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trip distillate
May. 16th, 2008 02:48 pmBoston people are as grouchy and hostile as urban Puerto Ricans, but they're generally more spoiled. They're also less likely to steal my shit. I literally couldn't street-park a second-rate rental car outside my great-aunt's house overnight.
There really is goodness in my native culture. This time out, I perceived more of the simple compassion, kindness, hospitality, trust, respect for the extended family, and care for the elderly we may rightly feel proud of. However, all these virtues are entirely overshadowed and trampled by the problems of living in that place. A long tradition of once-healthy disrespect for authority (see 1493-1898+) and desperation will do that.
My rather eccentric, but often correct, uncle told me that, in the old days, people who weren't fit for gainful employment on the island would leave, looking for a break elsewhere. Nowadays, anyone with professional skills jumps ship as soon as they can, because their qualifications and experience go to waste in a clogged and stingy job market. A higher proportion of the population lives on government handouts every year.
One guy I know, a JD/CPA, says he may stay on the island because En tierra de ciegos, el tuerto es rey. I told him I'd rather be a small fish in a less shitty pond.
There really is goodness in my native culture. This time out, I perceived more of the simple compassion, kindness, hospitality, trust, respect for the extended family, and care for the elderly we may rightly feel proud of. However, all these virtues are entirely overshadowed and trampled by the problems of living in that place. A long tradition of once-healthy disrespect for authority (see 1493-1898+) and desperation will do that.
My rather eccentric, but often correct, uncle told me that, in the old days, people who weren't fit for gainful employment on the island would leave, looking for a break elsewhere. Nowadays, anyone with professional skills jumps ship as soon as they can, because their qualifications and experience go to waste in a clogged and stingy job market. A higher proportion of the population lives on government handouts every year.
One guy I know, a JD/CPA, says he may stay on the island because En tierra de ciegos, el tuerto es rey. I told him I'd rather be a small fish in a less shitty pond.
