I don't know if it was his stereotypical writers life - the booze, the solitude, or the romanticism of being a tortured soul and writer. I have found myself drawn to him, his life and the cities where he is famous for living. I have this same fascination with Toulouse Lautrec (another tortured artist). I do see my issue here, but you can't help what you can't help. These men were well known tortured souls who created something magical with their words and their art.This is what initially drew me to Key West; almost, I should say, as fast as I was drawn to Havana. I knew I had to visit these places where this mysterious, reclusive old man, Hemingway had been inspired to live and to write about.
My trip to Havana was such a success, I knew I couldn't wait much longer to see Key West. Although, I despise Florida in general, (the humidity, the bugs, the simple blech), I made an exception to visit this writers famous home.
There have been songs written about the keys. Key Largo and Margaritaville are well known tunes that pop in your head almost immediately, if you are thinking about beach vacations, cocktails and sunsets. People equate Jimmy Buffet with spring break, and Florida. Lazy beach lyrics, go hand in hand with music written about island life and paradise. There is something to it.
The Hemingway museum located in the heart of Old Town Key West is the home of the famous author. The grounds are meticulously kept, even though the famous cats who live there roam the grounds freely. Although sometimes, there is a line around the block to get in, you do not have to pre-book, but note, they only take cash. Feel free to take a guided tour, or just wander about the house and gardens, and breathe in the old man and the sea.
The downtown Key West area has many museums, lighthouse, and shops to visit. There are popular restaurants and bars, and lots to see and buy. The downtown area is walk-able and the perfect place for a walking pub crawl. Live music can be heard bellowing out of open windows. The night seems to invite you in to each stage daring you to enjoy your night just a little bit more, and a little bit longer.
Downtown Key West is like many tourist destinations. Quaint shops that make money on the concept of the town itself. The music and artists that the town is known for, the famous songs. This cities tourism is built specifically around what the town symbolizes for the locals and the tourists. Pink houses have been translated onto t-shirts and mugs. Flamingos aren't just for lawns, they are for shot glasses and beach towels. Pineapples are for cocktails and icees.
These famous fruity drinks are a popular item for tourists in the downtown area. We Americans have a thing for walking around with the largest non-cup item in our hands drinking something obscure from it.
I remember being in the Bahamas once and my kids demanding a coconut with something bizarre inside simply because it had a straw coming from the top of the coconut.
Juice in a nut.
I fear I may be too lazy for this drinking sport. Or, perhaps I am not fancy enough. I have been told that before as well.
I digress.
This also may have been the saddest part of my visit. Seeing the damage we do as humans to our earths living creatures and wildlife. These rescues had debris stuck to their shells, in their nostrils, and deformities due to our garbage in the ocean, and/ or being hit by boats and disregarded.
It was terrible to see, but happy to see we have resources that care enough to take care of them.
Of course, after visiting the local turtles, I found my own personal watering hole to call mine, for the week. I felt like Norm from "Cheers" by the end of my stay. Where everybody knows my name; it is far too easy to fall into a place like this and feel at home.
Vacations give the illusion of life, as is - but this place had a local feel to it that is genuine and tangible. More locals than tourists made conversation and invited us to feel welcome in their small community. There really is a sense of kinship, and it is pretty solid.
Key West is very special. It still suffers some damage from the hurricanes that rip through there almost regularly. But the sense of neighborhood there is strong. The people are there rebuilding and living their island life dream. The homes were quietly coming back. The beach debris is slowly getting picked up. The ocean is still there, vast and as far as the eye can see.
The silence is just as loud as the noise. The water gave weight to beach life, instead of the bars.
History outweighed the masses. Key West is magical and I can see why Hemingway split his time here. I felt his solace and peace spending time here.
