Erica's Weblog

The Beginning

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 22:33:47 +0000

It seems like just yesterday I arrived in Santo Domingo with the shock of realizing that I was going to be in a completely different country for four months. Now the time has come to say "Adios". I am definitely ready to see my friends and family, but I can't say that I am ready to leave this amazing country with the most incredible sights and beautiful people. These are just things that I am going to miss...

Big lunches
Carros publicos
Crowded Guaguas
Piropos (Catcalls)
Beaches
Being able to travel to any part of the country for $10 or less!
Bargaining in the streets
Skim-Ice (5 peso popsicles)
Wearing summer clothing (even in November)
Fresh fruit
Sunsets on the Malecon
Apogones (Blackouts that occur several times a day)
Cheap accessories
Festivals in the Plaza Espana
El Conde
Weekend excursions
An endless amount of plantains
Dulce con Leche
Fresh juices (watermelon, mango, passion fruit, orange)

and of course Dominicans....(enough said)

This list could go on and on, but you would probably be here all night. What an incredible experience! Thanks to each everyone of you for following my journey. Each day spent in Santo Domingo, I learned more about the world, more about the people who live in it, more about myself as an individual. A study abroad experience teaches many great lessons. For me, the power of one person to implement change around them. The strength of a dream.

I have become tremendously proud of the history of my people and any other people of color who have endured great strife. Although life at times may be difficult. With an ounce of hope, you have the power to move mountains!

Thanks to everyone who has continued to follow my journey, but this is only the beginning!

They Come and They Go...

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:16:23 +0000

I have mentioned this before, but I don’t think I expanded on it enough. The people you meet while studying abroad tremendously shape your experience. I have met some amazing people that probably don’t quite understand the magnitude of how much they have affected my life. The first couple of weeks away from home, all you can think about is how much you miss your family and friends, but as the weeks go by you begin to build relationships, forming your own special family of friends. Traveling provides the opportunity to meet people from many places of the world. Some are places that we can only dream of going or seeing. Despite the differences, you find that you all have one thing in common. The desire to want more out of life than what some say or feel is enough. Not materialistically of course, but the fact that there is an entire world of different cultures, languages, and people that I have yet to see. Sometimes I wish I could just be a world traveler for the rest of my life, but I don’t know if that would work out too well. I guess we’ll have to wait and see....

For the children of the Dominican Republic....

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:23:39 +0000

It is very difficult to go throughout the day without noticing the amount of children working in the streets of Santo Domingo. This was one of the things that shocked me the most when I arrived. The first thing you think to yourself is that these children should be in school, playing, or doing things that children should be doing to enjoy their childhood. Let me first make it clear that this is not the state of all children here, but there are enough of them working the street to make this issue apparent. Most of the young boys make their money by shining shoes and cleaning windshields, while others just result to asking tourists for money. I have had many conversations with some of these children, and many times I receive the answer that they are working to support their poor families. I can´t help, but wonder if there are other means to do so. Why is it that the children are taking on the roles of the adults? These children are forced to grow up very quickly and already obtain an instinct of survival. People walk by them everyday without an inch of curiosity to know their story. So that just leaves me to do so, because if I dont tell their story, who will?

Student first, tourist later....

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:22:36 +0000

If there is anything in this experience that is not different from my life in the United States, it's FINAL EXAMS!! Yes, going on excursions, climbing mountains, meeting beautiful and fun people are important, but sometimes its very easy to get distracted from the reason you came...EDUCATION! I'm sure my fellow JYA cast members can attest to this. A study abroad experience encompasses so much. Not only do you grow as an individual, but academically as well. Some of the major challenges one must over come are adjusting to different styles of teaching, the academic atmosphere in the classroom, and of course the language barrier. With final exams, projects, and papers on the roster, I only have time to be a student first and a tourist later.

