Fishing Trip to Andros Bahamas - Essay Example

Cultural Scrapbook Culture 1 Fishing trip to ‘Andros Bahamas’ (Word count = 609) Culture 2 Eating Out at ‘Fogo De Chao’ Restaurant (Word count = 521) Culture 3 Watching the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (Word count = 566) Culture 4 Watching the movie ‘Maria Full of Grace’ (Word count = 592) Culture 5 Eating Out at ‘Ichiban Restaurant’ (Word count = 549) Culture 6 Eating Out at ‘Don Diego's’ Restaurant (Word count = 506) Culture 7 Watching the movie ‘American East’ (Word count = 527) Culture 1: Fishing trip to ‘Andros Bahamas’. In December 2006 I went on a fishing trip with a few friends to Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas for a few days. What attracted us to this area was the prospect of fishing for the dophin-fish called Mahi Mahi in the local Hawaiian language and Dorado in Spanish. We also heard that Andros is the bonefish capital of the world and home to some of the world’s finest fishing areas so we were very eager to go and had high hopes for good catches. Upon arriving on Andros Island, the fresh air was immediately noticeable. After checking in at the South Andros Beach House, we decided to go for fishing first and ventured out from near the Emerald Palms. We could not see any tackle or fly shops around but were glad that we brought our own fishing gear, which was quite adequate. A local fishing guide accompanied us in the boat. He informed us that these beautiful blue-green fish have a short life span of only a few years; can be caught in the open ocean, and are especially to be found near seaweed or floating debris in warm current. Using trolling dead squids and with the help of our guide, we were fortunate to catch a few in deep sea. The largest weighed about 25 lb. We were surprised by the sudden changes of color after the catches to an eventual yellow-grey. Also, it was strange how our guide was being more observant of the behavior of nearby birds than looking at the ocean. He told us that this helped him to identify what species of fish are likely to be present and where. As we thanked him back on shore, he also advised us to come again in a few months time as the conditions would be more ideal then. But we were quite satisfied with what we caught. After lunch, we spent the afternoon alongside the ocean to enjoy ourselves. Then in the evening we decided to stroll the streets of Andros Town to explore Brazilian culture. We were flabbergasted by what we saw. The beaches were beautiful and the ocean very relaxing, but there was so much else the island offered inland. There were a lot of historic buildings dotted around that were great to look at. And, we also found ourselves in time to attend a craft exhibition taking place. Another enjoyable moment was closer to our base, cycling through Congo Town on rented cycles. We were told about the cemetery, which sits in the sea and reveals coffins during low tide but never got to see that for ourselves. What we did witness though that we found spooky was a deserted ghost town. The only people around were visitors like us. We did not have to fear the nights however as night life was pretty good in South Andros. There were numerous restaurants and recreational opportunities we availed. We also visited the Andros lighthouse that night. Before leaving the island, we quickly bought some of the homemade goods made of straw that were available as memorabilia. Henry Morgan’s cave on the other northern side of Andros we went to earlier was an interesting place but we did not find any treasure in there! Actually we didn’t go deeper inside after hearing that there were bats in there too. According to tradition, an infamous pirate named Henry Morgan hid a cache of treasure in this cave. We all agreed that the few dolphin fishes we caught, the relaxation on the beaches and the sightseeing inland were quite sufficient treasures for us, treasures of wonderful memories and experience we brought back. Culture 2: Eating Out at ‘Fogo De Chao’ Restaurant Eating at the local Fog de Chao restaurant for an evening dinner was a wonderful dining experience, and the atmosphere made us feel like we were really in Brazil. The food, the service and the atmosphere were equally excellent. A waiter quickly greeted us as we seated at a table for four. We were treated immediately to cinnamon sprinkled sweet fried plantains and garlic mashed potatoes. We then agreed to sample their entire menu under the prix-fixe system. We didn’t have to wait too long before 15 different delectable cuts of fire-roasted meats, a sumptuous buffet of gourmet salads and fresh-cut vegetables, and a variety of Brazilian side dishes including crispy hot polenta, seasoned mashed potatoes and fried bananas were laid before us. We were also given a special two-sided disk we were told we could use to control the pace of our meal. The green side was to signal a gaucho chef to bring over skewers of sizzling fire-roasted meats and the red side to signal a stop. We complemented our experience with a decadent dessert and a traditional Brazilian limeade beverage. Of the food, the best thing I liked was the absolutely tasty roasted meat. Apparently, the preparation of meat is deeply rooted in Brazilian tradition. The Brazilians call it churrasco, which is Brazilian barbecue. Long skewers are used to cook the meats over an open fire. Charrasco is more than just a way of cooking. It is a way of life for many Brazilians. The service was fabulous too. In fact, it was a special experience for all of us. What made this experience stand out more was the very different style of dining there and the personalized attention from all the staff. The waiters were very careful to note if we needed any more meat. And during the meal, the customer service