I was in Florida a few months ago for the KIA Fun and Forty Challenge from Miami to Key West. My time was pretty much booked (in the best way possible) with all the fun activities connected to the trip.
KIA treated us to a fabulous dinner at A & B Lobster House in Key West, after which the rest of the group wanted to meander down to Duval Street in search of fun. Since we were scheduled to leave the following morning, I had to make sure I visited the one must-see-for-all-Cubans-landmark which is fortuitously located in KeyWest.
I made my apologies to the rest of the group and grabbed a cab to take me to the Southernmost Point of the United States. If you've been there, you know that there's a giant buoy on dry land which marks this spot. It also notes that Key West is known as the Conch Republic. But it's the small scrolly yellow type on the wide blue band of this landmark that makes every Cuban who has been here stop and document the moment.
It reads: 90 Miles to Cuba.
Me & Eric. Key West, Florida. 2003.
There's something jarring and a bit sobering about that bit of information. First you say, "Wow! How cool is that?! It's only 90 miles to Cuba! Let's get a photo!" Then, you stand there for just a moment and the reality slowly sinks in. "It's only 90 miles to Cuba from this spot."
90 miles.
That's about how far it is from my house to the Mexican border and is easily drive-able in a little over an hour.
90 miles.
I stood there and thought of how near Cuba was to me at that moment. Almost immediately I thought of how impossibly far those 90 miles really were. How many Cubans, I wondered, had risked their lives and everything they held dear to attempt that 90 mile crossing? How many of us were here, with our homeland just 90 miles out of our reach?
I got emotional. And there in the middle of the night, as I asked the cab driver to please take my picture, I burst into tears.
A mere 90 miles from the land of my birth was really an entire lifetime away.
As one of my Facebook readers solemnly noted, it's like visiting our very own Statue of Liberty. It's a must-see. And it's mandatory that we be photographed there.
For a moment, I wondered if it was just a personal thing. So I asked my Facebook fans if they made the pilgrimage and did the photo thing, too.
I received the following…
From Mercy Cope: Couldn't find one of myself but here are my daughter & niece last summer.
From Elizabeth Medinilla: Photo was taken last August. I was so happy our cruise ship was diverted to Key West due to hurricane near Bahamas.
Jose and Ody Fabregas.
From Esther Behar LaRoque: We were just there!
Marie and Marc Masferrer. By the way, Marc has a wonderful must-read blog called Uncommon Sense. He keeps abreast of and reports on all the news from the anti-Castro dissident movement in Cuba and blogs passionately for a free Cuba. Go and read. He's a wonderful journalist and friend.
Gustavo Rojas.
I love that marker. I do. I love what it represents. I love that even though it denotes the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. it's a landmark that we Cuban-Americans claim as our own.
Carrie from Tiki Tiki Blog even sent me a photo of the marker all bundled up and waiting for Hurricane Isaac to arrive.
I have a little souvenir version of this beautiful and iconic "90 Miles to Cuba" marker.
I take it with me when I travel. And I have a lot of fun with it.
I like to photograph myself with it in the most random places.
Outdoors…
When I'm not traveling, it sits on my desk, as a constant reminder of how near and yet so far those 90 miles truly are.
Guess what?
I have one 3 inch tall replica (just like mine) of the Southernmost Point Marker, aka the "90 Miles to Cuba" buoy to give away.
To enter the drawing for a chance to win this adorable "90 Miles to Cuba" souvenir, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or all of the following questions:
- What year did your family arrive in the U.S. from Cuba?
- Have you ever been to the "90 Miles to Cuba" Marker in Key West and did you take a photo?
- Where would you photograph the marker if you had one?
I'll do a random drawing on Thursday, August 30th at 8 pm Pacific Time.
Let the relajo begin.
Thanks to all of you who posted your photos on My big, fat, Cuban family Facebook page. I love when you play along. ~Marta
I would display it prominently on my entertainment center next to the picture of my family & I ten years ago taking a picture in front of it. That way I’d always see it and rememeber I’m not that far away from Mi Cubita Linda. And everyone else would see it too, of course!
Hi Marta…love your posts!I arrived with my parents from Cuba in 1969 along with my older sister and younger brother, (all under the age of 5). We settled in Chicago where my baby sister was born 2 years later.
My husbands father escaped from Cuba on a boat in 1967 with his 2 cousins. I used to tell him they were the original balseros..LOL! He also settled in Chicago and worked hard for 2 yrs in order to afford to bring his wife and kids here.
