December 13th 》The Flavor of Tradition
On This Day - Savoring Santo Domingo's Rich Cultural History
December 13th, 7 AM. I slept in today, but on purpose. It was a long day's travel yesterday. I'm awakening not by the familiar sounds of the Bronx but by a rooster’s crow, a natural alarm clock announcing the dawn of a new day in the Dominican Republic.
The vibrant hum of motorcycles slicing through the early morning air, the distant melody of music, and the animated conversations in Spanish create a symphony of life outside my window.
Street vendors are already calling out, their voices weaving into the backdrop of a community awakening. This is a different world from the siren sounds of New York and the suburban calm back home. Here, life spills onto the streets, a lively, communal dance.
As I now sit in the sunroom of our family home in Santo Domingo—enjoying the same brand coffee—the morning light slowly filters through the ornate bars that secure the windows, casting intricate shadows on the concrete floor. These bars, while a stark contrast to the open lawns and unobstructed views back home, carry a charm of their own, a testament to the vibrant life and culture that unfolds on the streets of this lively neighborhood some 2000 miles away.
Outside, the sounds of the city are a melody of everyday life. The air is filled with the calls of a street vendor, his voice rich and inviting as he proclaims the superiority of his plantains. "¡Los mejores plátanos aquí!" he yells with a confident, boisterous cadence that turns heads and opens wallets. His claim must hold truth; his plantains are likely as rich in flavor as his voice is in enthusiasm.
A neighbor, hearing his familiar call, steps out from her doorway. She waves him down, calling out for “dos” while playfully holding up two fingers. Her voice carries the warmth and ease of a regular customer, someone who knows the rhythms and routines of these streets intimately.
From my vantage point behind the bars, I watch this simple exchange, a dance of daily commerce and community. It's moments like these that define the essence of life here in Santo Domingo — vibrant, communal, and steeped in a rhythm all its own. People are not just neighbors; they are part of an extended family, a veil of connections that make up the rich fabric of Dominican life.
As I lean back, the sounds of the bustling street blend with the distant music and the lively conversations of passersby. It's a stark contrast to the quiet, predictable suburbs back home, where interactions are often limited and streets fall silent beyond the traffic. Here, life is lived out loud, in full view and with open hearts, a constant reminder of the joy and connection that comes from being part of a community.
December 13th in Santo Domingo continues to unfold around me, a narrative rich in simplicity, warmth, and the colors of human connection. In this sunroom, behind these ornate bars, I am an observer of a world that is both new and familiar, a world that continues to enchant and educate with each passing moment.
1545 – The Council of Trent begins: As I spend time in Santo Domingo, immersed in the vibrant heritage of Dominican culture, I’m reminded of a significant historical event that resonates with the deep-rooted Catholic traditions here. On December 13th, 1545, the Council of Trent began, a pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church. This Council was a response to the challenges of the time, aiming to reform and reaffirm the Church's doctrines and practices.
Significantly, this Council, which sought to address issues like clergy corruption and the need for clearer religious guidelines, included representation from the New World. Alessandro Geraldini, the Archbishop of Santo Domingo, was among those in attendance, highlighting the expanding influence of the Church across the globe. His participation symbolizes the enduring connection between the Dominican Republic and the broader Catholic world.
Here in Santo Domingo, where the echoes of the past blend seamlessly with the rhythms of modern life, the legacy of events like the Council of Trent is still seen and felt today. The city’s rich history, steeped in Catholic tradition, stands as a testament to its ability to hold onto its spiritual and cultural beliefs amidst the tides of change and modernity. It's a place where the past is not just remembered but is a living part of the community's everyday life.
1577 – Sir Francis Drake sets out from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage: Like Drake setting out on his epic journey, we too have embarked on our own voyage across the ocean. Drake’s journey reshaped the world's understanding of its vastness and diversity. Here in Santo Domingo, amidst the early morning bustle, I feel a connection to that spirit of exploration and discovery.
1642 – Abel Tasman reaches New Zealand: Another explorer, Tasman, reached the shores of an unknown land, encountering a world entirely different from his own. Standing here, in a neighborhood so unlike the ones I'm accustomed to, I feel a similar sense of discovery, of stepping into a world that operates on different rhythms and values.
2000 – The Texas Seven escape from the John B. Connally Unit and go on a crime spree: This event is a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges of modern life, contrasting sharply with the simplicity and connectedness we find in Santo Domingo.
2003 – Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured: This event marked a significant moment in recent history, reminding us of the complexities and challenges of global politics. It’s a stark contrast to the simple, yet profound connections I witness here, where community and family take center stage.
As the sun rises higher, our day in the Latin culture begins in earnest. It's a day of rest, a pause before the flurry of family and festive activities that await us. Here, in the embrace of our extended family, we are reminded of the importance of tradition, of the bonds that tie us to our past, and of the joy found in simple, shared moments.
Our time in the Greater Antilles region is not just a vacation; it's a return to a way of life that values personal connections over digital ones, where community is not just a concept but a lived reality. It's a reminder of how life used to be, where people were more connected to each other, living their lives out in the open, sharing their joys and sorrows.
December 13th in Santo Domingo is a celebration of these connections, a day to embrace our family, our heritage, and the vibrant culture that surrounds us. It's a day to remember that, despite the distance and differences, we are all part of a larger, shared human story.