manager also appeared to make sure that everything was running smoothly. In terms of Brazilian culture, what I could gather is that not only do Brazilian’s enjoy meat but also they are very generous in offering food. There was a great variety on offer but they gave a lot of each item too as if we were here for some celebration or we had told them that someone else was going to join us shortly. Brazilians are by no means stingy in giving food. I experienced that Brazilian food is not as spicy as say Mexican food but this suited us just fine. Also, the focus on satisfying the customer was a hallmark of Brazilian service. Due to our satisfaction with the food and service we decided to specially thank the manager before leaving. He was not around but we did manage to meet his assistant manager to praise our whole experience. In return he even gave my daughter a free glass of limeade. This visit no doubt left a positive and lasting impression on us of Brazilian food and culture, and the great service we had from this restaurant in particular. I discovered a great fondness for Brazilian food, especially their meat and the gaucho way of preparing meat was a delight as well. Culture 3: Watching the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Watching Slumdog Millionaire was an interesting and eye-opening experience. The theme of rags to riches made it interesting to watch but it was unusual in the way in which it blended different film styles. It was also an extreme mix of both tragedy and hope with a positive ending. The romance aspect was a little far fetched but most intriguing was how the film successfully brought the slums to life. Overall it was a spectacular film and beautifully performed. The eye-opening experience was the insight the film provided into some negative areas of Indian culture. The most revealing aspects of another society were the kind of life children and outcasts are exposed to in this day and age as well as the nature of religious strife. I learned what the aftermath of religious riots can be like, how orphans are exploited in terrible ways, and the terrible conditions in which these children have to grow up with trash around them, no hygiene and the problems of poverty and crime. On the other hand, the film also highlights the suspicious and negative attitude of authorities and conmen towards such people, who are already having a difficult period in life and are struggling in unfortunate circumstances. The film also shows the problems associated with India’s caste system and brings to the fore the problem of illiteracy. Mumbai is both the commercial and entertainment centre of India. It is also the second most populous city in the world and the world’s 4th largest urban agglomeration. Yet, it is also a city in which child abuse and exploitation takes place. Despite coming from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal is shown to be an extremely brave individual with a fierce will to survive. His search for friendship and love is strong enough to help him face up to the challenges of life and escape the poor living conditions. Love is a universal theme. It is present in all cultures in which there are stories of trial and triumph in love. But in this film, Jamal has a very long and arduous circle of obstacles to achieve his love. It is his journey of rags to riches, of being rejected by society to being accepted by the same he has to endure to achieve his goal. His struggle to be on a par with his loved one drives him passionately to answer all the questions correctly on the game show. The contrast in the lifestyles between these two worlds within the same city could not be any greater. Fortunately, as the film has it, he has luck on his side too. This plot is too coincidental and therefore unconvincing but that is beside the point. The positive side of India and the richness of its culture is also displayed in the film although this does not stand out so much as the darker side of society, namely the social problems mentioned above. India is shown to have a vibrant and colorful culture. The sounds and sights of the better side of Mumbai are somewhat more familiar and typical of a large overcrowded modern city. The dance part at the end is something more common in a Bollywood than a western movie but it is nonetheless revealing of the Indian style of entertainment for non-Indians. There are far better performances and glimpses of this side of Indian culture in the proper Bollywood films. Culture 4: Watching the movie ‘Maria Full of Grace’ Although a work of fiction, Maria Full of Grace is such a well-researched and gripping film that it accurately portrays Colombian culture, the social problem of drug smuggling, and dangers inherent in the drug trade. It is centered on a young woman named Maria who becomes a drug mule. What entices her to become a mule is the prospect of earning a large sum of money in a short span of time. This is an opportunity that many people face who have limited safer options but the Columbians are deeply connected to drug smuggling. For the sake of money she risks ingesting thumb-sized pellets of cocaine, boards a plane to New York, and successfully delivers the goods without either being caught or any pellet leaking inside her. But not everything goes so smoothly. The film highlights a number of important issues in this world of drug smuggling. One is the personal danger to life of carrying pellets of cocaine in such a manner, besides the risks of getting caught by the authorities. It also raises the question of what compels desperate people to take up this line of underground work, especially such a young and intelligent woman like Maria. And from the other perspective, what makes Columbian drug lords dupe innocent people to do the dirty work for