Exiled in Tally

Moving from one residence to the another comes with a myriad of emotions, like excitement, sadness, nervousness, happiness, and anger. When my family moved from Cuba to the United States over fifty years ago, they felt these emotions and many more. They left their home country behind in search of a better life for their children, where they could be free to practice their religion and freedom of expression, which was taken away from the Cuban people when Fidel Castro took power. When they traveled to the U.S., they were considered exiles because they thought they would return to their home country in less than a few years’ time. Over half of a century later, they now consider the U.S. their home, however, they have kept their culture and memories of alive from their native land.

 

As a second generation immigrant raised in Miami, I have always been exposed to the Cuban culture. My abuelos often tell me tales of their beloved home country. Growing up surrounded by the Spanish language has also kept me connected to my heritage. Most importantly, the traditional Cuban dishes and delicacies concocted by the matriarchs of my family have brought me closer to the Cuba that I will never see. 

 

When I decided to move to Tallahassee temporarily to further my education, I feared that I would have to cut Cuban food out of my diet cold turkey. To my pleasant surprise, I have found that I am able to find most of the food and ingredients that are needed to make my favorite Cuban dishes. In an attempt to salvage the palates of my Cuban peers in Tallahassee, I have decided to make a survival guide to eating Cuban food in Tallahassee - both cooking and eating out. With my help, the Cuban diet will be reestablished in the stomachs of Tallahassee students.