Finca Vigia: Hemingway's Cuban Home

On our last day in Cuba we visited Hemingway's farm outside of Havana.  It was the only day of our trip that it rained. Because of the moisture, we were unable to go into the house, but we could see the inside pretty well through the windows. And if I held the camera against the window, I could get a reasonable picture. 

Jane taking photos along the side patio.

This was a nice place, but I think his house in Key West is prettier.

Here is the swimming pool where Ava Gardner is reported to have gone swimming in her birthday suit.

I was glad to see his famous boat the Pilar.  It wasn't as big as I had imagined. 

The NC State Wolftrekers.

Finally, we had our group photo made in front of the house. 

The Hemingway House in Key West, Florida

Our visit to the Keys in Florida this year was my first time in the Keys, and a visit to the Hemingway House had been on my bucket list for a long time.  A visit to the House did not disappoint, and it was one of the favorite things about being in the Keys.  We ventured down to Key West to spend a day, and we went early to Hemingway's House before crowds had arrived.  It was delightful.  The gardens are beautiful, the cats amusing, and the house interesting, especially if you are a Hemingway fan.

Hemingway's wife replaced all the ceiling fans of the original house with chandeliers she had collected.

A painting of Hemingway and his friend a Cuban who was the inspiration for Santiago in The Old Man and The Sea.

Fats Waller, one of the Hemingway house cats.

Hemingway's bed.

Apparently the headboard of the bed was a gate that Hemingway had collected.  They placed twin beds together and made a king size bed (before king size beds were available).

We wandered around on our own, but eventually joined one of the guided tours where the tour guide told us a lot about the house and about Hemingway.  Among my favorite rooms were his studio above the old carriage house and the art deco bathroom in the upstairs of the house.  

The Hemingway study with the original typewriter where Hemingway wrote many of his famous works.

Art deco tile on the floor of an upstairs bathroom.  I love this tile.

Hemingway lived in this house with his second wife, Pauline, from 1931 to 1940 when he moved to Cuba and married Martha Gellhorn.  Pauline and the their two sons lived there until Pauline died in 1951.

Frankly, I wouldn't mind returning to the Hemingway House & Museum for another visit there was so much to absorb.

Fats the Cat at Hemingway House in Key West

Fats Waller, a polydactyl (six-toed) cat.

Hemingway was quite fond of cats, particularly ones that were polydactyl (having six toes), and at the Hemingway house there are still 50 or so cats, likely descendents of the ones Hemingway had, and many there now are polydactyl. Instead of the normal five front toes on the paw, there is a sixth toe that makes the paw look as if it is a "mitten".

As we toured the Hemingway House in Key West recently I was particularly taken with the cats, being a cat lover myself.  Apparently they never leave the confines of the Hemingway House property, but with the perks they get they are smart to refrain from roaming.  There's even a vet that checks in regularly to care for the cats. 

Hemingway named his cats for famous people and the tradition continues. The one that followed along on our tour of the house has the moniker Fats Waller.  The cats are not shy and never seemed to be spooked by crowds of people. 

Fats Waller enjoying the tour.

Patrick and Fats Waller.

Fats Waller on Hemingway bed.

Liz Taylor.

And here's Liz  Taylor lounging on the living room sofa.

Indeed the cats at the Hemingway House have a very comfy life.