No Place Like Home

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 22:15:17 +0000

Of course I can't even begin to explain how much of an amazing experience I am having here in the Dominican Republic. I have seen myself grown more then ever. I am a stronger person, because of the people I have encountered and things I have seen. I will be forever grateful. However, every now and then there comes a point in time where I can't help, but think of "home". The everyday conversations with family and friends that I sometimes took for granted. This will be the first Thanksgiving Day I have ever spent away from my family. I can't say that I am looking forward to it, but I am truly grateful for previous Thanksgiving Day memories I do have. The love, the food (of course), the laughter, the reminiscing of events throughout our lives, and the moments that can only be shared and appreciated with loved ones. It is no doubt that home is definitely where the heart is. A little message to my friends and family: I love you and I'll be home soon!

Bongo Love

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:46:50 +0000

Last week was one of the best weeks of my life! For the first time ever, Santo Domingo hosted "Festival Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific". The festival commemorated the unique sounds of each region. The highlight of attending this festival was the people we met. Along with two close friends of mine, Melissa and Lauren, I met members of incredible bands from all over the world. We had a special encounter with one band in particular from Zimbabwe called 'Bongo Love'. After a few short hours, they became family to us. They instantly recognized that we were proud to be descendants of the Motherland. Each night we danced, sang, laughed and cleared stereotypes regarding Africans and African Americans. In the midst of this beautiful connection, I'll never forget the moment, Chiwah, one of the band members, looked at me said, "You are African". I wish I could even begin to express how I felt, what I felt. All I could think of was how blessed I was to be in that moment. Later that night, we partook in our own ceremony, where I was given the African name "Buhle Mambira". The first name 'Buhle", which means "beauty", and the last name "Mambira" that comes from the word "ambira" which refers to an "African drum" commonly played in Zimbabwe. Thanks for everything....We'll never forget you Bongo Love!

These are the times....

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:11:43 +0000

This weekend a couple of girlfriends and I decided to meet at a Colmado to play cards (Spades of course!). A Colmado is the equivalent to a convienant/ corner store, where everyone likes to hangout at the end of the day. This being the Dominican Republic, things got a little more interesting as the night went on. This particular colmado was more lively than usual. It was packed with people hanging out, dancing, and singing. As you probably guessed, they weren´t too happy when we decided to brake out the cards to start a game! All of sudden, we were the center of attention. We were known as the ¨Americans who brought playing cards to the colmado¨ the whole night. We didn´t really understand the big deal at first, but we realize quickly after 4 guys interrupted our game, threw our cards to the floor, and asked us to dance! I´ve never danced so much merengue, bachata, and salsa in all my life......Great times!

Return from ¨La Frontera¨

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:39:05 +0000

Wow! What can I say? This trip to the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti was the one of the best trips I´ve ever taken. I don´t want to give it all away, but I want to share a couple of highlights. When we went the border, the Haitian children called me ¨Haitiana¨ because the color of my skin was the same as theirs. I just responded by saying I´m not Haitian, but we come from the same family. This was a very special moment for me, because this was the closest I have ever felt to the Motherland (Africa). As we ventured back from the boarder, there were various checkpoints along the way. On one occasion, a Dominican guard entered our vehicle and noticed the small group of African Americans. He asked the driver if we were students as well. I´m not sure if he thought we were being smuggled into the country or what, but I´m glad the rest of the group was able to witness this experience. On a lighter note, we stayed on a ranch for a couple of days. A group of us decided to enjoy a horse ride that later turned a little interesting. My horse decided he wanted to go for a run. He ran faster and faster and eventually separated from the group. He took me through random trails through the mountain. At one point, I was hanging off the side holding on for dear life. Keep in mind, I had only riden once before this. Later I was informed, the horse´s name is ¨Ochenta¨ because he loves to run!

Off to ¨La Frontera¨

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:42:31 +0000

Tomorrow I´m leaving for ¨La Frontera¨, the boarder of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I´m looking forward to seeing some amazing things! Unfortunately due to the governmental instability of Haiti, we will be unable to enter the country, but I´m sure this trip will be interesting enough. Of course, you all will be there right along with me. It is my understanding that we will be attending another celebration similiar to the Fiesta de los Palos, exploring an outside market place, and going on a small hike. For more, you´ll just have to wait and see!

