Sainz, Xavier J.; Saínz, Thais Aurora; Di Rocco, Nicole (father, mother, daughter). East L.A. Public Library, 2010-02-22T11:30:00

File — Interview-ID: MBY006226

Interview Description

Nicole Di Rocca asks her parents about their recent family trip to Cuba and her parents' immigration from Cuba over 40 years ago.

Facilitator Subject Log

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01:22 Thais reads a poem she wrote called "49 years "about the recent family trip back to Cuba.

10:08 Thais and Javier talk about their parents' exodus from Cuba following Castro's revoution.

15:30 Thais expected to have her Quinceañera in Cuba but couldn't go back.

18:48 Thais remembers her father having to hide in Havana following the Bay of Pigs invasion when everyone who was not with the revolution was suspected of being against it.

23:52 Xavier tells the story of smuggling his mother's diamond earrings out of Cuba in a piece of chewing gum.

27:33 Thais came to the US to attend boarding school with two $20 bills her mother sewed into the hem of her skirt.

29:20 Xavier and Thais lived just 14 blocks away from each other growing up in Cuba but met years later at a UCLA party.

31:44 Thais's mother passed away this week and Thais shares the moments with the trip she would like to tell her about.

35:00 Thais on the importance of honoring immigrant stories.