Marta here: I have more stories than I could fit into just one month. I am going to share them once a week. Thank you all for having the courage to share the details of the most difficult time in your life. Today's story comes from Ada. Being able to leave Cuba after just having had surgery was worth the risk. by Ada Owens My mom, my dad, my ...
Cuban immigrants
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Edilia’s Story
Marta here: My heart was aching as I first read Edilia's story. Imagine being a newlywed in Castro's Cuba and looking for a chance to get out and start a new life. By Edilia Beltran Pinero My full name is Josefa Edilia Beltran Bermudez de Pinero. I was 13 years old when Castro came into power. I did not understand much ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Elena’s Story
Marta here: Most Cubans are familiar with Santayana Jewelers. They are a mainstay of the Cuban exile community in Miami. I'm delighted that Elena Santayana has graciously agreed to share her family's stories. Her memories of growing up Santayana are both hilarious and poignant. (Translations to her Cubanisms are marked with a red * and are at the ...
Celebrating Six Years in the Blogosphere (MBFCF Giveaway WEEK!)
If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you already know that I love any occasion to celebrate. So, you're probably asking, "What are we celebrating today, Marta?" Let me tell you. Today marks the 6th Blogiversary of My big, fat, Cuban family on the Web. GUAT? I know. Shut up. That's right, people! SIX. ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Roland’s Story
Marta here: This story is really about Roland's mother. I love how totally genious she was in preparing her young son to leave Cuba at any given moment. as told to Lucy Vega In 1966, little Roly Vega was just 4 years old, born in Habana and living in Camajuani, Las Villas in Cuba. Castro had been in control of Cuba for over 5 years and his ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Estrella’s Story
Marta here: Estrella was 10 years old and part of the historic Mariel Boatlift which happened 32 years ago and brought more than 125,000 (!) Cubans to America's shore and to freedom. Mariel: Remembering the Boatlift By Estrella Diaz-Quibus My parents and I were part of the Mariel boatlift, where hundreds of thousands of Cubans ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Carmen’s Story
Marta here: Carmen tells a beautiful story about her family's many and painful losses after the Cuban Revolution and about their personal triumphs here in America. (Get tissues.) by Carmen McPherson I was born on July 23, 1960 in Santiago, on the beautiful island of Cuba. My parents were born and raised in Cuba. My father had attended ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Henry’s Story
Marta here: Today's entry in my continuing series of "coming to America" stories contributed by readers, Henry tells about his family, who are proud Americans with Cuban roots and his memories of growing up Cuban in Little Havana in the 70's. by Henry J. Celorio I was born in Miami, but my family was from Cuba. My mom and ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Mica’s Story
Marta here. I hope you're enjoying this series: Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Every time I receive an email with "Cuando Sali de Cuba" in the subject line I get super excited. I seriously love that you are all so generous to share your lives with this blog. I know so many of these stories ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – Margaret’s Story
Marta here. Welcome to my ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month - Cuban Style with a series of stories about Cuban American families and how they ended up here in the U.S. Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Today's story comes from Margaret. She tells about the agonizing wait to leave Cuba and how her family was ...
Cuando Sali de Cuba – How We Became Marielitos – Gracie’s Story
Marta here: Welcome to my ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month: Cuban-Style with a series of stories about Cuban American families and how they ended up here in the U.S.: Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Today I want to introduce you to Gracie and her family, who left Cuba as part of the Mariel Boatlift in ...
Cuando salí de Cuba – Maria Elena’s story + A Giveaway
Marta here: I'm celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Cuban-Style with a series of stories about Cuban American families: Cuando Sali de Cuba, stories of courage and hope. Today's story comes from MS. She owns and operates the online store, A Taste of Cuba. *Tissue warning!* I was born in ...
