American Latino Heritage Fund- De Soto National Memorial Bradenton, Fl.

Day 3 of  the American Latino Heritage Fund Roadtrip in Florida and BB's in Bradenton visiting the De Soto National Memorial. Queee?? Ok si, Babushka passed Bradenton enroute to Tallahassee, and it would have made more sense logistically to stop there first pero the interview I had wasn't until Friday  and I'm sure you'll agree once you see the videos, it was worth the wait.  Also, by Friday  Babushka is more familiar with the video camera and with interviewing sooo... If a picture can say a thousand words, imaginate how many words are in a video!

Babushka will leave this post in the very capable hands of Park Ranger Jorge Acevedo, Chief of Interpretation of the De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton Florida.

Esta bien, ok si,  BB did have a brief cameo.  

You didn't really think I wouldn't say anything did you?

JU SO FONII!!!

As you could probably tell by the video, this was just a taste of the tales Ranger Acevedo was to share. The full length first intro is on my youtube page and has lovely paisajes as well as interesting facts.

And now the second video showcasing the De Soto Memorial Museum/Theater, because it's interesting, expertly decorated, and last but definitely not least- air conditioned!  Oh yeah.

Nice right?  At this point BB had rehydrated and we were ready to continue visiting the rest of the site. Thankfully the rains were keeping away and Ranger Acevedo had commandeered a golf cart to visit the vast territory. On Babushka's Feibu page you'll see the fotos of this visit- worth the peek.

And now the De Soto National Memorial- for the young and young at heart:

The BBP (Babushka Bullet Points) on the De Soto Memorial:

* Commemorates the years of Conquistador Hernando De Soto's expedition for riches in La Florida. 1539 - 1543

* Through records of the expedition we are able to learn about the natives of this land.

* Houses a tasteful and very well structured museum and theater.

* Is very active in the Jr. Ranger program and in serving the youths of the area.

* Has year round activities http://www.nps.gov/deso/planyourvisit/events.htm 

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

Maravilloso Memorial verdad?  What's also the verdad is that although BB was more familiar with the operation of the camera, the editing options are still out of my grasp.  Lucky for us though, knowledgeable guides have been on hand and their talks have been interesting enough to compensate for my film making follies.  Besides, the bloopers are so BB!

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S. I was bestowed the title of Jr. Park Ranger- oh yes I was!!  Please look at the video showing the nombramento; I'm so honored.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=278469602253719

P.P.S. I'd like to express Mil Gracias to Park Superintendent Scott Pardue for graciously letting me monopolize Ranger Acevedo during my visit, and to the other rangers who were always ready to help.  Por supuesto this couldn't have been done without Ranger Acevedo whose dedication to the De Soto Memorial is evident and very appreciated by this Vieja Viajera.  Nos vemos in Tally for VivaFlorida 500! 

Dare to Bare - It's only taken 500 years.

Top of Post:

This post is sponsored by Dove® ClearTone™ Deodorant - designed to visibly reduce underarm dark marks and even skin tone.

Of course when this was the fashion norm women didn't care or think too much about showing off their arms nor did they spend much time worrying  how to make their skin look good.  They just had to worry about raising the children and having meals ready on time.  Que? JU SO FONII!!! Ok si, maybe that hasn't changed much in 500 years, but I think we can pretty much agree that the amount of skin showing has increased in that time.  Or has it?

Are you one of the ones who hides behind wraps or under sleeves?  Do you put up with being uncomfortable because you're embarrassed by your arms? Por fa mujer- stop that!!  They're yours, be grateful for them and flaunt them.  Believe me, you'll attract more negative attention to yourself by the sweat pouring from your face than by any conceived notion you may have about showing your arms.  That's one of the reasons they used fans back in the day.  Not only was it for flirting, it also stopped the face fountain which was caused by the long sleeves. Truly. This is a well known historical fact. Oh yes it is.

Today we can be more comfortable in our clothing and with ourselves.  Take care of yourself more, pamper yourself more. Think about it- with the life you lead, who needs or deserves it more?  Joy is the first factor for radiant skin.  Notice I said radiant, not to be confused with glistening in sweat.  The second  factor for show off skin is hydration.  Here I confess to being a tad bit forgetful, but I've set the cell alarm to remind me of an hourly drink of water.  Too much sun can also damage our skin. Since I can not do without my a/c this ones no problem for BB. 

Those suggestions were the basics, but who wants just basics?  Babushka for one goes for the gusto, loves todo los hierros, all the extras life can bring.  Give me the creams and products that soften my skin a bit more, the ones that even out tones, and the ones that add that delish scent. Or how about those that leave us with the subtle shine?  Oh my yes! 

I've got plenty of skin, y people, it's like money. 

You take care of it and respect it, so you can then enjoy and  flaunt it!!

; )

Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.



I was compensated for this post by the Clever Girls Collective.com.

 All the opinions expressed here are my own.

Cristobal Colón Was A Cross Dresser.

Christopher Columbus was a cross dresser? Whaaaaaaatttt??  JU SO FONII !!! 

 Ok, si, you're right, let me rephrase that... 

BB was the cross dresser when she portrayed Colón for a play. 

 Actually, it was just a scene...Gracias a Dios, 'cause that helmet is heavy!!!

As y'all know if you've been following Babushka for awhile, 

I'm part of TWAM- Theater With A Mission.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Theater-with-a-Mission/144464259004786?sk=wall

This is a wonderful troupe of volunteer actors working to promote Florida's Spanish history by performing plays written during the Spanish Golden Age and interpreted for today's audiences.  Though written  in the late 1600's - 1700's the plays hit upon many ideals and situations still very pertinent to this generation.  In particular is the play El nuevo mundo descubierto por Cristóbol Colón  (Columbus Finds a New World) written by Lope de Vega which is the signature play of TWAM.  Under the direction of Benjamin Gunter we have performed scenes from the play in Spanish/English, using modern terms and events, and even gender changing of characters in order to share the richness and the parallel between times. 

 How do different cultures act upon first meeting?  

Do they decide to co-exist and if they do how can they maintain true to their beliefs?  

Very apropo for these days- especially for La Florida no crees?

The most endearing part of being a member of TWAM?  For the most part, the troupe is made up of Anglo members- that is to say non Hispanic non Spanish speakers who work so hard in learning the original language because they love the history, the relevancy, and the chance to show the "humaness" between different peoples- just like BB's reason for this blog. 

Si, I love TWAM for all this- 

plus, they let me use my fans.

; )

Babushka Besos a Todos.  Cuidensen.

P.S.  If you would like to know more about TWAM and/or would like to know our performance schedule or perhaps hire the troupe for your event, group or school, please contact Ben Gunter  email benjaminbgunter@yahoo.com  or Kristin King email  luz_antigua@earthlink.net

P.P.S.  TWAM is affiliated with Mission San Luis http://www.missionsanluis.org/  Feibu page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-San-Luis/52968104122  and

Florida Living History  http://www.floridalivinghistory.org/   Feibu page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-Living-History-Inc/258911030802706

BB played Colón for the inauguration of  the Museum of Florida History's Grand Opening of "Forever Changed: La Florida, 1513-1821.  http://www.museumoffloridahistory.com/exhibits/laFlorida/index.cfm  Feibu page https://www.facebook.com/museumoffloridahistory

Por supuesto this goes hand in hand with the wonderful  Viva Florida 500  http://www.visitflorida.com/viva  Feibu page   https://www.facebook.com/VivaFlorida500?sk=info 

P.P.P.S.  The original post about TWAM  http://bohemianbabushka.blogspot.com/2011/09/time-traveling-floridas-spanish-legacy.html