Jamaica
Costarica
Dominica
In rural Dominica you still can see
people bearing on their heads. When we lived in a rural
East coast village, I was amazed that a neighbor woman
would stand and chat with me, while on her head sat an
enormous bundle of produce from the garden.
jen - living dominica
Another Reason I Live
Here
I am sure you have noticed the recent events in the UK that are being called
"Terrorist Attacks" in the US media. I was impressed that while BBC (impeccably
British) continued with it's normal programing, Fox news and CNN immediately
went to Non Stop Terror Coverage. In case you didn't get the message, maybe
they should run in circles, waving their hands, screaming, "Be Afraid! Be
Very, Very Afraid!"
So this reminded me of one fringe benefit of living in Dominica. I am never
afraid.
Crime is low here, people are much more likely to help you than harm you. I
have only heard of one bomb threat, and that was by a stressed out medical
student, so that is completely understandable.
The difference between living in the land of "Be Afraid! Be Very, Very Afraid!"
and living in Dominica is profound. And although I am frequently aggravated
with the inefficiency of life here, I am not sure I could cope with the fear
and anxiety which hums immediately beneath the surface of American culture. I
wonder why Americans continue to put up with this?
I recently read something about WWII which discussed the approach of the
British toward their daily bombings: reassurance and encouragement. No, they
did not work at whipping up the fear, even when there was a very good reason
to be afraid. So, it makes me wonder who is benefiting by the people in the US
being so afraid of the Terrorist Threat? Why is the media constantly serving
up fear? My suspicion is that fear keeps the masses in line, but that is only
my guess.
livingdominica: glad I no longer have to swallow my daily fear pill.
Jen
Another side effect of the "Fear", believe it or not, is an increase
in retail sales.
Americans take comfort in getting more stuff.
If the terrorists get too close you just whack em with your plasma tv.
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