2007年VOA标准英语-Miami's Little Havana Showcases Cuban Life

By Ade Astuti
Miami, Florida
03 August 2007
 

Few Americans get an opportunity to visit Cuba because of U.S. restrictions¹ on travel. But Americans and others can still experience the island's vibrant² culture by visiting "La Pequena Havana," or Little Havana in Miami, Florida.  For producers Ade Astuti and Ariadne Budianto.  VOA's Jim Bertel reports many consider this neighborhood the cultural and political heart of the Cuban diaspora.

William Talbert

Little Havana boasts the largest population of Cubans outside the island.

One business owner in little Havana, Miami, Carol Ann Weaver³, describes it, "This is a very ethnic⁴, ripe, colorful, musical and interesting neighborhood."

William Talbert, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, explains how Little Havana was born.  "When Castro took over Cuba, most of the professionals in Cuba left. And, they came to the closest area they could get to which was Miami. There was a famous processing center here. We became the Ellis Island for the Cubans."

Cuban culture flourishes in Little Havana. Old Cuban men discuss politics over games of dominos.  Cuban style cigars are readily available in neighborhood shops.  And art galleries exhibiting unique artwork by Cuban Americans line the streets.

No visit to Little Havana is complete without enjoying popular Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja -or shredded⁵ beef - and Cuban Skirt Steak.

Ropa Vieja

Romo Montano owns "Romo,"  a popular restaurant frequented by Shakira, Marc Anthony, Pele and other celebrities⁶. Montano left Cuba as a child and has lived in Little Havana ever since.  "I came up with the idea of bringing people from outside Little Havana to come and see me, and see what Little Havana is all about. I really thank God for the opportunity of being here in the place where I grew up."

The neighborhood's festive⁷ mood and Latin music keeps visitors and locals alike talking and dancing all night long in Little Havana's restaurants and clubs.

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

3 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

4 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

5 shredded   

shred的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Serve the fish on a bed of shredded lettuce. 先铺一层碎生菜叶，再把鱼放上，就可以上桌了。
• I think Mapo beancurd and shredded meat in chilli sauce are quite special. 我觉得麻婆豆腐和鱼香肉丝味道不错。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

7 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。