Babushka's Baile- 10 year Aniversario! #FBF @ConexionFlorida

This was in the Agosto edition of Conexion - the official 10 year mark was 8/11/11. 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

Si, it's true, Babushka has been bailando on the www for 10 years. Wow and Woah! Ya know, people say "The years went by so fast. Bolaron!" Bueno, si and no...

True, this year has more than flown, and when BB looks at The Trio, she still hasn't comprehended that they are the parents of The Grands. Pero think of it, the last ten years... Babushka feels it all.  

From the first writing, the first conference, the first paid post,

Introductions

Hispanicize 2012- the 1st in Miami and BB was there!!

American Latino Heritage Fund - Natl. Parks, BB's 1st paid gig!!

The people she's been fortunate to work with

Ford Motor Co., Florida Kid Care, ABLE United, Florida Prepaid College

and meet

Cristina Saralegui, Erik Estrada, Rita Moreno, Charo, Maria Elena Toraño, Mickey/Disney

 

The teams she's been part of

Mamas con Poder/ Voting, Bloggin' Mamas, Latism, Consumer Reports, Network Niche

The causes she has spoken about and for, 

The wonderful trips and experiences shared with familia.

Seaworld, Oprahnation, Carnival Cruiselines, Bloggin Mamas, St. Augustine, Art Basel,

 Disney On Ice, Ft. Walton Beach, Red Coach

And those she's been blessed to now call amigos 

Mar, Mi Capitan, Fern, Amanda, Heather, Janie, Mi Rey, Maria, Myrah

Laurita Tellado

all this because of Babushka's Baile.

Do you recall the last ten years Beautifuls? Do you feel the last ten years? 

BB certainly does porque she did it fully, passionately, and is grateful for it all.

The first tagline of the blog was: 

My daily dance- sometimes I lead, sometimes I follow, and sometimes I get my toes stepped on. I may not recall the lyrics, but the music is always of my own choosing.

original blog set up

BB definitely has felt the dancing, even had to comprar cases of Dr.Scholl's, but it was all a choice as to who would be Babushka's partner. Does your memoria say the same to you? Did you truly live the last ten years? Are you ready to totally live the next?  For her part, BB looks forward to the upcoming 10 years of bailes and hopes you'll be dancing right alongside her. 

A BAILAR SE HA DICHO!

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Freedom Tower

Day 7, Miami's Freedom Tower, the last stop for BB on this great American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip. Ironic if you think about, because this was the first stop into this country for so many.  Built in 1925, modeled after the Giralda Bell Tower on the cathedral of Seville, Spain, this building became the entrance to America for thousands of immigrants.

Freedom Tower- Miami Ntl. Landmark

 We spoke with an expert on the Freedom Tower and Florida, Dr. Paul George- nothing but the best for you My Beautifuls.  Dr. George is a noted historian and past president of the South Florida Historical Society.  My Capitan  Maria de los Angeles had taken a class with him and we were honored that he agreed to an interview.

At this point My Capitan had come in with the big guns- the professional video camera and on person mikes.  We'll have to wait to see the finished edited shoot, but it'll be worth it; Dr. George was a fountain of knowledge and Maria and I were just fabulous!  heje Especially my surprised look when he told me Miami was a well established town before the Cubans mass arrival.  JU SO FONII!!!  No really, he said that!  Look for my surprised face on the video.

Another thing I'd like you to look at are the pictures I took of the Freedom Tower on my Feibu page. It was my last day w/Maria's camera so I made sure to take lots of fotos.  

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.516213865072253.134114.258124544214521&type=3

BBP  (Babushka Bullet Points) on Miami's Freedom Tower

* Housed Miami's 1st Newspaper the Miami News & Metropolis

* The cupola has a beacon light said to represent the enlightenment the newspaper was to shine upon its' readers

* During the Cuban mass exodus away from Fidel Castro's regime in the 1960's to the early 70's, 400,000 Cubans were welcomed into the US  through the doors of the Freedom Tower

* Currently administered by Miami Dade College, it serves as an art gallery and exhibition space.

Through these doors and into Freedom.

As I look at the Freedom Tower I recall many of the stories I heard during my youth.  The hope this building brought, the reunions with loved ones, and the gratitude to a new homeland.

The Majesty of a Classic- standing out among the modern.

Like looking in a mirror.

; )

Babushka besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who gave us the freedom to take this trip and to tell it in our own words.

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American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip- Ft. Matanzas

Day 5 of the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip finds BB at Ft. Matanzas National Monument. Fifteen miles away from St. Augustine, it was a nice leisurely Sunday drive, especially with Carlitos and his guided navigation. Ok si, a lo bueno se acostumbre facil. I am quickly and easily spoiled by the finer things in life.  But can you blame me?  Look how purty he makes it!

Colorful Composition by Carlitos

And talk about purty-  look at this pic of Ft. Matanzas.

