Living in Key West in the Early 70's was like being in a Fellini movie. Odd, bizarre, creative, wacky happenings were the norm. Key West spice of life was constant surprises, entertainment and in your face issues to rock your boat! The attitude was "Live and Let Live"! Key West people practiced the Spanish and South American custom of mid-day Siesta. Business owners in town swept their sidewalks in the cooler temperature of the early morning and then went home. They did not reappear and open their shops for business until late afternoon.
In the early 1970's the custom of mid-day nap time or "Siesta" was visible every day after lunch in the 500 Block of Elizabeth Street, right in the heart of old town, Key West. Just three doors down the street from me towards the bay, a Soldano brother and a homeless nameless street dog took a Siesta on the hard worn uneven cracked sidewalk on the shady side of the street right in front of Universal Dry Cleaners owned by the Soldano Family. The napping participants were a large manatee shaped human, known as "Soldado brother" and an equally large manatee shaped homeless street dog known as "Nameless". They were both overweight and lacked luster when not asleep. Everyday their rotund bodies sack out together on the sidewalk for their shared siesta. They slept soundly never stirring or raising their heads to make eye contact or make sounds as pedestrians passed them. They blocked the sidewalk in such a way that it was hard to skirt them, and often I had to step into the street to pass. Both bodies on the sidewalk were similarly drab in color and rotund in size. they were conked-out and non-responsive.! Their nap snooze blocked the only entrance to the dry cleaner's business making it difficult for customers to enter and drop off or pick up clothing for cleaning. Patrons had to carefully sidestep their bodies when using the door to the cleaners.
At the back of Universal Cleaners and unseen from the street was a yard with a very aggressive growling barking constantly lunging large German Shepard guard dog. Our neighborhood resounded with the constant sound of this menacing dog who was always chained and straining to free himself of a long metal chain. He charged back and forth, moving the long metal chain that bound him on a surface that continuously made audible the scraping and clanking sounds as he struggled to get loose. Occasionally this ferocious dog would free himself becoming the pedestrians on Elizabeth Street worst nightmare. The scary scene included men, women and children screaming and running for cover as this dog raced to attack them. It included the police as well as they were always called. I remember running for safety. I remember the sight and sound of this attack dog dragging a long noisy metal chain as he attacked. I always ran for the safe interior of my house. For years "Soldano brother" got the dog back in the yard and re-chained for another episode of Backyard Guard Dog. The last time the dog got loose "Soldano Bro" could not be found. The police got impatient and shot it dead.
From my back yard vantage point, I could see the back of the Universal Cleaners. Every day I heard and saw a release of steam after which a big bucket of laundry and drycleaning fluid and sludge was dumped onto the ground. Growing from this wet dark colored toxic goo was the tallest fattest most lush stand of edible plantains I have ever seen. This stand had been producing a neighborhood food staple for decades. The dream of these plump green plantains continuing to feed the neighbors was ended by three little letters EPA.
In 2001, this dry-cleaning business obtained international publicity because Egyptian Mohammad Atta the mastermind terrorist who flew a highjacked plane into the North tower of the Twin Towers in NYC was at this cleaner a few days before the 9/11. attack. While learning to fly planes in South Florida, Mohammad Atta and his buddies shopped in our Key West stores, ate in our restaurants and played om our island. He walked into Universal Cleaners with six silk shirts to be dry cleaned, the store being barely 100 feet from where I live. He departed without picking them up. When he died, they became the property of the Cleaners until the government intervened, The Soldano Granny who worked there for years remembered him well. He used his right name on the sales ticket.
At the back of Universal Cleaners and unseen from the street was a yard with a very aggressive growling barking constantly lunging large German Shepard guard dog. Our neighborhood resounded with the constant sound of this menacing dog who was always chained and straining to free himself of a long metal chain. He charged back and forth, moving the long metal chain that bound him on a surface that continuously made audible the scraping and clanking sounds as he struggled to get loose. Occasionally this ferocious dog would free himself becoming the pedestrians on Elizabeth Street worst nightmare. The scary scene included men, women and children screaming and running for cover as this dog raced to attack them. It included the police as well as they were always called. I remember running for safety. I remember the sight and sound of this attack dog dragging a long noisy metal chain as he attacked. I always ran for the safe interior of my house. For years "Soldano brother" got the dog back in the yard and re-chained for another episode of Backyard Guard Dog. The last time the dog got loose "Soldano Bro" could not be found. The police got impatient and shot it dead.
From my back yard vantage point, I could see the back of the Universal Cleaners. Every day I heard and saw a release of steam after which a big bucket of laundry and drycleaning fluid and sludge was dumped onto the ground. Growing from this wet dark colored toxic goo was the tallest fattest most lush stand of edible plantains I have ever seen. This stand had been producing a neighborhood food staple for decades. The dream of these plump green plantains continuing to feed the neighbors was ended by three little letters EPA.
In 2001, this dry-cleaning business obtained international publicity because Egyptian Mohammad Atta the mastermind terrorist who flew a highjacked plane into the North tower of the Twin Towers in NYC was at this cleaner a few days before the 9/11. attack. While learning to fly planes in South Florida, Mohammad Atta and his buddies shopped in our Key West stores, ate in our restaurants and played om our island. He walked into Universal Cleaners with six silk shirts to be dry cleaned, the store being barely 100 feet from where I live. He departed without picking them up. When he died, they became the property of the Cleaners until the government intervened, The Soldano Granny who worked there for years remembered him well. He used his right name on the sales ticket.
Siesta (Wikipedia definition)
(Spanish meaning "nap") is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those in warm-weather zones. The "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2–5 p.m. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, mid-day meals, or other activities.
Siestas are historically common throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, the Middle East, mainland China, and the Indian subcontinent. The siesta is an old tradition in Spain and, through Spanish influence, most of Latin America. The Spanish word siesta derives originally from the Latin word hora sexta ('sixth hour', counting from dawn, hence "midday rest").
Factors explaining the geographical distribution of the modern siesta are warm temperatures and heavy intake of food at the midday meal. Combined, these two factors contribute to the feeling of post-lunch drowsiness. In many countries that practice the siesta, the summer heat can be unbearable in the early afternoon, making a midday break at home welcome.
(Spanish meaning "nap") is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those in warm-weather zones. The "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2–5 p.m. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, mid-day meals, or other activities.
Siestas are historically common throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, the Middle East, mainland China, and the Indian subcontinent. The siesta is an old tradition in Spain and, through Spanish influence, most of Latin America. The Spanish word siesta derives originally from the Latin word hora sexta ('sixth hour', counting from dawn, hence "midday rest").
Factors explaining the geographical distribution of the modern siesta are warm temperatures and heavy intake of food at the midday meal. Combined, these two factors contribute to the feeling of post-lunch drowsiness. In many countries that practice the siesta, the summer heat can be unbearable in the early afternoon, making a midday break at home welcome.
I Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden
Home of Key West Parrots
518 Elizabeth Street, Key West, Florida 33040
HoursEveryday: Including Holidays 10 am - 3 pm
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Telephone305-294-0015
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