Cultural Cluster

Part 2 of the vacation diaries. This was not my 1st trip to the Bahamas, in fact it was my 4th or 5th because now that I have reconnected with family I make a point to head down there around this time each year. I am so blessed to be able to do this and I try to eat up every moment I am down there with my family. And of course soak up the sun and sand between my toes :) At any rate, this was my counterpart's 1st time out of the states and my 1st time going as a pair instead of just a lady, or just a lady and her friend. As soon as we arrived I realized something felt different almost immediately. What many people don't understand about some parts of the caribbean is that the beauty and oasis that is portrayed in commercials or ads for all inclusive resorts and the like- is not what really makes up the lifestyle and the people that inhabit these beautiful islands year round. But rather, there is a real culture here, one that most are not generally exposed to, and one that I love to experience each year because it is so real and different than what one might expect. At any rate, I knew this year was not just about me but also about the guest I was so excited to have join me on this trip. This year was also different because for the 1st time we were venturing off the main island and enjoying the majority of our trip on a rather desert island (the American perception at least) known as Long Island. A hop skip and a jump over (actual a 45 minute plane ride) and we arrived on the sandy tarmac...and it was awesome. The entire island was caribbean jungle with 1 road and brightly colored homes scattered here and there. The adventures we got to experience all together were priceless- and things that I never imagined being able to do. From cliff diving into 600 foot deep water known as the blue hole, to spear fishing and escaping to a private island beach- the natural beauty and excitement of it all made me take a step back and just smile. Did I mentioned we showered with rain water? So refreshing! But there is something to note here; a lesson I walked away with of course. Sometimes when we are only concerned about ourselves we don't see the cultural differences around us and don't understand how this could be a significance to someone else. For the 1st time I got to understanding that when you go outside the boundaries- whether that be your comfort zone, or just to a more exotic destination- reactions may vary. And that is completely OK!! It is a matter of recognizing and discussing these sorts of cultural difference that will not only enable you to understand another person better but also see a situation or an experience from a completely new perspective that you may not have considered before. I know I am being entirely vague for the purpose of privacy of my family and loved ones- but I felt the need to share this travel experience. When I 1st started blogging years ago, I had just landed in Florence, Italy for a 4 month study abroad program. I was not only shocked, but scared, tired, and wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into. With a little more travel experience now, I am able to sort of let things go by the way side as I move around- but none the less it was almost refreshing to see someone else experience that. It made me realize that traveling is not only a beautiful adventure, but a means to getting to know yourself and others better. Sometimes I think it is almost imperative that we lose ourselves abroad in order to find ourselves at home. As for the post vacation blunders- all I have to say is take me back to the sand and the sun :)

xoxo AA

America...F Yea

Hello world wide web!! The reason for my most recent absence you ask? Vacation! The past 2 weeks I was celebrating my man in uniform's graduation down in Annapolis, MD and immediately hopped on a jet plane thereafter for some fun in the Bahamian sun. The latter of which you will hear about in the next post but I thought it would be best if I broke the trips up into 2 parts because there were aspects of each that I felt the need to share. 1st of all- I love America. That seems to become more clear and prevalent with each time that I visit the US Naval Academy. It's never that the feeling of love for my country is non-existent, but rather the pride I have for our nation and the people that serve it becomes all the more prevalent when I am in a morale boasting atmosphere surrounded by others that have similar feelings. Heading into graduation, I was hearing murmurs that the event might be 'a very emotional experience' and that it was a 'very special time for family and loved ones in the Navy.' A bit apprehensive due to these rumors, I put my sun dress on with a smile on my face and headed out the door. Only to realize once we arrived that I was missing a sun hat- something that would have saved me from my base burn and possible tubs of sweat (apparently I was one of the very few that did not get the memo here). Anyways, sitting in the blazing sun listening to the Secretary of the Navy speak I was not only happy to be there but was having a great time. You have to understand that graduation (or what is actually referred to as 'commissioning') is nothing like a real gradation. Between the canons, the Blue Angels flying overhead, and the secret service covering all areas due to all of the government officials present- this was no UCONN College of Liberal Arts and Science snooze fest like I experienced. During the Secretary of the Navy's speech I realized something- though this was an extremely special moment for all of the graduates and a potential emotional moment for their families, it was a true further affirmation of why these brave men and women serve our great country. You might remember from an earlier post that there have been times that my exposure to the military community (such as at the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society Ball) have left me feeling sad, fearful, and sometimes confused. But at graduation, I was reminded of how honorable, courageous, and self-less this group of people are. How everything they are fighting for comes back to us, to our safety, to our rights and liberties. And how it truly takes an exceptional and unbelievably tough person to knowingly step into the line of danger to defend the rest of us. So instead of walking away teary eyed and scared- I walked away more proud of our country and more knowledgable on why the military's job is so imminent to our society as we know it. I just want to say thank you to all of those serving our country, but more specifically my man in uniform and all of his friends that are about to or in a few months will begin their training. I know you are all going to  rise above the difficulties and prevail as better, stronger, and wiser people. And for those of you that I will see again in the near future- put your requests in now for comfort food because I will be cooking up a storm when I come visit :)
xoxo AA