Puero Rico. X. V, OO

Puerto Rico, 1970

Hello Everyone

    I didn't know much about 'Puerto Recants', besides what I learned from the movie"West Side story"        X which was about the Puerto Recans who lived in Manhatten, rather then the Island in the Caribbeans       I was a bit surprised to find out, that Jewish immigrants from Cuba, who were able to escape 'Castro's regime, moved to this beautiful Spanish/English speaking Island, as well as few American families      who came to Puerto Rico, in order to opened factories, so they could enjoy the Tax deduction for their business.I was pleasantly surprised to learn, that besides me there was an Israeli family on this Island Yedida, Elli and their three boys... Their last name was Cohen, like mine and needles to say we became close friends, or rather an 'Immediate Family' as we called ourselves....  

   Besides teaching Hebrew, Bible and Jewish history three hours each day, I was also preparing thirteen years old boys, for their Bar Mitsva' (turning thirteen years old) I was often invited for 'Friday Night Dinner' and other Jewish holiday celebrations...My work as a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher began  at 2:00 p.m, shortly after the Jewish students came out of public school...Since I was not studying at the University (for a change!) I was able to have my morning hours free and used this 'Free Time' to get to know this beautiful Island, by driving around in my second hand car; an old Volkswagen I purchased at       a Used cars Dealership... My mornings were free, since teaching at the Hebrew School, was in the After noon... I was able to drive all around the Island, enjoying the lush green beauty of the 'Rain Forests' and the amazing Water Falls, one could see throughout the island and was able to admire, the golden sand beach, next to the turquoise water...

   Those who saw the movie Fiddler on the Roof, probably remember 'Yentle, the comical Matchmaker...  Even though this "Profession" disappeared with the years; the need to introduce unmarried people, was still in the 'Genetic pool' of every Jewish woman... One day, Barbra the mother of two of my Bar Mitzvah students, cornered me, saying that her husband Spencer, met a charming single Jewish Guy from New Jersey, who is the 'Vice Manger of the well known Carib Hilton Hotel in the island... Spencer told her he was 'Nice looking', very pleasant and a 'Serious Guy'! (Meaning, a good candidate for marriage)... Barbra added that Spencer asked this 'Nice looking, pleasant and 'serious candidate', if he would like to meet a very pretty and intelligent young Israeli teacher and the 'Candidate' agreed...

   My protests that I am not interested in 'any thing serious', since I plan to teach in Australia, after         one year in P.R  fell on deaf ears..."Shira!" Barbra said "Don't forget that this June, you are going           to be twenty six... Don't you think  it is about time to stop running around the world and get married!"      I protested that I was only twenty five and asked her, if someone (my mother maybe?) contacted her asking for help, to save her 'One and only daughter' (me) from becoming an Old Maid, like her three unmarried sisters in law (my aunts) X"What was it all about this 'Serious Candidate?" I was asking suspiciously...X"Don't worry Shira" Barbra said", "Let's have a drink at our home with this young        man before we go for dinner and 'Gamble a bit' at one of the Large Casinos...X What do you have to    loose?X  When I protested that I am not a X Gambler she convinced me that it would be fun!x "Let's          go out and have a good time; if you don't like him you don't have to see him again ! Well, how could          I imagine that I am going to fall in love with him...

  Years later, Al would say that the moment he saw me, at the Rosenberg's living room, he knew I was  "The One he was waiting for!"... We had drinks X(No alcohol oir Shira, just lemonade!). We talked for       a while and took off in Al's "Cadillac", which Barbra made sure to tell me, was a very prestigious car!  On our way to the French Restaurant in old Sun Juan we stopped for gas and were chatting and laughing as the attended was filling up the tank... At one point one point, Al (the 'serious candidate') was saying something so funny, it made me laugh uproariously! It wasn't only what he was saying, as much as his sense of humor, which impressed me so much...It was spontaneous sophisticated, intelligent and funny! "Life could be rather gloomy at times" I found myself thinking and sending him a side look..."To be with someone who has such a great sense of humor, could help overcome many difficulties with laughter!"

