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02-12-2007, 05:46 PM
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I translated the article and added some of my own observations. |
02-12-2007, 06:57 PM
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Chiri: I didn't see any solar panels when I was there either (albeit it was a year and a half ago)...
In terms of the "struggling for survival" comment I also thought it strange that these people lived such a "poor" existence, yet they make a pretty good living from what I saw. They own boats and they used to charge 1200 pesos per trip to Bahia De Las Aguilas (Again this was 1 1/2 years ago). The day we were there they took three other groups to the bay in a matter of 3 hours, plus they also fish with these boats and sell basic stuff (coke, beer, etc with large markups)...
Personally I think at this point in time they've realized that living in a cave is serving as a tourist gimmick and they've continued to do so, even though they now may be able to build a small house. It was definitely an interesting trip...
I wish I would have taken pics of the kids. They all have that look of someone who spends most of their time in the sea (dark but not black skin - kind of dark olive - with "blonde" hair bleached by the sun). Unfortunately now that tourists are frequenting this place more and more they are starting to beg for money...
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02-12-2007, 09:12 PM
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The photos I took show a very selective picture. I focused on the natural beauty but the human element was squalid and depressing.
The area around the Rancho Típico (overpriced tourist trap - we didn't eat there) is the exception, and although I can understand the locals' resentment I couldn't help thinking they could do more to help themselves, just by keeping their surroundings cleaner for a start.
My more tolerant side realises that it's not as simple as that, that they need some external support, advice, training and investment, but the impression they give is of a community that doesn't do much to help itself.
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02-13-2007, 08:10 AM
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I've started so I'll finish - there is a follow-up article on the Cabo Rojo community in today's DL:
Diario Libre Online
It picks up some of the issues we were discussing, so I'll get down to translating it. |
02-13-2007, 08:36 AM
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Translated version now up. The last line was a little strange:
Mirador and others, take a look at this and see what you think!
Quote:
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El pasado lunes DL publicó una historia donde refleja la situación de estos dominicanos que viven igual que los primates alejados de todos los servicios sociales.
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Bolding mine. Does "los primates" in this context mean "primitive peoples" or primates in the zoological sense? I translated it as the former, because the latter sounded too absurd.
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02-13-2007, 08:49 AM
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On Permanent Vacation!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirimoya
Translated version now up. The last line was a little strange:
Mirador and others, take a look at this and see what you think!
Bolding mine. Does "los primates" in this context mean "primitive peoples" or primates in the zoological sense? I translated it as the former, because the latter sounded too absurd.
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Primates is a zoological term and to use it in this context is derogatory.
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02-13-2007, 08:57 AM
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On Permanent Vacation!
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirimoya
I've started so I'll finish - there is a follow-up article on the Cabo Rojo community in today's DL:
Diario Libre Online
It picks up some of the issues we were discussing, so I'll get down to translating it. |
The first time I visited La Cueva, almost 30 years ago, I had the impression that it was a fishermen's camp that became a permanent settlement once family members were brought it. Total population was around 40 people, including many children. Conch fishing was the main activity, and the catch was sold to itinerant merchants who drove to the cave maybe once a week. A small school was built, which later was closed. On one of my trips, I remember the pleasant reaction of a woman upon seeing for the first time, a pineapple!
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02-13-2007, 09:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirador
Primates is a zoological term and to use it in this context is derogatory.
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Yes, of course, but what did the writer mean by this?
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02-13-2007, 10:15 AM
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On Permanent Vacation!
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chirimoya
Yes, of course, but what did the writer mean by this?
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Language is metaphorical, and like photography, the meaning is conveyed by the mental images conveyed by the words. In this context, the use of primate suggests the idea that the inhabitants of La Cueva de Cabo Rojo are not quite human, but more like other primates, such as monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans...
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02-13-2007, 10:47 AM
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Huh! I was hoping this wasn't the case and that the word had an alternative meaning in Spanish.
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