Café crazed 1st Gen Cuban-American raised in Miami. 62 and starting anew!! Spanglish speaking Mother of 3, Abuela of 6; a human shot of espresso and earnest in my extremism. An adventurer, dancer of life; loving its’ locuras and celebrating the "humanness" of all people. The binding ties of family, being female, getting older and day to day life while hopefully enlightening and entertaining- this is the reason for Babushka and her dance.
♪A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!!♪
Finalmente,Up North in The Southis getting Comida Cubana, Cuban Mojos Cafe. Ok Si, besides Babushka's homecooked meals- aunque those are kinda a mix of Cuban/Miami and whatever's on sale. Cuban Mojos has a lot in comun con BB and although the owners aren't from the island themselves, they have their raices and gustos in their blood. Let's start with that ever present totally Cuban trait of wanting our own business and not afraid to start from scratch with just a dream.
Day 6 of theAmerican Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip and Babushka's visiting Ybor City. Now part of modern day Tampa Florida, Ybor City has so many fascinating stories that a 2 hour walking tour just started my curiosity. I never imagined the importance this quaint locale had in our nations history. Imaginate, I could have kept asking questions even though the sol was already out- so you know BB was captivated!
And here's the man in the know-
Dr. Wallace Reyes, Historian and Master Cigar Maker
Now let's start listening to some of his know- Introduction into Ybor City's History.
The main industry in Ybor city was the cigar. Here the four nationalities came together to produce first class quality that was world renowned, but it was not just the quality of the cigar that was exemplary. The business practices and social organizations in Ybor City were ahead of their time in the US and the pride of being here was handed down to each generation. Dr. Reyes illustrates this point in this video where he explains a typical workday for a cigar artisan.
In a city where Spaniards, Cubans, Italian and Germans all resided together you know there had to be good food. Queee?? You thought I'd go to a Cuban town and not talk about food? JU SO FONII!! As a matter of fact, on my youtube channelyou'll see Dr. Reyes explain the history of the Ferlita Bakery -current housing of the museum. Naturally this brings to BB's mind the current debate about the real Cuban Sandwich. Sorry Miami, the ORIGINAL sandwich was called "The Brick" and then renamed "Cuban" sandwich because it became the main lunch item for Cuban cigar artisans.
Home of the ORIGINAL Cuban Sandwich
As a matter of fact, thanks to the Italian influence in Ybor City, there were Italian meatcuts in the sandwich. A sandwich invented because the factory owners noticed that artisans would be slower after a typical Cuban lunch. In that, time has not changed. Heje Siesta- a tradition BB is proud to continue.
; )
And yes, another part of tradition I continue, loving my Latino roots, however I have never visited Cuba- until now. When I said Ybor City was a Cuban town I was not kidding. The Jose Marti Park located in Ybor City is governed by the same laws as embassies; it is still owned by the Cuban government and currently protected by the United States of America.
and while you're there check out the many pics I posted on Ybor
BBP (Babushka Bullet Points) of Ybor City
* Thanks to the foresight of Vicente Martinez-Ybor and Eduardo Manrara, an industrial and cultural powerhouse arose out of the Florida swamps.
*Ybor city revolutionized the Southeast United States, was second only to New York City in the artistic and theatrical events of the day, and brought together four distinct cultures in creating a community dedicated to cigars and their distribution. '
*The collaboration resulted in a world wide reputation for superior cigars- so much so that each of the major cigarmaking houses were the exclusive suppliers for different royals throughout Europe.
* Was the home to advanced thinkers in the area of industrialization and business practices
* At the peak year, 1929, half a million cigars were rolled in Ybor City
*DEFINITELY take the Ybor City Historic Walking Tour. Make reservations con tiempo and a recorder- sooo wish I had done the latter. http://yborwalkingtours.com/
Will I be going back to visit Ybor City?
Let's see... Dr. Reyes just skimmed the surface of the city's history.
I didn't get to try the Ybor City/Tampa Cuban Sandwich in the famous, open since 1905,
P.P.P.S. Thanks again to the sponsors of this roadtrip- without them there would have been no trip and I couldn't have expressed myself. Now, de verdad, how boring would that have been?? Gracias.