them, even to the extent of preying on people with previously mundane lives. Swallowing some grapes for practice is nothing compared to swallowing real pellets of cocaine. Then, to face the additional external danger of getting caught makes for tense moments in the film. Moreover, it shows how this is a real problem in Columbian culture. What Maria does may seem like an easy way of making money but the dangers are too great. Although the problem is acute in Columbian culture, it is not confined to the Columbians. It would also be wrong to stereotype all Columbians as drug smugglers. The film shows that this is really an international problem wherever people seek better lives, and how the consequences of globalization are spreading this cancer around the world. In addition, the film touches upon the issue of immigration and uses some underlying religious messages. There is also food for thought from watching the movie on working conditions, division of labor, exposure to agrochemicals, and the nature of the floriculture industry. I knew of the association with drugs beforehand, but I also learned from watching the movie the fact that Columbia is the second largest producer of cut flowers; that many roses, carnations and various other cut flowers originate from Columbia. Other specific insights into Columbian culture gained from watching the movie were the rampant underlying problem of poverty that allows the drug trade to flourish, and the minimum wage demanding jobs available to them. This background makes it more understandable why Maria would want to take the risk of becoming a mule and get into America, and by extension why people like her do so in the real world. In a way, Maria was favored in life given her lowly beginnings and the monetary wealth upon entering the trade, but she held a misconception of salvation. Neither did Maria really become ‘full of grace’ by doing what she did, nor can anyone else. If there is any lesson in the film, it is that the future does not become bright for anyone who chooses to join the drug trade. There may be momentary financial benefits but there are longer term risks to health, living a decent respectable life and having a satisfied soul. Culture 5: Eating Out at ‘Ichiban Restaurant’ Eating at the Ichiban restaurant was something quite out of the ordinary. It was a really unique experience. We found a nice area in the Teppanyaki dining room to seat ourselves for dinner. It was intriguing when knife-flashing chefs appeared at the table to start preparing our meal, and that too at the table itself right before our eyes. The style of handling the knives was a deliberate act of showmanship but we enjoyed the entertainment. Then we were given hot moist towels to refresh ourselves in true traditional Japanese style. We rejuvenated our hands and face. The treatment was very personal and we felt we were being treated with great respect. We chose a Japanese appetizer called Tempura shrimp, then a special combination of salmon and filet mignon complete with soup, salad, vegetables, steamed rice, Japanese green tea, and ice cream for desert. Fortunately there was no need to feel bemused when being given chopsticks, as we were experienced in using these dining tools from before. The ingredients were all fresh, and we were informed how the cooking was done in a unique manner with health concerns in mind yet without sacrificing taste, flavor or quality. We also tried their sushi bar for a delightful combination of gently vinegared rice with vegetables. We were informed that this is a high protein, low calorie food yet delightfully refreshing. Despite the cooking, the natural flavors were retained. It was fun practicing eating this the Japanese way. Picking up a piece of sushi, we dipped the topping part in the small dish of soy sauce and popped the whole piece into our mouths. The style for eating rice was interesting but it was also very tasty. At the same time, we could also watch the sushi chefs deftly preparing the sushis. The soy sauce called shoyo was itself very tasty. It was made from soybeans of fine quality, roasted wheat and salt and fermented with special yeast. I was amused to hear the shoyo described as fit for a king. I found out that teppanyaki means ‘iron cooking’, and that ichiban means ’number one’. The first explains why the Japanese style of knife flashing and cooking at the table is a central part of their cuisine. Indeed it was something very different from other restaurants of other cultures. Like their special combination of the varieties of food, this was a special combination of serving food with style. Being health conscious I thought positive of this method because we could see the preparation process in front of us, rather than having it take place in the kitchen behind the scenes. They paid good attention to hygiene too as the place was kept very clean at all times. The restaurant name Ichiban was apt. I would agree that this was a number one place because the entire time we spent here was both memorable and enjoyable. The quality of the food was of the highest standard, the service was extremely friendly, the place was exceptionally clean, the atmosphere was truly inviting, and above all we learnt a great deal about Japanese culture, style of preparing and eating food, and really enjoyed the wonderful experience at the same time. Using chopsticks was fun, and the knife wizardry was just a wonderful topping to observe. Culture 6: Eating Out at ‘Don Diego's’ Restaurant During the recent winter break, our trip to Palm Springs, California included a visit to Don Diego’s of Indian Wells, a popular local Mexican restaurant. We heard that this was one of the valley’s best and indeed it was. The experience was unforgettable. Despite lots of other things we did in Palm