We’ve been to the Keys but have never made it as far down as the Southernmost Point (definitely on our to do list). Our basement, dubbed our tropical oasis to get us through rough winters, is decorated with a “Cuban theme”. Warm yellow painted walls, domino table, palm tree paintings, even a plaque in the shape of the island of Cuba! My family spends more time there than the rest of the house! Though we are technically farther away than 90 miles from our beautiful homeland, I couldn’t think of a better place to proudly display this marker!
I would simply put it on my night stand. This way when I go to bed every night I can dream and reminisce of the land I love.
Marta, as always, a wonderful post.My family arrived in the US in late 1961 and my parents ended up in Dallas before heading to NY in 1962.
I have been to the marker – a trip to Key West isn’t complete without a stop at the 90 Miles to Cuba marker. I took my now 17 year old daughter there when she was just 1 year old.
If I had the souvenir marker like yours I’d photograph it with the Statue of Liberty behind it. A reminder of what our families left behind but also a reminder of the open arms with which the US welcomed our families and the freedom we’ve enjoyed.
How fun :)My family arrived in May 1962….my twin sister & I arrived 1 1/2 yrs later ๐
I have been to the keys several times–always have to take our picture there LOL
Would be funny to take it on our trips with us and include it in our pics !
Great post Marta!My family arrived to Miami in 1969 via Mexico.
I love Key West and it has always been a fun place
to get away for the weekend. Our last picture with the 90 mile landmark was taken three years ago, Sept 2009.
If I win the souvenir, I would lend it to my pastor to take with him to Matanzas next month and stand at the very place that is 90 Miles to the USA. ๐
I couldn’t agree more with that sentiment that it is simultaneously SO CLOSE to Cuba, and yet it feels so impossibly far away. I’ve been to the marker many times, growing up in South Florida. My mom came from Cuba when she was 13. If I had a mini-marker, I would take it with me to Scotland when I move there next year. There’s a restaurant in Edinburgh called ‘Cuba Norte’ which is an understatement. I would totally take a picture of the Southernmost marker at the northernmost Cuban restaurant.
Marta, what an awesome post!!! We came to the US in 1967, stopped in Florida for 2 days and straight to CA we went and this is where we have been ever since. We did not have a chance to see this nor did we know it was there, we were so happy to be here is America, and overwhelmed with joy that was pretty much it. If I had this little marker I would mounted somehow to our huge American flag pole we have in our front yard, so I can look at it daily as a reminder….
โขWhat year did your family arrive in the U.S. from Cuba? My parents arrived in 1967, before I was born, but I am 100% cuban, and my kids are too !!!โขHave you ever been to the “90 Miles to Cuba” Marker in Key West and did you take a photo? Yes, as a kid, I have not had the opportunity to take my kids to it…
โขWhere would you photograph the marker if you had one?
A the Cuban Club here in Tampa !!! We are proud members and it would also remind me of home, as sometimes I am home sick for a country I don’t visually know. <3 your blog and FB page !!!!
My family and I arrived in Miami in 1963. We moved to Los Angeles in 1965. In reading your Facebook post and now your blog, my eyes started tearing because that marker and what it represents meant everything to my parents. I was little (5) when I came over, but I can just imagine the culture shock of coming to a new country with different customs and a different language. My dad had to go for miles to find a job. Imagine being a known journalist in your country and going to work as a fruit picker in another….I remember taking my parents on a Caribbean cruise and getting as close to 8 miles from Cuba. My dad’s eyes just lit up like a Christmas tree as I pulled out my zoom lens and we saw the coastline. I’m so glad I was there to share that moment with him.My parents are now 95 and 93….they never went back. They lost all their family members in Cuba but Dad vowed never to go back under the Castro regime. This little marker would go on their dresser in their nursing home….a reminder of their families, friends and country they both love so much. Maybe I’ll take it at times and have my picture taken with it on my travels. I think my parents will really like that idea.
Although my parents came to the states in ’55 and missed the whole revolution, we were clearly brought up knowing, eating, and living the Cuban ways. I would love that marker for my desk at work. Always representing, que viva Cuba libre!<3!
Iarrived from Cuba in 1971 is was 5 1/2. My late husband and I were planing a trip in 2010 for a Christmas surprise to take our then 5 yr old daughter. Unfortunatly he passed away that November and I haven’t found in my heart to go yet. My daughter is always asking if her papi can see her from heaven, if I did win this it will not only be a sympole of our love for Cuba anbut also remember how much my daughters papi loved her and how one day he will see her again. We will display it in our livening room. Thank you
We arrived from Cuba in 1961, my parents, brother and myself, I was 4 months old. Although always raised as a true Cuban.This summer, I visited my family in Miami and took my eldest son Mauricio (18) with me. It was such an incredible journey for us both, we connected like never before and I was able to show him around. The places where I used to frequent growing up in Miami. One of our fun trips was to Key West, and what made it even more special is that my best childhood friend accompanied us. And of course, we took a picture with the marker!
