A Whole New World

When I think of my hometown, I can’t help but to think of Princess Jasmine in the movie Aladdin. Princess Jasmine was so used to being sheltered by her dad and seeing the same things every single day. When Aladdin came in the picture and took her on the magic carpet ride she was so amazed. It was as if the audience could feel the excitement and the adrenaline running through her system as they sang “a whole new world, that’s where we’ll be.” Seeing Princess Jasmine’s eyes gleam as she took a look at the world around her for the very first time on the magic carpet ride was immensely relatable. I could relate so much to Princess Jasmine because when I moved from my hometown the Dominican Republic at the tiny age of 5 to the east side of the United States a lot changed. Like Princess Jasmine, I began to grow up as a very sheltered and protected child. I got use to my routine that consisted of school, home, and hanging out with only the highest and most pristinely back ground checked friends. When I say back ground check, I mean my parents had to meet them and their parents a couple of times for them to make the cut. No longer could I just walk up to my friends house and ask if they were home. That is not how America worked and America slowly became what I knew. I was transferring from a little islander to a little suburban. Little did I know, if I was similar to Princess Jasmine, I too had a magic carpet in my near future. The only difference was my magic carpet was in the form of a U.S passport. I would soon be reconnected with the grounds my feet touched first, with the air my lungs breathed first. I would soon be with most of the people that held, fed, and watched me first. It was amazing to know I had so many first there...and it wasn’t my last.

First Drop-off: My Grandparent’s

The first place my magic carpet took me to was my grandparents house. I took my shoes off, walking around the house barefoot. The warm air layed under my feet and brushed over my skin, like I was getting engulfed in a gentle island hug. The warm air did always tend to carry from the outside of the house to the inside of the house. I know this is all supposed to feel foreign, the house, the atmosphere...but it didn’t. All I felt in this moment was a connection, chemistry, familiarity. I went back out to the porch, where it felt so calming. The plants gave the aroma in the air a pleasant and earthy smell. In front of the plants I saw, the infamous white bench...that I was now half the size of. This bench and me had history. To be honest, the white bench was probably around long before me.

There’s so many pictures of me and the white bench as a child. I bet the white bench has seen a lot through it’s decades here. What if the white bench could talk? “You were such a curios, mischievous little George, always trying to get your hands on something” I Imagined the white bench would say, based off of what family members have said in the past. It was surreal how grounded and connected I felt in this moment. It’s like the knowing of what was and who I was made me even more present in what is and who I am.

Second Drop-off: Outside the Gate

I snapped out of memory lane, completely bringing myself back to the present and grabbed my magic carpet. My magic carpet and I were now outside the gates of my grandparent’s home. I was getting a look into the reality of my country and it’s people. See, inside the gates of my grandparent’s house there was connection and familiarity. Outside of the gates, I couldn’t say the same. I did not grow up here, I never came to know what it was truly like out here. All I could do was imagine. I watched as millions of motorcycles blazed by. In my hometown motorcycles were to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic what taxis were to Manhattan, New York. Some motorcycles had just one passenger, others had two or even three. Some motorcycles had passengers holding their toddlers in the middle for protection. Some motercycles had passengers holding the groceries they just got at the grocery store. Although the description of these circumstances seem harsh, there were no looks of discomfort, confusion or terror. Instead, the looks were the complete opposite. The people around me seemed relaxed and accustomed. The truth of me not having a lot in common with the environment around me wasn’t threatening to me, it in fact made me more intrigued. My countries people seemed like strong people. The way they carried their hardships so gracefully, made them troopers in my eyes.

Third Drop-off: El Barrio

Once again it was time for my magic carpet and I to take on our next adventure. I was now in El Barrio, otherwise known as “the neighborhood” and it truly was thee neighborhood. This neighborhood was were most of my child hood friends and some of my other family members were. This street had so many memories locked into them. You could definitely call this my favorite street in all of Dominican Republic. Walking these streets alone, I couldn’t help but to get feelings of euphoria rushing through me. Hide and go seek, tag, and sitting on the porch talking about nonsense are all memories I have in El Barrio. It wasn’t long before I finally met up with my friends and family and we decided to go to the beach.

The beach we choose was Playa Dorada. Playa Dorada is a beautiful beach in Puerto Plata that was not too far from El Barrio. At first my friends and I took a peaceful walk on the beach like the civilized 20 year olds we were...until the reality of how boring adulting was hit us. Next thing you know, like some seven year olds, we were running around the beach playing tag. This was one of the most freeing things I had done in a long time. I did not have to worry about how I was going to look or think twice about how to act. I was safe to just let loose with my friends and family. Truthfully, when it comes to drop-off three, I’m the most speechless. It’s like when I’m in El Barrio with my family and friends, my body language speaks for itself. I’m all easy breezy and smiles. My gaurd completely drops, I let myself get completely wrapped up in the moment.

P.s

The actual children on the beach (my siblings) were being so precious, and the real civilized ones.

Fourth Drop-off: Food Market!

If you do anything when you visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic...try the Dominican Food. I am known for eating American foods while on vacation. When I’m in my hometown though, eating all my favorite foods from there is a must. In the example above, the first picture is a dish of fried plantains with ham (salami works too). Trust me I myself am a picky eater so I would never recommend it if it didn’t taste good. On the bottom left is a island fruit called “limoncillo.” The way you eat it is by biting into the skin with your front teeth. Then you peel the skin revealing a fleshy and fruity soft coat covering a big seed. You would eat the limoncillo (with out the green skin) how you would eat a cherry. Instructions on how to eat this fruit aside, the taste is amazing and indescribable till you try it for yourself. Lastly on the bottom right, that is Chicharron. Chicharron is fried pork rinds and pork belly, which makes it kind of different then your classical pork. It is fried and crunchy to the T. They even give you a side of limes to squeeze over the chicharonnes to give it a limey twang.

Fifth Drop off: The airport

My magic carpet and I’s last stop is bittersweet. Leaving my hometown is what allows me to appreciate it so much but it’s also what makes me miss it so much. As I sit on the plane, I'm left with time to reflect on my hometowns meaning to me. When I think of my hometown, so many different thoughts come to mind. My hometown centers me, being able to know where I come from is a blessing. My homtown inspires me, seeing the way my countries people handle daily life is motivating. My hometown makes me grateful. Seeing all the love I still have between my family and friends after all these years is gratifying. My home town humbles me. Getting to see life from a whole different perspective in my hometown is truly humbling. My hometown reminds me of the important things in life, love, laughter, family, friends, good food, and most of all the importance of making memories while you can. My hometown reminds me of how hard my parents worked. Lastly my hometown reminds me of my magic carpet, the reason I am even able to come back. It brings me great joy to be able to say “see you later” to my hometown, all thanks to my magic carpet.