Pre Egypt

We arrived in Miami on 9/18/25 to catch a Turkish Airlines flight the following day from MIA to Istanbul, with a layover before continuing on to Cairo. Since some in our group will miss the FPYC’s special Havana Nights soiree due to pre-planned trips, we decided to treat ourselves to a special Cuban experience! We took an Uber to Little Havana (known as Calle Ocho by the locals) for happy hour at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina. The restaurant features an outdoor courtyard that truly captures the essence of Old Havana. Known as “La Casa del Mojito,” Old’s Havana offers an extensive cocktail menu featuring 29 types of aged rum and five flavored mojitos (like raspberry, coconut, and passionfruit).  Since someone in our group is a Hemingway buff, we had planned to head over to Sala’o, a restaurant based around Ernest Hemingway’s book “The Old Man and the Sea”.  Sala’o is famous for its Daiquris which was one of Hemingway’s favorite drinks. (We went to a cigar shop and lounge next to CubaOcho instead) called Guantanamera.

We strolled past Domino Park (Máximo Gómez Park), a small but iconic park where locals gather to play dominoes, chess, talk, smoke cigars, drink coffee — a great spot for people‑watching. We passed the Tower Theater, an historic theater, established in 1926, which showcases independent and Latin films, we also came across  street art and murals. The walls, the sidewalks, roosters/statues — art is everywhere! The famous ice cream shop Azucar was a temptation along the way, where the exotic tropical flavors will lure you in but we did not succumb.

Along the way, we saw the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame where the Stars embedded in the sidewalk (like in Hollywood) honor Latin music icons. It’s a fun way to pay homage to the artists who shaped Latin music, e.g. Celia Cruz, the queen of Salsa, Desi Arnaz of “I Love Lucy” and Beny Moré. the legendary Band Leader, to name a few.  We passed many roosters and chickens roaming freely throughout the streets and stopped at La Colada Gourmet (The House of Cuban Coffee) for a cafecito, colada, cortadito and cafe con leche paired with a pastelito.

The Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center did not dissapoint.  The current exhibition showcases Andrés Valerio (1934–2021), a master of visual storytelling, Andrés Valerio painted with a fearless hand and an unshakable voice. His work is a fusion of form and freedom, where Baroque intensity meets classical discipline, and where surreal, dreamlike figures emerge through bold color and layered textures.

Lastly we enjoyed some Salsa dancing at the nearby nightclubs.  We ended the evening at Café La Trova and Ball and Chain.

Little Havana is more than just a neighborhood; it is a cultural landmark that embodies the spirit of the Cuban-American experience. Its rich traditions, artistic expressions, and culinary delights make it an essential part of Miami’s identity.

A little bit about Cafe La Trova: