My family loves to travel. What family
doesn't, really? Our plan is to travel the world together and experience as
many cultures as we possibly can. For my 15th birthday we went on a cruise
through the Mediterranean, visiting most of Italy, France, Monaco, and
Spain. Although my favorite of all the destinations was
Civitavecchia(Rome), the place that influences me the most is Barcelona,
Spain. I am 2nd generation Puerto Rican from my mother's side and the rest are
Spaniards. I come from a very matriarch family therefore when I had
the opportunity to experience first hand this culture I found myself
feeling at home; more so than with my native one. My mother and my grandfather
have made it their mission; it seems, to make sure the following generations
with our last name stay true to our Spanish roots.
When I first landed in Barcelona, we went
directly to "La Rambla" which is a street filled with artists,
performers, art, fashion, everything you can imagine Catalan. As a 15 year old with self-esteem issues and going through puberty, seeing all
this liberty in expression, be that by their wardrobe, make up, art, expressing
themselves so freely and it all felt so unedited and confident. It changed me forever and made me able
to express myself freely and confidently as well when I returned. When it comes
to having your first encounter with European cultures its impossible to stay
the same. No matter which European culture you are specifically exposed to it
will mark the way you look at your own culture and even your way of life.
The way they hate the English language but
are constantly reading and using English words in their everyday life was
something that also shocked me. For example: they would literally read bus as
if it were written in Spanish and write the word bacon how it phonetically
sounds in English. They are unapologetic in their way of life. That was one of
the main things that influence me. To the point that, when I got back, I
completely changed the way I expressed myself both through speech and fashion.
At first it was a bit manipulated by the spanish culture, using bright colors and a few
colloquial Spanish words, but after a while I found my own voice.
I envy you in the good way for your tradition of traveling a lot. When I went to Europe I loved all the countries but I also identified myself mostly with Barcelona than with the other countries I had the privilege to visit. As you say Barcelona is vivid, I felt more at home, maybe because our Spanish roots as Puerto Ricans.
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ReplyDeleteNow I understand why you wanted to include the Spanish perspective in our presentation it is part of your identity.
ReplyDeleteI like how Spaniards embrace their culture. My grandfather was a Spaniard and I can never get tired of hearing how he would try to keep his roots alive through the kitchen and telling Spanish stories to the kids (my parents and their brothers and sisters). I believe every culture should foment their roots and I also believe there is nothing wrong in taking pride of being from other culture. Sometimes people are judgeful and if they hear you shouting to the winds you are Spaniard, they would roll their eyes to infinity. This is wrong. Looking back to the concept of home, home is where you’re loved ones are and where they come from, not the place you are born in. That, it’s nationality. Keep taking pride in the Spanish in you as I will for my old ancestors and for being Puertorican.
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