was bumpy on our ride of about an area where we stopped at a “rest stop.”  I was actually surprised at the state of the road, given such nice weather year round.  Here in New England, with the freeze/thaw of the year, it’s not uncommon to have roads such as the one we rode on in Cuba.  But, a few folks talked about it, and we figured it had to do with supplies, equipment, and other necessaries of good road construction that Cuba likely doesn’t possess.  And, we realized since we were headed to a resort area, perhaps it was the best road in the country and we shouldn’t complain!

The rest stop had some restrooms under construction; so we didn’t wait to use the shed, but walked about looking at the souvenir stalls, mojitos for sale and listening to the live band.  I’ve decided that American and other tourists areas should take this lesson from Cuba — why not provide employment for local small bands and have them play at these types of places?  It’s quite wonderful, and good for the band.

And, the view from the rest stop, built on a lovely hillside, was amazing.  I don’t think it was ever explained, but I’m guessing the rest stop, which seemed to have remnants of patios, etc. is another building once beautiful and used by the rich and famous of Cuba’s past.

Back onto the bus for about twenty minutes until we arrived at San Severino Fortress, built in 1734 – a Spanish fort.  There was a two room museum there that a local guide told us about: one room was about the history of slavery with some interesting objects.  The other room a really fascinating historical and current displays of the Cuba religion Santaneria.  I’d really like to read more about this religion.  THe models, dressed in the clothing of the saint or deity it represented, were works of art in and of themselves.  Life-sized models made of leather – so beautifully constructed.  I’m not sure I have photos, as with so many places, you had to pay a coin to take photos.  At this museum, there was a piece of paper and receipt filled out by hand in triplicate to go with that coin, and we decided we’d rather look around for a minute before the tour began than wait in line to exchange a coin for a receipt and a few photos.

Back on the bus for a visit to an amazing pharmacia  – La Botica Francesca, founded in the late 1800s by the Triolet family. – not only where they sold products, but produced it.  It was open for over 100 years (I’ll check that), and shut down during the Revolution.  There were a few empty but lovely rooms upstairs where the family lived, and Rich took a flight up another set of stairs to get a few photos of the square the building was facing.  The trees and plants were magnificent.  I can see that a flora and fauna tour of Cuba would also be an amazing experience.

Back on the bus to arrive in Veradora where our hotel – Melia los Americas – was located.  Boy, were we surprised about this one!  It was an amazing resort hotel – thought we were in a travel brochure!

Once again, the check-in process took forever.  Cuba will need to figure out how to be more efficient with this process if they want to attract more US tourists – I don’t know if other countries who tour there mind.  We waited a good hour or so; being the last at 3:15 to get our room.  We needed to be back in the lobby at 4 for a trip to Mantanzas to get a dance lesson at the Academia Baile en Cuba (ABC)!  The couples and instructors told us and demonstrated the danzon – an old and traditional type of Cuban ballroom dance. If you look on YouTube for a few videos, you’ll find more modern renditions.  Those who were teaching us demonstrated the oldest version which did look different, slower and more sedate than what the videos display. Rich got picked by a teacher to get a lesson!  And, we all watched and then enjoyed a song or two dancing with each other.  It was really hot in the dance space, but I would have enjoyed being there longer.

And, is our day over yet?  NO!  Back to the hotel, where a bit of a frustrating mix-up happened, partly due to the crazy check-in process, and we could not get reservations at any of the restaurants located around the hotel.  So, we ate in the restaurants dinner buffet – which, for me, turned out just fine.  It was elegant, excellent, and an amazing spread of food – just amazing.  And, with our little wrist bands – all inclusive.  All the darn drinks you wanted.

After dinner, hubby and I went to the Teatro, attached to the hotel, and enjoyed a really great show called “Cuban Romantico.”  Dance based variety show with amazing ballet, modern love pieces, and tacky disneyish stuff.  One piece was rather amazing modern dance with two couples, with the men ending up with each other – really impressive and moving.  No pictures of this as we didn’t bring our camera to dinner – dumb!

After, we walked in the lovely night air listening to the ocean, smelling the fresh air, and enjoying this amazing country.

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Cuba Sojourn – Day 4

February 8th, 2013 · Art, Cuba, Dance, family, Grandparents, Learning Spanish, Musings, photo of the week, Site Seeing, travel

Okay – here I am!  Blogging about my vacation is definitely easier when I’m on the vacation!  Back at home trying to blog about our delightful trip to Cuba is challenging while I keep up with my full time work and house and more!  Today is a snow day while waiting for Storm Nemo to do its thing, so I’ll see if I can’t get my readers back!!

Relaxing at Hemingway’s Pool

This morning was another moment to put into action the request that we be patience and flexbile!  After another lovely breakfast at the hotel, off we went to visit the Nacional Contemporary Dance studio.  Apparently, they weren’t ready for us after all during the morning, so we’ll be returning.  Instead, a twenty minute bus ride took us to Hemingways’ Farm.  Lovely, amazing, and a delightful treat we didn’t expect. I’m not a huge fan of his work, but have read a biography or two.  Others on the trip were really thrilled to visit.

