The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-13
CUBA'S SHORTCOMINGS.
She Doesn't Like Americana, but
Doesn't Dare to Say So.

Correspondence Brooklyn Eagle.
it is awfully easy 10 lecture her. She is
a child, fond of shows, and put on the
ways of an adult with her. If we were to
stay in her country for a while we should
probably undertake to do publicly what we
shall bring about individually. There is no
reason, for instance. why she should not
have sidewalks more than eighteen inches
wide. This necessitates an unpleasant fight
whenever you meet a man. The only pur-
pose OF the sidewalk seems TO be TO enable
you to stand out of danger when a wagon is
going by. There is no reason either, why
the rules of civilized life should not be en-
forcedly applied at the hotels. a health
board could do wonders in the best OF them.
Best, did 1 say? 1 mean, least bad. Though
/ understand that there is one good hotel
in Havana, the place of which is kept a Sc
cret by the proprietor and by all the guests,
lest stranger should hear OF it and try TO
get in; for there is room for only six. be-
lieve. I didn't find il. and I can't get used
10 a place where they change your room
four times in three days without giving you
notice, so that your heart leaps out of your
mouth every time you go home and find
your baggage gone. Also, il seems unlike
civilized hotels when you find the front door
locked at IL and when they turn off the
gas shortly after. Also stone floors for
your bedroom may be cool and bugless. but
not artistic. Also, il may be a square deal
TO tax you 81 a day for room and board,
and then charge you extra for breakfast.
Also, il would be better IL you had soap and
towels and water when you needed them.
Also, you would like TO get your bill or any
bill, without setting a whole Officeful Of
clerks wild with excitement and causing
them 10 fly hither and thither, consulting,
referring and figuring. till you begin TO
grow excited too, through sympathy. hear
rumors OF a real hotel In Havana, 10 be run
by Americans. Naturally We want 90 keep
the local flavor, but you can have the local
flavor with improvements.
Ii should be remarked that in the victual-
ing department Havana IS not bad. You
can get a reasonable meal there for half
dollar, il you are q native, or a couple OF
dollars for the same meal If you an
American. There are many little kickshaWs
in the restaurants that do not get them
blood Is dish that L never ran against
till l met it-and passed tin Havana And
you can't buy zapatas up here. Possibly you
would not II you cold. The cOcoanut paste
is dainty that Is worth while. and when
you are thirsty you can stray into a grocery
a cafe and call for cOcOanut milk 1t
isn't milky. 1t Is as clear as water as IL
comes from the fresh nut. The man takes
a murderous machete from behind the
counter. hits the nut two whacks. taking a
chunk out OF the top and Herewith emptes
about a pint of bland, sweetish sap into a
tall tumbler containing chunk Of ice.
Thoroughly chilled and carbonated 1 fancy
IL would be drinkable. The oranges are good
and so are the bananas. French cookery
can be detected in some OF the hotels. Coffee
is we'll made and the light Spanish wines
are wholesome and pleasant. You buy a
glass OF almost anything for or 10 cents
you can get Milwaukee beer now III YOU
want it-and with this on the table before
YOU to be taken in sips half an hour apart
you can hold down the chair and the table
Till midnight talking politics with your
enemies. At least they seem to be enemies: