world traveler at the age of one

My daughter's passport came in the mail the other day. It's for our upcoming trip to Cuba.

I was 15 when I first traveled overseas (to Japan), and I thought that was young!

reminiscing

THINGS I MISS ABOUT JAPAN

izakaya (Japanese bar)

friends

timeliness of trains

nama lemon sawa

hanami & cherry blossoms

conbini (convenient stores)

people watching at Shibuya’s hachiko square

picnics at yoyogi park

coffee milk

100 yen store

THINGS I DON”T MISS ABOUT JAPAN
one size fits all fashion.
shoes sizes only go to size 8.5
hot, sticky summers
teeny, tiny living spaces
assumption that I don’t speak Japanese
assumption that I work the Roppongi streets
men and their "gaijin" complex
nankotsu, or chicken cartilage. Gross.

Thank you Obama

After Obama took office he decided to lessen restrictions on travel to Cuba, one of the policy adjustments meant to help thaw icy relations between the two countries. The Bush administration had only permitted Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba once every three years, but new regulations give not only Cuban Americans but anyone with relatives in Cuba permission to travel there once every year. That means with In-laws on the island I can go LEGALLY.

I plan to visit Cuba next month for ten days. I’ll be traveling with infant daughter sans husband (he is unable to return legally at the present time.) I fly from New York to Miami and then on to Havana. I could have flown directly from JFK airport but it would have cost an arm and a leg more. I think the Cuban lobbyists down in Miami are to thank for such great travel deals from the Florida region. Even if JFK flights were cheaper they only fly on Sunday. Miami to Havana flights run everyday – much more convenient.

Overall, I am super excited for this trip. I’ve never been to Havana and am looking forward to some sunshine, Hemingway, and a mojito (or two.) However, I do have a couple of worries, which include

Luggage - I’ll most likely be lugging around a huge backpack and suitcase full of shoes and vitamins (to be explained later.) I’m a little worried about how I’ll manage two bags and baby in stroller at the airport. Hopefully I’ll find a skycap to help navigate our way from one side of the airport to the other when I transfer in Miami. Plus, the check-in time for the Havana flight is long, about three hours. I was told that I’d have to stand in three different lines before the check-in process is complete. Not too sure how baby will hold out during this process. Most likely not too well.
 
Language- I’m also worried about meeting the In-laws, who I know will be fabulous people but cannot speak a lick of English. The last time I formally studied Spanish was in 5th grade, so I’m not too confident in my Spanish skills. If hubby was there we’d have an interpreter, but alas! I’ll be alone. Perhaps we’ll need to pull out a bottle of rum to get the conversation flowing
 
Anyways, I’m sure once I get to Havana and settle in things will go great. I’m just thankful that I’ll finally get to meet the Torres family, of which I am now officially a part of!

Arroz

Living with a Cuban means eating a lot of rice, as I’ve never eaten this much rice in my entire life. Not even in Japan where I lived for TEN YEARS. We were blessed to receive a rice cooker as a wedding gift and use it practically everyday. My hubby says that if he doesn’t eat rice he doesn’t feel full, and I’m starting to feel the same way.

I like to add a packet of goya sazon pre-steam to add some flavor and spice up regular ol’ rice. Sometimes I'll even add a can of diced tomatoes and/or black beans post-steam to make it even more delicious.

Oh shnizzzzz...

...we bought a house! There goes the neighborhood, and my savings account.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ozone+park,+NY&sll=40.67667,-73.84417&sspn=0.048625,0.07699&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ozone+Park,+Queens,+New+York&z=15

la boda

On September 5th of 2009 I turned into Mrs. Torres. It was a wonderful wedding with good people from all parts of the world joining in the celebration. And now the secret is out – my new hubby is a dancing machine!