Memories and rum (Spain only please)

He laughed and nodded, the cool swim really woke him up. It felt good. Joining his brother on the blanket he took the offered beer. It was still cold and felt so good in his hand.

"My sentiments exactly. A toast" he said raising his beer. "To good times with family."

"To good times with family!" he replied and took a pull.

The beach was very nice today. The sun smiled down on them generously, small waves gently rushed in the turquoise blue sea, you could hear children laugh and play. Antonio looked a little closer to the people, while he sipped his beer. He saw a foreign family who went for their just bought ice-cream. A young tanned lady in a tight bikini past them. Two little boys were building a giant sand castle near the water.

The Spaniard looked at the sand in front of him and reached inside. It was soft and very warm. He dug a little hole until he came to the point where the sand was firmer and darker. It could be something good to shape.

"Can you still remember the huge sand castle, we've built together? That was fun, wasn't it?" he smiled at him. "I'm sure we can build it even higher than the boys over there!"

The beer tasted good on a warm day like this, malty and smooth. He took another sip and sighed. It was just what he needed.

It was so beautiful here. He could watch this view for hours, quickly he was becoming engulfed by it before his brother interjected.

He thought back to the time on the beach when he was small and the huge castle they made. It seemed so long ago, he smiled at the thought.
"Si, it was fun, want to try it again?" he smirked.

"Sure!" he grinned back.

Quickly they drank off their bottles and made their way to the water where they could form the sand easier. They didn't need pail and shovel, because their tall hands worked flawlessly. They piled the wet sand up higher and higher. A six-foot high mountain loomed up in front of them soon. Now it was time for details. Towers, small windows and doors and even a flag consisting of a small branch were sticking out of the huge palace they built.

The two boys next to them were amazed when they noticed how small their own sand castle was instead of Antonio's and Carlos' one. Also the other people at the beach looked at them with widen eyes.

"Heehee, we're still the best, aren't we, brother?"

He chugged the rest of his beer and joined his brother at the spot on the beach. The sand was so mailable and perfect for shaping. His brother always knew the best spots for sand castle building.

They work furiously and prudently, making that sand sculpture a mix of old and new latin styles. It was truly magnificent. Soon, locals and tourists alike were taking pictures of the work. It brought a smile to his face. A man asked for a picture of them.
"Si!" he replied and wrapped his arm around his brothers. "Hermano! They want a picture. Let us oblige them." he said and smiled towards the camera.

Because the Spaniard loved to smile a lot anyway, he liked to get involved on the small photo shoot with his brother. He also put an arm around Carlos and grinned constantly into the camera. Their gorgeous sandcastle, of course, was also included in the picture.

--

Even after they sat back on their place to enjoye some sandwiches, the sand castle was admired by a lot of people.

"When we have finished eating, we should make our way to the cigar shops, shouldn't we? What do you think, Carlos?"

A few camera flashes went off, taking a picture of the siblings and their magnificent work. It made Carlos happy that he created it with his most cherished brother.


Moving back to their blanket, sandwiches were pulled out and promptly eaten, the swim and castle building really caused the nation to work up an appetite. He blinked a few times at the question then nodded. "Si, let us finish up and I will show you to my favorite places."

They packed their bags, got dressed and went down the street. They passed so many cigar shops but Carlos seemed to look out for a specific one.

They came to a large, slightly rustic appearing shop with a big inscription on the window: "Cigarros". A simple but understandable name. Even from the outside you could read every name of the famous cigar brands, written on a blackboard: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Cuaba, and many more. Antonio had no idea, that there were so many different brands and entered the shop curiously.

Carlos loved this shop, it was simple, but with a simple refinement that he could not ignore. This shop, a family owned business,in its third generation was carefully maintained and always warm. Inside, you could see plenty of product, lined and tastefully displayed. You could smell the rich scent of tobacco and other ingredients melding into a singular note of scent. Was it coincidence or purposeful that all these different styles blended together? When asked, the owner would merely smile and nod, never really answering the question.

He sat behind the counter,wiping it when they entered. A warm smile and a small hug followed. "Juan, this is mi hermano, Antonio. He is visiting from Espana and I had to show him your shop."

The older gentleman, Juan the owner smiled and offered his hand to Antonio. "You like cigars yes? I see you as a Montecristo man. Light and pure with an even burn and slightly sweet spicy taste. Come, let me show you our selection."

Antonio shaked the man's hand with a cheerful smile.

"Sí, I like to try one of the best of this world. When I was younger I sometimes smoked cigars." he thought of his time as a dreaded pirate. One of his most vivid, but also rough times he ever had experianced. How many murders he had committed at that time, how many times he had to come into conflict with England. There were times when only cigars helped him to become calm again. "But that was long ago..."

He followed the man to the different varieties. For each cigar the owner could tell you a story. About the origin, the production costs and much more. Now the Spaniard understood why some brands were so expensive, that only the rich society could afford them.

---

sdhjdsgjlfdgfdjjköäl!!! ;A;
I'm so sorry for my late lame reply~!!!

'My, Juan is really laying it on thick today.' Carlos thought as he walked about the shop,picking up his favorites and smelling and examining a few others. He put in a few Cohibas as well to send home with his brother. He remembered watching his brother smoking them when he was little, those strange leaves from his island. Now, he knew the quality and distinction of these cigars. They were his pride and joy.

"Juan, don't overload him, its his first time."

---

Its okay! don't worry!

The owner presented the Spaniard one cigar after another. It was hard for Antonio to choose, but the friendly man helped him. As today's guest of honor, he was even allowed to try some. Every cigar was different from the other. Some were sweet, some were bitter. Sometimes he had to cough heavily (he really haven't smoked for a long time). But ultimately they have chosen a few brands. Of course Antonio thought about his European friends, too, and took a couple packs more.

