Pajaro's Journey

Following the dinner conversation with this father, Pajaro went to his room to complete homework and to study for a test in his Clase de ciencia (Science Class).  His mind kept returning to his conversation with his father.

 

"I've got to stop this," Pajaro thought to himself, "I've got to make the grade on this test to pass comprehensives so I can move on in my studies."

 

Still, Pajaro found it very difficult to concentrate.  He found himself wondering about the Taino culture he knew nothing of, but that was his heritage through his tatarabuela.  He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't keep his mind off his Taino heritage and on his science.  He'd seen maps.  How far could it be?  Determined to put his preoccupation with Hispaniola to rest, he found that the Dominican Republic was 1346 miles away or roughly 9 hours by plane with a stopover in Miami, FL, EEUU.  It could be dangerous as hitch hiking birds have been known to cause plane crashes, but it was something he felt he had to do.  Pajaro scratched out a note to his parents letting them know he was conducting a research project, left that note on his pillow and slipped out the window to begin his journey of self-discovery in the Dominican Republic.

 

9 hours later, Pajaro found himself waking up tucked into a crevice on a plane on the tarmac in Punta Cana, DR.  There were many birds around the tarmac pulling up worms after a mid-morning rain.  Pajaro flew over for a little breakfast and conversation.

 

"Buenos dias, senorita.  Me llamo Pajaro.  Soy de Guatemala," Pajaro introduced himself.  She asked what such a young bird was doing in Punta Cana by himself.  Pajaro told her that he was working on a school research project and had come to the Dominican Republic to research his ancestry.  After scolding Pajaro, Senorita Periquito secured his parents' phone numbers and she texted them immediately.  They called her back after about 2 minutes and scolded Pajaro as well.  There were no flights out of Guatemala or Punta Cana for the next 24 hours so Senorita Periquito promised to take care of Pajaro and to show him the best of the Dominican Republic.

 

"I really lucked out," Pajaro thought to himself, "I'm sure I won't be as lucky once I get back home."

 

During the twenty four hours Pajaro had in the Dominican Republic, he was determined to see and do as much as was possible for a small, young bird.  In order to save sightseeing energy, Pajaro and Srta. Perquito rode the top of a taxi into Santo Domingo.  Punta Cana, where he had landed was very nice, but golfing, deep sea diving, resorts and dinner theaters weren't on Pajaro's "to do" list.  The taxi trip to Santo Domingo took nearly four of Pajaro's 24 hours.  Time was wasting away!  Pajaro was afraid to blink or he'd miss something. They visited the Catedral Primada de America which was started in 1521 and was old enough to have been partially erected when his tatarabuela lived in Hispaniola.  Next stop was the Alcazar de Colon which was built during his great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother's lifetime by Christopher Columbus' son.  Interested in experiencing everything possible, Pajaro talked Srta. Periquito into letting him sample some mangu and tostones (both made with plantains) in a dumpster behind a cafe.  They were delicious, obviously since Srta. Periquito had to stand guard while he sampled or other birds would have snatched his portions.  Srta. Periquito let those birds know that he was visiting from Guatemala and that they were being rude.  They didn't seem to care and looked down their beaks at him.  He heard someone whisper "indio", another "mestizo" and another "mulatto".  

 

Pajaro said, "You're right.  All of you.  In Guatemala, we are all different mixtures of many cultures.  I am proud of my ancestry...even the Dominican part."

 

One of the birds stayed behind while the others hopped away still tweeting about him.  She said, "You are right.  We Dominican birds have long been taught to be suspicious of other ethnic groups.  I've never understood it.  In the Dominican Republic we are all mixtures of many cultures too, but the majority of us are of Indiginous or African heritage.  We've intermarried for a long time now and it is hard to find a true Taino anymore.  This isn't about you, but more of a response to how we are often treated by other Spanish speakers from other countries who often look down on us.  It shouldn't be about how you look, but who you are that matters.  I like you, Pajaro!  I'm Isabela."

 

Isabela, Srta. Periquito and Pajaro spent the rest of the day together seeing the Parque Colon in the town square, checking out a ballgame at Quisqueya Stadium where many Major League Baseball players got their start, and visiting the Museum of the Royal House where he saw many exhibits of how life was during his great, great grandmother's time.  They even checked out the Fortaleza Ozama which is one of the oldest fort in the Americas and was completed in 1507.  Pajaro fell asleep that night, too tired from a day of sightseeing, to finish his wonderful empanadas, a Dominican dish of spiced meat and vegetables fried in a corn or flour tortilla.

 

The next morning, bright and early, Srta. Perquito had Pajaro back on the tarmac at Punta Cana Airport for his return flight to Guatemala.  Out from behind a small private plane marched Pajaro's mother and father and they were hopping mad.  They thanked Srta. Periquito for taking care of their over-zealous, over-imaginative and possibly overly brave offspring.  Srta. Periquito assured them that Pajaro was no trouble and that he now knew more about his heritage, possibly more than he wanted.  She also told them that she was impressed with the open minded, non-judgmental, and intelligent diplomat they were raising.  Pajaro was welcomed back at any time to see more of his ancestral home when he was older...and with permission.

 

 

Students:  Proceed to the conclusion page to find out the rest of the story and to learn what you will need to do to complete this project.