Comments on: Miami the Big Havanna http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/ Backpacking Around the World Tue, 29 Mar 2024 11:49:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-3022 Jason Thu, 17 Feb 2024 03:50:56 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-3022 Yes, it's a big country with so many different cultures and environments. Thanks for stopping by Rease. Yes, it’s a big country with so many different cultures and environments. Thanks for stopping by Rease.

]]> By: Rease http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-3019 Rease Thu, 17 Feb 2024 01:44:41 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-3019 I just stumbled on this and I really like it. It's so true that cities in the US can be just as daunting as being outside the country! I just stumbled on this and I really like it. It’s so true that cities in the US can be just as daunting as being outside the country!

]]> By: Alicia http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2696 Alicia Fri, 14 Jan 2024 06:23:49 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2696 What a fantastic, and insightful post.. It sounds like you have had so many great adventures , plus many lessons learned. I can totally relate to some of it, though many of these are things I haven't yet encountered. What a fantastic, and insightful post.. It sounds like you have had so many great adventures , plus many lessons learned. I can totally relate to some of it, though many of these are things I haven’t yet encountered.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2596 Jason Mon, 10 Jan 2024 01:59:25 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2596 It's definitely a place where Spanish is EVERYWHERE. It’s definitely a place where Spanish is EVERYWHERE.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2594 Jason Mon, 10 Jan 2024 01:54:07 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2594 I always wondered if San Diego, being so close to the border, was similar with the Spanish language. Well now i know, that I should learn Spanish in Miami. I always wondered if San Diego, being so close to the border, was similar with the Spanish language. Well now i know, that I should learn Spanish in Miami.

]]> By: Scott @ Ordinary Traveler http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2584 Scott @ Ordinary Traveler Fri, 07 Jan 2024 15:17:29 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2584 That is so true. We live in San Diego now and everyone thinks that we all must know spanish just because we are so close to mexico, but it's just not the case. Aside from all the taco shops and mexican super markets there is almost no mexican influence. Maybe I need to live in Miami for a while so I can finally grasp the language. That is so true. We live in San Diego now and everyone thinks that we all must know spanish just because we are so close to mexico, but it’s just not the case. Aside from all the taco shops and mexican super markets there is almost no mexican influence. Maybe I need to live in Miami for a while so I can finally grasp the language.

]]> By: Christy -- Technosyncratic http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2580 Christy -- Technosyncratic Fri, 07 Jan 2024 02:25:12 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2580 We arrived in Miami a few days ago and seriously just had the EXACT SAME conversation about how prevalent Spanish is here! We lived in San Diego for two years and it doesn't even compare. There are so many signs here in Miami that are only en espanol, and when I got my hair trimmed I had to rely on hand gestures to communicate. :) Who needs international travel when there are so many cultures right here in the U.S.? We arrived in Miami a few days ago and seriously just had the EXACT SAME conversation about how prevalent Spanish is here! We lived in San Diego for two years and it doesn’t even compare. There are so many signs here in Miami that are only en espanol, and when I got my hair trimmed I had to rely on hand gestures to communicate. :) Who needs international travel when there are so many cultures right here in the U.S.?

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2533 Jason Fri, 31 Dec 2024 20:36:28 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2533 Hey Scott, so it sounds like we are in similar situations. Our women steer us to explore. Hey Scott, so it sounds like we are in similar situations. Our women steer us to explore.

]]> By: Scott @ Ordinary Traveler http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2510 Scott @ Ordinary Traveler Wed, 29 Dec 2024 15:37:28 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2510 I feel your pain. Christy, my girlfrined, is much more fluent in spanish that I am. She is also the one who is eager to go see other places. Without her I would never have seen some of the countries that I have visited. Great wawa reference. I haven't been to one of those since I lived in NJ. Great story I can really identify with it. I feel your pain. Christy, my girlfrined, is much more fluent in spanish that I am. She is also the one who is eager to go see other places. Without her I would never have seen some of the countries that I have visited. Great wawa reference. I haven’t been to one of those since I lived in NJ. Great story I can really identify with it.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2451 Jason Wed, 22 Dec 2024 00:38:43 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2451 Earl, you touch on something that Aracely and I discussed with each other after returning back to the USA. It is diverse. More diverse than any other country we visited in Latin America. It's hard to notice when you live in it everyday. But, once you leave and come back, it sort of stands out. It's a great thing. Earl, you touch on something that Aracely and I discussed with each other after returning back to the USA. It is diverse. More diverse than any other country we visited in Latin America. It’s hard to notice when you live in it everyday. But, once you leave and come back, it sort of stands out. It’s a great thing.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2447 Jason Wed, 22 Dec 2024 00:34:18 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2447 I hope to love it too. So far, I really hate the terrible traffic and over development, but I think the beaches and warm weather will make up for that. I hope to love it too. So far, I really hate the terrible traffic and over development, but I think the beaches and warm weather will make up for that.

]]> By: Matt | YearAroundTheWorld http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2430 Matt | YearAroundTheWorld Tue, 21 Dec 2024 00:17:13 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2430 I used to work in Miami, but lived north in Ft. Lauderdale. It always felt like I was leaving the US, but I loved it! I used to work in Miami, but lived north in Ft. Lauderdale. It always felt like I was leaving the US, but I loved it!

