I went to dinner in the community tonight in Los Higos again. But this time it was to a different families home. The people here are so open to this program with us to have 8 foreigners come into their home for dinner. They don't have much but they offer what they have. They don't eat with us because culturally they allow the guests to eat first and they will eat later. Tonight we had a great meal of rice and beans with chicken. I learned that it is an honor to get the chickens feet. So when a foot was given to me I graciously ate it. Not the meatiest of chicken parts I've ever eaten. Kinda boney and fatty. Once you eat the skin there isn't much left but little chicken finger bones. Check out the 3 videos below to get a better idea of the surroundings and the community. The little shacks behind the houses are kitchens. The many plants around houses many times are random gardening.
This is a panning video of the home we ate at.
This is the partaking of the chicken foot. Mmmmmmmm
This is video of walking from the home to where we ate dinner over to the lady's home who served it to us. Sorry I was shaky with the camera. The ground is uneven and I was using a little point and shoot.
This is an example of simplicity. This lady hosted the meal at another home because hers was small. But notice how she takes care of it and is proud to show her nice clean home to us. She is holding her son who has some of the fattest squishy cheeks I have ever seen :)
This is the same little boy from the video above but with his abuela or grandmother. They both look so beautiful to me!
This is the partaking of the chicken foot. Mmmmmmmm
This is the same little boy from the video above but with his abuela or grandmother. They both look so beautiful to me!
Hi Randy! I have to admit I am glad I was not offered a chicken foot to eat when I was in Los Higos! That would have been a challenge for me! Thanks also for helping Ariceli. She's a great gal facing huge obstacles. Love, mom
ReplyDeleteHi, Randy,
ReplyDeleteReally sorry about your knee, but know you are in Good Hands! Will try to be more faithful in following your blog, and you are now "book-marked" to find you easily!
I really enjoy your pictures and videos, and can see why you love these people. How close are they culturally to the Haitians? Are there strong similarities or great differences?
We are in Montrose, Colorado, and attended church here this morning...same church we visited last year.
Take care of yourself, and look forward to reading about steady healing! Our prayers are with you.
Love in Him, Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me long to respond to your post. I missed it somehow and then didn't look down far enough to check for comments.
Dominicans today are a blending of cultures. They are the original indigenous Tainos, Spanish, African, European, ect.. They are simply Dominican. They are so mixed that they make a type of doll with no face symbolizing the vast blending.
There is though a bit of looking down on Haitians and darker skinned people in general. They themselves will try and stay out of the sun if they can to be as light as possible. This also has to do with a take over by Haiti in 1821 and gaining their independence in 1844. There is still some mistrust toward Haitians in the culture.
I heard Eric's wedding was beautiful. Congratulations on gaining a granddaughter. Enjoy your time away from the hot valley and come home safe so we can swap stories from our adventures!
In God's Grace,
Randy