Springs, eating at this restaurant was clearly a highlight of our trip. Besides the mouthwatering chicken, steaks and shrimp dishes, we were served Mexican specialties such as enchiladas, burritos and tacos. The food was spicy but delicious, and it must not go without mentioning that all servings were generous. The range of black, refried and ranchero beans was appetizing. The Mexican style turkey meatloaf and ceaser salad were good, and the homemade red soup was great. The sizzling fajitas and amazing margaritas looked mouthwatering so we were tempted to try them. We also chose some seafood options. Out taste buds were well satisfied. We also enjoyed the green corn tamales and homemade chilies rellenos as much as we enjoyed pronouncing their names. The atmosphere in the restaurant was perfect and very welcoming. The soft Mexican salsa music and dim lighting made us feel very relaxed to eat at a comfortable pace. As if we were not enjoying ourselves enough already, whilst we were eating a maestro came over and asked if we would like for him to sing to us. My son promptly replied in the affirmative and we were treated to a wonderful song. This special treat was yet another great thing about our visit to this restaurant. It was just like in the films seeing a Mexican guy play on his guitar and fill our ears with joyful words. The younger one was perhaps more excited by the live performance right in front of our table. This made him even more fascinated by Mexican culture when we got back home to Minnesota. Our whole experience at the restaurant was full of enjoyment, everything from the fresh homemade food to the wonderful atmosphere and views, and the fabulous and friendly service. The range of food on offer was both exciting to look at and exciting to eat. Mexican food it seems is prepared not only to satisfy our desire for delicious food but also with health in mind. What we had was genuine Mexican food in our own country. The fact that the whole experience was very Mexican, especially the food being accompanies by Mexican music and songs was also a great learning experience of Mexican culture. So we tasted not only the food but also the culture, and a bit of language too with the Mexican names of various food items and dishes. Payment was convenient too as all major credit cards were being accepted. Not only that but the price was moderate too. We thought we would have to pay more than we actually did. We would not hesitate to go there again. It was a perfect restaurant combining tasty food, lovely music, and all this at a very affordable price. Culture 7: Watching the movie ‘American East’ This was one film I took special time out to watch on DVD because I was told that it is an exceptional film from which I could really learn some things about true Arab culture and not be bombarded with negative stereotypes, prejudiced impressions or western propaganda. I was not disappointed in the least. It was welcome to see the traditional and typically biased viewpoints and hatred put aside to give a proper motion picture. Instead of seeing Arabs portrayed as villains, murderers or even terrorists, I got to see them in true light. The film also differs from other western films depicting Arabs in that it is not focused on the politics of the Middle East rather something closer to home in our own democratic society. The film portrays an American character called Mustafa. Like many ordinary Americans, Mustafa also wishes to experience the ‘American dream’, but achieving this dream becomes a very complicated affair for not only him but also his entire family. It is actually a sorrowful yet entertaining movie showing what could very well happen to someone of a targeted ethnic background in this country of supposed freedom. The film is set in the post 9/11 era so this explains why this is the case through representing real life in contemporary America. American East highlights the many obstacles and difficulties Arabs living in America have to face nowadays. All Mustafa, a widower wanted to do was to establish a restaurant with the help of his longtime Jewish Egyptian friend, pay off his debts and raise his two children as both good Muslims and good Americans. Unfortunately, the problem is that realizing the dream is not easy for Arabs. Instead, he has to endure the reality of hatred, mistreatment and abuse. This resistance is due to the fundamental misunderstandings present in American society. Mustafa is forced to make an important decision – whether to struggle or succumb. Although Mustafa has done nothing wrong, he is a victim of these misunderstandings. As if this is not enough, he is then arrested and interrogated by the FBI over his donations back home. It is strange how the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East could impinge on his family and business to such a terrible extent. His heartfelt statement, “I still believe in this country” despite everything falling apart around him, resonates the sentiments of a typical American when immersed in difficult circumstances. The learning experience from watching this film was to realize the very many similar traits of immigrants living in America in terms of our dreams, hopes and aspirations, whilst at the same time getting to know of some peculiar aspects of Arab culture such as their marriage customs. Arabs deal with similar tragedies and traumas of life so are no different from other Americans, and there are good and bad elements in every society and culture. Overall the film successfully gets its main message across of the need for greater understanding, respect and tolerance for peoples of other cultures, and not to fall victim ourselves to distorted media images. These are very important issues that can either tear apart or hold a nation together. Read More