Mafia Redux

No this is not the part where it is mentioned that I was hanging out with Meyer, Bugsy, Charlie Lucky. Nope, this is the part where I talk about once again being identified with the lowest comment denominator of my ethnic background three times so far in this trip. Don't get me wrong, each time by all good, nice people.

I am in the Bahama airport waiting area when a younger woman from Japan begins chatting me up. I tell her this is my first time in Havana. She makes a point to tell me how safe Havana is but then mentions that "you won't have a problem as you look like old time Mafia".

We begin the tour (which I will talk about later) of the Historic Hotel Nacional. Anybody who is anybody knows that the mob ran the casinos and own the major hotels in Havana. As she begins to give the mafia overview of the hotel, she turns toward me with my Panama hat on and smiles and says "You know what I am talking about, you just look so Italiano." yes, and now the entire hotel knows it all well.

I met this British retired couple in their 60's. The guy's name is Brain. Wonderful, charming, fun guy who earlier refused to take money for my drinks. Later on about 9pm, I run into them in the lobby. We begin easy talking again. He informed about NOT visiting London this summer due to the Olympic Games. At some point, we got around to talking about USA TV shows. They mentioned, Dexter, West Wing, a few others. I guess his wife wanting me to feel at home goes on to effusively talk about how they LOVED the Sopranos. How they never missed an episode all the while looking and smiling at me.

So far 2 days away and 3 Mafia representations. Next time, I am going to say, I wouldn't know, I was in school studying and reading all the time to whack people for the mob. I doubt it, but it is a thought....but would anyone believe it?