Miami may be famous for its beaches and blue oceans, for Art Deco, the Everglades and its hot humid climate. But Miami would not be as caliente and welcoming if it weren't for its Cuban community.
Such influence is found everywhere in town, but it is at Calle Ocho, at the heart of Little Havana that the traditions, the cuisine, the sounds and souls of Cubans are felt so close to the "Pearl of the Antilles".
Calle Ocho is just a part of what is actually SW 8th street, who receives several different names throughout its extension that goes from Tampa, on the northwest of a Florida state to Miami. Hence other famous name it is given : Tamiami Trail
But the most exciting thing you can find here is Cubans. Usually from older generations, that escaped the island in pursuit of freedom and away from the Comunist regime, these people exhale life and some sort of sensuality in the way they speak, yell or move!
Right in the middle of Calle Ocho, there is a Domino Park, just like an outdoor community club where they play cards and, of course, one of most traditional sports: Dominoes
Right behind the memorial there is of course a statue of the Virgin right next to an enormous tree that reminds us of how Cubans are resilient and passionate about their beloved island and won't ever lose faith in it, because as Jose Martínez once said: The nation is agony and duty!
Credits:
Rogerio Cazelato