#SHE'S Part Garifuna!

In celebration of my friend Guildia's upcoming 30th birthday, I decided to flash back on when I visited her home country.  Have you ever thought about seeing what Central America looks like?  I mean, besides looking at the pictures of the forests and wilderness, what about its beaches?  The local people who not only maintain them, but live on them? The homes in the smaller towns, outside of the city?  Outside of the oh so famous, zip line tourist areas?  

What about having to fly into the capital, then take a four hour private taxi, to get on a boat for another thirty minutes, to finally land at your destination? Welcome to  Livingston "La Buga", Guatemala.

My very good friend Guildia, is from this town. Born and raised before relocating and settling in the Bronx. She was the first Black person I met, well I should say first Black person that I realized was Black from a Central American country.  It was not until she explained it all to me, that I learned that there were African descent people in Central America, in most cases, Garifuna people.  Growing up in the USA, in public NYC schools, when you learn about slavery, you are only taught about the slavery that had taken place in the USA and some parts of the West Indies if you are lucky, and not any place else.  You are not taught that Central America was also a slave trade port.  I will never forget our first conversation about it:

Me: You have a different accent, where are you from?
Guildia: I'm from Guatemala.
Me: There aren't Black people in Guatemala.
Guildia: (sternly) Yes there are.
Me: I've never heard of that ever!
Guildia: (Cheeks red) How could you not know that?!
It was after this conversation, I had to tell her, "Flash back to when you first came to this country, and you started taking History and Social Study courses.  Do you recall there every being a reference of the Slave trade in Central America?"  And that's when she remembered herself, there wasn't.  



Boy I was scared when he picked up that wild Chicken

I have to say, when you meet people, get to know them, especially those who are not from where you are, and take the time to travel to where they are, you learn so much more than what a text book may tell you, or what the school curriculum will teach you. My chance came when she invited me to come to her country, her town in 2009. Talk about CULTURE SHOCK!! I think this experience opened doors for me where I have become a bit obsessed with cultures of the world. 


Local boys playing Punta music

I am one for all about exploring a new place with the local people, before I go to that place just for a leisure vacation.  However, I did not prepare myself fully.  The biggest hindrance for me was that I did not speak Spanish.  I understood it but did not speak it fluently.  So it was hard for me and my little boy crush to, G's cousin, to communicate.  But one thing we knew, we liked one another.  He played shy initially, but I knew he would come around eventually LOL!

We went down during a time of what is called "Semana Santa", Holy Week or Easter Week.  In most Christian countries around the world, there is a week long celebration of the Rising of Christ, Easter.  Some places re-enact the death and the rising of Christ on Easter Sunday.  La Buga, takes part in this ritual every year.  With real whips, real blood, a real crown made from thorns on the person who is re-enacting Jesus' walk with a replica Cross to carry.  That first slap on his back with the whip is what catches everyone's attention.  You can't help but cry.  Kids part take in this event as well.  They fortunately come out before the last faithful walk for Jesus Christ.  This is something you almost never see in the USA.

I didn't expect us to run into so many people who came down from the US for that week.  We practically ran into the entire East Side of the Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn. Most Garifuna people reside in these areas in NYC.  So I wasn't totally left in the dark when having to speak to other people that we ran into because, they spoke English as well.  This turned into one big hangout celebration for all of us. Seven days of fun in the sun, food, special beverages, and "Punta" music nightly at the local Discoteca's on the beach.  Did I mention, from Guildia's house, you can see Belize? Oh, you can catch a boat ride right on over to Belize, just about anytime. Just have your passport ready.

Long walk to quiet beach. This bridge was scary!!

Walk along the beach to the next bar!

The feast her cousin cooked. Miss it soo much! LOL

I enjoyed myself so much, that I returned the following year with G.  I loved being immersed into the culture, the food, and seeing people of African descent in a place that's kind of a hidden gem.  I even noticed that the African culture is, this many years later, still part of their tradition, all the way down to the food.  Yes, there is a blend of Latin culture as well, seeing as the town is also shared/blended with the native Mayan Indians.  The elders play a big part in the discipline of the children and young adults of the town.  You greeted them every time you passed, "Buenas", and you did not curse in front of them, and in return, if you were good, you got the best hugs and kisses, along with a nice place of food LOL (I love to eat).  G's cousin actually cooked for us one day.  With the 2 burner stove that she had, and the ingredients we purchased, she made one of the best Stew Chicken dishes I have every had!  Myself, G, and her cousins kids gobbled it up so fast!!
You sometimes think you have it bad until you run into people who have it worse.  They still wore a smile, they were still pleasant, they did not complain about their living conditions or how tight money was.  They were content in their world, and were happy to see other people come and take witness to it.  Most of the people who visit this area, are tourist/explorers from Europe.  There are hotels that are located on the island, but, they have strict rules and are monitored closely for people who reside in the hotels.  Most of the tourists come to explore, more than relax on the beaches.  It is definitely a place where you will get a combination of both and feel safe all at the same time.  I can say you felt that way on the island than in the city, assuming because everyone knows one another, and the violence is almost non-existent. 

Boat we hopped off of to Playa Blanca.

Playa Blanca, was such a lovely experience in itself.  It started with another boat ride, about 15-20 minute ride to the destination.  Along the way, we saw Manitees swiming right next to us.  I was scared.  Then we docked...in the water.  We had to jump in and walk to the shore.  To feel how warm the water was, was so awesome!  We were greeted by a man whose family actually lives and owns the land, and lives off of it.  For a small fee, equivalent to about $2 US, you get not only entrace to the beach, but you get treated like royalty!

Arrived and looking for a spot in Playa Blanca.

With his son, they had hammocks already hung up, wooden hand made place mats for you to lay your towel on top of on the beach. Their were showers where the shower heads were made out of sea shells that he carved himself!  The beach was so clean.

His kids came and asked you about 5 times, if you would like to buy Coconut water. LOL. I think my Spanish was getting better each time I told him "No Thank You, with adding on more each time so he would get the hint. I suggest when you visit this place, you have plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and room in your belly for the home made, NATURAL food that you will get at the restaurants. They do take time to make, as everything is made from scratch and does not come out as fast as what we are used to in the USA.

Have you every thought to visit other parts of Central America, other than the usual Costa Rica?  What about Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, to name a few?  Thankfully enough, I have friends from the first two, so I shall make my way there as well! HA!