I would place the marker in front of a beautiful picture of a map of Cuba, to remind me how close we are and to never lose hope, that one day I’ll return with my family. What a trip that will be!
Me, Me please, I need one, came here in 1962 my father was a Jai-Alai player with dual contracts here and in Cuba so we were able to escape because of him, he is gone now but my family and I owe him our freedom.thank you Papi
We arrived in 1964 when I was five. I remember being traumatized and crying uncontrollably.I have never been down that far south, but my parents have, many times. I’m sure there’s a photo (or 2 or 3) of them next to the marker in one of their albums.
I would take it wherever I went, keeping it close to my heart. As Cuba is always close to my heart.
My dad was sent to Florida in 1961. Earlier this year he and my mom made it down to Key West and they had their photo taken at the 90 mile marker. I have yet to make it there. I would share the marker with my Spanish classes and then keep it on my teaching cart to remind me of my abuela who was also a teacher!
Your posts are great! I enjoy reading them!My mom and her parents arrived in 1969. My dad and his parents arrived in 1971. I know the stories well!
My mom and brother are the only one’s to have seen the marker. My mom cried and my brother didn’t really know what to do! There’s a picture somewhere. My grandparents have never seen it. They’ve been to Miami plenty of times to visit friends and family but never done far enough to see the marker.
If I had the marker, I’d be sure to take it with me when I visited my family, especially my grandparents and make sure to have a picture taken with the marker and them. They are getting up there in years and I know it breaks their hearts to never have been able to go back to Cuba. One of my grandmothers just lost her last remaining brother in Cuba and it’s heartbreaking to hear her cry about it.
I would also take it with me to the hospital when I deliver my baby in a few weeks so I can get a picture of the newest Cuban to come into the world!
Even though I was born in the US, I would have to keep the marker with me everywhere I went. It’s a way to feel more connected with the family I’ve never met.
I would put it on my desk so that all of my students could see it and we could tlk about it.
Place it in my Christmas tree! ๐
great pictures and post! My parents came with me and brothers in 1960. Yes, we have been there and have taken pictures but I can’t put my hands on where they are..right now. I was also there with a girlfriend in 1976. Thank you!!!
-My family arrived in the US from Cuba in 1959. They started they lives in the US in New Jersey and then ended up in Miami.-As for visiting Key West, I have gone many times. As a family, we were all just there in 2009. My father, siblings, spouses and children gathered in the Keys for our first annual family trip/reunion. We have the obligatory picture in front of the buoy.
-If I had the miniature one I would take a picture of it at every family reunion as a reminder of that first trip in 2009.
1. I have two answers to this question: 1959 and 1961. In 1959, my maternal abuelo left Cuba in order to come to the United States, get things settled so that my abuelita and uncle could come in ’61, and enlist in the Air Force. When they did arrive, it was just in time for my abuelo to enlist in Brigade 2506 as a pilot. He then spent 2 years in political prison in Cuba after the Bay of Pigs. On my father’s side, my gradparents came over in 1961, my abuela about four months along with my aunt.2. Out of all of the times I have been to South Florida (which is 2 weeks practically every summer and during Christmas/New Years), I have never seen this wonderful landmark. My parents have told me about it, but I have never seen it myself.
3. If I had a marker, I would undoubtedly photograph it at the dinner table with my abuelita’s delicious arroz con pollo, just as a little reminder that Cuba is always closer with your family at your side. ๐
My father and his family came in the 1950’s. They settled in Key West, FL and lived there for many years before moving to Tampa, FL. I have never visited the 90 mile marker, but it is on my list to visit. If I won I would place it in my home to remind me of my Dad and his family.
I would place it on my night stand next to my mom’s picture, she passed away last month. I always wanted to go back to Cuba with her.When we left in 1961 she said to me,”Take a good look, you’ll never see this place again.” So close, so far away.
my daughter went to Key West this summer and bought me a mug in this style, yesterday she dropped it by accident and the mug broke. she was heartbroken that she broke my gift.I told her, we can always go back, but I do miss my mug, it made me closer to Cuba
I forgot to include that we left Cuba in 1973, lived in Spain for about 2 years before coming to Miami. Lived 4 years there and then moved to NY.Never visited the marker because the one and only time I went to Key West, it was not there.
What would I do? probably the same like you, take it some places and take pictures, then put it in a prominent place in my home where things remind me of Cuba, the elephant by the door.
