I know you want me (Calle Ocho)...

Little Havana

Maybe some of you haven't heard of Pitbull and one of his most popular songs, "I know you want me (Calle Ocho)?   But, since I've made a reference to Calle Ocho in one of my previous blog entries, I thought maybe I should share a little about Calle 8 and my visits over the past 25 years.

My first visit to Calle Ocho was in late 1988 (or very early 1989), while serving in the Navy and stationed aboard the Battleship Wisconsin.  We pulled into Fort Lauderdale for a short 3 or 4 day visit and  I was invited to go on liberty call with some Puerto Rican shipmates.  We headed straight for Little Havana (I guess it was the only thing they knew?).  Anyway, it was complete and total culture shock, but in a very good way.  We spent the day there, enjoying ourselves like sailors do.  Fortunately for us, there was a street event happening that weekend with A LOT of people, fantastic food and wonderful music.

My memories of that first trip down Calle Ocho will never be forgotten.  It was sensory overload in every good way imaginable.

Sadly, Little Havana is no longer the mega center of the Cuban immigrant population.  Now, it seems like every Central American country has and equal representation there.  One thing that does remain is Domino Park, aka "Maximo Gomez Park".  This has been (and continues to be) the place where the remaining retired Cuban Americans come to play dominoes and chess daily.

Don't get me wrong.. Calle Ocho still has it's charm.  Maybe, and just perhaps, it is me that has "matured" over the last 25.  Nevertheless, without doubt, it certainly still has the best cup of double espresso (Cafe Cubano) anywhere in Miami.

Until the next time.. A dios Calle Ocho!