DW and I just returned from a fantastic dinner with brand new friends. He is Rafael Diaz, a four year Cuban refugee, and his wonderful wife Dotsi, a Latvian immigrant. Rafael spent fourteen days on a boat from Cuba to Honduras, then trekked through Guatemala and Mexico before sneaking across the border into the US. I didn't realize it before, but the Cuban wet foot, dry foot rule applies to border crossings beyond the beaches so he was allowed to stay. Rafael is going to become very successful in the US. He works 40 hours a week as a high rise condo maintenance man and an additional 40 to 50 hours a week in his home repair/handyman business. His English is understandable and getting better by the day but often relies on Dotsi (who does not speak Spanish) to convey the message.
Tonight DW and I met them at an old Mexican restaurant, Tex-Mex, in Bonita Springs. The restaurant is now owned by another Cuban refugee (8 years) and the food is almost all authentic Cuban with a little Mexican thrown in. He really needs to change the name of that place because there is no indication of Cuban food being served until you walk in the door.
We had Cuban sandwiches (they bake their own bread), fried plantains, rice and beans, pulled pork, and beer. To top it off, Rafael gifted me two Cuban cigars because he knows I like them so much. The food was as good as it gets. The restaurant employees are all family members including 87 year old Grandpa and I'm really sorry I didn't get his picture.
Rafael and Dotsi insisted that they pick up the tab and I was knocked off my feet as they are a couple who I have working on some home issues that must be corrected prior to a sale closing early next month. They'll be doing some painting here on Saturday so I'm going to do my best to return tonight's favors by stuffing them with crab legs and bottles of Barolo I brought back from Rome several years ago.
Tonight DW and I met them at an old Mexican restaurant, Tex-Mex, in Bonita Springs. The restaurant is now owned by another Cuban refugee (8 years) and the food is almost all authentic Cuban with a little Mexican thrown in. He really needs to change the name of that place because there is no indication of Cuban food being served until you walk in the door.
We had Cuban sandwiches (they bake their own bread), fried plantains, rice and beans, pulled pork, and beer. To top it off, Rafael gifted me two Cuban cigars because he knows I like them so much. The food was as good as it gets. The restaurant employees are all family members including 87 year old Grandpa and I'm really sorry I didn't get his picture.
Rafael and Dotsi insisted that they pick up the tab and I was knocked off my feet as they are a couple who I have working on some home issues that must be corrected prior to a sale closing early next month. They'll be doing some painting here on Saturday so I'm going to do my best to return tonight's favors by stuffing them with crab legs and bottles of Barolo I brought back from Rome several years ago.