A Night On The Town In Aruba

[charlescroes]

Not to long ago, I wrote a snippet about a restaurant called “Brisas Del Mar” that had little to do with the restaurant and more to do with the feelings surrounding it. In any case, I got clobbered for promoting the place and pretty much made up my mind to never write about establishments again. It is not worth the aggravation. However, I cannot be true to my word. We went out last night and it was just too much fun to not pass on. Sooo.. if you are gonna attack – so be it. What can I tell ya??

A family friend of ours asked us to meet them at Cubas’ Cookin last night. Taking into account that it is low season and that tables have been relatively easy to get anywhere, we thought it would be a good idea and agreed. Junior got tucked away, we got dressed and off we went to a night we thought would be slow - WRONG!!!!

Cubas’ Cookin was packed with a capital “Pack”. Literally not a seat left in the place. Everyone was singing along with the duo “El Gordo y la Flaca” (This translates to The fat one and the thin one). This duo sang and became an integral part of the audience. People ate and tapped plates with forks while they listened to the music. All table manners went out of the window and it was justified by the sounds in the air. I heard non-Spanish-speaking folks carrying on at the top of their lungs with refrains of “Ole – Ole - Ole” Didn’t want to tell them that this was the Caribbean and not a bull ring in Spain. They were just having too much fun. It was pure fun. The walls of that place are non-existing - they are hidden behind a shroud of canvas that is in turn hidden behind paint that makes up some of the best Cuban modern art I have ever seen. The owner (Doug Markus) takes pride in his art collection – as well he should.

We nibbled (the Jewish folks call it “Noshing”) and drank (other religions call it “Slugging-m-down”) and sang – (All faiths call it – “singing”). We met with each other there and the crowd became a single “tribe”. It was pure fun. As if this wasn’t enough, someone in this mighty tribe yelled out two magic words – MAMBO JAMBO!! And off we were in a herd of cars to see what was going on there.

As this newly formed chorus of friends arrived (acting like we had known each other for ages) we found our respective corner since the place was packed (again with a capital “Pack”) and the group ‘MAYA’ played outrageous SALA. Men with hip surgery looked at young kids with loose hips and then stepped on the floor to show the youngsters that they could do it better. A riot.

So how do you top this kind of a night off? What comes at the end? The simplest of all things- a walk along the waters and looking out at the sea. Smiling at the lapping waters and thinking about just what an *** we (or I) had just made of myself and enjoying every last second of it. Home to a warm coffee – a few moments of talk - to bed to rest for what awaits the rest of the planet on Thursday – work.
But alas – work with a smile!

Be well
charles

[sherry]

what a wonderful story charles. i have had two similar incidents happen in aruba. evenings that could never happen again and live in our memories forever. funny, it only happens in aruba.

[millertime]

Charles,

That sounds like every nite for us in Aruba! See ya in
a week! What happens in Aruba stays in Aruba, unless
you talk about it and it makes it to the BBS!

Later,
millertime

[charlescroes]

Then,
let it stay here.
be well
charles

Originally Posted by millertime

Charles,

That sounds like every nite for us in Aruba! See ya in
a week! What happens in Aruba stays in Aruba, unless
you talk about it and it makes it to the BBS!

Later,
millertime