“The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca: A land So Strange” written by Andres Resendez takes place in the sixteenth century with Spanish conquistadors searching for treasures in northern Mexico, and the state of Florida that only a handful have traveled into, leaving this unknown territory to be speculated about. Spanish conquistadors involved in the journey to explore Florida consisted of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, Andrés Dorantes, Alonso del Castillo, and Estebanico Dorantes. The goal of journeying to Florida was mainly to bring treasure that was said to have been found in the Native Americans lands in Rio de las Palmas, México. However, due to the lack of pilots experienced with the Rio de las Palmas area the expedition was the result of the
Never have I taken my culture into consideration, but I would more than likely classify my culture as Latino/Hispanic. For starters, I was born in a lovely place called Chihuahua, Mexico. This place is the reason I consider myself a Latino. Why is this my culture you ask? My whole daily lifestyle revolves around this Hispanic heritage.
Today was my first day in Tenochtitlan. While I was at the market buying food for myself, an old woman came up to me and asked me if I was a tourist. I said yes. She told me that she would take me to her house, and tell me all about the Aztec culture and the city, when I went to her house I saw a pregnant woman sitting on the couch. She looked up at me, then quickly looked down and ran out of the room.
As a kid growing up there are encounters that change your perspectives on life and what you need to fulfill in life. Luckily growing up for me was never what some would state a battle. I experienced childhood in a white collar class group of five in the residential community of Mercedes, Tx. As a kid living around there of texas known as the Rio Grande Valley you start to see the battles other individuals look in the group and You end up noticeably appreciative for the things you do have.
Golden light from a Texas sunset illuminating stark white fields of cotton, green and yellow tractors leisurely making their way down the middle of Main Street, and a community that will always support you are just a few things one might experience if you came to my hometown in rural Texas. Matador, Texas isn't just a dusty old town in the middle of nowhere, it is a town that no matter who you are or what you are trying to do, hard work is always required; it is where I grew up from the day I was born, spent lazy summer days reading and writing abstract stories without distractions of people, traffic, or even the ever-present cell phone, and where I learned about a whole other side of society, one where the community gathers together for anything
From the stories my mother has told, the journey from Morelos, Mexico to El Paso, Texas was treacherous. From the dirty, murderous streets of Tijuana to the endless hot Chihuahuan desert. My mother and my four older siblings, who were of the ages of seven, five, three, and two, were part of a group of 15 people. They were lead by a guide who knew the desert well and had taken many others before them to the land opportunity. It took 16 days to reach to El Paso, Texas.
If you are feeling a little confused that’s okay, this is judgment free zone. I am twenty three years old and on the verge of graduating this December, And my interpretation of messages changes every day that I mature and grow as a person.
Ever since the railroad expansion came to the Southwest, it gave easy access to many people, including attraction of new businesses. Santa Fe came in 1877, and turn northeastern part of New Mexico in a modern paradise, by attracting settlers, miners and ranchers (Lamar, 153). By 1880, Santa Fe joined Southern Pacific railroad, therefore several towns and property values went up. The cattle business expanded dramatically and more than fifty charter banks went up ever since the Santa Fe railroad was built (Lamar, 154). The Sonoran railroad completed in 1882, paved the way for new beginning for southern Arizona, due to mostly being isolated from other states.
El Paso and Ciudad Juarez lie side by side, but are separated by the Rio Grande. The border’s way of life relies on the dividing line. As a resident of Ciudad Juarez, I experience a blend of cultures on an everyday basis. However, in 2010 the unique culture of the city was darkened by the shedding violence in Ciudad Juarez. Ciudad Juarez came to be known as the deadliest city in the world.
That week was where a lot of things about myself began to make sense. I understood why I was a spirited introvert, why I valued family so much, and why I was so in touch with my heritage. I was raised hearing mixtures of English and Spanish all around my house, seeing Dominican flags adorning bedroom walls and miniature American ones stuffed inside cabinets. Admittedly, I spent most of my childhood trying to balance two cultures that were both out of my grasp. My life has always been in the city, but there was a whole other world on a little island in the Caribbean, one that I made sure to bring back home with
I was born in Colombia, South America and lived there until I turned seven. Before I moved to the states, I attended a public school and was on the competitive swim team for my school. I earned many awards the year and a half I swam for my school. I took pride in competing with girls three to four years older than me. I also remember how different things were there than they are here in the states.
My grandfather asked me “Which one?” I respond “Let’s get this one”. Little did I know that guinea pig was my dinner. Guinea pigs or cuy are not pets but food in Ecuador. When I arrived at the airport it looked like any typical airport, but it felt as if I was in a different world.
I believe the term, hispanic, itself does not define who I am. I define who I am and who I want to become. However, I do come from a Mexican heritage. Coming from a Mexican heritage has influenced and deeply impacted my life. My heritage has taught me a lot.
Last summer I went on vacation to Puerto Rico with my cousins. We did really fun things like snorkeling, a boat ride, and eating at many wonderful places. Although all those sound really fun, I want to talk about the time I met the most cutest, most fluffiest, most friendliest, animal ever. It all started off on a breezy summer night while my cousins and family were chillin’ at our hotel pool.
I identify as a Latina. I have always considered myself as a Latina, but throughout time, I believe that I have assimilated more into a white individual because of the privilege that I hold and because I have lived in the US most of my life. I have received mostly negative messages from those who are not from my ethnicity. My peers and I were told we wouldn’t graduate high school and be laborers for the rest of our lives. With the current politics, I believe that this still holds true where some people still hold stereotypes and give oppressing messages to Latinos.
