Miami's Little Havana Showcases Cuban Life

By Ade Astuti
Miami, Florida
03 August 2007

Little Havana boasts the largest population of Cubans outside the island.

One business owner in little Havana, Miami, Carol Ann Weaver, describes it, "This is a very ethnic, ripe, colorful, musical and interesting neighborhood."

William Talbert, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, explains how Little Havana was born. "When Castro took over Cuba, most of the professionals in Cuba left. And, they came to the closest area they could get to which was Miami. There was a famous processing center here. We became the Ellis Island for the Cubans."

Cuban culture flourishes in Little Havana. Old Cuban men discuss
politics over games of dominos. Cuban style cigars are readily available in neighborhood shops. And art galleries exhibiting unique artwork by Cuban Americans line the streets.

No visit to Little Havana is complete without enjoying popular Cuban dishes like
Ropa Vieja -or shredded beef - and Cuban Skirt Steak.

Romo Montano owns "Romo," a popular restaurant frequented by Shakira, Marc Anthony, Pele and other celebrities. Montano left Cuba as a child and has lived in Little Havana ever since. "I came up with the idea of bringing people from outside Little Havana to come and see me, and see what Little Havana is all about. I really thank God for the opportunity of being here in the place where I grew up."

The neighborhood's festive mood and Latin music keeps visitors and locals alike talking and dancing all night long in Little Havana's restaurants and clubs.

迈阿密的小哈瓦那展现古巴人的生活


小哈瓦那自夸拥有古巴除岛屿之外的最多的人口。

迈阿密的商人Carol Ann Weaver描述小哈瓦那时说道：“这是一个非常民族的，成熟的，多彩的，爱好音乐的，有趣味的近邻。

美国大迈阿密区会议与观光局的William Talbert解释小哈瓦那是怎么形成的。“当卡斯特罗掌管古巴时，古巴的大部分专业人员离开了。他们来到了附近地区，那就是迈阿密。这里有一著名的加工中心。对古巴人来说我们成为了埃利斯岛。”

古巴文化繁荣于小哈瓦那。老古巴人讨论一些关于骨牌效应的政治问题。附近商店已备有古巴风格香烟。街道的艺廊陈列着古巴美国人的独一无二的艺术作品。

没有去过小哈瓦那的人完全享受不到古巴的菜肴，像古巴炖牛肉，牛肉炒饭和古巴青柠肋排。

Romo Montano 拥有“Romo”，一个非常流行的饭店，常常出没于名人，如：Shakira, Marc Anthony, Pele 和其他名人。当Montano是小孩时离开了古巴，从此在小哈瓦那定居。“我有个想法，使小哈瓦那外边的人们回来看看我，看看小哈瓦那。我真的感谢上天给我一个在这里出生成长的机会。

周围的欢快气氛和拉丁音乐使小哈瓦那饭店和酒吧的旅行者和当地居民一整夜谈天说地，激情跳舞。