I am traveling the Caribbean to Haiti and the Dominican Republic where Columbus first arrived with his Spanish soldiers and explorers from Spain sent by Queen Isabella. My reason for visiting Haiti, which what was originally the island of Hispaniola is to witness the remaining native culture that has been most likely influenced and changed by the mixing of African, Indian, Mestizos, and Indigenous peoples.
Seeing the origin of the Spanish Conquest would be as important of a historical site as the battle ground of the American Revolution. Because I have heard word of atrocities in the region of the Caribbean, I feel I would like to see these farm workers face to face and exchange with them about their working conditions, standard of living, and civil rights. It would be very humbling to be amongst people who have survived massacre, disease, slavery, and indentured servitude under the Spanish conquistadors. This experience should bring me a perspective on how a people’s race relates to its class as well as how culture differs based on these factors in these countries.
I will need to take Spanish language courses because, although there was an enormous African Diaspora, Spanish is the predominant language because of the region’s Spanish occupation. I will be prepared to speak at least conversational Spanish, so that I do not offend anyone by requiring them to accommodate for an English speaker or have them struggle to interpret by body language and me theirs.
I may need to have a check up at the doctor for any diseases or infections I may have the capacity to spread to the people of that country and, reversely, be vaccinated for any diseases native to the Caribbean. Even before having the check-up, I plan to research potential diseases, food borne illnesses, or other health concerns including any social unrest that could conflict with my safe return to the United States.
Because I am not deeply attached to my American Culture, I feel I will be willing, as I am here in the United States, to keep an open mind at all times by willfully immersing myself with the people and their habits and practices. I will actively participate in and/or curiously observe celebrations, rituals (safely), meals, etc.
I will take a notebook in which to journal and a video camera (electricity provided) or recorder (with extra batteries) as my guide as I travel and interact with the people I meet and cultural activities I attend.
I am not concerned about my preferences or opinions being translatable. If I meet the class of people I would like to meet, those being the working/lower class civilians, I will let them be my guide and listen more than speak. By keeping my opinions, cultural stereotypes, tastes, etc. to myself, I will learn more and impose as little as possible.
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2 comments:
Oh shoot, I should have gotten vaccines, too. Ha! Way to be prepared.
In case you didn't already know:
Haiti was also the site of the most successful african slave rebellion in the west. For the first sixty years of their existence the United States government refused to recognize them as a nation. Two thirds of the population lives on less then a dollar a day, they have been hit badly by the recent "food crisis". Many of these problems have been caused by international lending organizations, which dictate what crops can be grown in Haiti.
There is a group called Partners In Health that is definitely worth looking into. I have some information on them in my blog which can be found here: http://lastwaltzer.blogspot.com/2008/05/paul-farmer-pursuing-health-care-with.html
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