 |
| This is similar to the Apt in Key West |
“OMG!
Mr BC, (otherwise to be know as My Sailor Boy) and I had married seven days before in California and spent the succeeding days driving to the Naval Air Station in Key West, FL. MSB was so proud that he had selected one of the better apartments in a town not known much for nice, affordable housing, in 1967. There was no Navy housing available and it wasn’t as nice as this apartment, as I was later to find out. He had looked at Conch Houses that had been partitioned into apartments, he said there wasn’t much that he would be willing to move me into. So this was it. I was disappointed but I tried not let him know at the time. It was our first home together. It was furnished, with a green sectional couch, a kitchen table, a double bed and chest of drawers, and it was tiny. We were going to be there a year.
It was 2 story apartments built of concrete blocks painted yellow, which we would be happy about in the first hurricane to come through. We had a salamander in the kitchen cupboard and one who lived in a crack in the bathroom wall, that would slink back and forth and most likely more in the walls. At my introductory scream at the one in the shower, MSB told me they were good as they ate the cockroaches and other bugs that lived with us. I have to admit, I did not see many bugs inside as there were outside, so I learned to love the salamanders. Key West was an interesting spot to begin a marriage and as it was his last enlistment we made do. Key West in 1967 was not the tourist spot it is now, and we do plan to go back someday. I have to admit now that first place was ok for the money and the area, but after Key West I had a lot more imput in house hunting.
 |
| This would be an example of a Conch House in 1967, that is rust on the roof. |
Salamanders...I don't know. I think you are a better woman than I! 1 yr. Young and in love..you can handle anything right?
ReplyDeleteI would have had a heart attack in the shower if I saw the salamander!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to do a comparitive post on Key West once you go back! The then and the now. I'd take salamanders over cockroaches any day!
ReplyDeleteYou were very brave. I would have washed at the kitchen sink rather than share the shower with a salamander
ReplyDeleteOur first three places were all brought to us by the Coast Guard....the first and the last were awesome. The one in the middle was a creep fest! We took our kids back there a few years ago, and it was completely abandoned. It finally had come into its own!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Key West but would love to!
ReplyDeleteBut I prefer NOT to shower with a salamander while I'm there. I would have lost my mind!
ooohhh.....I love salamanders! They are one of the many things I love about Florida!
ReplyDeleteGreat story and thanks for sharing and stopping by!
:)
Oh the things we do for love, and the things we put up with when we are in our 20s. :) The photo actually looks kind of cool, the rust roof and all.
ReplyDeleteOur first home was living with my MIL, which was OK but I was happier when we got our first apartment together. We were lucky if was a luxury 2 bedroom very large apartment rented from the council. Oh and no salamanders. :)
ReplyDeleteAs Harry Connick Junior said in a song that mentioned Key West, 'you didn't know me when...,
ReplyDeleteLovely memories BC. Thanks for sharing. Maddie x
Salamanders? Awesome! I love anything that eats cockroaches. It sounds like you had quite an adventure with your new husband!
ReplyDeleteI can't handle any sort of lizard! I had a gecko in the shower with me one morning and I just about jumped out my skin. I was covered in soap but I couldn't bring myself to get back into the shower!
ReplyDelete