Blog Post #7

Picture taken from Carnival

Ripples echo through the once calm water, followed by the gentle wake of a kayak. Paddling through the mangroves of Bonaire you become witness to the vivid colors at one with the swirling wind; it is as if you are immersed in the opening musical number to an animated film. The trees begin to speak as an array of green, yellow, orange, and purple feathers chatter among the leaves. Then as swiftly as the coursing river allows, pushing through a thicket of branches, you find yourself transported to an arid terrain. Tropical swamps where marine and terrain life intertwine, the underbrush of a jungle like forest that houses the rainbow, and white sands that sprout cacti of the desert takes visitors on an experience that displays the paradoxes of life.

Photo credit to EchoBonaire

However like anything else, this land can become jaded if not well maintained. Coral reefs are decaying, bird populations have decreased, and the ecosystem teeters on change. As biodiversity begins to waver the Roy G. Biv* that illuminates the islands may blend and turn to grey. What can be done to preserve and maintain the colors and scenery that lures in tourist? Could the rise of ecotourism help conserve the islands biosphere? The two almost directly correlate with each other, for without ecotourism the attempts of conservation could easily falter. Biodiversity is an essential element of conservation and without it ecotourism would surely fail.
Hook; I used vivid imagery as a hook
Bridge
Thesis

*Roy G. Biv is and elementary style acronym used to teach the colors of the
rainbow to children; also stylized as the initialism R.O.Y.G.B.I.V.
Photos taken from:

Carnival - https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/bonaire/eco-tour-at-lac-bay-national-park-443005

EchoBonaire - http://www.echobonaire.org/parrots/bonaires-parrot/

To Keep the Pink Feathers

For my research paper I am writing about ecotourism and efforts to maintain biodiversity on the ABC Islands. To be honest it has been a little challenging to research, mainly because they are three small islands that dont gain much media attention. The information is hard to come by or its credibility is questionable.

Bonaire National Marine Park

The islands themselves however seem to be full of beautiful landscapes and creatures. From the pictures I have seen, during my research that is, you can experience desert like terrain or transverse through tropical forests.

Bonaire holds claim to the worlds pinkest flamingos, which I have mentioned before

Provided by:
Voyager Bonaire Cruise Tours

but it still surprises me. There is even a private island off the coast of Bonaire called Flamingos Beach, where beach goers can share the beach with these birds Flamingo's are not the only birds that inhabit the islands. The islands house a wide assorment of one of kind bird species.

Aruba host the region's first certified carbon-neutral hotel. Twenty percent of the island Aruba belongs to the Arikok National Park. This goes to show the islands awareness of the importance of preserving their ecosystem.

In the next step of my research I plan to look into the steps the islands are taking to preserve its biodiversity. For example the Bonaire Wild Bird Rescue and artificial planting of the coral reef system. I also hope to find some detailed statistics on tourism growth, economy growth, and increase or decrease of conservation funds.


In the end the islands seem to be pretty self-aware as far as the importance of conservation goes. They seem to focus on preserving the nature habitats and wildlife. These dutch islands depend heavily on tourism for their economic needs, and seem to place importance on preserving what brings so many to their wonderful shores.

Revision of The Same Waters, Different Land

       The stories “Little Cog-Burt” and “Cotton Candy” both take place in the Caribbean, though on different islands. Therefore, it would be safe to say the stories involve people who were colonized by other world powers. The island of Dominica in "Little Cog-Burt" was settled by the French and then later the English. This is different than Cuba, featured in the latter story, which was colonized by Spain.

       An ocean separates the two islands, which accounts for difference in attitude, as well as subject matter. For example, in “Little Cog-Burt” we are thrown into a scene where the characters are

struggling to communicate and exist with the other inhabitants, with race playing a part in the tension. Richard, one of the main characters, wants to keep to traditions in order to better the morale of his plantation workers. A hint of seclusion is depicted throughout the story, but most clearly at the Christmas party. At this party we see the workers sitting in silence to a point where a pessimistic character, who didn't even want to have the get together, began to make attempts to liven the scene up. All of this differs from the story “Cotton Candy”, which expresses an attitude quite different.