   This thought astonished me! I glanced at Al's profile and for the first time, realized how handsome he  was! His sideburns had a touch of silver, which reminded me of Stuart Granger (the movie star I admired  as a Teenager)) I noticed he had good manners, a great sense of humor and was great conversationalist... Just like Paul, Al was six years older than me, as a matter of fact I realized with amazement, that these  two men actually resembled one another! As we were pulling away from the Gas Station, I felt how the heavy door in my heart, which was tightly closed, after my separation from Paul, was beginning to crack  a bit open ... Could this man be The One?" I found myself wondering... It was scary but also exciting! 

   The menu was in French...When Al asked me what would I like to start with, I confessed that I am not  familiar with the French Cuisine... Al sugested I try the Escargot! Being born and raised in Israel, where even 'Non-kosher' Jews like me were repelled by any kind of Seafood except fish... I was assuming that 'Escargot' meant 'Escarole'..."What could be wrong with 'lettuce'?" I told myself... The answer came when a large plate, full of 'Slimy Creatures' in their shells, 'swimming' in melted butter, was put in front of me... I had to confess that it was the first time in my life, to be served this kind of food, and had no idea how to eat it... Al gallantly offered to teach me, the way I should hold the special 'Pliers' and tiny fork which came with this"Treat... When I attempted to do so, the shell with the 'creature' in it, slipped out and flew all the way across the restaurant, barely missing one of the Diners...

Ellie and Yedida  "Chosen family"	Shira	First date at Michel French Restaurant	Al	Spencer and Barbara, our "Matchmakers"

 

     Four years later after moving to California, Al (my husband by then) and I hosted a dinner party in   our garden... I suggested that each couple would talk about their first date... After Al told this story to    the amused guests, he added: "The moment I saw the 'shell', flying all over the place, I decided to marry  Shira! I figured there is so much I could teach her!" I straightened my back and said sweetly:"You know what Albie? You sound like a typical 'Male Chauvinist Pig', who believes he could 'Mold any woman'  according to his own taste'; When would you finally realize it will never work out with me darling?!" I smiled sweetly...There was a loud laughter and some applauds  by the women, who took the opportunity  to complain about their controlling husbands; who came back, with their own complaints, about their wives... It was very entertaining until the friendly argument began to change from a teasing conversation into Combative and Angry wards.. I caught Al's eye, sending him a silent massage of concern and was relived, when he raised his hand and asked for silence... "Guys" He declared: "Let's be honest here! We have to admit that our wives may have a point! After all we are men who are dominating by nature, so please forgive us dear Ladies, come on gays, let's  all calm down, stop arguing and go with Shira to the kitchen to wash the dishes and don't forget  Ladies, to bring us our randy, coffee and cigar, before you    do that!" I invited the 'angry laughing' women to come with me to the kitchen, where we put a "Bitter Surprise" in our husbands coffee... 

      About fifteen years after the 'Snail Incident', Al and I were watching the movie 'Pretty Woman',which showed Julia Roberts, struggling with her 'Escargot' ,when the 'Snail in the shell' takes off and lands on the other side of the room, on someone head...In later years I often wondered if one of the guests at our dinner party, have passed on this story to someone they knew in the movie business, who adopted the idea of 'The Escargot'... After all Hollywood is right next door to Studio City, where we lived... It could also be that one of our next door neighbors, who was a script writer (or his wife, whom we never liked) was listening behind our common fence, while we were disusing this and got the idea for the movie...   

   At the beginning of this post I shared how attracted I was to Al's sense of humor, which was similar to  my Dad's... As the years passed by and the two of us, were going through many challenges; our humor and love of laughter, would often help us overcame many difficulties and painful moments... Below are some of these 'Precious moments of laughter', which my darling husband and I shared through out our life...

With Love, Light and laughter
Shira