A Cuban-American who is returning to Havana for the first
time since 1960 asks a young cousin who is a Havana resident what she should take
for the family.
........ Yes, in the case of the crib, my grandfather ordered it in
Santiago de Cuba. They make them very nice and very cheap there. The crib cost 1500 pesos (60 dollars),
which was paid by my father-in-law, and he gave it to us. Since we knew that we would have no
room for a bed, we decided to make a larger crib than usual, with protective
sides. When she was a little girl,
the sides kept her from falling. Now that she is bigger, we removed the sides,
but the crib is still connected to our bed.
Oswardo answers:
Yes, it is very embarrassing to tell you, my mom told me to
tell you please, she is already old and our sleeping sheets are very bad, all polyester
or materials that itch. If you could buy her a cotton sheet it would be very
nice. My mom would be very happy.
The sheet she uses is about 30 years old (older than me). It’s sooo thin. Also, a kitchen knife for cutting meat
would be great. Our knife was made from a machete that although it is very
hard, the blade loses its sharpness right away.
.............
She says:
What you suggested about bringing sheets makes me happy.
I’ll bring them for all the beds. Tell me the sizes of the beds. (twin, full,
queen or king)
About kitchen knives, I had already thought about it. You know how happy that makes me? kisses
..........
Oswardo answers:
Well cousin, I don’t know the measurements of the beds because
those beds were made from a sheet of wood by a carpenter, but they are for 2
people. Here, we call them “camas cameras”. But I would have to measure them.
.............
She says:
I guess they are full size, which are those of the
past! Do the children have their
own beds or sleep together?
.............
Oswardo answers:
No, our son sleeps with his grandmother and our daughter in
her crib that is attached to the bed where Yoana and I sleep.
.............
She says:
You teach me so much! Isn't she a little old for a crib?
.............
Oswardo answers:
