Cielito Lindo #StateChallenge California

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Cielito Lindo, a taqueria on Olvera Street, is one of the oldest eateries in Los Angeles. It was established in 1934.

One of the little known facts about me is that I am adopted. I was born with Latino origins, but I was raised by a caucasian family that no knowledge or interest in educating me on my cultural history. As such, the concept of being Mexican-American was always mysteriously fascinating to me. In my mid 20’s I had the privilege of meeting my birth-family, including my Nana, who grew up in Baja California on her father’s cattle ranch.

In both 2018 and 2019, she joined @SoniaK 's pre-Connect Live trip and joined us in wandering around southern California. After my Nana’s first trip with us, she took me to Olvera Street - a place where she could be the Local Guide, and I could be the awe-struck visitor. Imagine my surprise when she treated me to a meal at Cielito Lindo and told me stories of how her father, my Great Grandfather, would bring her to the same restaurant where they sat on the same built-in tile benches, for a treat on the occasional trip to the big city.

Olvera Street is one of the few traditional street markets which continues to operate in Los Angeles. Historically founded in 1781, a visit here feels like a step back in time, as the community has made great efforts to preserve as much of the culture as possible.

Leaving our car in the modern parking lot across the way, I had no idea what I was in for when I entered Olvera Street. From the outside, this tiny piece of history does not look particularly special. The buildings blend into the rest of downtown Los Angeles, and the only real clue is the large open pavilion which occasionally had live musical performances with people of all ages dancing.

Immediately upon entering, everything about the scenery changes. Large trees shade the walkway and I am almost certain the air smells different - moist and full of the smells of steaming food. Even walking feels different, as red tiles cover the pavement, making for a softer, but uneven path. Festive garlands and flags are hung from every balcony.

Olvera Street was originally founded in 1781 and is now protected as part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.

My favorite bite to eat on Olvera Street where my Nana took me - Cielito Lindo. The food is hot and fresh and prepared from scratch. The atmosphere is defined by the intentional preservation of the culture that built Olvera Street, and for me, visiting is like reclaiming a tiny piece of my heritage and my history. Cielito Lindo was established by the same family that owns it today, and when dining there, for just a few moments, you feel like a part of that family.

This post is part of the #StateChallenge organized by @Kwiksatik and @Denise_Barlock. If you want to find out more, check out this post. You can also find other submissions by searching the #StateChallenge hashtag. There is also a virtual meet-up on California coming up which you can sign up to here!

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Wow @Kwiksatik this is some really nice (family) history and quite a trip down memory lane. It must have been so special meeting your Nana after all those years. The way you describe Cielito Lindo is so vivid I can almost taste the atmosphere.

Good luck with the #StateChallenge California!

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@Erik_van_den_Ham thank you! I am sure it is going to be a fabulous time!

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¡Que increíble historia Megan! @Kwiksatik

Este post es super personal y te agradezco por compartir tu historia, pero también por ese interés en conocer parte de tus orígenes.

La descripción que haces de Olvera Street es simplemente evocadora, y me obliga a que la próxima vez que yo visite Los Angeles vaya a conocer este lugar. Pero también cuenta conmigo si alguna vez vienes a la Ciudad de México, aqui tienes a un “LocalGuide local” que con gran placer puede llevarte en un tour por los lugares mas tradicionales de la ciudad.

Como explicaba en otras publicaciones, he podido conocer algunas de las misiones (o sus restos en algunos casos) construidas en la península de California, desde San Jose del Cabo hasta Sonoma, que fueron parte del proceso de colonización de esa región que era parte de la Nueva España y hace que todo ese territorio aun se sienta un poco mexicano.

Tu historia le da mucho sentido no solo a tus orígenes sino a los de todo el estado de California. Muchas gracias otra vez por compartir.

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This is such a beautiful story @Kwiksatik you and your Nana are both gems in this world and shine bright. It is a pleasure to be your friend.

Paul

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Another wonderful story that I will always cherish…thanks a lot @Kwiksatik for bringing this up. I miss nana so much. She is such a wonderful woman inside out as well as so full of positive spirit! I didn’t get much chance to explore the entire Olvera street on our last trip, but I loved our meal at Cieleto Lindo. It was fabulously delicious. Now after reading your post I am keeping a note, next time I go to LA I have to go back there to explore the rest of the street and also to go back the restaurant for another meal. Thanks for another beautiful story.

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@LightRich muchas gracias para tus palabras! La alma de me raza es mas preciosa que oro, y tengo buena suerte a tener este historia en mi familia. Tengo esperanza que un dia en la futura me voy al DF. Tengo muchos amigos en Mexico, pero yo creo que seria un placer a explorar DF con tuyo!

@PaulPavlinovich Thank you! I am fortunate to be cut from the same cloth as her!

@SoniaK when we have the chance to explore again, we MUST. You would have had so much fun on Olvera Street, but I’ve seen you explore - you make everywhere your personal paradise. I can’t wait for the next chance.

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Hi @Kwiksatik

Really this is a great story you share with us.

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We sure will @Kwiksatik . Let’s just hope that this pandemic situation gets over soon and things go back to normal again.

By the way, I am desperately looking forward to the rest of your stories. If you have any index of all the stories, please share the link here. If not, please make one and share the link. Also, please write about our walk on the Hollywood strip and visit to Getty, the trip to Joshua and that small town near Carmel-by-the-sea. When I read your stories, the words start playing in front of me and take me back to the place. I wish I had the power of writing stories like you! Please keep it up, girl.

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Thank you for refreshing my memories @Kwiksatik ,

I clearly remember visiting this area a number of times when I was in elementary school. There is a produce market around that area where I shopped for cheap fruits and vegetables. I am a foodie and I love Mexican food. Cielito Lindo looks really good and will definitely visit one day.

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I am back again @Kwiksatik

There’s a Cielito Lindo branch in Tokyo here = > https://g.page/cielito-lindo-bar-and-grill?share

Not sure if they are affiliated…

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@SoniaK I just saw this comment for the first time and you are right - we should have created some sort of index of the adventures we went on. Maybe I will have to put together a little photo-journal of the trip and post it all to stories somewhere online so we can revisit the memories. :slight_smile:

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@user_not_found - you should go check out your local Cielito Lindo and see if they are affiliated. I will wait here for you to report back on the meal. Take photos! :slight_smile:

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Una idea excelente @Kwiksatik !

Please start making one soon. I can’t wait to walk down the memory lanes over and over again.

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