Ava Gardner imagen courtesey de freeclassicimages.com
Ava Gardner swam naked in Ernest Hemmingway’s pool, she was a regular guest at Papa’s house in Cuba. And, legend has it his wife, in a fit of pique, removed Ava’s clothes from the poolside one day. Her dip was extended only momentarily one would think, until she had hailed one of the help to bring her more towels. Or maybe she just walked, splendidly up the garden path.
The big white hunter and Nobel prize winner Ernest Hemingway is up there along with Fidel and Ernesto on Havana’s A list of tourist attractions. Hordes of visitors flock to his house in the suburbs more than fifty years after his death by his own hand in 1961. In fine weather they can see his typewriter where he always stood to write, his drinks cabinet, his bed and his trophies. Bequeathed by him to be used as an a educational centre it was reopened as a museum in 2007 when it became apparent that nothing would be preserved unless it was protected. On fine days visitors can peer in through windows that are closed during inclement weather. It’s sprawling but not flamboyant and a sanctuary for the descendants of his many beloved cats and dogs for which there is a touching cemetery.
Back in town, above the door of the Bodeguita del Medio, hangs a stained sign which reads ‘My mojito in La Bodeguita. My daiquiri in El Floridita. Ernest Hemingway’ and the tourists congregate to drink the overpriced drinks. The food is standard fare but the vegetarians among us had fried bananas along with the black beans and rice and the walls are lined with interesting photographs and the atmosphere is lively.
Thankyou do much ; enjoyed your lovely photos& write ups.Aye .thought provoking .As you say , loved his pets but like many people of that era , he saw killing wild game as ” Sport”.Adore the Ava Gardner story. Xx
Thank you Louisa. Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it x
Because either they were chtreeas by nature, or, there were other issues to their so-called love for each other. We only know they were in love with each other, because they said so. The only way I could believe that they were really in love with each other, is if I actually sat in front of them and asked them myself. Even then, I probably would not get the truth.
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Would have loved to go swimming with Ava.
She had/has something that turn a man into a….poet.
Indeed
She was a beautiful woman, but character is doubtful. Do not mess with another mans wife, it makes them lose trust !