carola - leon mandel - 1939 to 1942

"All of us went on shore to ride about town and also to two nearby villages, one on the north side of the Bay and the other at the south side of the Bay. One of the villages is called Camaguey and is like the reproduction of an Indian village where they have ceremonial dances and native celebrations.
The most exciting part of the morning was the acquisition by Leon and myself of a young tiger and another animal which looks like a rabbit with zebra stripes. We both fell in love with a very well trained monkey name PACO whose owner refused to sell under any circumstance.
When we returned on board we noted considerable excitement and two bells announced the arrival of guests. After a few seconds the chief steward announced that a tiger had arrived. That was the first appearance of Malario. Poor Philippe, the rabbit, was not even announced, even though he came at the same time.
After lunch Leon and myself decided to make a last desperate effort for Paco and went back, sending a message to to the owner to let us know if there was any price that would buy Paco. After much arguing and bribing of the emissary I received the wonderful answer from the owner that he would give me Paco but not for a cent less that $5.00, and he wanted me to know that Kay Francis, the movie star, had offered him any amount to buy Paco but he was letting me have the monkey because he much preferred him being in the hands of another Latin."
Carola Mandel - Carola Yacht Log - May 26th 1941


"Awakened to find the ship had just passed Varadero Beach. The sea is smooth and delightful weather.
We cannot stop as there is no place to dock the launch, so we continue round into the Bay of Cardenas, three miles or so off shore, and the anchorage is good but the launch ride is a nuisance. Went on shore for lunch at 3:30.
Varadero has built up tremendously since my last visit which, I find by the registry, was seven years ago.
Lovely homes with lots selling for as high as $12,000. If my memory serves me well, the last time I was here you could have bought the whole place for $12,000."
Leon Mandel - Carola Yacht Log - May 17th 1941

January 8th , 1941 - Havana - Field Museum Galapagos Expedition - December 19, 1940 - March 10, 1941
On this day, due to the indiscretion of Dr. Boulton the evening before, in which he rashly stated that nothing can keep a good scientist down, the Museum party, plus Bill Gray, arrived on time for breakfast in various stages of visibility. By visibility, it is understood that the ability to see is meant, rather than the ability to be seen .
Leon dropped in, while most of us were staring at our eggs in a desultory fashion, gave us all an understanding leer and departed with the information that he would be back for lunch, plus guests.
A shore party of Os, Walt and Pete Lambert departed during the fore noon for a study of Havana and remained ashore for lunch. During the trip they were particularly impressed by the patriotism and respect of the uniformed genltemen who marched up to the monument commemorating the sinking of the Maine and gravely saluted. Their faith, however, was somewhat shaken when the gentleman descended the steps and, with equal gravity, tendered them postcards for sale.
Lunch, ushered in by vodka and tomato juice, was attended by the remaining scientists, Leon, Carola, and their guests , Ernest Hemingway, Lucille Diaz, and Mrs. Lewis, and last but not least, the " Frankensteinharts ! " Your chronicler regrets that he is unable to recall any part of what must have been a delightfully conversational luncheon, there remains only an unforgettable atmosphere of dampness.