The Ludmila Confessions

Saying asta pronto Agustin Lara, foto by the paparazzi

How I Became a High Fashion Model.

My desire to savor life was like a flickering light that I may never see again: to feel satisfaction instead of anger, to laugh instead of crying, to be courageous instead of hiding,  to face the world, to not fear anyone, and with a new  curiosity to respect only death, which then was so far away.  Life! What a magic gift from God. But I was abusing  it,  until  I became a selfish, self centered person…

No one could tell me what to do, or when, or how,?  My father was gone, but I possessed  some inner elegance, the  pride of my blood,  with a charismatic charm and the courage to enjoy life, that gift from my Creator.  That made it possible  for many men to love me… or did they?  I had no one to back me, except my God.

After the show mama called me at the Canal 2 studio and was very excited: calm down! I said, “What’s is going on?” Ludachka the consergeria is full of flowers, who died? ” Of course that was a joke!. When we arrived at the apartment  mama was at the door. El Maestro knelt in front of her and kissed her hand, then asked her if he could take me out to dinner and dancing… When  he left, I ran to see the dozens of roses of all colors,  to read the gift card,  (which I still have and cherish). It said “These roses will die of envy, with devotion, Agustin Lara..
My glamorous life continued, of course:T.V. Shows , commercials, presentations, social and charitable events, polo matches, scuba diving, night clubs, cabarets (this was something from the past,  especially in Latin countries, where there were cabaret shows of “rumberas” like the most famous Tanco Lely, with striptease but in the most beautiful settings, finely decorated and very artistic but sensual and romantic. We all stayed until sunrise then went on to the Cafe Paris for onion soup,  then home or, for some of us, to work!

My Italian hairdresser one day offered me a deal: let me cut your long hair and make it very blond and then turquoise with a gigantic oyster shell with pearls in it, for a world hairdressers competition, and you will not have to pay me for your treatments in my salon as long as you live!  I said okay, but not until tomorrow, I am going to the aeropuerto to see off el maestro, mi “esqueleto perfumado”– the perfumed skeleton– Agustin Lara is going back to Mexico.

At the plane side  there were photographers (we only start calling them paparazzi after seeing “La Dolce Vita”)  The very next day a telegram arrived: “Missing  you terribly, tickets ordered, pick them up when you can. Agustin.”  (In that time we had the only fast way to communicate was by telegrams.)

My hairdresser won the first prize!  I remember my first step on a runway (today they call it catwalk), I moved with a breeze, it was after sunset and the stars were peeking out. The music of the orchestra was playing a sexy, languid  gentle rhythm, with violins. I wore my chiffon silk  white dress with big handmade black  roses on it ( how vividly I remember that dress!) and black silk  high heel sandals like shoes, the big oyster pearl on my  undulating hair was turquoise blue, and my make up was shining like a pearl and the dress look like the waves of the sea,

The applause, that applause,  was sweet and addictive and it went to my head! I was floating on a cloud with no pain, no worries, just everything was just fine, and  good,  I had my drink from the chalice of the nectar of the gods…….

Horacio came by to bring  two mama a present for the coming Holidays, candelabras from the house of Cartier, pure silver, about a foot tall, .  How sweet of him– usually the presents are for me! That weekend we did not go to Puerto Cabello with Oscar and the others from the Polo game, so I went down to the  Ave. Miranda, shopping with Maruza my best friend and there were Horacio with his houseboy and maid; they were coming out of Edificio Galipan (in that time was a must expensive elegant little shopping center down on street label and up the floors where apartments very exclusive,) with lots of presents for everybody.  Well, it was the 13th  of December and William was out of town. He had told me to go out and don’t feel bad,  since I was young and he was too old for me so he said, you  must enjoy life, while I could.

When  I met Horacio  he said there is a group of  my friends going to a different private beach, would you like to come with me? He had been courting me for a while by this time, and so I said yes!. ……….
.On  Friday we went in two Cadillacs with two couples in each. We arrived early,  unpacked very happy full of joy, than we all went swimming; afterward we got into some comfortable clothes, had lots of cocktails and an exquisite dinner. than each couple some of them where horseback riding by the sea, the others were on their room , we went walking,….
The moon was rising in front of this beautiful tropical beach; the boutique bedroom was beautifully decorated with candles , a table with a bucket  of ice for champagne and crystal classes,  palms plants and fans, almost like a Casablanca effect, but very private,  with big windows to see the Beach, ‘ what a view. ‘  As we walk  the waves  were breaking under our feet, then  rolling back, and we can see on the wet sand the reflection of the moon
as we  listen  the surf and admire the view,  feeling on our ten warm bodies  that tropical breeze  semi-hot but soft  caressing our skin…………