Race

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 15:52:32 +0000

It is interesting how often the topic of ¨race¨ is discussed here. The mixture of the Aborigines, African, and European (Spain) are seen in the many colors of the Dominican people. Unfortunately, there is a crisis that exists here. I call it a crisis, because the African influence is slowly being washed away by a colonial concept that black or African= bad and white or European=good. This concept was also influenced by the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, who attempted to purify or ¨whiten¨ the country through ¨blanquismo¨ to return to it's Spanish influence. During his dictatorship, he convinced the mixed Dominican race that they were either white or indio. The term ¨black¨ was associated with Haitians, who became the dominant sugar cane workers. In 1937, Trujillo ordered the massacre of 20,000 dark-skinned Haitians in the pursuit of ¨blanquismo¨. The effects of his dictatorship are blatantly seen in the Dominican society today. This creates an obvious paradox amongst the Dominican people. As an African American, it is difficult to learn this aspect of history, knowing that Trujillo had full support of the United States government during his dictatorship, and was indeed a US trained military officer during their occupancy in the Dominican Republic. All of this just reiterates the importance of knowing who you are as an individual without influence of others. Be proud of who you are, because God made no mistake when he created you!

Settling In

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:42:07 +0000

It’s funny the different emotions felt during a study abroad experience. The first few days, you’re wondering if this experience is really meant for you and if you truly made the right decision. Weeks later, you begin to become more excited about being in a totally new and exciting environment while continuing to adjust. After a month, you feel yourself developing as an individual, while appreciating each moment. I have learned so much in the time spent here thus far. The Dominican Republic is a great country with a rich culture. The people here are extremely nice and don’t mind taking the time to have a conversation. Life is simple, but meaningful. Some places are breath-taking not to mention the incrediable beaches. Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming of just how grateful I am to be here. I couldn’t be more content with my decision to study abroad. It is definitely shaping my college years and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything except more time!

The Invisible Worker

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:05:05 +0000

The transition to the Dominican Republic has been an interesting one. Living in a country categorized as ¨under-developed¨ has opened my eyes to different ways of life. It seems as though people here do so much with so little, and those of us, who are fortunate with a surplus of the necessities, continue to want more and more. Never achieving true satisfaction. Everyday on the way to the university, I pass the United States and Spanish Embassies. It's not uncommon for there to be long lines of people with hopes of obtaining the opportunity to support a better life for them and their loved ones. The people here work very hard. It's not unusual for the average person to put in 10-12 hours for pay that may be considered unacceptable. In addition, I think of the number of citizens in my own country that work just as hard and seem to never see the fruits of their labor. I often wonder, will there ever come a day when people really get what they deserve?

Where the Heart Is

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:52:04 +0000

The Dominican culture is very family oriented and often reminds me of my own family. Whether they have the means to do so or not, they try their best to make sure each member is taken care of. My host family includes a Doña (the woman who is the head of the household), her three nieces, who attend different universities in the city, a domestic, who makes sure we´re fed day in and day out, and any other member of the family who decides to visit for a day or two. When the nieces aren´t busy with their school work, they do not hesitate to help their aunt with her catering business. When things get a lilttle tough and I start to miss my family, it´s refreshing to see that there are other people in this world who cherish and recognize the value of time spent with loved ones.

About Me

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:52:10 +0000

Wow! Where do I begin? I´m a small town girl who has ventured out into this world to get a better understanding of what is really takes to make a difference. At an early age, I discovered that my purpose is life is to be a public servant and uplift others through my gifts, talents, and any other way possible. Someone very special to me once said ¨Dont seek to be great, but seek to serve and you´ll bump into greatness along the way¨. This statement quickly became my life´s motto. I love life, politics, and cultures, but most of all I love learning and appreciating the differences we as human beings possess. I chose to study in the Dominican Republic to learn all aspects of the African influence that is exists here. As a student of Howard University, one of the most influential Historically Black Colleges and Universities, I have become highly interested in the study and advancement of the African Diaspora. I must admit this journey has been both rewarding and difficult all at once, but I am enjoying every minute of it. I hope what I have said has given you a better understanding of who I am and has also inspired you to take action and initiate the change you want to see in the world!