Carmen Castillo
Professor Debartolo
Expository Writing EN109-60
September 26, 2012

I’m Just Me Everyone has a history of where they come from and the variety of things they do within their culture. In my perspective peoples culture is what makes them a whole. I’m Dominican. My life consists of excitement and happiness. From the delicious foods, to the jumping music. My world revolves around my culture. I and my family have different occasions which we celebrate differently. In our world we tend to make everyone happy. Even though I wasn’t born in Dominican Republic I still carry it within me. My mother, father, brothers and sister were born in Dominican Republic. I was the only one that was born in the United States but I was actually made in Dominican Republic. We were all raised Dominican style as anyone would say. We speak, write and read fluent Spanish. We also have the accent which is recognized by any Dominican. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought adjusting to the variety of things that are totally different in DR. Like every 3 years we would go to Dominican Republic. I can truly say that it is completely different as time goes by. And I realized the difference. In the DR you would see the children on the streets playing baseball, hopscotch, playing with dolls, riding bicycles and everything you would see a typical child do. Here in the United States it would be very difficult for you to see the children playing outdoors. Just for the simple fact that technology is very advance and has taken over. In the US children have Xbox, iPads and cellphones. These devices have really changed a variety of things in the 21st century. From communication to even typical things those children even do. In Dominican Republic it’s not as common to see children doing these types of things, for the simple fact that they’re parent can’t afford it. There is a high rate of poverty. So children find other ways of enjoying their selves. It’s my country and I love it though. Besides all the poverty, I am able to say that the country is a wonderful place to visit. When I visit it actually take me a couple days to adjust just because of the climate. But once I’m well-adjusted I take advantage of my visit. We Dominicans are very friendly. We are always taught to say hello to people. We see needy and always offering. I’ve always used that here in the United States.
Something I can truly say that is not used here and is the time frame of the cooking. When I was in Dominican Republic for the summer, I was there for one month. I got use to eating breakfast at 8:00 a.m., Lunch at 12:00 p.m. and dinner around 7:00 p.m. For lunch we would have the traditional famous Dominican dish, which is my favorite, “mangu”. Mangu is made with boiled mashed plantains, you add butter, and you fry some onions with oil, vinegar and a little bit of salt. You put the onions on top once they are cooked. We also ate it with “queso frito” which is fried cheese. This cheese is fresh cheese, straight from the cow factory. You can taste the freshness as you bite in it. It’s such a rich favor that would just leave you asking for more. Around 11:00 you would see all the little kids going to the “caseta” which is a place where everyone goes and buy the fresh meat. When I tell you fresh I mean fresh. I assume the owners raise the animals and then when they are big enough they take it to this place and as you request the amount they are literally there cutting it off the animal in your face. Around this time, as you roam the street you would smell the delicious smell of the “sazon” which is season everywhere you go. Once the food is ready you would see the neighbors taking food to each other regardless If they’ve cooked or not.
On the other hand, here in the U.S I would have to go through a whole process. I would have to go to the supermarket and buy everything. It would actually be a miracle if I see my neighbors. I would consider this more of anti-social country. If you don’t speak to someone they would definitely not speak to you unless you know them. You could really tell the difference. I’ve heard real good comments about the way tourists are treated once they arrive. They feel as if they were home. But I have that in my veins. I’m friendly to everyone and I’ve learned that in Dominican Republic. I speak to everyone, even if I don’t know you. But it’s all out of courtesy.
Sometimes people ask me am I African American. But then again they set back because they notice that my skin completion, which is different. And plus there are times I have my wet bouncy curls. When I’m asked if I’m mix, I would usually say no because I consider myself a full blooded Dominican even though I wasn’t born there. But my mom and dad were, so hey, why not consider myself a full blood. That is my pride. I love being Dominican just for the simple fact that we love to have good times.
Fascinating doesn’t describe the music that just makes you want to get up and just start dancing. This is more like amazing. OMG! Can someone say the best music in the world? My world consists of merengue, bachata and dembow. My favorite is Dembow. Dembow is a variation and a form of reggae. The rhythm just gets the best of you. When I feel stressed out and need to be rescued, the first thing I turn to is dembow. No matter how upset I am, if I hear some dembow I would start dancing or moving to the rhythm.