“La Habana es Cádiz con más negritos, Cádiz es la Habana con más salero…”

Question

I found this quote from the Spanish writer Antonio Burgos in a beautiful watercolor painting of Cuban Son instruments on Cristina Luengo's blog.

“La Habana es Cádiz con más negritos, Cádiz es la Habana con más salero…” – Antonio Burgos

I know this literally means that "Havana (Cuba) is Cádiz (Spain) with more blacks, Cádiz is Havana with more salt..."

I'm curious to hear everyone's interpretations of this phrase, and perhaps ideas for why the artist included it in a painting of Cuban instruments.

Answer 1

I would consider changing the last word, "salero," which can be a place where salt is stored or even a salt-shaker.

whohoooooooooo, le he pillao

Esto no es cielo

salero :

1. (informal) (gracia, donaire)

   • baila con salero -> she dances with great verve
   • tiene mucho salero al hablar -> she's a lively and entertaining conversationalist
   • cuenta chistes con salero -> she's good at telling jokes

So

Cadiz has more charm, or has more grace....

Which also answers your question about why this was included in a musical thing.

• ¡Vamo, chica, a la defensa! - samdie Jul 16, 2011

Answer 2

I would consider changing the last word, "salero," which can be a place where salt is stored or even a salt-shaker.