I’ve always been fascinated with Latin American culture. The people, or “la gente” of South America have always caught my attention; they subscribe to different values that I have personally admired. The customs of their culture provide them with a mode of communication that makes the important stuff more visible; it’s easier to see when they love and when they hate. As a general rule, I’ve observed that the spirit of Latin America can be found in large families and lively gatherings. I love that. It’s not just the result of a single people’s development, it’s the mixing of imperial influences of old European powers, the culture of the African slaves that made colonization possible, and the indigenous influences of the native civilizations that called the continent home to begin with.
It’s not hard to guess that I’m a Spanish Minor. If I have the time and money, I’ll double major.
My dream, rather my romanticized and unrealistic dream, is to travel through South America and do service with the Peace Corps. I want to honeymoon in southern Argentina and live in a Guatemalan villa when I’m old and shriveled. I’m a stereotypical American, slightly cold and distant- I’m not very expressive and I avoid rowdy crowds and contact. I suspect that this is why I like the atmosphere of closely knit families, fiestas, and warm greetings. I know that not all Hispanic people fit this description, but I still hope that I’ll find satisfaction in learning more about the customs, traditions, and background that make up their collective spirit.
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