Babalu Blog: Proud to be a Cuban

August 22, 2007

Proud to be a Cuban

A friend e-mailed this to me today, bringing a smile to my face:

GROWING UP IN A CUBAN HOUSEHOLD

I grew up in a household where coffee, milk andsugar were part of a balanced breakfast.

I grew up in a household where my ADD and ADHD was treated with "encuanto te coja te voy a dar una paliza" instead of Ritalin.

I grew up in a household where all it took was just ONE look.

I grew up in a household where we loved white rice and fried eggs.

I grew up in a household where lentil soup was considered "comida de preso"

I grew up in a household where Spanish was my primary language.

I grew up in a household where Spanish was my only language.

I grew up in household where I had to go to my school open house to translate for my parents.

I grew up in a household where my brothers and I shared a room until I was fifteen.

I grew up in a household where music or TV was never played on Good Friday.

I grew up in a household where we ate "bacalao" on Good Friday because all other fish was too expensive.

I grew up in household where we ate "lechon" at Thanksgiving.

I grew up in a household where we ate "lechon" at Nochebuena.

I grew up in a household where we ate "lechon" at birthday parties. Come to think of it, I grew up in a household where we ate "lechon" at every social function.

I grew up in a household where Tilo and Manzanilla were the remedies to end all ailments.

I grew up in a household where I could have cafe con leche forbreakfast but I was too young for a buchito de cafe.

I grew up in a household where we watched la novela while we were having dinner.

I grew up in a household where I was not allowed to sleepover at anybody's house but they could all come over to our house.

I grew up in a household where the carpool was"el ride", "el carrito" was the lunchman y "la lonchera" was the lunch box.

I grew up in a household where "la carne" was from "la carniceria"and the groceries were from "la bodega".

I grew up in a household where meat and potatoes were literally "carne con papas."

I grew up in a household where oxtail stew had the colorful name of "rabo encendido" or a fiery tail.

I grew up in a household where people were either "blanco, negro,indio o chino."

I grew up in a household where we drank Bustelo because El Pico wasfor Puerto Ricans.

I grew up in a household where we ate "frijoles negros y colorados."

I grew up in a household where the oven was used exclusively to store"las cazuelas" and the oil.

I grew up in a household where "los perros" was the dog track, "las maquinitas" were slot machines and "el juego" was anything related to gambling.

I grew up in a household ran by Cubans.

I survived in that household ran by Cubans.

And I'm proud of it!!!

Damn, it's great to be CUBAN!

Posted by Marc at August 22, 2007 10:07 PM

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It is great to be Cuban!

Posted by: pototo at August 22, 2007 10:29 PM

My Cuban buddy Clem from Kansas is in town visiting and he says there are only two types of people - Cubans and those who want to be Cubans.

Posted by: Tomas Estrada-Palma at August 22, 2007 11:18 PM

Oh yes, "The One Look" was very effective with me. I still get "The Look" from my 82 year old dad when I do something he does not agree with, and yes it works. My mother would just shake her head (and still does) and that works with me too!!!! I thank God everyday for my parents and I thank them every chance I get for bringing me up in a Cuban Household.

Posted by: ORGULLOSADESERCUBANA at August 23, 2007 05:41 AM

I would add that for dessert anything that contained "guayaba y queso blanco"

Posted by: Tango_1250 at August 23, 2007 06:58 AM

Cono you have to drink Pilon! Bustelo, although made by the same company was Puerto Rican!

Posted by: CubanRedneck at August 23, 2007 08:31 AM

I grew up in a household where I had to wait an hour after eating before coming in contact with water.

Posted by: daniel_in_garanhuns at August 23, 2007 09:56 AM

Daniel you lucky bastard... I had to wait 2 hours

Posted by: Vedado at August 23, 2007 12:05 PM

The greatest is being able to pass these things on to your kids. Especially the least liked by them, but you do just because.

When any of my girls protested for not being allowed to stay out after dark, my answer would be...BECAUSE WE'RE CUBAN! And Cuban girls don't roam the streets after dark. Don't argue, I would say. It's a CUBAN THING!

Posted by: Jewbana at August 23, 2007 02:00 PM

I grew up in a household where the one Spanish speaking secretary at my junior high school called home to clarify why I had been absent the previous day. You see, upon my return to school, I officiously advised all my Americano teachers that I had been in no shape to attend school the prior day because I was "intoxicated."

I forgot to mention that it was due to una comelata de camaron enchilado, that did not agree with me. Something was apparently lost in the too literal translation.

Posted by: LittleGator at August 23, 2007 03:27 PM

August 22, 2007

Proud to be a Cuban

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