I may as well introduce myself and get a free point! LOL! On a serious note, regulars will remember that I was the persona non grata who, after joining, tried to get extra points by copying/pasting to New Members. Needless to say, I was sanctioned.
When I was doing it, I was not fully aware that this could be considered "gaming the system." I was lonely and looking for friends and this fact affected my judgement. So please accept my apology.
On my behalf, however, I would say that if the policy of dr1 forums was not to incentivize such behavior by not creating the exclusive "500 Club" and awarding "badges," this event never would have occurred.
My real name is "Kurt." My Spanish name is Lucas. This is because the "rt" consonant combination is not pronounceable in Spanish unless followed by a vowel (compare English "part" with Spanish "parte")
You can see from my Profile that I taught secondary school English in Los Angeles, CA for thirty years. Not only this but that experience was exclusively in the black and brown communities, first working, then living and working. My world-view shifted dramatically and, over-time, I came to identify with those cultures, particularly African culture of Africa and the diaspora. Although I may at times "penetrate the veil" I will always be an outsider. Although I am Caucasian, I have not been around Caucasian people for so many years, that it has been an adjustment whenever I do enter into that discourse . . .
I have explored E/A, Kenya, and W/A, Ghana and Republique Togolaise; as well as Belize, Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. I have made 20+ visits in Mexico, including riding horseback in the mountains of Palenque, Chiapis and speaking some of the Tzeltal language. (Also, Tikal, Guatemala)
I have also enjoyed a smattering of Hindi, Twi, Ewe, and Dizaa. My Spanish and Haitian Kreyol is between beginning and intermediate, reading, writing, and speaking. I am speaking Spanish 24/7 with my girlfriend, her family, and everyone I meet. German is last.
Also, two months India. Three trips U.K. One trip Germany. 11,000 mile Jeep trip from Los Angeles to Newfoundland ("Newfies") and back. 24 hour trip from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon, hiking a bit, eating a steak dinner, not sleeping, and returning within the same 24 hours, then working a full day teaching in South Central Los Angeles.
My goal is to live in Haiti for one-half year or more. Having been in W/A, I will say that Haiti is more an African than a western nation. In fact, there has been recent discussion concerning Haiti's admission to the African Union. I prefer the social culture in Haiti to that of the D.R. However, given my First World requirements, I also require an habituated level of comfort (running water) and Internet and, of course, security. And on a budget. That will take some time. If I plan well, dot the i's and cross the t's I'm willing to take my chances. But, at my age, security is paramount. "Better to err on the side of caution!" In this regard, security is paramount everythwhere, including the U.S. In the U.S. I never take my $800.00 smartphone out of my pocket on the street. In the D.R. I never carry a smartphone. I carry the cheapest feature phone I can find, Ola, for $RD 850 on Duarte and never take that out of my pocket! In the U.S. I wear a Pebble Smartwatch. Here I wear No Watch. I have friends in Haiti with whom I'll be looking for an apartment.
Now I am in the D.R. visiting Haiti. By the end of 2015, I hope to do a flip -- live in Haiti and visit the D.R.
After that I will return to my boring solitary confinement to my condo in Palm Springs, California, where my three cats are waiting, and bide my time. I will also make my condo available to visitors via couchsurfing.org, freeof charge. The next plan is to "live" in Senegal W/A for a half-year or more. . .
dr1 forum:
1. a great information resource that has clearly benefited my stay in the D.R.
2. some -- snarky as hell! LOL! But there's always a "comeback!" LOL!