]]> By: Earl http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2423 Earl Sun, 19 Dec 2024 10:23:35 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2423 Some of my family has now moved to southern Florida and I remember visiting them for the first time and finding it fascinating that I had trouble finding an English radio station or that staff in shops and restaurants automatically assume I spoke Spanish. And now I thoroughly enjoy visiting this area as it allows me to practice the Spanish I learned while living in Mexico and to maintain some of the connection I feel to Latin America in general. It is this very diversity in the US that I miss more than anything during my travels overseas. And I'd imagine that the more time you spend there yourself, just like with traveling, the more comfortable you will be with these now foreign surroundings. Some of my family has now moved to southern Florida and I remember visiting them for the first time and finding it fascinating that I had trouble finding an English radio station or that staff in shops and restaurants automatically assume I spoke Spanish. And now I thoroughly enjoy visiting this area as it allows me to practice the Spanish I learned while living in Mexico and to maintain some of the connection I feel to Latin America in general. It is this very diversity in the US that I miss more than anything during my travels overseas. And I’d imagine that the more time you spend there yourself, just like with traveling, the more comfortable you will be with these now foreign surroundings.

]]> By: Abi http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2410 Abi Fri, 17 Dec 2024 10:00:30 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2410 Nice to read a balanced discussion about languages in the United States! I had the awkward experience of struggling to be understood in Miami, when the waitress I was talking to said "You really don't speak English well. Where are you from?" I couldn't think of a way of saying "England" that didn't sound rude...So in the end I opted for "Wales," banking on the notion that noone ever knows where that is... Nice to read a balanced discussion about languages in the United States! I had the awkward experience of struggling to be understood in Miami, when the waitress I was talking to said “You really don’t speak English well. Where are you from?”
I couldn’t think of a way of saying “England” that didn’t sound rude…So in the end I opted for “Wales,” banking on the notion that noone ever knows where that is…

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2404 Jason Fri, 17 Dec 2024 05:09:16 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2404 It absolutely does Audrey. I also pay more attention now to varying cultures. I am always thinking, what food can I get on that side of town? Lol. It always comes down to food right? Just kidding. It absolutely does Audrey.

I also pay more attention now to varying cultures. I am always thinking, what food can I get on that side of town? Lol. It always comes down to food right? Just kidding.

]]> By: Audrey http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2398 Audrey Thu, 16 Dec 2024 05:31:58 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2398 Each time we visit the States now, we find ourselves in melting pot pockets like this. Miami is definitely on one extreme in terms of how prominent the Latin culture is, but we've found small neighborhoods in Scranton, PA and Vienna, VA. Travel has really made me appreciate the diversity of the United States. I used to get the same tourist feeling as you when I'd go grocery shopping in Chinatown in San Francisco. I stood out completely & was one of the only people around who spoke English. It could be uncomfortable at times. You make a really strong point in that if you had not met Aracely and learned about her Ecuadoran background and traveled through Latin America you wouldn't have known about this part of America. Just shows how meeting the right person or taking a trip can change your perspective and world. Each time we visit the States now, we find ourselves in melting pot pockets like this. Miami is definitely on one extreme in terms of how prominent the Latin culture is, but we’ve found small neighborhoods in Scranton, PA and Vienna, VA. Travel has really made me appreciate the diversity of the United States. I used to get the same tourist feeling as you when I’d go grocery shopping in Chinatown in San Francisco. I stood out completely & was one of the only people around who spoke English. It could be uncomfortable at times.

You make a really strong point in that if you had not met Aracely and learned about her Ecuadoran background and traveled through Latin America you wouldn’t have known about this part of America. Just shows how meeting the right person or taking a trip can change your perspective and world.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2395 Jason Wed, 15 Dec 2024 17:11:11 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2395 And that is? And that is?

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2394 Jason Wed, 15 Dec 2024 17:10:23 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2394 That is funny Jill. At least they don't expect me to whip out the Spanish Language. Probably makes it a little easier for me. That is funny Jill. At least they don’t expect me to whip out the Spanish Language. Probably makes it a little easier for me.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2393 Jason Wed, 15 Dec 2024 17:09:32 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2393 Wawa Shorti is one of my favorite hoagies. In my town where I grew up, the Wawa has always been the place to go, yes it's a very small town. As kids we loitered there, as high schoolers we got our late night food fix and as adults we walk there to get our coffee. It does feel good to be back home. Wawa Shorti is one of my favorite hoagies. In my town where I grew up, the Wawa has always been the place to go, yes it’s a very small town. As kids we loitered there, as high schoolers we got our late night food fix and as adults we walk there to get our coffee. It does feel good to be back home.

]]> By: Jason http://twobackpackers.com/6231/reflections/miami-the-big-havanna/comment-page-1/#comment-2391 Jason Wed, 15 Dec 2024 17:06:06 +0000 http://twobackpackers.com/?p=6231#comment-2391 You are 100% correct in your assumption. My perceptions would be completely different altogether if I had not met Aracely and if I had never traveled like we did. So yes, that is where travel can teach greater understanding of cultures and global issues, ultimately opening your eyes to other points of views. Our opinions may not change, but at least we learn and experience somewhat, both sides of some very important issues. You are 100% correct in your assumption. My perceptions would be completely different altogether if I had not met Aracely and if I had never traveled like we did. So yes, that is where travel can teach greater understanding of cultures and global issues, ultimately opening your eyes to other points of views. Our opinions may not change, but at least we learn and experience somewhat, both sides of some very important issues.

]]>