Culturally Quirky Tallahassee, Day 2 Pt.2 #BBTallysItUp #iHeartTally

Gracias to +Visit Tallahassee for hosting this mini staycation.  
Opinions and crazy comments are all Babushkas.



HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

 Architecture and Archives, History of Florida and History of Craft Beer,Beanz for Lunch,with an Illuminating Dinner and then ending the noche by a Campfire Cantando the Blues.

That's how BB started the last post, and it ended by saying we were going to see the History of Florida after lunch. Bueno, let's end the suspense. Babushka was speaking of...

HISTORY OF FLORIDA-

None other than BB's beloved Mission San Luis!! Si, been there many times y hope to go many times more; each time's a new adventure with new stories to see and learn.  And when you're being escorted by the Spanish Deputy Gobernador Jacinto Roque Perez himself, you know there were going to be plenty of stories.

Can't showoff #tallahassee w/out @MissionSanLuis #ihearttally #lovefl #BBTALLYSITUP

A video posted by Bohemian Babushka (@bbabushka) on Feb 26, 2016 at 3:58pm PST

A 5 minute video- in full length there's 48 minutos...

Host, Hispano, y Politico...  Ya tu sabes!!!

Mission San Luis is an actual site where Indians and Spaniards lived together, raising families and keeping the English at bay.  As you can see by the pictures, the re-enacters are quite knowledgeable and thanks to that and the natural beauty of the land, one truly feels transported to 1703.

Mission San Luis

2100 W Tennessee Street, (850) 487-3711

www.MissionSanLuis.org

FB: Mission San Luis

@MissionSanLuis

Re-energized from a visit con mi gente, off we went to a place Sweetie would love.

HISTORY OF CRAFT BEER-

Que ambiente mas lindo, the relaxed attitude here says much for their staff and their beer.  Proof Brewing Co. specializes in "craft beer". That's beer made with care,originality, a true craft.  Listen as Regional Sales Director, Alan Truesdell gives us an explanation of the process. 

Proof Brewery 644 McDonnell Drive, (850) 577-051 7www.ProofBrewingCo.com  @ProofBrewingCo

Ahora estaba picando el hambre, a little bit of the tummy tug was starting,  so our next stop was another electic/electric taste bud treat. 
ILLUMINATING DINNER

The Edison Restaurant. Y si, pun was intended.

Dinner at @EdisonTally @Cascades_Park #ihearttally #lovefl #BBTALLYSITUP

A video posted by Bohemian Babushka (@bbabushka) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:57pm PST

The Edison truly does have an electrifying history.  

"In 1921, the City of Tallahassee built The City Electric Building to serve the growing population and its demand for electricity. The plant converted coal into gas, providing lighting and heat for the city’s residents. Serving as the power plant for both electricity and gas, you could often find a line of people waiting outside the building to pay their monthly utility bills up until the mid-1950s." directly from The Edison's site, they explain and show pics of the original and how they converted it while still maintaining much of the original structure.

If you ask BB now what we ate, no hay manera she could tell you. Pero Chef John Minas "se lo comio" as we say in Cubaneo, and "Lo comimos"- TODO. We ate it ALL. In reality, we were so stuffed, we wanted to go to the back of The Edison to digest the comida and the great outdoor amenities y view. If you can't see the waterfall turning colors up above, go to the original Instagram post to enjoy it. Belleza.

The Edison
470 Suwannee Street, (850) 765-9771 www.EdisonTally.com  @edisontally


Pero, it was time to go to the last stop of the night.


CAMPFIRE CANTANDO THE BLUES-

Babushka had no clue- ni idea this existed in Tallahassee.  Not only does it exist, but it's part of a historical legacy, the Mississippi Blues Trail. Part of the charm of the Bradfordville Blues Club is its location.  You have to really want to be there to get there. Honestamente, BB thought the guide had too long of a night and had lost her way or had forgotten how to get there, that's how out of the way and backwoods this is.  Pero the "too long of a night"?  Energizing and feeling like a fun family reunion, the excited anticipation of our host Laura was contagious.  Listen to her background info and then live the night via video; Babushka promises you too will want to bailar under the stars.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Ben Montgomery  wrote an excelente post about the BBC, capturing its corazon and a bit of its historia. The article- Bradfordville Blues Club in woods near Tallahassee a soulful secret . Pero si quieres a full out verbal history, listen on as owner Gary Anton tells it his way.

