There is an intriguing element of violence that captivates human interest. Many times it is idolized as a means to an end. In movies the hero is exalted for killing his enemies, the soldier is glorified for dying for his country, and stories of masked murders serve as fictitious instruments to both scare and entertain. In all parts of the world, violence is a temptation that purges the darkest secrets of our imagination, and sometimes reveals the malevolent side human nature. What is it that makes toying with death entertaining? I asked this question repeatedly after I watched my first cockfight here in the Dominican Republic.
First off, my experience was not what one would imagine. I was not surrounded by bloodthirsty, toothless, sun-burned farmers out in the bateys of the Dominican Republic. Rather, I was in an air-conditioned, high-class stadium surrounded by wealthy business men and beautiful waitresses carrying around food and drinks. There were electronic scoreboards, a bar/restaurant, and a green turf where the rooster fought.
I must say, the experience was not as brutal or bloody as I thought it would be. I think it was because roosters just claw and peck at each other, while a dog fight, for example, involves growling and fierce biting. Regardless, every fight was a fight to the death, and at the end of the round there had to be a loser. It was hard to watch a rooster suddenly fall to the ground without moving as the other stood triumphantly over its disposed foe. The men that bet for the winner cheered, while the rest sat down quickly with arms crossed.
It was interesting to watch a large amount of people yelling as two roosters fought to the death down below. It appeared that humans have an obsession with death. Whether we fear it through religion, honor it through burial, or crave it through a bellicose spectacle, death becomes a part of our lives because it is something inevitable. We all just have different ways of dealing with it.
After watching my first cockfight, I realized that life is similar. We ourselves fight with death, constantly struggling to enjoy life while working hard to sustain it. However, in the end, there always has to be a winner, and there always has to be a loser.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tramite de Esperanza
I thought for this journal I'd give a little break down as to how Esperanza works, since I haven't yet in the past.
Basically, we got out far into the country to visit a poor community. We visit what we call "banks" or a group of people separated by smaller groups. Sometimes there may be 5, 10 or 15 people at the meeting, depending upon how well they expanded. Each group must have 5 people, no more no less. If the group does not, then they are not eligible to receive loans. Additionally, each bank has a "coordinator" or a person designated the leader of the other 4 people. That person is responsible for making sure everyone pays and arrives to all the meetings. As for the entire bank itself, there is also a treasurer and secretary, who have other responsibilities such as keeping track of who paid, and payments in the past.
Once we arrive, we have a brief prayer session where we sing songs about God. The members then recite their duties and responsibilities, followed by the actual payments. It is the coordinator who must give the money by hand to the "consultant" or the person working for Esperanza that receives the payments. We count the money, record it in each individuals booklet of accounts, and take attendance. This is suppose to take 45 minutes in total, but some meetings have gone as long as 3 hours. This is because people often do not have enough money, so we must order them to find a way to get it. Some people don't show up, and we have to send others to go find them or the money they owe.
At the end of the day, after visiting 2-3 communities, we recount the money and deposit it. We return to the office, record attendance and payments on a database, and note down any other observations. What I just described is only a tiny description of what goes on. There are countless obstacles that make life difficult for the consultant. Arguments, long trips, misinformation etc. all contribute to the daily trouble of being a consultant. Regardless, it can be a very rewarding experience.
Basically, we got out far into the country to visit a poor community. We visit what we call "banks" or a group of people separated by smaller groups. Sometimes there may be 5, 10 or 15 people at the meeting, depending upon how well they expanded. Each group must have 5 people, no more no less. If the group does not, then they are not eligible to receive loans. Additionally, each bank has a "coordinator" or a person designated the leader of the other 4 people. That person is responsible for making sure everyone pays and arrives to all the meetings. As for the entire bank itself, there is also a treasurer and secretary, who have other responsibilities such as keeping track of who paid, and payments in the past.
Once we arrive, we have a brief prayer session where we sing songs about God. The members then recite their duties and responsibilities, followed by the actual payments. It is the coordinator who must give the money by hand to the "consultant" or the person working for Esperanza that receives the payments. We count the money, record it in each individuals booklet of accounts, and take attendance. This is suppose to take 45 minutes in total, but some meetings have gone as long as 3 hours. This is because people often do not have enough money, so we must order them to find a way to get it. Some people don't show up, and we have to send others to go find them or the money they owe.
At the end of the day, after visiting 2-3 communities, we recount the money and deposit it. We return to the office, record attendance and payments on a database, and note down any other observations. What I just described is only a tiny description of what goes on. There are countless obstacles that make life difficult for the consultant. Arguments, long trips, misinformation etc. all contribute to the daily trouble of being a consultant. Regardless, it can be a very rewarding experience.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Pictures
Luckily, a friend of mine took pics of me at the dentists last week. Thought I'd share them. Otherwise, it's blistering hot, countryside is beautiful, project is tiresome, only 1 month left.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Merengue
This past weekend was one of the few I got to actually rest a little. A new American has been placed here in Hato Mayor and it has been my job to take her around and make sure she knows how to carry herself. I was relieved to have another intern here, since it's not that fun to go out on my own alone. I brought to a pizza place Friday night. It was quite the experience.
