The Ludmila Confessions

Reality truly is stranger, stronger and more exciting than any fiction, so just keep reading: this is a true story!

To describe the fantastic gaiety, joy, and happiness of everyone invited to the Onda Nueva festival is almost impossible. The air was so thick with excitement and electrifying energy, especially from hearing all the new arrangements that Aldemaro invented to fit into the composers songs. It resulted in a magic rhythm, which is still used today. Armando Manzaneros, and others heard their music like never before, “Esta Tarde Vi Llover”, “Somos Novios”– The melodies of these songs came alive with his arrangements.

I received a call from “La Hacienda La Vega”. We arrived by taxi to a large piece of land in the middle of Caracas with a long row of palm trees as you enter an elegant antique iron gate, the road leads about half a mile up to an incredible mansion. The garage was another building that contained several Rolls Royces and other rare cars. My husband, Jack and I, had been invited at the request of Reinaldo Herrera and Mimi, and to bring with us if it was possible, Peter Graves and his wife Joan. His lovely wife Mimi amazed me. She was in her 70s but looked fantastic and was taking classes in Russian. It seemed incredible at her age and unusually fantastic, I thought, since Russian is a very difficult language. But now that I am in her age bracket it seems natural, after all I take classes of Tango, Yoga, and other studies.

From the World Music Festival. Peter Graves said, “Let’s have a drink” 

We entered an enormous living room surrounded by French antique furniture from the Empire Napoleonic era; they had orchids in vases, probably from the palm trees outside that were full of orchids in bloom, all waving in the breeze gently inviting us in. Standing in the entrance to greet us was an elegant tall charming blue blood Señor Reinaldo Herrera, with his gold and black cigarette holder in his hand, made by Dunhill.  He greeted us charmingly and escorted us to the entrance of a bright salon, full of memories and history of very famous people of royal blood and political office from all over the world. There were pictures on the mantles of Rodolfo Valentino, and Venezuelan presidents since the time of Simón Bolívar. We sat on a soft big sofa, had a couple cocktails and made small talk. We were escorted to a fabulous formal dining room with terracotta colors of orange and yellow, and blue plush velvet curtains. The crystals shined brilliantly and the center piece was full of fresh orchids, my favorite flower.

There we were with the Herrera family, Reinaldo Sr. and Jr., Mimi, and the other son Luis Felipe, who I had the pleasure of knowing a long time ago, from Alejandro’s Penthouse. It was an excellent dinner with many courses, including the famous typical Venezuelan bread Arepas– They are most delicious hot, just out of the oven or grill, made of corn like the mexican tortillas but they look like hamburgers round thick and puffy but soft and moist inside. My favorite way to prepare an arepa is by opening it in half, then putting butter and Venezuelan white homemade cheese with a big slice of avocado. A tasty delightful experience everyone must try!
After dinner, we went to another room where there was a grand piano. We were served champagne with dessert for the ladies, and cognac and cigars for the gentlemen.

To our surprise, as we were ready to ask for a taxi for our departure, Reinaldo asked me aside and insisted to “Please take the Rolls Royce for your entire stay in Caracas, and if you wish, take my chauffeur too. Of course, if you prefer here are the keys to the Bentley.” I decided with all that drinking I preferred a chauffeur, so we went out to a private key club after proper farewells and there I did some heavy drinking. I had too many scotch and sodas, my favorite drink at that time, and went on to drink all night, Johnny Walker Black or Chivas Regal. Peter was a good drinking partner and his wife did not spill anything either. Jack was never much of a drinker.