MIAMI (AP) — Otrora refugio de exiliados cubanos que añoraban el sabor y los sonidos de su tierra, la Pequeña Habana de Miami es hoy un mosaico de culturas y un destino turístico muy popular.
En la arteria principal, la Calle Ocho, abundan los negocios de puros, las galerías de arte y puestos de souvenirs que intentan recuperar la nostalgia de otros años.
En la Cuba Tobacco Cigar Factory, Luis Mator enrolla puros y su propietario, Pedro Bello, se sienta afuera del local, con gafas para sol y firma cajas, puro en mano. Cerca suyo, Pablo González Portilla golpea rítmicamente un par de bongós frente al negocio.
Turistas de Estados Unidos, América Latina y el resto del mundo llegan en grandes autobuses, posan para fotos junto a un colorido gallo, símbolo de la cultura cubana, toman café cubano y observan a gente mayor jugando al dominó en el vecino Parque Máximo Gómez.
Hay indicios, no obstante, de que el barrio está cambiando: murales frescos cubren parte de los edificios que alojan restaurantes colombianos y hondureños, que empiezan a mezclarse con los cubanos.
Es una mezcla que refleja la Cuba del pasado y los inmigrantes de hoy, un barrio y una historia únicos en Miami.
Un gallo pintado en una instalación de arte en la Calle Ocho en Little Havana, Miami. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Mural con elementos de la cultura cubana en la pared de un edificio en la Calle Ocho en Little Havana, Miami. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Una caricatura del artista cubano americano Pitbull en una pared de un edificio en la Calle Ocho. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Un exiliado cubano juega Dominó. Foto tomada el 2 de mayo del 2014. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Juego de Dominó. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Hombres jugando Dominó. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Una tienda de regalo en Little Havana, Miami. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Un hombre sentado en un banco en frente de la frutería Los Piñareños en la Calle 8. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Un turista en la tienda de regalos Maxoly en la Calle Ocho. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Pedro Bello en las afueras de una tabaquería en la Calle Ocho. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
La Plaza de los Periodistas Cubanos. (Getty Images)
El letrero que identifica la entrada a la popular zona de Miami. (Getty Images)
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