The Cubans are without a doubt the biggest and most visible ethnic group in the city. And their influence on Miami is huge. In contrast to other Hispanic immigrants, who came to the U.S. and replaced one type of poor with another poor person, they quickly enjoyed good lifestyles, many of them having important positions in the city . . . If you can believe the tourist brochures, the streets are filled with old men playing dominoes and smoking small fat Cuban cigars. There are exotic restaurants whose walls vibrate to the beat of the old country.
Reality is quite different.
The parks, the memorials, the shops and food stands in Little Havana show Cuban identity, but the streets are quieter than in downtown Miami, except in the beginning of March when they have a festival. There's not much to see here. Come for lunch but don't expect more . . . Every year, soldiers from this invasion come together, middle-aged men, dressed in uniforms, and make patriotic oaths all night long. Opposite the memorial is Domino Park, the only place you will see old men playing dominoes.