I don't really stick out that much here in the DR, especially after having gotten some sun these past few months. I can walk around and people usually go about their daily business. Walking around with the new intern, I realized how intense it can be for a white american. The Dominican culture is very abrasive and aggressive, they are not afraid to say what is on their mind. It is common to hear "piropos" or cat calls, being shouted at beautiful women. ESPECIALLY American women. I had no idea how difficult it is here for a white American woman!!! For example, when I walked in the pizza place with my new intern friend (which I've done plenty of times without trouble), it was perhaps one of the most awkward situations I've been in. You know how in movies, when somebody who walks into a place where they clearly don't belong, the music makes that scratching sound, stops, and everybody turns around? Yaaaa, it was just like that. All eyes were on this poor young American girl, burning holes right through her. It was harmless though, as Dominicans love Americans. They just can't help but glare at a foreigner as if they were a movie star. Nevertheless, I thought it was hilarious and just soaked up the moment.
Saturday night, I hate to say, was the first night I went Merengue dancing. I wish it was the first thing I did when I got here!!!!! It was an absolute blast!!! Now, I had been on the Merengue dance team in college, and wasn't too sure how I would compare to the Dominicans. I'm proud to say that I was able to keep up with them. One girl I danced with said I was really good. Guess all those late night dance practices were worth it!!! It was sooooooo hot though!!! I was sweating so much, I thought I fell in a pool. The Dominicans, however, weren't sweating at all. They're pros I guess. I hope i get to go again soon.
I don't really stick out that much here in the DR, especially after having gotten some sun these past few months. I can walk around and people usually go about their daily business. Walking around with the new intern, I realized how intense it can be for a white american. The Dominican culture is very abrasive and aggressive, they are not afraid to say what is on their mind. It is common to hear "piropos" or cat calls, being shouted at beautiful women. ESPECIALLY American women. I had no idea how difficult it is here for a white American woman!!! For example, when I walked in the pizza place with my new intern friend (which I've done plenty of times without trouble), it was perhaps one of the most awkward situations I've been in. You know how in movies, when somebody who walks into a place where they clearly don't belong, the music makes that scratching sound, stops, and everybody turns around? Yaaaa, it was just like that. All eyes were on this poor young American girl, burning holes right through her. It was harmless though, as Dominicans love Americans. They just can't help but glare at a foreigner as if they were a movie star. Nevertheless, I thought it was hilarious and just soaked up the moment.
Saturday night, I hate to say, was the first night I went Merengue dancing. I wish it was the first thing I did when I got here!!!!! It was an absolute blast!!! Now, I had been on the Merengue dance team in college, and wasn't too sure how I would compare to the Dominicans. I'm proud to say that I was able to keep up with them. One girl I danced with said I was really good. Guess all those late night dance practices were worth it!!! It was sooooooo hot though!!! I was sweating so much, I thought I fell in a pool. The Dominicans, however, weren't sweating at all. They're pros I guess. I hope i get to go again soon.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Dentist for a day
The town finally got internet back a while ago, but the office doesn't. The past week has been a blur despite lack of communication with people back home. I have been working from 8-7 everyday, and each day has been filled to the brim. I have been doing research for my project which entails analyzing the differences between offices within the country and trying to find a way to standardize processes by improving client loads and recruitment. It's been a little hard gathering the information throughout the day and recording everything I see.
Last week I travelled to Puerto Plata, which has been by far the most beautiful place I've visited. It's almost colonial, almost Miami, almost Chile. It's hard to explain. The people there were so friendly, and enjoyed the company of Americans. They greeted us whenever we walked by. We even found this DELICIOUS panaderia where a man and his young son make terrific bread. It felt like a place Anthony Bourdain would go to and write about. The man was so kind, and very proud of his work, as he should be as it was very delicious.
I broke my camera and can no longer take any pictures. I am very upset about it, because now I am unable to capture the special moments of my travels, like what happened today.
Some dentists from the capital volunteered to offer their services for free to a poor community in Hato Mayor. I was invited to go along. As soon as I got to the small church, I was told to put some gloves on and help out. There were about 50 patients, sadly not all were able to receive treatment. Regardless, it was interesting to witness. People used tables, toilet paper as pillows, buckets and cups for rinsing, and plastic chairs for the operations. I helped out by holding flashlights in the patients mouth, squirting water between the teeth, holding down their tongue with that mirror thing, and holding tools. It was crazy!!! The people were so grateful. Many were in pain, but felt so relieved afterwards. Children were crying everywhere, which is expected. The dentist is a scary person! We worked in the hot church for about 6 hours. I had so much fun, and will never forget the smiles on the children and the people. The dentists were so happy to be there, as was I.
Last week I travelled to Puerto Plata, which has been by far the most beautiful place I've visited. It's almost colonial, almost Miami, almost Chile. It's hard to explain. The people there were so friendly, and enjoyed the company of Americans. They greeted us whenever we walked by. We even found this DELICIOUS panaderia where a man and his young son make terrific bread. It felt like a place Anthony Bourdain would go to and write about. The man was so kind, and very proud of his work, as he should be as it was very delicious.
I broke my camera and can no longer take any pictures. I am very upset about it, because now I am unable to capture the special moments of my travels, like what happened today.
Some dentists from the capital volunteered to offer their services for free to a poor community in Hato Mayor. I was invited to go along. As soon as I got to the small church, I was told to put some gloves on and help out. There were about 50 patients, sadly not all were able to receive treatment. Regardless, it was interesting to witness. People used tables, toilet paper as pillows, buckets and cups for rinsing, and plastic chairs for the operations. I helped out by holding flashlights in the patients mouth, squirting water between the teeth, holding down their tongue with that mirror thing, and holding tools. It was crazy!!! The people were so grateful. Many were in pain, but felt so relieved afterwards. Children were crying everywhere, which is expected. The dentist is a scary person! We worked in the hot church for about 6 hours. I had so much fun, and will never forget the smiles on the children and the people. The dentists were so happy to be there, as was I.
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