Bradfordville Blues Club 7152 Moses Lane 850-997-4359 www.bradfordvilleblues.com/ Feibu: Bradfordville Blues
Musicians in video: Johnny Sansone w/guest Bill Wharton The Sauce Boss

And that was Day 2, Part 2.  Ya vieron why it was dividido into 2 partes?  Oh My. Lots verdad?? Pero BB not wanting to visit any of those???
JU SO FONII!!!
Can't wait to show you what Dia 3 had in store for us.

BB2U

P.S.  For those who missed Part I  Culturally Quirky Tallahassee, Day 2 #BBTallysItUp #iHeartTally |

The First 15 Days of 2013

HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!! How is 2013 treating you so far? For Babushka this year is promising to be a year of firsts, favorites, and fun.  Quee??  JU SO FONII!!! Ok si, 2012 also had those things, but this year BB expects it!  To start off, I did something that was all three.  Gracias to my makeup/fashionista blogger friends I tried something I would have never done in 2012-

TWINKLY TOES!!!

Nothing like the pampering and decadence of a pedicure. BB felt rich, like a Princess/ChristmasOrnament/NewYearFireworks all at once. Funny how a little thing like that can make one feel giddy and confident at the same time- which was perfect for my first "professional/business" party of the year.

@MCGLatino 

Sweetie and I were invited to the Three King's Day celebration given by MCG Latino, the Hispanic division of the award winning PR firm Moore Communications Group. The fantastic Ferns, Fernando Rodriguez and Fernando Senra along with the entertaining Emilio Estevez made us feel very welcomed. They did a really nice gathering with explanations of what that day traditionally means to Latins and how we celebrate it. The props, the food, the drinks, all very true to a homestyle party.  As a matter of fact, it was such a homey feeling that Sweetie waited until the end to leave. What can I say?  He was liking this- A lo bueno se acostumbra facil.

The next day my beloved TWAM  was helping Mission San Luis celebrate "The First Christmas en La Florida", the first VivaFlorida500  official event commemorating Florida's 500 years of Spanish colonization. Of course this deserves a post by itself, but here's a glimpse via their Feibu page. It was an unforgettable day with re enactors, visitors, and even the Archbishop of Florida giving a mass. I promise to share more about this glorious event.

The following week BB was on a roll- everyday that semana had something good coming to my door.  

Of course that spurred me into reading more blogs and entering more contests, but there's no bigger contest/giveaway than the loteria!  

And BB of course was right there when they celebrated that too.

FLORIDA LOTTERY 25 YEAR CELEBRATION

Oh si, Oh yeah- BB's all about the fiestas and the winning.  Not a bad mantra verdad?

Pero y'all know Babushka's also about the giving.

I love volunteering and supporting those causes and people I care about, so of course when Mission San Luis had its Volunteer Thank You Celebration I knew Ben Gunter, the director of TWAM was sure to receive an award.  Sweetie and I took rum cake and enjoyed the dinner and company immensely.  Ben deservedly got his honors, but he wasn't el unico who received an award that night. 

Oh my and Oh yeah.

I truly didn't expect this honor, and believe me when I say it isn't often that BB gets surprised.

Another first, favorite and fun thing I'm participating in 

Latina Lifestyle Bloggers

What a joy and challenge to come up w/something a little "out of the caja" for the daily prompts. 

 I'll be making an album on Feibu for the total 31, but for now: 

Day 9    Nail Art

Day 13 Literature- Curious George

heje  cute right?  What's not so cute was the reason for Babushka's Breakesito.  

Lastly and definitely Least... 

CLEANING!!!

As of this writing the kitchen- still w/backed up sink, looks like this

It's gettin' there, it's gettin' there! And so are my 2013 aspirations.

Also in the first 15 days I was accepted as a panelist for HeartCamp.  My vision to be a public speaker/motivational/just a fonii vieja viajera is becoming a reality.  I will be appearing with La Gallina Vieja AT THE SAME TIME.  No te dije?  2013- year of firsts, favorites, and fun. 

I hope you'll join me in my dance.  BB's always loved a full dance card.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.   Cuidensen.

