las teclas del piano melodeando solas
él le pide a un lazo azul otro martini seco
que te hace esa luz y todos tus fantasmas
que bien poder meterte en un rincón del tiempo
I’m listening to Frank Sinatra in this fading light. It was Benny More before him, and here I stand with a cocktail and my desire. I remember a few years ago I dreamed of a decent bar in Havana, those sites for a beer after work, a place to go thirsty, order and enjoy the atmosphere, maybe even the talk or the company or just drink and listen to good music.
My wishes are seldom fulfilled, but here I am on a Saturday night waiting in a bar.
Everything is real, the decoration, the extensive cocktails and drinks menu, the evocation of La Habana of the 50’s with a touch of modernity. It seems that the slogan is true. Is it that time stands still here?
They claim that the essences of Havana are kept here and I want to believe it all. I want to believe, for example, that you will very soon open the door of this bar we could call our own.
I love this place, the music. I enjoy the fact of its existence, even if I cannot come every day after work. What I do know is that at least once a month I can come over and spend some time on this fading light, listen to Benny, have a beer (shaving 2 CUC, around 2.20 USD from my budget)… and wait for you.
They have Happy Hours on Fridays, two cocktails for the price of one. I think I can squeeze that in my monthly budget. We’ll discuss that when you get here, but in the meanwhile, while I rehearse the dialog to come, I have yet another sip. This beer is ice cold.
Nowadays bars are blooming everywhere and cocktails are seductive and savories are the queens of the night… Ah! Change. If I had it my way, I would be coming to one of these Bar & Restaurant (the government does not grant license to operate a bar) every single day, to wait for you, to show it to you, to try one of those drinks shown on the movies… Gin Tonic, Martini, San Francisco… like in the movies… for now I'll stick with the Cristal we both prefer.
However, flavors are nothing without your kisses. You have not arrived. Is nice to have a place to relax in a nice atmosphere, to feel the bitter taste of beer through the throat, to control the fright every time someone opens the door and I think it's you, but no.
At Esencia Havana the whisper of strange voices is Heard, someone makes his laugh rumble, but it feels far. I’m still alone, as if this place were meant for us alone. In this fading light, Benny demonstrates his genius. I finish my beer, I'm about to order another when the door opens: You finally arrive, darling!
By: Nyl
Journalist, Blogger, inveterate Reader and adventurous Cook