August 29, 2012

American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Recap

Babushka was asked to write a recap on her part of the American Latino Heritage Fund RoadtripEstan ready?  Day by day countdown (with links to the posts) and a fav moment/memory/fact of the place will be listed. Get your dancing shoes on My Beautifuls- a bailar rapido!!

Day 1- Tallahassee  De Soto Winter Encampment 
and the Museum of Florida History

This being my first interview/video, I didn't know who was more ill at ease- Dr. Daniel Seinfeld or BB. Still, along with embarrassed laughs we managed to get some facts in.

The second part of the day was spent at the Museum of Florida History examining 
One of BB's fav paintings- by Xavier Cortada
And let's not forget the exclusive behind the scenes look at the lab with Conservator Catherine Sincich.
 This was too cool- BB felt like a combo Dexter and Indiana Jones. 
She had me at "chocolate"; check out my youtube channel to see what I mean.
Day 2- Tallahassee   Mission San Luis and TWAM
The beauty, history, and activities at Mission San Luis son digno of a full day visit- at the minimum!  Where Spaniards and the Apalachees learned to live together as two separate people, to then join together as a new breed.  Multi- cultural- ESO!!!
And of course it's always great to be amongst friends. 
                       
                                   BB & Costume Mistress Gabrielle Reed
  
Ben Gunter, TWAM Director & BB
and for those who missed the mini intro on TWAM, here's the original 10 min. version.
Day 3- Bradenton   De Soto National Memorial
Such a vast, picturesque site on the waters of Bradenton, the De Soto National Memorial
has many things to be proud of.  The Rangers, the grounds, but what struck me the most of this place was its dedication to community- especially the youth.  If you'd like your children to learn/live history and the beauty of nature, this is definitely the place to go to.  They do not take their Jr. Ranger program lightly and one of BB's highpoints of this trip was being given an honorary Jr. Ranger Badge.  Thank you Ranger Jorge Acevedo for the badge and all the information that was bestowed along with it.
Mine and I'm not sharing.
Day 4 - St. Augustine   Castillo de San Marcos 
Started in 1672 the fort of St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos is still going strong and open to the public everyday except Christmas.  Plan at least 3 hours to visit, you don't want to be rushed during your travel back to time.  With the self-guided tours, the rangers talks and the re enactments it's very easy to find yourself in another era in this well maintained and proper example of Spanish colonization and construction.
  
Day 5- St. Augustine Beach    Fort Matanzas
Babushka could truly spend a whole day here at Fort Matanzas National Monument .  
Besides the beauty of the place, 
I could listen to this Ranger for hours!
My Beautifuls, gone are the days of the boring Park Rangers.  Today's Rangers are animated, make jokes, ask questions- they do the schtick to make it stick!!  A wonderful philosophy that I embrace wholeheartedly and I commend the National Park Service for training and encouraging this sort of storytelling to the people.
Day 6 -  Tampa      Ybor City Historical District
Ybor City, what can I say about it except- I wanna go back!!! 
 It's a town of contradiction, a town of extremes- perfecto for BB.  The power of determination and the styles of a simpler time, both are still evident in Ybor City.  The history of a time when cigars were king in Ybor and the community its' faithful and dedicated servants.  A time when honor was everything and management and labor respected their places and each other; together to be the best.
The Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn
BB relaxing on the porch of a worker's "casita"
And the Latino contribution of Ybor City? 
 Dr. Wallace Reyes does the honors:
Day 7 - Miami     Freedom Tower
400,000 Cubans went through these doors;
 the city of Miami- and the US
would never be the same. 
Miami_Freedom_Tower_Cubans_Exodus
And so ends BB's recap.  Almost.  
Having made so many videos (unbelievable) I will now do my version of an acceptance/thank you speech.
To the Hispanicize team and Maria de los Angeles for believing in this vieja viajera,
to my fellow bloggers Alex de Carvalho, Cristy Clavijo-Kish, Eva Smith, Lance Rios and Roberto Rios III  for being so generous with their help and encouragement.
 to the sponsors- the American Latino Heritage Fund, GM Diversity and Verizon Wireless for their marvelous contributions, 
to the wonderful people BB interviewed who took time out of their lives to share their vast knowledge and experience,
to the Park Rangers who were terrific and oh so entertaining, 
and to you My Beautifuls for following my adventures and for bailando con migo.  
To all of you I say Mil Gracias and I can't wait to do it again for VivaFlorida 500!
; )
Nos vemos prontos.
Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Por supuesto there are more people and organizations (Visit Florida,Florida's Historic Coast,Visit Bradenton)   I need to thank and highlight in future posts, and I will- I promise.  Just let me get a chance to buy some new dancing shoes; I kinda wore these out.

P.P.S.  There will be a recap Tweety Fiesta next week- I'll keep you posted. 



Bohemian Babushka
Bohemian Babushka

Groovy Spanglish speaking Grandma of 6 who loves life and all its adventures. Motivational while still keeping it real, Babushka shows how all things looked at with gratitude are good, and how to say to la vida- JU SO FONII!!!

35 comments:

  1. BB you have a great voice! I always wanted to do a road trip, maybe one day I will convince a few friends to actually do it with me. Great recaps xo

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    1. Thank you Helen for commenting on the post and my voice- much appreciated. As far as waiting for others for a roadtrip, sure there may be merriness in mobs, but sometimes going alone gives you strength and even peacefulness to truly enjoy the sites. Who knows- the new view might be about yourself. ; )

      BB2U

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  2. Miami!!! BB we gotta do a getty here!! ;)
    xoxo
    dee

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    1. jaha Dee, have no clue what's a getty, but I'm game!