Upon a Star- TWAM, Wishes, a new friend.

Arrived Up North in The South on Wednesday morning, by the following Wednesday I was a little bored with my routine.  That's what happens when you live between two worlds, the world of Miami and the rest of the state.  In actuality I was missing the chispa of el Cubaneo, having someone who understood my Spanglish with no question and who could pick up my thoughts without missing a beat. Last Friday My Little One, the only one who fulfilled those missings for me here, moved back down to Miami to continue college and the separation was very hard for me- apparently I must have made a heartfelt wish.  Once again TWAM was going to help me fulfill it.

The Star

TWAM, Theater With A Mission, a theater group linked to Mission San Luis in Tallahassee and also linked to BB's corazon.  In volunteering for this troupe I've found my Spanish roots and my voice.  Queee? JU SO FONII!!! Ok si, Babushka has always been vocal, Cubana al fin, but I meant with the confidence and style one can only get when performing- especially with friends.  Especially last minute.  On the 10th I contacted our director Ben Gunter, to which he said there was a perfect part for BB in a performed reading on the 15th. We were to perform El Auto de los Reyes Magos for the second annual Navidad en Viejo San Agustin (Christmas in Old St. Augustine) ; we were to rehearse on the day of the show. 

I KNEW I could count on TWAM for some blood pumping Miami style rush!!!

Romas Sparkis, Gabrielle Reed, Ben Gunter

The play, whose interpretation and editing was finished that morning by Ben, was based upon the sighting of the biblical star of Bethlehem by the three kings/wisemen and King Herod's reaction to their visit.  Babushka was to play Melchor, one of the three wisemen.  Si, the ironic humor in that casting was not lost on BB.

Melchor as played by Babushka

Balthasar- Romas Sparkis

Gaspar- Jaime del MonteGuayava

aka  JM

The cast met up at Mission San Luis to try on costumes and rehearse.  New to the troupe was Jaime del MonteGuayava, but not new to BB.  Believe it or not, he had gone to school with Babushka in Miami. He was 2 years behind me and I still can't pinpoint from where I remember him- either in a summer class or in college, but his persona I could not forget.  JM was always bigger than life because he always questioned the whys of life and did everything with passion. No ha cambiado- he hasn't changed a bit. Seems like the S Sisters paid me another welcomed visit.

In the 3+ hours to St. Augustine, Ben, JM and BB went over our lines and had many fascinating conversations.  Normally Babushka would say "interesting" conversations, but JM has a way of speaking- part yogi (as in swami not the bear), part scholar, and part chusma de Hialeah.  Fascinating. 

Navidad en Viejo San Agustin was foggy, chilly and enchanting.  The bridges were illuminated with lights and the grounds sprinkled with torches.  Everyone was dressed in period clothing;  it truly was very easy to imagine oneself back in Old St. Augustine.

The performances (we did 3) were met well and we were finished by 10 p.m.  We usually head straight back to Tally after a St. Augustine performance, but JM wanted to aprovechar the trip and see more of the city in its' holiday splendor.  Besides, as the Cuban in him pointed out, we had to eat dinner didn't we? Taking the main street of St. Augustine- there's only 2, we proceeded to look for a natural food establishment porque JM only ate organic/vegan food.  You expected something different?  

We had a marvelous dinner, generously paid for by JM who throughout the whole event (because going out with him must be classified as an event) was enjoying his champagne, the food, the ambiance and the people.  At times BB couldn't tell if he was a Conte enjoying his subjects or a child enjoying Christmas, but either way BB was thoroughly enjoyed,entranced, and entertained.

At the end of the evening, once we arrived in Tally, we all said adios, gave each other hugs and went on our separate ways. Or maybe not, because an hour later I received this text photo.

Definitivamente a BF for BB

; )

May your inner wishes be granted by a star, and may they always be bright.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen

American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Recap

Babushka was asked to write a recap on her part of the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip. Estan 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 

"La Florida: Forever Changed". 

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. 

TWAM -  Theater With A Mission

                       

                                   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.

Year round activities http://www.nps.gov/deso/planyourvisit/events.htm 

Feibu Fabuloso https://www.facebook.com/pages/De-Soto-National-Memorial/140942332612993

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. 

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.