Juan y Mo

Here I am with the new Juan Valdez! This picture was taken recently at a gala for Colombians and Colombian-Americans, in association with the Smithsonian Latino Center in DC. Eventually the Latino Center will be its own museum on the mall.

My mother is Colombian. (She became a US citizen about 10 years ago but maintains dual citizenship.) This gala benefit, held at the old Smithsonian castle, honored Colombians working in the media and arts in the US. Patricia Cardoso (director of Real Women Have Curves) was there, as was fashion designer Esteban Cortazar (featured last year as a judge on Project Runway).

My mother came with me. She’s very introverted and not really impressed by celebrities. So I was surprised when she leapt at Cristina Saralegui (Latin America’s Oprah) and screamed, “Cristina! I see you on TV!” Flat out lie. My mother watches baseball and Judge Judy.

Cheech Marin was hosting the event - which really made no sense, since he’s a Mexican-American. Why was he at an event for Colombians? (Okay, I’m really setting you guys up.)

Jeb Bush was there. He wasn’t very nice to me, even though I’m pretty sure I’m the only person there that knew that Florida’s state flower is the orange blossom. I told him that and he turned away. His wife Columba smiled, though. (I wonder if she was invited for her name.)

Anyway the new Juan Valdez (real name Carlos Castaneda) doesn’t speak a lick of English and he didn’t bring his mule Conchita. But he was super nice and there’s a chance our pic will appear in People en Espanol!  (My tie is Brioni.  I really like the color.  The aviator glasses are something I’ve been trying out.  Keep them or lose them?)