Our next stop was back in Old Havana where we parked the bus and walked a few blocks to visit a day Senior Center.  I hope one of my readers will post the name of it for me – I didn’t write it down.  The seniors attend during the day and enjoy programming, games and meals.  It was set in a building next to a church which surrounded a most lovely courtyard.  As I entered, a lovely woman grabbed my arm and we exchanged names and chatted as she led me into the lunch room where they were gathered.  She took care to be sure I didn’t trip (she was at least 20 years older than I!), and sat me down next to a friend or two.  Rich joined me and we chatted in our broken Spanish, and their non-existant or broken English.  Delightful!    We had brought post cards of our US town in MA, and they loved the little gifts.  We also left a bag of over the counter pharmacy products with the Director that we had been asked to do if we were so inclined.

It was a short visit, but a highlight of the trip for me.  Back on the bus for lunch at teh El Muercurio restaurant – started with a lovely cold salmon salad, with steak and mashed potatoes.  Maybe I said this already, but this was one of those too large lunches, and my least favorite.

Now we get to go to the Dance School!  We watched a techniques class for a little over an hour.  AMazing! Amazing!  About 40 students constantly in motion and beautiful motion at that.  Ah, to be young and able to do that – I was thrilled to watch.  The PR guy and President of the school came out afterwards to talk to us.  Here is an excellent video I found of their work featuring the man who spoke to us after we watched the class.

Back to the hotel for a siesta, then an hour conversation with one of the dancers we watched at the school.  (Tomorrow I’ll blog about dinner which was a whole adventure in and of itself!).

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Cuba Sojourn – Day 3

February 3rd, 2013 · Art, Cuba, Dance, Important People, Museums, Musings, travel

As our delightful American tour guide called it — we had a “lie-in”  — we got to sleep in and relax over that delightful breakfast spread this morning.  We sat with a wonderful couple from LA – Jerry and Sandra — over breakfast.  We really enjoyed getting to know them.  I know that if we didn’t live on different sides of the US coast, we’d really enjoy dessert and museum outings together.  We hope in the future, should we go to LA again, we’ll stop by and say hello to them.

Gorgeous cars everywhere.

So onto the bus at 10:30 to go to the Rosario Cardenas‘s dance company  – Company  Danza Combinatoria – to see eight dance pieces.  These dancers were nothing short of amazing!  They were equivalent to the best in America; and we got to watch them perform in their studio.  Wonderful!  After they danced for us, they were kind enough to put music on and guide us about the dance floor for several minutes!  So welcoming, and tolerant, of them!  (A fellow tour participant put up a video  —  Okay – apparently we are on YouTube already!! look at about 7 min for the ‘real’ dancers)

Rosario Cardenas (and Luiz, our Cuban guide)

One of the dancers performing

Whole company was in this piece

Wish you could see this whole piece — joyful!

Here we are having lunch with the dancers…

Even more delightful was the boxed lunch we shared with them sitting on their dance floor and talking to them.  It was a very huge bagged lunch, with much left over which we left for them to devour.  I very much enjoyed the experience of eating a guava whole as they taught me to do.  I, of course, forgot that I should have washed the outside of it first.  But, it was okay.    This really was one of the highlights of the tour for me.

Two of the beautiful dancers that I got to speak with. Barely 18 years old with college paid for and already an important student in this dance company. Sweet and generous and authentic human beings.

We were then taken to a very large souvenir marketplace inside of an old train building.  There were what seemed like miles of art – prints, painting, naked ladies of all kinds (these really were just short of velvet paintings that you could hang over your basement pool table area!), little booths of souvenirs galore!  In retrospect, a half hour was not much time.  We did buy two pair of maracas – she wanted 7 cucs for one pair, and somehow my bartering got two pairs for 5!

Souvenir marketplace.

 

We did buy a wonderful little print by   Eduardo Guerra.  We saw it, circled around a bit, and went back before we had to leave to buy it.  Here’s a little YouTube piece that someone created where you can see what his work is like.  We went back to the bus to find the guides and bus driver had hired a couple of clean the front area and the lights, etc. So when they were finished, off we went.

We were then driven to the Capitulo building which was closed for renovations, but we got to walk about it for about ten minutes and take pictures.  It is a replica of the US Capital building – very surreal to see there in some way.

Capitulo.

Across from the Capitulo. A common sight in Havana – old magnificent buildings completely falling down, yet lived in, and right next door to well-kept buildings.

The bus stopped back at the hotel to drop off a few folks who were not interested in more art studios, and off we went to visit a beautiful art gallery in a house.  Back to the hotel for a siesta by 3:30.

Dinner was at El Ajibe where we had a traditional Cuban dinner.  (Lonely Planet ranks it #6 in things to do in Havana!)  It actually was one of the best meals of the week for me.  I really enjoyed it, and was able to have another good sangria.

One of the local houses near the gallery.

Back to the hotel where we sat and had some wine lounging in the lovely couches on the back courtyard listening to an all girl band, and a male and felame opera singer.  Lovely way to end a busy day full of the arts!

Girl band…

 

Self Portrait on the hotel patio!

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