Playa de Guanabo

OK, You’ll think I’m crazy but one of my on-going phobias is that one day when I’m not around anymore, 100 years or so from now, those that come after me may not know from where I came; so that nobody blames me later on for not letting you guys know, I’m attaching the map and directions. The ball is now on your court. Make sure you pass it on.

Take the Havana tunnel to the shore and points east. This will take you to the Via Blanca highway, Stay on the Via Blance highway heading for Guanabo for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, maybe less. The Via Blanca runs along and atop a small mountain. As you near Guanabo, you’ll notice that the beach down below gets closer. You might also see a small restaurant on the left side of the highway called El Gato Verde (The Green Cat). Now you are very close to the town entrance. Some people that have recently come from Guanabo have told me that El Gato Verde is still there. At night, it has a lit green neon sign with the outline of a cat. The cat has two tails. As the green neon lights turn on and off intermittently on each tail, the tail appears to be moving. Pretty cool, at least I thought it was. I always new I was close to home coming back from visits to Havana at night when I saw that cat. Anyway. soon after that you’ll come to Calle 462 ( 462 street) where you’ll turn left and leaving the Via Blanca. There used to be two huge 15 foot tall white pylons at each side of Calle 462. Well, at least they looked huge ( I was little). They marked the entrance to Guanabo at the top of the big hill. I’m not sure if the Pylons are still there, I forgot to ask. The cat was more interesting to me, I guess. Speaking of that hill ( la loma de Guanabo) to me it was more like a small mountain ( I was little ). I remember riding my bike to the top, I would die if I tried that today- when I got to the top it was turn it loose time. By the time I reached the bottom of the hill, I had to be going about 45 to 50 miles with my legs stretched outwards and my ears flapping in the wind. The 60 second ride was better than a roller coaster. Then I would do it again until somebody would yell at me (children, don’t do this at home- I was professional). It’s a wonder I ever survived, Grandma Linde would have introduced me once again to the fearsome ” La Faja ” (The Belt) if she had ever found out. That was about the only thing that I got away with in that town. No matter what evil thing I had done, the news traveled faster to grandma’s ears from the town’s busy bodies than I could pedal. I digress again. So, when you got to the bottom of the hill, there was a big traffic circle ( la rotonda de Guanabo). I met its curb once when I couldn’ stop in time. Bad things happened that day which proves that even professionals can have mishaps. Where was I- the rotonda, right. So, when you get to the rotonda, go a quater of the way around and exit at Quinta (5ta. Avenida or 5th avenue. Remember that you came down Calle 462 so keep going to Calle 484 and turn left. The streets go to higher numbers two at a time, ie: 462, 464 etc. Take Calle 484 about a block until you come to the waters edge- look to your right and that’s where the Casino de la Concha- our home, once stood, Our old adress used to be 48401 Avenida 1ra A. Now all there is there is sand and maybe some coconut trees. See if you can find a brick or something as a souvenir to bring back. I do stuff like that sometimes when I go places. I almost lost my flight back from Spain at the Madrid security post because they would not let me take in my carry on bag the rocks, tiles and other “artifacts” from my father’s home town among other places (they called them weapons of mass destruction). I had to go to the other side of the terminal to check them in while my wife waited, fuming and wondering what or whom she had married. I digress again. Going back to Havana- retrace your steps. Guanabo was a beautiful place once, With the exception of the mountain, beaches and the royal palmed country side, it is now now most likely in shambles due to the wonderful foresight of the maximum leader. Jerk. I decided to be nice. Children may be watching. Wouldn’t want to let our future generations reading this think that Abuelo Linde had a potty mouth. OK hope this helps, but seriously- make sure that those that come after us don’t forget. After almost half a century, I havn’t. Thanks. Uncle José.