      Gracias for dancing by y BB2U.

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  3. Hope you had a great time. I'd love to take a road trip through my state as well. BTW it was cool seeing you w/out the fan!

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    1. I did have a great time- new experiences all the way around!

      You'll see a lot more of me sans fan on my youtube channel; thanks for commenting y BB2U!

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  4. It's been a while since I went to Florida! I wish I could take a road trip around US

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    1. Well then you're definitely due for a visit down here mujer! Maybe one loooonng roadtrip isn't feasible, but start a trip every couple of months and eventually you'll have all 50 states' bumper stickers on your car. ; )

      Dandy dancing w/ya; thanks for your comment y BB2U

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  5. me urge ir a fort matanzas, looks so beautiful. i've only visited 2 forts before; one here in my province called fort langley and the other in honduras called fortaleza de san fernando de omoa. :) great recap BB

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    1. Nina, you won't regret it. Pero plan to make a day of it; it's a truly beautiful and peaceful spot.

      Thanks for the comentario- abrazos y BB2U.

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  6. This looks awesome, so much fun, something on my bucket list

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    1. Gracias for the comment; it truly is a trip worth taking- before the bucket takes us. ; )

      BB2U

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  7. BB, that's an amazing recap! Enjoyed watching the videos of your American Latino Heritage Fund road trip. You're so great in front of a camera! :-)

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    1. Ay thank you Isabel! Glad you enjoyed this vieja viajera videos; they're rough, but they definitely are BB. ; )

      Abrazotes y muchos BB2U.

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  8. Great recap! I have loved reading about the trip!!

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    1. Gracias Chiquitica and I loved reading your comment!

      BB2U

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  9. What a wonderful experience. Very nice recap!

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    1. Karina it was a wonderful experience, on so many levels.

      Thanks for commenting and dancing w/BB. BB2U

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  10. You should work for the Florida Board of Turismo! What a wonderful adventure. This is what we need to hear about Florida.
    Marissa

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    1. Marissa- MUAH! Wouldn't that be a dream job? Traveling my beloved state, being paid (well) to know the true Florida- from your fingers to a sponsor's pocketbook mujer! ; )

      Gracias por el baile y el comentario- BB2U.

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  11. You did a great job! Wow, so proud of you out there interviewing people and getting your learn on. Would love to visit this place!

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    1. Well thank you! Truth be told, I'm kinda proud of myself too- it's nice to do new things despues de vieja. By all means, visit, learn, have fun, it truly does recharge the batteries!

      Great comment, much appreciated y BB2U.

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  12. Fantastic recap!! Looks like an amazing experience & very informative as well!

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    1. Gracias Maria and it was amazing. Also amazing is you always stopping by and supporting me- can never say thank you enough.

      BB2U

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  13. Very cool! I've never been to Tallahassee but I really love St. Augustine. Looks like you had a blast. You go girl.

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    1. Never been to Tally? You're definitely missing much more than college football games and politicians!! Let me show you around Linda Letty- I promise you you'll be pleasantly surprised by our Northern Beauty up here in The South.

      Y si, had a great time- just like I do when I see your comments. Gracias mujer por su apoyo. BB2U.

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  14. Seriously my feet are tired just reading your recap, you have stamina Mama!

    I have yet to post a video with ME in it, LOL but you are certainly giving me inspiration, hope to see you at the #LatinoHeritage Twitter Party tonight!

    Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly

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    1. heje Tracy, not so much stamina, but lots of cafe y chocolate. ; )

      The videos...not my ideas, actually kinda freaked when My Capitan said to take them- but now, can't imagine blogging w/out them. Glad I can inspire- guess if BB can be raw and out there why can't everyone else? Come to think of it- isn't that the main idea of Babushka's Baile?

      Abrazotes for the comment y BB2U.

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  15. Awesome adventure! And, like you, I love that painting. So happy you got to do this!

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    1. Thanks Sujeiry for commenting and agreeing w/my art taste. ; ) As far as it being an awesome adventure and happy for me, my turn to agree with you! heje

      Hugs & BB2U

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  16. BB,

    What an amazing trip! My husband, a St. Augustine native, during our 5 years out West, could not stop talking about his beloved Florida and how this state is the best one around. Well, he wasn't far from it; so much history! I've been blessed because I've seen many, many corners of this state, and I simply love visiting every part of it. To live, I much prefer the North :)

    Congrats on such great adventure!

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    1. Silvinita!! Gracias mujer for dancing w/me again- I've missed you around here. BB agrees with your hubby that Florida is worth loving, and I agree w/you that the easier paced North part of the state is nicer to live. Babushka's blessed w/being able to recharge between Miami & Tally and for having wonderful people like you to call friends.

      BB2U

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  17. We visited both Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas when we were in St. Augustine years ago. We had such a wonderful trip and learned so much! I'd love to return again. Thanks for linking up to the Best of the USA blog hop! :)

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    1. Aren't they great places? So happy that you enjoyed them and very happy you commented! See you next month- BB2U.

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  18. Looks like a fabulous trip! I was in St. Augustine once...it was really lovely but we didn't do a tour! There is so much to do in Florida, every time we go to visit my brother-in-law I try to find something different. Lots of great ideas here!

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Always remember- If someone doesn't see YOUR brilliance, just look at them, smile, and say- JU SO FONI!!!