Maria of Sentir Cubano Calls Nevada Bob's Memoir the Story of a True American Hero

In the heart of Miami's Little Havana there's a wonderful little store named Sentir Cubano. When Nevada Bob Gordon was in Miami this fall he discovered this hidden gem on Calle 8, a store dedicated to Cuban culture. 

Nevada Bob met owner Maria Vazquez they hit it off famously. Maria described him as a true American hero. "Bob is part of the culture we present here in the store. Hard working, successful, positive people.... He's like an All-American Cowboy... He's an amazing person. It's commendable when you are 83 and still going," Vazquez said.

Maria and Miguel Vazquez opened the store in 2001. "It was time to create a store dedicated to Cuban culture," she said. Thus was born Sentir Cubano.

Maria shared some of her own story. "Our parents brought us here (to Miami) when we were kids, in 1960-61. As we were growing up we didn't fully appreciate our background. But when we became older we discovered afresh how rich our culture is. We've been out (of Cuba) for over 60 years but we still keep our roots."

Opening Sentir Cubano was a way for the Vazquez's to "give back" to Cuban Americans and the city of Miami "a piece of our culture. We're so lucky that it has been a success," she said. 

They actually first started their business online when the Internet was beginning. The website was CubanFoodMarket.com. Four or five years later the added the brick and mortar store. "Everybody who comes to Miami comes to our store," she said. "A lot of color, music... you can feel was Cuba was like before Castro."

We turned the conversation in the direction of Nevada Bob's 50 Years with the Wrong Woman. "The way he did his book is wonderful," she said. "Whenever people see the book cover, they go pick it up and are drawn in."

I found her perspective both intriguing and refreshing. "It's a way of marrying the American culture with the Cuban culture," she said. "When you go after your dream, there's no limit for you. It's an amazing book, and I think he's an amazing guy. He's a breath of fresh air. I grew up here since I was seven.... When I think of Americans, I think of people like him--compassionate, generous. This is a great country. Let me tell you."

These photos will give you a little of the flavor of Sentir Cubano. 

The staff passionately decorates the store so that 
everything looks "Muy Cubano."

The store carries over 3000 Cuban Specialties, 

                                                       from art work to elegant guayaberas.​

They even have a dedicated area for Cuban memorabilia 

from the 1700's to the 1960's.

Gary Firstenberg, who provided the photos,
called Sentir Cubano, "Another amazing store."

Check out this video to meet some of the staff 
and to see more of the store.

If you can't make it to Little Havana,
you can still find Nevada Bob's
50 Years with the Wrong Woman 

Here at Amazon.com