I remember it being cold. I lived in an old house on 12th avenue and bordering the roads. It had been built in 1926. My bedroom was the old Florida room in the back of the house which had been converted to concrete and walls were added but it was covered with windows and had no insulation. It had four windows in a very small room. This was before Rocky, I and a couple of other friends but mainly Rocky built a wall to separate it from the kitchen. That day, the day it snowed in Miami, I awoke and went outside in a hurry since I was customarily almost late for my 8am class at the University of Miami. The class was taught by Professor Harry Schultz in SA 126 in the Cox Richter Science Building. It was a difficult class. I remember that room very well since in 2014 I was asked to teach in that same room at UM. And it is also where I met my wife and her fiancée.
The previous night I heard that it may snow in the morning and I kind of was looking forward to it. When I went to the car, I did not see much difference. I bundled the best I could and was surprised when all the windows and the windshield of the car were covered in ice. I was driving a 1965 Volkswagen which I had inherited from my brother Robert. He had used while he was in Gainesville at UF. I had an emotional attachment to it. It had no heating, no air conditioning. The little side window could not be opened, which was a problem since it did not have a defogger either. It had an am radio, so I could listen to WQAM or WFUN or WTMI. The speaker was blown so the sound was not the best. The front windshield was already cracked and although it did have a sunroof, it could not be fully closed. It could be opened but I was afraid to open it since it may not close again. When it rained it would also rain inside. I once went out with a lady friend, and she asked me why I had an umbrella in the front seat. I only went out with her once. I am not sure why. I had to leave the driver side and passenger side windows slightly opened. Also, since at one time the battery acid had spilled, a lot of the floor was missing. The battery was tied to the bottom of the back seat with very strong rope. I could see the road asphalt from inside the car, kind of like Fred’s car from the Flintstones. You could see if the road was flooded from the inside. The car had other issues. It had a short circuit. I could not listen to the radio, turn on the lights, put on the turning signal, or the brake lights and honk the horn at the same time. I could only do some of those. When I honked the horn the lights would dim. I had to rely on arm signals to let people know which way I was turning and when I was stopping. It was a great little car. Probably my favorite car, ever. At night, making a left turn while listening to the radio and braking was a real challenge.
So I went in my great little car to my Organic Chemistry II class at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. As I drove south on South Dixie the water vapor coming out as I exhaled was remarkable. There was what seemed to be white fumes coming out of every possible place in the car. Some was coming out the windows, some from the sunroof, even the floor and the exhaust pipe. It was so cold I had to think about it when I had to shift gears. I just kept thinking, laughing at myself. I must be doing something wrong.
It seemed to take a long time but finally I arrived at the intersection of Granada and US1. There was late model Volvo on my left and I heard subtle honking. The lady in the car to my left needed to make a right turn and with hand signals, asked for me to allow her in in front of me. I could not see her well since there was so much water vapor. I was grateful since now I could keep my hands warm a little longer until I had to shift into first. As we looked at each other we both began laughing. She with her hands resting on the steering wheel of her comfortable Volvo which was at just the right temperature and I emanating white water vapor and rubbing my hands trying to keep warm and trying to make this turn without having to shift into second gear and trying to see through the white smoke. She was a nice lady, one of my classmates. She was an excellent student.
I do not really know what she was thinking nor what I was thinking but that image remains with me to this day. I am not even sure why we both laughed simulaneously except that possibly right at the last minute after we had a full blown conversation with hand signals, we recognized each other.
I remember that scene very vividly. I am not really sure why.
Just remembering my youth!
Be well my friends.
Ramón López de la Vega
Associate Chair
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CP 323A
305-348-3086 - office/786-897-3206 - cell
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