Extraordinary Find Off the Coast of Florida

Miami, Fl.

As unbelievable as it may seem, a bottle, obviously adrift for many, many years, has been found off the coast of Miami. In this bottle was found a letter, a love letter, penned years ago by a young girl whose family lived and worked on the Ortega Plantation in Cuba. Kiki, as she was affectionately known by Cha-cha Ortega, the wealthy heir to the Ortega fortune, was heartbroken when Cha-cha left Cuba. The letter is beautiful and very sad.

Cha Cha…amor mio,

Por fin te encuentro, después de años sin saber de ti. ¿Me recuerdas mi Chachito?

Mi padre Don Jose Luis Rascasuelos Martin, trabajaba en la Tabacalera Ortega.

Por la tarde, le llevaba su cafesito con el pretesto de verte.

Noche tras noche me robabas mis sueños. Yo tan enamorada, consedi entregarme a tus caricias. Pero, mis sueños se rompen cuando me entero que te tiras al mar…te vas de balsero. Corriendo tratande alcansarte, pero mi esfuerso fue inutil. Por mas que gritaba que te viraras, no me escuchabas. El maldito viento no lo permitio.

Espero recibas estas letras y que respondas. Estare ansiosamente esperando tu respuesta. Ya te contare lo sucedido despues de tu salida de Cuba.

Abrasos fuertes, Amor, y Besitos.

Corimari Celeste Rascsuelos Cruz

( para ti siempre sere Kiki )

Señora Rascsuelos, seated, with daughters Celia, left, and Corimari (Kiki) around 1910.

A brief history of Cha-cha Ortega - Chapter 1

Of the many phases lived and experienced by Cha-cha Ortega thus far, the Cuban period is of great importance, not only to the development of the Cuban based economy and its people, but also to our global culture he is unquestionably shaping.

To fully appreciate his immense and complex history, still in the making, it is imperative to discuss the beginning chapters that set Ortega on a remarkable journey influenced by fate, free-will and a thirst for adventure most simply dream of.

While little is known about the time and birthplace of Cha-cha Ortega, we do know it was around the 19th century, somewhere in Cuba. He was raised by modest farming parents; trained as a strong farm hand early on in his humble childhood. Ortega worked hard for many years on his family’s tobacco farm, always dreaming of a better life. Often, in spite of his father’s repeated warnings, he would sit in the lofts of the drying barn and think of ways to break free from the quiet solidarity of the farm life and experience the city. The idea of potential wealth that often accompanied such aspirations called to him like Sirens of a day-dreaming mind.

Many years past as young Ortega took on more responsibilities, becoming an established tobacco farmer. With his parents loosing their ability to handle routine work, it was up to Ortega to carry on the family tradition deeply rooted in pride and love. It became apparent to Cha-cha that his fate was to be a farmer for life. The mere thought of disappointing his humble, hardworking parents left no room for him to contemplate a departure from the farm and his home. Often he looked deeply at the hardened, callused hands of his father and patient eyes of his mother, realizing the many years of heart and dedication put into the farm. He knew, without question, this same hard work and care gave him a good life filled with laughter and love and enough food to grow strong. This was enough to never question his path.

Many seasons came to pass as the farm continued its prosperity, producing some of the finest tobacco in all of Cuba. It was often rumored Castro’s favorite blend came from the soil Ortega and his family had toiled over for so many years. It was in the summer of Cha-cha’s 27th year of life, however, that Fidel Castro actually came to visit the farm and meet Cha-cha and his family first hand. The visit would change his life forever.