IN SEARCH OF CUBAN COFFEE IN KEY LARGO FLORIDA KEYS

 I was visiting some friends who live by the water in Key Largo, an hour and a bit drive from Miami. They suggested that we visit some places near by

 The boat pulled out into the sea and soon we came across a park which was beginning to fill up with families bent on spending the day with BBQ at their disposal, there was also an artificial pool of sea water for people to swim in 

 They had told me about a Cuban Cafe and I suggested that we go there for a cafecito

 but i did not realize that the shallow water did not allow us a direct access instead we had go out to the open sea

 Then we approached the marina from the sea, we were already in the next town of Tavernier.

 Here it is at last, Habaneros on  the Creek, which had been there for a couple of decades

 Felt so close to Habana, the real one, when drinking a nice Cortadito at this place 

 Before the long journey back, decided to explore the creek (which is actually a large waterway)

 millenial mangroves

 The ride back was very pleasant and the sun was lowering itself in the western skies 

Back to their house
a very long drive for a cup of cuban coffee 
but it was worth it ..

I AM DOING MY LITTLE BIT FOR CUBA

What all has happened?

Today is 9 Enero 2018

The year began with a dinner at Genevieve’s at Siem Reap in Cambodia and then walking along the very crowded centre of town

The year began with Love Affection Passion and Tenderness. I usually do not enjoy New Year’s Eve but this was an exception

A few days in Malaysia  the usual culprits  DT at KL and then Malacca. some reacquaintance with Mr and Mrs A G.  He did not seem to share the enthusiasm of other Malaysians about the New Govt

Very long and tortuous way to get back to Miami.

And soon enough to Cuba

Arrival at HAV

The chubby mulatta at the Immigration confessed her Endocrine problem to me and I was able to make a referral for her, while she was stamping the passport letting me into the country.

One bag arrived with no marks, then waited and waited for the other which contained food  and wine. It came at last but with no checking at the Customs which was a happy coincidence.

ER who patrols the arrival area I don’t know as what but in some governmental capacity

Do you have any of the golden pills? I am seeing someone new and I want to be able to perform

Why are you asking me?

You look like you might have some knowledge about this and perhaps even the same problem

I gave him one tablet of Tadanafil  which I buy in Cochin for just such occasions around the world and wished him well. He took my telephone number and promised to let me know.

The driver arrives soon and he is Cuban to the last drop. He truly does not want me to bring him anything, your friendship is all that is important to me he said, you love this island like I do, I appreciate it. Then he told me the good news that his wife is pregnant for the third time, was it planned I asked him, knowing how careless the Cubans are when it comes to protection , he said no, it just fell down from the sky..

When I reached home, my landlady was waiting and it was a nice homecoming.

She had prepared Fish, Beans, Rice and a nice cup of strong coffee.

A few days later I received this text message from ER to whom I had gifted the Golden Pill.

Hermano (Cuban diminutive for affection  Brother)Thank you. The pill you gave me Is something special. I was like a teenager of 15 years.. If you can please keep another one for me . Take care see you soon.

I am able to do my bit for Cuba.. ha ha

And I thought of the friendly pharmacist who keeps me supplied with many medications most of them not for sexual dysfunction but just ordinary antibiotics and creams and ayurvedic creams and lotions for Acne..

MY POLYPHENOL DINNER IN MIAMI 14 JANUARY 2019

I have to present a conference on MICROBIOME and its ROLE in KIDNEY diseases in a couple of days time. After arriving from Havana and adjusting into the complexities of Miami life, I began preparing for the conference. I was delighted to learn so many new things about Microbiome and how to manipulate them through nutrition for the benefit of oneself and ones health.

I was learning the biochemical mechanism of how polyphenols in the food acts as a promoting factor: growth, proliferation and survival of the beneficial members of the Microbiota.
I pride myself having chosen to eat well, to suit my taste as well as listening to my body which instinctively reject unwanted or incongruous food given to it. 
When people ask me how I have managed to remain healthy while visiting USA once a month for such a long time, I would jokingly say: I drink wine ..
I went to the Christian Israeli restaurant in Kendall and had their aubergine israeli salad (so delicious) and my sister had prepared delectable hummus, complemented by a Radius Merlot from Washington ..