Of course this shot was taken when the ferry was close to the fort.  Queee?? You didn't know it was only visitable via ferry?  Here, a little video to give you a taste of the waters and what's ahead. 

 

Now remember the part about the narrow opening at the top to go to the flag...

We arrive at the actual fort, Fort Matanzas. 

A National Monument for its' history, its' longevity and its' service to our country.  

As told brilliantly by this Park Ranger.

In the fort-  

On the ground floor we see how soldiers may have been housed 

and the different uniforms used by various troops who served at Ft. Matanzas.

the view from inside-

the second floor- 

These stairs Babushka had no problem with.

The sentry's quarters.

Now, remember what the ranger had said about a narrow opening?  

BB had no problema with the stairs going to the second story, but the ones going to the roof?

Babushka's Cuban Cadera (Caboose) going through there?

JU SO FONII!!!

BBP (Babushka Bullet Points) on Ft. Matanzas National Monument

* Back door protector for the city of St. Augustine

* Under Spanish govt. Gov. Manuel de Montiano commisioned the fort 

* In 1740 construction made from coquina taking 2 years to complete

* Never overtaken by battle

* Acquired by US in 1819  Declared a Ntl. Monument in 1924

*Can only be reached via ferry- so take precautions if you get seasick.

*No entrance fees but donations are always welcomed

*Is very relaxing and if you want to make a day of it you can go fishing, hiking, and picknicking. (of course check out licenses for the first one- the other two are done near the visitor center.)

So tempting and sooo perfect for this Sunday afternoon,

but Carlitos was ready to navigate to Ybor City, and at this point I happily let him.

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  I had such a lovely time and the surroundings were beautiful, plus I actually had a good camera, so look at the photos on my Feibu page- they're very good- if I say so myself.  

; )

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.513410638685909.133240.258124544214521&type=3

and don't forget my YouTube Channel- http://www.youtube.com/bohemianbabushka

P.P.S.  Thanks once again to the Beautifuls at Florida's Historic Coast for all their hospitality in this part of my travels.

P.P.P.S.  And of course, to the wonderful major sponsors- Mil Gracias.  The views expressed in my posts are always mine (who else would claim them?) but there'd be no roadtrip w/out them.  Thanks.

Serendipity & Synchronicity- Si,Si,Si!!

Serendipity & Synchronicity, the two S Sisters.   Serendipity is the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.  Or as the Encyclopedia/World Book of the computer age Wikipedia defines it, a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it.  Ahora Synchronicity is an apparently meaningful coincidence in time of two or more similar or identical events that are casually unrelated. Queeeee??? Ok si, she's the most complex of the hermanitas; I'll give you un ejemplo.

How could moving Up North to The South possibly help me go on a once in a lifetime dream trip highlighting my Hispanic Heritage? Who'd have thunk it? But it did, and I am, and I must thank the sisters for their part.  Here's the story in an espresso timeline, so try to keep up ok?

Moved to Tallahassee- joined TWAM when a call was made for Spanish speaking volunteer actors. JU SO FONIII!!!  Si, it had been almost 30 years since I acted, and si, my native tongue is Spanglish, pero here that's considered a fluent Spanish speaker, so I was in.  Thanks to TWAM I entered the world of reenactments, history, and a longing to socialize with other hispanics.  This lead me to find Hispanicize.  During an outloud dreaming session I asked the founder, Manny Ruiz what would it take to be able to attend Hispanicize 12, and he gifted me an entrance!!  That entrance led me to a presentation by travel bloggers, in particular Maria De Los Angeles who, with pirate garb on, had traveled around Florida visiting pirate sites  and writing about the adventure.  SYNCHRONICITY!!  I approached (ok, stalked) her after the talk was done and explained how I had wanted to do something similar by traveling to all the VivaFlorida500 events in costume. She was a dear, didn't laugh and even gave me some pointers! Not only did Maria not laugh, she invited BB to join her on a history making roadtrip about history- Latino Heritage to be specific. We would combine her journalism /travel experience with my costuming/acting to form an unforgettable team for an unforgettable trip.  SERENDIPITY!!

Serendipity and Synchronicity-

You go girls!!! 

And what exactly is this roadtrip the hermanitas have honored me with?

The American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip

"visiting historic sites protected by the National Park Service

that honor the contributions of Latinos throughout American history."

Not only did the sisters introduce me to the wonderful aforementioned people and organizations, I'm working with major sponsors of the trip, the American Latino Heritage Fund, the National Park Foundation, Chevrolet- GM Diversity, and Verizon Wireless.

Considering the short time Babushka's been blogging this is a very big honor and I hope to do it justice, therefore... I will be burning up Tweety & Feibu with updates and if I'm not burned by the end of each day I will be posting here.  Si, yo se, I've been taking my vitaminas and resting up for the trip so I should be fine.

Y si no....

there's always cafecito Cubano.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.