When I describe Miami to people who have never been there I usually tell them that it's an extension of the Caribbean and South and Central America. So many restaurants from so many different countries, small sectors of the city divided up by country of origin and so many Spanish dialects. Hard to believe that we all speak the same language, but you sometimes have difficulty understanding some of the words used by people from Mexico for example. There is such a strong influence from Native American Languages that I find myself asking them what certain words mean.
The area of Miami where I grew up is Little Havana, one of the many ethnic enclave neighborhoods. This is an area predominately inhabited by Cubans. My family left Cuba in the 1980's, lived in Puerto Rico for a while and then set roots in Miami's Little Havana, where most of them still live. Stepping out onto Calle Ocho (SW 8th street) is almost like walking through the streets of Havana. I always felt more in touch with my roots even though I have never stepped foot in Cuba.
Photo Credit alvaleon_photography on Instagram
Photo Credit alvaleon_photography on Instagram
Calle Ocho has come a long way since I first moved to Miami in the mid 1990's. It is now the epicenter of Cuban culture in South Florida. The street is lined with authentic cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Once a month Viernes Cultural (Cultural Friday) is hosted and the street is shut down for an all out art and music festival. Music and dancing can be heard and seen all through out the five city block party. Artist display their works in business parking lots, it really is a sight to see.
Photo Credit alvaleon_photography on Instagram
At Domino Park you can find multiple games of Dominoes happing at any given time on any given day. A place for retired Cubans to pass the time remembering the days of old from their homeland. Once a year almost 20 city blocks are shut down for Carnaval Calle Ocho. An enormous street music festival where all the different Spanish speaking cultures of Miami come together for a day of ethnic food and music spread throughout.
I love that Miami has helped me stay connected so closely with my own culture. I feel I would have lost so much without this city as a part of my life. I have been able to keep my language (Spanish), I had amazing sources to learn how to make Cuban food, and traditional holiday celebrations. Not only was I able to appreciate my culture more, but I was exposed to so many other cultures and learned so much about the world beyond my city through the representation that I saw every day.
As a Spanish teacher it is important to speak Spanish and teach the mechanics of the language, of course. But it is even more important to understand the culture behind the language and to appreciate it. I believe that Spanish and Hispanic culture is an integral part of Spanish language education and an integral part of my teaching ideals.