 I normally do not use things that come in plastic bags such as potato crisps etc. As I was reading about resistant starches and how they reach the colon and ferment help the balance of good and bad microbiome, I was intrigued to see a bag of Sri Racha vegetable tubes and the first ingredient was Potato Starch considered to be a good Resistant Starch.

Most of the ingredients are high in polyphenol but i am not sure they reach the colon in the current form as manufactured and packed like this. But I decided to give it a try.

Nice dinner in Miami..

MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME AND THE DOUBLE TREE HOTELS THAT MAKE IT SO

I left Siem Reap with a heavy heart after having had a wonderful end of the year sojourn there.
The minute the flight landed in Kuala Lumpur my mood changed and I was happy to be back in Malaysia, my first visit of 2019.
I genuinely like Malaysia, thanks in no part due to my good friend MunChing from Seri Kembangan who had explained a lot of the nuances of this multicultural society.
But I am home at Double Tree Hotel by Hilton at Jalan Abdul Razak in the capital city.
As i walked towards the lobby and then took a left to go up to the Executive Lounge I have overcome with this great sense of familiarity. How many times have I stayed here? how many friends have I made?
How many of my friends have come to stay here with me? starting with my brother Eliyahu, my American Indian friends..
What is so attractive to me about DT KL is the genuine warmth with which I am received ..
Sheefa at the Executive Lounge already knew I was coming and had selected a nice room for me.

I had a deliciously healthy salad and a glass of south african chardonnay at the Lounge, well attended by Sheefa and Azfahar.

 Nothing like watching the clouds rolling in and put on a show and then move on from the 34th floor Lounge of DT KL 

 Maria whom I had missed on my last visit was back on duty and it was nice to chat with her for a while 

 The Chardonnay was drying up as the night was falling and I was very happy to go back to my room and attend to matters which had been put on the back burner during the delightful hours in Siem Reap

 I look forward to my breakfast at the Makan Kitchen. This morning I concentrated on the South Indian section with  proportionate servings of Roti Canai, one Idly, some chutney and string hoppers. Delicious and the  added attraction of Teh Tahrek

Went up to the lounge to say goodbye, Dat whom I have known for ages was there as well as Koo Chian Chee who is from Penang and is an intern at DT KL. I wish her well.
I missed not seeing Safa, the concierge par excellence.. but will catch up with him on return.

It is always a pleasure to say Hello to Rash. It is not often that I see him on my visits because of staggered shifts.
It was time to leave KL and go to Malacca.
and every one mentioned the name of Sahara, I dropped a line to her to say that I am coming tonight to DT Malacca a very recent addition to the HIlton portfolio.
My expectations were more than amply met.

I was ferried from the Malacca Central Bus station by a pleasant Chinese lady and we had a nice chat. On arrival, it was Anna who checked me in, while the recently arrived Herman from KK where he was at the DT there introduced himself and made me feel welcome. 
Talk about charming, here comes Miss Charming, none other than Sahara, now I remembered her face from her days as Front Desk Manager at DT KL. We had a lovely chat , remembering all our friends past and present.
When I reached my allotted room, I noticed its ample space, elegant design and attention to use of space. there was a bathtub as well as a shower. The bed faced the outside and i could glimpse the recovered sea front which is now receding under the pressure of development 

The warm reception afforded me by the staff of both Double Tree Hotel at KL as well as Malacca made me a little philosophical.
I left Cuba nearly one month ago and within one week will be back there, covering American Indians, Miami, Brussels, Haifa, Cochin, Siem Reap in the meantime. I have no family to go to on a regular daily basis but the family waits for me at KL and now in Malacca and in Siem Reap and in Haifa etc etc. The strength of American expectations with a definite stamp of Malaysian hospitality is what I receive at DT at KL and now in Malacca. I am fiercely loyal and do not change that so DT by Hilton whether it is Salalah or Doha or Kl or Malacca.. and if I could arrange Qatar Airways to bring me to these places, I would be a delighted person...
So the new year 2019 has begun, there are no New Year Resolutions, be the same person you were the past year and this year would take care of itself, become aware of the multitudes of people who contribute to your happiness and be grateful to them.
and I have many people to thank in Malaysia my second home...