My family and myself arrived to the US in 1980, we left in February via Spain and because of the Mariel boat lift, we arrived in July. By the way, I have visited the landmark and did get a photo with it.
I’ve been to the marker and had my picture taken. What I’d love to do is take a picture with the souvenir on the steps of Florida’s capital. BB lives 30 mins away- how cool would that be?BB2U
My parents and I arrived at “Cayo Hueso” (Key West) on 6/3/80; a day shy of my 11th birthday.Many years ago I had my picture taken at the marker on an impromptu weekend trip while visiting family in Miami.
Many things crossed my mind and made my heart grow heavy… all those poor souls that couldn’t make it to freedom… how lucky we were to have survived those rough waters… 90 miles that seemed like an eternity to cross.
I am Cuban by birth. I love my heritage, mi picardia que viene con ella. I am a proud American by choice. ๐
My grandparents and mom came to the US in February of 1970. When I visited the marker I got chills in my body just to think how close I was to the land my grandparents loved so much and were forced to leave and never returned like they dreamed of one day. If I were to win to win this I would take it with me to Hawaii next month and take pictures with it especially at a nice little Cuban restaurant I plan to visit in Oahu……
my family came in 1987, 2 years shy of my birth.I have been to Key West multiple times and I always take a picture on the buoy ๐
I would photograph it with my cuban decorations, when my parents went to cuba for the first time in 25 years last year my cousins sent me wooden decorative cars which i built a rack for. I keep my cuban coins, prized cars and a bottle of havana club dark and light ๐ I promised my mom that I would take her to Cuba next year and I am sticking to that promise!
I came from Cuba alone as a Pedro Pan child in December 1961. My mother came six months later. The rest of my family could not join us until 1966. I have never gone back to Cuba to visit. Don’t think I ever will, because I no longer have any family there and, specially, because the Cuba I remember exists only in my memories. And that’s how I want it to remain.I love Key West and visit often. My last visit was the weekend before last, August 17-19th! Amazingly enough, I could never have my picture taken at the buoy until this last visit. The lines were always too long for the people I visited with previously. But this time, I got my picture taken at the buoy!!!
If I won the little buoy souvenir, I would turn it into a Christmas Tree ornament and would photograph it there, making it a part of my annual photo Christmas card. My Christmas Tree ornament collection tells a story of my life and the life of my family. No fancy, shiny crystal ornaments for me — but meaningful little items from our past that tell our story as a family. The buoy would be perfect for my 2012 tree, as this was the first year I was able to have my picture taken there. ๐
What year did your family arrive in the U.S. from Cuba?My mother arrived in the U.S. in 1955 she came to live with her oldest brother out of a family of 12 to help take care of my older cousins. She is still living in Hialeah and she is 76 yrs young…and I love having her still alive and living a very good retirement…She is about to be a bis abuela by my first born daughter.
Have you ever been to the “90 Miles to Cuba” Marker in Key West and did you take a photo? yes, I have been there twice. Once when I was younger with my family and once with my wife. I did take pictures but I don’t know where they are.
Where would you photograph the marker if you had one? I would take it to Philadelphia, Washington, DC and at the Stature of Liberty. I live in Wilmington, DE and I live 1 to 2 hours from each of these cities.
My family and I arrived from Luyano, Habana, cuba on 7/20/1967. I spent my 13th birthdat at the airport in Cuba on July 19th, waiting to LEAVE!
I have not been to Key West YET.I would photograph the “PRIZE” at my daughter’s upcoming wedding.
LOVE YOUR BLOG! I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT IT THROUGH A FACEBOOK FRIEND
How adorable! :)My mother and her family arrived in the States in 1966. The last time I was at the Key West marker, I was a young child–I’m sure a photo of it exists somewhere in our family’s extensive photographic archives. I’d love to give this to my mom, I think she’d love it. It would be cute to photograph her at the actual marker holding the tiny one in her hand–how meta! ๐ Love your blog and Facebook page. Besos.
My Cuban grandfather arrived in New York in the 1920s but could never really LEAVE Cuba and would travel back every year that he was able until his death. If I had that little marker, it would be placed in a prominent place on our mantle next to the photo of abuelo Pedro.
Hello – Hola : Sorry about my English.Mi name is Raul Adrian Nuรฑez de Cespedes de la Caridad.
I born the 8 of September of 1962. Im an Ex-politic prisioner. Come to USA with my family the Aug.24 of 1989.
I have never be able to go at the Keys , if I have that little marker , I will make magic and stick on my heart.
God bless ALL …… always…. RAUL
Hi. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!Love,
Jim and Sylvia Gannett
Frederick, MD
[email protected]