Today, December fourth, es le día de la Santa Barbara. And if there ever was a saint that held a Cuban passport, it would be her (after la Caridad del Cobre, of course). The legend of Santa Barbara is also quintessentially Cuban. Her super-strict, wealthy dad locked her up in a tower and the few times she was … More Santa Barbara bendita
An hour from Los Angeles, you’ll “leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy” for about two hundred bucks and a mean sunburn. Before I get any further, I should say I don’t have kids or a strong affinity for the Disney brand or even particularly enjoy large crowds. However, this should … More La cenicienta
The city of Temecula is a little under two hours away from LA, which is also the exact amount of time you’ll need to exhaust all of the culo jokes you can come up with. Go directly to Old Town because, first, it’s absolutely charming with array of specialty stores, boutiques, art galleries, and antiques stores. And … More Un cortadito
Richard Nixon was a congressman, a senator, a two-term vice-president, a near two-term president, and an adviser to the presidents after him. He was also the first president to resign. All of these are facts I knew thanks to my seventh grade civics report on the 37th POTUS. Years later through movies, books and the Pentagon Papers, … More El escándalo
How far would you travel for a good flan de leche? Five miles. Maybe 10. How far would you go for the best flan de leche in Southern California? The answer to that is 30 miles, because it’s the distance between the city of angels and the city of Orange. Located on an adorable roundabout facing a small park is … More Un flan
As a kid, I remember watching the Rose Bowl Parade on our very non-HD, barely color and monstrously boxy television set. I could hardly hear the announcers’ color commentary over my mother’s “¡Mira pa’ eso!” “¡Que cosa más bella Dios mio! ” and “Como inventan los Americanos.” Now I get to send her text messages with crisp photos, inches … More Las rosas
As the boat slowed on its approach toward the dock, I couldn’t help but hear El Beny sing, “Cuando a Varadero llegué, conocí la felicidad…” Only it wasn’t Varadero, it was Catalina and she was glistening. There’s nothing like leaving the crowd and noise of the city behind. Although its only 22 miles off of the coast, … More Isla de la juventud
Vegas baby! I can’t help but love everything about this silly town. Everything is so far-fetched and over the top, yet so perfect all at the same time. If I were to list the top ten meals of my life, two of them would be from this place. This place is also home to my most indulgent spa … More Carretera central: Las Vegas
Regardless of your party affiliation or personal politics, it’s a universal truth that Ronald Reagan was the first Cuban president. For many Cubans, Number 41 was a figure that perfectly embodied the United States’ promise of freedom and its far-reaching power. Ronald Reagan (more accurately pronounced RRRO-nal RRREE-gang) took office in 1981 and almost instantly imposed the travel … More El presidente
I drove 2,761 miles from Miami to Los Angeles – to date my crowning achievement as an avid road tripper. Although I love any sort of mode of travel – planes, trains, ships, ferries, guaguas, bici-taxis – there’s nothing like getting behind the wheel and capitaneando your own vacation. Lucky for me, L.A. is a pretty great starting … More Carretera central: Napa Valley
A Cuban's Guide to L.A. 