Even though both stories were told, and or written, around the same time period, the feeling of division and dread are almost lost in “Cotton Candy”. We experience more of a community in the

story. We hear of children and their exchange of puppy love. An unlikely friendship, based on a business transaction with a local prostitute, helps showcase the lack of seclusion in the story. This also shines through as the story progresses and shows the main character interacting with everyone at her new job at the zoo. They all seem to enjoy one another's company and feel almost like a family, as seen in the playful teasing of the main character.

Even racial tensions appear to be flipped with the main characters of the two stories. “Cotton Candy” ends with the main character, who can be assumed to be Cuban, fawning over a black man who seems to flirt with her. This interracial attraction differs from what is told to us in “Little Cog-Burt”, where one of the English main characters often displays disdain towards what she calls the “dark” children and their parents. These stories can not speak for every aspect, situation, or person surrounding their originating islands, however they are an example of how storytellers from the same region but different islands lived in two different worlds.

*Stories taken from the collecting Green Cane and Juicy Flotsam

The Same Waters, Different Land

       The stories “Little Cog-Burt” and “Cotton Candy” both take place in the Caribbean, though on different islands. Therefore, it would be safe to say the stories involve people of similar ethnic backgrounds, outside of indigenous islanders of course. This does not mean the cultures and experiences of the two islands match, as an ocean separates the two islands.

       It only makes sense that most of their stories would differ as well, not only in attitude but subject matter. For example in “Little Cog-Burt” we are thrown into a scene where the characters are

struggling to communicate and exist with other inhabitants. Some of it due to racial issues. With one of the main characters Richard wanting to keep to traditions in order to keep morale within his plantation. A hint of seclusion is depicted as well in this story, as a christmas party sat in silence to a point where a pessimistic character, who didn't even want to have the get together, began to make attempts to liven the scene up. All of this differs from the story “Cotton Candy”, which expresses an attitude quite the opposite.

       Even though both stories were told, and or written, around the same time period, the feeling of division and dread are almost lost in “Cotton Candy”. We experience more of a community in the

story, as we hear of children and the exchange of puppy love. An unlikely friendship based business transaction with a local prostitute helps showcase the lack of seclusion in the story, compared to “Little Cog-Burt”. Especially as the story progresses and shows the main character interact with everyone at her new job at the zoo. They all seem to enjoy one another's company and feel almost like a family, as seen in the playful teasing at the main characters expense.

       Even racial tensions appear to be flipped with the main characters in the two stories. “Cotton Candy” ends with the main character, who can be assumed to be cuban, fawning over a black man who seems to flirt with her. This interracial attraction differs from what is told to us in “Little Cog-Burt”, where one of the English main characters often displays disdain towards what she calls the “dark” children, as well as their parents. Though these stories can not speak for every aspect, situation, or person surrounding their originating islands, they are an example of how storytellers from the same region but different islands lived in two different worlds.

*Stories taken from the collecting Green Cane and Juicy Flotsam

A Devil's Meal

         Like most stories that are to be told to a vast audience the funeral story "Tétiyette and The Devil" uses poetry with a dash of fantasy elements to express it's message. Likewise, the story uses poetry and repetition to not only make it memorable, but to make it understandable and easily interpreted for an audience likely of different backgrounds and origins. This is usually the case in most of the Caribbean, and especially in Guadeloupe from which this story is said to be from. The repetition comes into play not only with the anonymous authors rhythmic lines, such as "Oh, Mama! Oh, Mama! Bel-air drum! / The man to whom you married me, Bel-air drum!", but also with constantly repeating the main characters name throughout the story. This repeat of the name could be assumed to be a beat placement or crowd interaction point, but it is also likely that the constant use is to essentially etch parts of the tale into the audiences mind.

        This story is told with talking animals as the suitors. This not only grabs the attention of children but also expresses a metaphor to be analyzed by the more mature listeners. And, it seems to convey a warning for women of all ages, as it tells of how a "devil" managed to nearly take the life of a young girl. As she would tease possible husbands with her best silver cup, or perhaps showed her worth, but denied all of them. She would find petty reasons for why she did not find them

appealing. Finally a man showed up wearing beautiful clothes and gold, and she found this acceptable and quickly married this man. Unfortunately this great looking man became abusive. Her mom tried to warn her, but she was enamoured and would not leave him. Until one night it became to much and she cried out for help but no help came. As her dad replied "Agh! I don't give a damn! I had already warned her to beware." 