---

sadhkldasbsdkjdfs sorry again "orz

Juan really seemed to like Antonio. Carlos liked that. They even tried a few types together and of course he had to buy his brand of cigarillos. Once they had bought their items and bid the aging shopkeeper a good day, they set out on the streets again. "Where would you like to go now hermano?"

"Hmmm..." he mused.

"We've been in the city, in a bar, on the beach and in a cigar shop ... and that just in two days. We've done a lot, yet... How about buying some cerveza, borrowing a DVD and making us comfortable at your home?"

Finally, Antonio was a full week with his brother. And he didn't want to see everything in only a few days.

A night in. That's what his brother wanted. As a good host he was obligated to provide the best experience for his guest, but in this case, he was family too. His cherished family.

"Sounds like fun, I can pick up some snacks as well. I have a few dvd's at the house we can watch. Fresa y Chocolate, Guantanemera, Life is to Whistle, and the spooky Red Cockroaches. Come. Lets get to the bodega and get a couple of six packs, some plantain chips, Yuca chips,Chicharrones, and chocolate. Oh and of course, ice cream."

He walked with his brother to the nearest bodega, straight to the cooler, pulling out a pair of six packs. "My favorites Cerveza Tropical and Hatuey. I hope you enjoy them too."

Wine could not be missed.
Soon their cart was so full, that snacks and drinks could suffice for a whole week.

"I think we have everything we need."

They quickly went to the checkout to pay for their purchases. Antonio was looking forward to the evening they're going to spend together. Drinking a bit, watching a nice movie and just talking with his brother.

---

I'm not sure if the second sentence is correct? x.x"

They were loaded down alright. So many treats, sweets and frozen goodies to eat while watching the cinema from his home. He walked with his brother back to his house, pointing out interesting houses and waving at familiar faces. When they made it back to the house, he put the frozen things away and set up the dvd player. "Please feel free to pick out the first movie Antonio. I'll get these chips into bowls and make some popcorn."

Under the tv there was a small cabinet in which a large number of dvds and videos were. Fresa y chocolate. A dramatic but cute love story of 1994, about two men who couldn't be more different. Not only in Cuba, also in Spain the film was well-known. He chose this film and placed the cassette directly into the device. Antonio turned on the television but pressed pause quickly to went into the kitchen and helped Carlos carrying the glasses and bowls.

He saw that Antonio had come into the kitchen and helped him with the bowls and glasses. He smiled. "Gracias Hermano" he said carrying his share of the snacks into the living room. He saw that Antonio picked Fresa Y Chocolate. He enjoyed that movie, the acting was just superb in his opinion. A fine contribution to the world's cinema.

He set the food down and grabbed a beer. "This will be fun hermano, thanks for the suggestion."

Unlike the past few days, this was very reassuring. They ate, drank, sometimes made little jokes or talked about the movie. After the film came to an end, they got up and brought the empty bowls back to the kitchen.

Antonio looked out the open balcony door. Outside, it seemed to be pleasantly mild and it was not too late to spend the evening in front of the house.

"How about we continue the evening on your balcony? It's so nice outside."

The balcony? He smiled and nodded. "I'll grab a couple of beers and join you out there." he said going back to the kitchen and smiling. He was really enjoying the time with his brother. He loved the relaxed vibe and calm demeanor. He grabbed a couple from the fridge and on second thought took out a bottle of Spanish wine and a couple of glasses.

"So, Antonio....enjoying yourself?"

While Carlos went back to the kitchen, Antonio sat down on a chair, that was standing outdoors and wiped the table with his hands to remove dust and leaves.

Between the rustic roofs and tropical plant of the city there flashed some yellow-orange sun rays. You could hear faint barking of dogs in the distance, children playing soccer in the yard, cars whizzing past on the street. The wind was cool and the sun shone warm in his face. Such beautiful evenings you just have to spend together. It was so romantic.

"Your country is so gorgeous, Carlos! So nostalgic! I would like to sit here forever enjoying the panorama."

'If only Lovino could be here, too...' he thought.

---

>3< *hugs* ♥
Not sure if every sentence is correct? ö^ö"

Carlos returned to the balcony with the wine and glasses. He loved sitting here on quiet nights listening to the faint signs of life below. His people, his island,all were a part of him. He loved that he was their nation. He wanted so much for people to see his home as a warm, loving place where all are welcomed and loved.

Upon his exclamation, he smiled, set the wine and glasses down and sat. "Gracias Hermano" He opened the bottle of wine and poured a glass for each of them. "A light red from your place, I had it shipped here for your visit. Call it a taste of home." he said calmly

"I've truly enjoyed this evening and look forward to tomorrow."

Till midnight they sat on the balcony, drinking, nibbling and talking about Carlos' childhood.

"Sí, the last days were very nice. I'm also looking forward to tomorrow."

The whole time Antonio didn't know what they could do tomorrow. They were already in the beautiful historic city Habana, at the Malécon in a bar, on the beach and in a cigar shop.
But Fresa Y Chocolate reminded him of a very famous building in Cubas capital. An ice cream parlor. Heladería Coppelia. The largest ice cream parlor of America.
He'd really like to go there.

"Say, Carlos. Do you know where to find Heladería Coppelia?"

"Hm?" he asked before really hearing the question. Between the wine, the conversation and the experiences of the last few days he was almost overcome with a sense of happiness and calm.

Then he realized what he was asking about. He had such found memories of that place, the lines, the artwork, the beautiful building. But what he really remembered was the ice cream, truly a treat, well worth the wait.

"Why of course! I go there once a week and get a treat, if you don't mind a little wait in line we can go there tomorrow! You will love it, the building is beautiful."