Did I ever tell you the story of when my prince picked up a prostitute in Cuba? If my life was a book; this chapter would be called “The day my prince picked up a prostitute in Cuba” (makes you want to read beyond the title huh?)
Cuba – 2004. P.K. (pre-kids) My prince and I are on vacation in Havana – the capital and cultural hotspot of Cuba. We wanted to see the real “city” not the resort. My prince’s 2nd language is Spanish (he speaks 5 fluently – very handy for international travel and reading Ikea instructions).
Oh, and my in-laws are with us (this is important for later). So 3 of us 4; fluently speak Spanish (also important for later). We visit Paladares (small illegal restaurants in private homes – you eat for half the price – support local economy. In one, we walked through two apartments…past one kitchen…then, to be seated in someone’s living room…which housed one plastic table…four plastic chairs..and ate the best meal of our trip). We were non-traditional travellers.
Getting on to the prostitute (figuratively not physically). On the last full day, my prince rents a car for himself and his parents to visit a beach just outside of Havana. Me and my crappy digestive system (excuse the pun) stay back at the hotel.
If you have ever been to Cuba – you will know that hitchhiking is commonplace because of the cost (and sourcing) of gas. Everyone hitchhikes. So my husband says to his parents “We should pick someone up – we speak the language – we’ve got an available seat in the car – we should help someone out”. His parents agree.
So at the next corner my prince slows down and a young women trots towards the car (irony – she was trotting to the car and I had the trots back at the hotel – insert “it’s a small world after all” song HERE).
My worldly mother-in-law says “no…that’s a prostitute”. Both men disagree. Overruled. The young lady gladly hopped in the car and off they went to the beach.
Only the young lady was, in fact, a prostitute. Now, what does this have to do with parenting/family/life in general? The young lady was….
left you hangin?!…All revealed tomorrow! Same bat time – same bat channel…