So perhaps one should take head of peoples advice or they may ignore you when you realize they were right. 
          Do not worry though as the story offers a ray of hope, as finally Tétiyette's brother comes to her rescue. As he pulls her from the bowels of her demon, this offers the listeners who may be in the same boat some hope and a message. Do not give up because all it takes is one person to pull you out of this darkness, once the person themselves has decided they need out. However, it also gives the audience something to think about, for while the other men in the story might have had minor flaws they may have treated her better. It also shows that the man who showed her what she wanted, wealth and riches, only put on a display to draw her in and trap her. Young women may stop and consider that what we see on the outside does not always match what is on the inside, what is gold may not always shine. 

Western Leeward

Baby Beach, Aruba

The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, which are often refered to as the ABC Islands, are the Western most islands of the Leeward Anntiles. They lay north of Venezuela off the coast at approximately 15 miles, 40 miles, and 50 miles respectively. They became a part of the Dutch's colonization of the Caribbean not long after the Spanish gave up on the islands. They happen to lay outside of the hurricane belt, which places them in a well rounded weather cycle that leads many snowbirds to the islands. Tourist also enjoy these islands for the varying terrain, beautiful beaches, and protected coral reef system. This makes the islands a popular place for scuba divers and snorklers. Aruba has been the main island to flourish off of tourism, also becoming the most developed of the three, by creating a place full of resorts, resturaunts, and even golf courses. The island has become so successful it has even become an autonomous state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The two main languages on all three islands is Dutch and Papiomento (their local Creole language) though many also speak English and spanish. Curacao is the largest of the islands as well as the largest population. It also has one of the highest standards of living within the Caribbean due to its advanced oil refining industry as well as some other well off industries. Curacao is also home to the oldest synagogue in operation on the Western hemisphere, the Mikve Israel Synagogue. Bonaire is not a successful as its neighbours, but it still has its fair share of sights to see for travelers. Bonaire is surround by coral reefs, and has a popular biking location in its national park where bikers can pass by the home of vibrant flamingos, Lake Gotomere.

Washington Slagbaai National Park,
Bonaire

Traveling to the ABC's:
Getting to the ABCs is complicated yet easy. Most of the east coast of the U.S.A. offers non stop flights to the regions. As well as Venezuela and the Netherlands. With all but Bonaire having ferry ports and services, this means the only way to get to Bonaire is through flight. With a passport and in some cases a visa, with a 30-90 day maximum stay limit, is required. Though there are some exceptions to these rules. With the best and most given advice being to contact the immigration office for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While each island has it's own currency, they will accept U.S. dollars. However, travelers want to make sure they bring enough cash with them for activities, food, or any emergencies that might happen. Many visas allow access to multiple islands, though it is best to check with the Netherlands immigration office before travel to know what your passport and visa allows. All three islands have beautiful architecture, spanish and Dutch, to see. As well as having bike trails, national parks, and of course white beaches and well known diving spots.

All information from, https://www.aruba.com/us,
://www.tourismbonaire.com, and https://www.curacao.com/en/faq/.

About Me

I'll be honest, I despise writing about me sections because I never really know what to say. I'm not that interesting, though it's all fairly subjective, and I don't do much outside of home, school, and work. I'm 28 with my main hobbies being playing video games, watching TV, and listening to music. I prefer romantic comedies over sports ball. I enjoy the company of a small group of friends laughing around a fire over a party any day. The only going out I really do is going to concerts. Lastly I prefer being around groups of people with different backgrounds and beliefs over a group of like minded people. I find discussing and debating with people of different opinions and beliefs to be very important. I believe two major things come of this. First, one of three things happen; we strengthen our own beliefs, our beliefs change, or a completely new idea is formed. The second thing I feel happens is that we come to understand one another, even if we don't agree, and understanding leads to acceptance, which leads to respect, which will ultimately lead to peace. This is in part why I enjoy concerts so much. Not for discussion taking place obviously, but because it is a perfect display of people with different backgrounds and ideas gathering together to have a good time and to look out for one another.

A Perfect Circle, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. October 29, 2018. Photo taken by: Me