The Hemingway

The Hemingway

I was walking along the coastal road of Cozumel enjoying the view when I came upon a place called The Hemingway, a kind of restaurant and bar on the water’s edge. Intrigued, I went in. It was eight in the morning and the place was empty. A waiter greeted me and I asked (in flagrant English) if they were open. He assured me they were. I asked for a cappuccino. I sat down and took in the ocean view, enjoying the solitude. The waiter and I got talking and I asked why it was called The Hemingway—I didn’t think Ernest Hemingway had ever spent time on Cozumel. He said he didn’t know and that he knew nothing about the author. We had a pleasant conversation. I left feeling refreshed and invigorated. I enjoyed it enough to return with Elisa for afternoon cocktails. We started spending more time there, sometimes just me. I chatted to the waiter Jose and always appreciated the atmosphere. People swam there; the vibe was nice. Strangely enough, I had decided earlier to read a Hemingway novel (I had always resisted the idea), which I ordered on my return to Miami (The Sun Also Rises). The place sticks in my memory. Who decided to call it that and why? How many customers caught the reference?

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone