Mainly just want to go back to Mexico again! So much more I want to explore and whilst I absolutely adored where we visited this time, we did play it a little safe and I want to see more of the villages. Also trying to persuade Rob that Patagonia would be an adventure (a welsh community and penguins!) but he's having none of it. :-)
What annoyed me most about the cultural appropriation thing was the ignorance of the guy. I wouldn't say he's a close friend but someone I know well enough, in real life, and frequently comment on his posts on social media. So for him to claim that he knew nothing about a trip I'd been planning for a year and had posted so many photos over that week, implies he really couldn't give a shit about what I was doing and only jumped on that one photo to express his personal bugbear - which is hypocracy to the extreme given that he wears dreadlocks anyway.
I was already frustrated that I had toned down what I'd planned to bring, due to insulting comments on the travel forum. (basically some redneck American took one look at my profile picture and decided I was some sort of satanist and that my enquiring about how to participate in the festival was disrespectful) So we were cautious to ensure that we did not do anything disrespectful and I felt truly humbled by how the local population welcomed us to join in with their very special occasion. We'd attended a couple of parades as onlookers during the first couple of nights and whilst they were fun to watch, it was only when we dressed up a bit that we really felt welcome and a part of their celebration. There were people dressed up and in face paint at the cemeteries, which I personally did not feel was appropriate, but I also accepted that we were probably in the minority of "gringos" who had ever spent much time in a cemetery at night and possibly had a greater respect for the place; and even at the cemeteries there were locals offering face-painting at the entrance.
I also have purchased a ton of clothing, jewellery and house ornaments. Appropriation? No, an absolute love of their style, design and traditions; and throughout our trip I endeavoured to ensure we financially contributed to the local community - only booking tours with members of the community instead of some anonymous American tour group, staying in independant hotels, dining in local restaurants, buying directly from the crafts people where ever possible.
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Date: 15 Nov 2018 20:45 (UTC)Also trying to persuade Rob that Patagonia would be an adventure (a welsh community and penguins!) but he's having none of it. :-)
What annoyed me most about the cultural appropriation thing was the ignorance of the guy. I wouldn't say he's a close friend but someone I know well enough, in real life, and frequently comment on his posts on social media. So for him to claim that he knew nothing about a trip I'd been planning for a year and had posted so many photos over that week, implies he really couldn't give a shit about what I was doing and only jumped on that one photo to express his personal bugbear - which is hypocracy to the extreme given that he wears dreadlocks anyway.
I was already frustrated that I had toned down what I'd planned to bring, due to insulting comments on the travel forum. (basically some redneck American took one look at my profile picture and decided I was some sort of satanist and that my enquiring about how to participate in the festival was disrespectful) So we were cautious to ensure that we did not do anything disrespectful and I felt truly humbled by how the local population welcomed us to join in with their very special occasion.
We'd attended a couple of parades as onlookers during the first couple of nights and whilst they were fun to watch, it was only when we dressed up a bit that we really felt welcome and a part of their celebration. There were people dressed up and in face paint at the cemeteries, which I personally did not feel was appropriate, but I also accepted that we were probably in the minority of "gringos" who had ever spent much time in a cemetery at night and possibly had a greater respect for the place; and even at the cemeteries there were locals offering face-painting at the entrance.
I also have purchased a ton of clothing, jewellery and house ornaments. Appropriation? No, an absolute love of their style, design and traditions; and throughout our trip I endeavoured to ensure we financially contributed to the local community - only booking tours with members of the community instead of some anonymous American tour group, staying in independant hotels, dining in local restaurants, buying directly from the crafts people where ever possible.