Goodmoring—still updating you on the adventure that was my last weekend in Sanford: Lunch at Breezeway—fun food and neat staff—http://www.thebreezewayrestaurantandbar.com/ Fried green tomatoes Capresse crazy southern—try it, you’ll like it…. and dessert as only the Germans can do it at the Willow Tree http://hollerbachs.com/ and a shop that also has jewelry making parties—artsy but comfortable in the historic downtown http://www.destinationmainstreets.com/florida/sanford.php: String Theory Creation www.STCinspiredart.com If you haven’t been to Sanford lately WHY NOT? Two pictures (this and main) are my own and are from Rollins College–Winter Park Florida. http://www.rollins.edu/
“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
―
Lewis Carroll,
Alice in Wonderland So we’ll continue down Duval to the Atlantic shall we?
Down at this end of the crazy Key West wonderland are more private houses, guest houses and fewer Stores and such—not to say they’re not here but more integrated than what we’ve seen before.
It’s still full of fun and fantasy, but with a more homey feeling if you could ever actually say that about Key West—and if you could I may have to worry about you–or feature you in one of my daily epics.
As noted before this is the end of Duval with more art and also the majority of the gay establishment.
For example
801 is what the internet calls an infamous gay bar
http://www.801bourbon.com/ and
Alexander’s is described as a premier resort
http://www.alexanderskeywest.com/ but what I’m describing today is a living legend that has been going on and that makes
Fantasy Fest All that more a Wild and Crazy thingAlice: Well, after this I should think nothing of falling down stairs.
Built in
1882: The home of
cigar manufacturer Teodoro Perez who was the owner of the
Perez Cigar Factory, one of the largest factories in the 1890’s. This is one of the few grand estates remaining built by a prominent cigar factory owner. Most of these impressive homes were either razed by fire, damaged by storms or were replaced in the name of progress.
http://www.keywesthistoricmarkertour.org/Markers_Detail.php?ProductID=444Long before it became the epicenter for being GAY in Key West the house became famous when Jose Marti (the name of the house was La Terraza di Marti which became yeah La Te Da in Key West speak) spoke from the balcony.
Sometimes called the
Apostle of the Cuban Revolution, José Martí was born on January 28, 1853. He showed a talent for writing and revolutionary politics at an early age. First exiled from Cuba in 1871, Martí spent much of his life abroad. In 1895, he returned to Cuba to fight for its independence. He died on the battlefield.
http://www.biography.com/people/jos%C3%A9-mart%C3%AD-20703847#synopsisThe
Cuban exile community of Key West was the largest and wealthiest, but also the most politically divided. To obtain their support would be essential, but it would not be an easy task. On Christmas day 1891 Martí departed from Tampa aboard the steamship Olivetti on his first visit to Key West. He is accompanied by various leaders of the Tampa and New York Cuban communities.
http://www.institutosancarlos.org/jose_marti.phpMark Barauck and Laura Goreman became business partners in La Te Da in May 1999, and he became the sole owner in May 2003. Long known as a popular place for fundraisers, La Te Da — a landmark Upper Duval Street hotel, restaurant and bar famous for its female impersonators who sing live in The Crystal Room cabaret — became even more of a charitable force when Barauck became involved, friends said. Barauck died the first day of 2009.
http://keysnews.com/node/8937“No wise fish would go anywhere without a porpoise.” Alice in Wonderland
TODAY La Te Da is still around though it appears to be a bit more sedate than it use to be. There’s a hotel, 2 bars, a restaurant, oyster bar and a sky deck.
Oh and this year they have the last word at Fantasy Fest:
11/1/15: “THE FAT LADY SINGS” TEA DANCE*
As the saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” Everyone will be at La Te Da from 4 PM to 8 PM for the last official event of Fantasy Fest 2015. DJ Rude Girl provides the music for the very last hoorah! La Te Da – Hotel, Restaurant, Cabaret and Bars; 1125 Duval St.; 305-296-6706; $5. http://www.fantasyfest.com/schedule/
Tea Dances by the way the way are: A Key West tradition the Sunday Tea Dance has been around for many, many years originally starting at La te Da, moving to the Atlantic Shores and then back to La te Da when the Shores finally closed their doors. A fun, all-welcome event for locals and visitors alike, this Key West Tea Dance takes place outside by the pool and features great dance music from popular, local radio stars, DJs Rude Girl and Molly Blue. http://lateda.com/tea-dance/
“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
At the corner of Duval and Truman (that contains HWY 1 and which eventually becomes the Over Seas Highway when it leaves Key West for places north and ends a couple of blocks south from here as there’s no place else to go.). stands Key West Denny’s http://locations.dennys.com/FL/KEY-WEST/247346 all spruced up with a Caribbean Soul for Key West. I think they put it there just to establish that you are still KINDA in the US of A.
“have I gone mad?
I’m afraid so, but let me tell you something, the best people usually are.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
