BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED: THIS KENYAN-FILIPINO FAMILY IS STEEPED IN A LOVE THAT BEGAN AS STRANGERS IN MARRIAGE DOGS OF SOUTH AMERICA CARNE ASADO: AN ASADOR'SARGENTINESECRETS THE KEY TO FITNESS FOR WOMEN OVER 40 CELEBRATING CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY WWW.CULTURSMAG.COM @CULTURSMAG The year of EXPLORING THE CULTURE, LIVES AND LOVES OF THE CONTINENT AND THE CLOSINGCARIBBEAN.OUR:
helping dogs live their best life should be simple. S.A.NestléProduitsdesSociétébyownedaretrademarksPurina KEEP LIFE SIMPLE ® ® BRAND DOG FOOD HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN No 100%fillerscomplete NUTRITION EXPLORE OFFERS AT DOGCHOW.COM/OFFERS
WE CELEBRATECross-cultural identity BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEY MATTER Culturs feels like home for those who straddle culture, race, ethnicity, nation or location. WWW.CULTURSMAG.COM@CULTURSMAG
SUMMER 2022 CONTENTS FEATURES ON OUR COVER 14 Carne asado: An TheprovideeverythingepicownisCultursasador’sArgentinesecretlatestCulturalCelebrationallaboutArgentina.Gatheryourgroupof10friendsforandinnerparty-wegiveyouyouneed,youjustthefoodandthefriends.funisbuiltin! 42 Beautifully Arranged This Kenyan-Filipino family is steeped in a love that began as strangers in marriage. 82 The Key to Fitness for Women over 40 Fitness Influencer Melissa Neill’s British-African Upbringing. 88 Dogs of South America The Americas are a haven for man’s best friend: North, south and in-between. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 10 Fifth Print Anniversary World Tour — June 2022 Fifth Print Anniversary “Live in Color” World Tour: Five continents over five months. Follow us to see what’s in store! 28 Destinations with Doni: Argentina All the beauty of Argentina. 4 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
THE MUST LISTINISSUEEVERY64 Must Read: “Catch me if You Can” 68 Must Try: Drink it in: Yerba Mate 73 Must See: Nonna Heladeria — Gelato anyone? 76 Must Do: Experience Buenos Aires 78 Must Visit: Cassa La Page Hotel 6 Publisher’s Letter 8 Contributors 22 Bella’s Front Porch 56 Technology 90 Transnational Third Culture Kid Filmmakers 96 Behind the scenes 98 CULTURS Alchemist TheAwardsCulturs Alchemist Awards celebrate the best and brightest of our in-between community. We want to uplift and amplify the brightest minds, talents and visions of those often overlooked. www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 5
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
2022 |
T
Here we are! The second installment for our year of Latin America in tribute to my Costa Rican father who passed of Covid in an NYC hospital in 2020. This year is the culmination of many tributes to him, and it is in full swing. This time, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Doni (Dah-knee) Founder, Culturs lifestyle network Editor-in-Chief, Culturs magazine his summer issue also celebrates the Culturs Magazine Fifth anniversary of its print down time to celebrate our furry friends — the ones who keep us sane, and love us no matter what — by celebrating that love in a number of features throughout the publication. Look for more of this in the future. In the meantime, follow our adventures on Instagram, and become a member while you're at it — so you too can feel like you're along for this global, multicultural journey. Travel the world and traverse the rich stories of your global bretheren from the comfort of your couch, or bed or tub. We look forward to enhancing that warm tingle of belonging from deep inside. Live in Full Color, edition, so we are kicking off our LIVE IN FULL COLOR campaign to celebrate this milestone. Get ready: five months, five continents to bring you content to ensure your life is truly full of color. From Third Culture Kids, to Expats, Immigrants and Mixed Race individuals, to military brats — we have all the goodness here for you. Unique stories of the cultural inbetween that most people forget when they discuss diversity. From the mean streets of Nairobi to the Buenos Aires Delta and beyond, we've ensured this issue is jam-packed with cultural representation from around the globe. And, we took a little 6 Summer www.CultursMag.com
PUBLISHER & FOUNDER Doni Aldine MANAGING EDITOR John Liang SENIOR EDITOR Tammy Matthews COPY EDITOR John Liang CONTRIBUTORS Exequiel Brief SachaJuanJohnGisselBronsteinLiangMachuca COLUMNISTS Andrea Bazoin Myra PauletteDumapiasBethel ADVISORY BOARD Chumba Limo BrookeGregoryMartellaroMooreDonnaMusil Linda AntionetteBrooksThomasWilliams SPECIAL THANKS: Colorado CommunicationJournalismUniversityStateandMedia SUBSCRIPTIONS: www.cultursmag.com/subscribe. ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Contact advertise@culturs.org. MEDIA INQUIRIES: Contact press@culturs.org. CULTURSTM magazine, Volume 2, Issue 3. Copyright Culturs Global Multicultural Philanthropic Lifestyle Network. All rights reserved. Published quarterly; Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, by Simply Alive, LLC, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Culturs magazine, 1800 Wazee Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80525. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Simply Alive LLC does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts, photographs, and other material submitted. Culturs makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information. PRINTED IN THE USA ART DIRECTION Diana Vega ILLUSTRATION Diana Vega PHOTOGRAPHERS ExequielGisselBrief ArunMorganSeanKuchibhotlaPavonePetroskiJackoPrado Nikki PhotographyRitcher WEB DESIGN InternetMultimediaMcMillionSystemsGrowth Summer 2022 www.CultursMag.comVolumeV,IssueXV EDITORIALCREATIVEGURU Connect with Culturs on @CultursMag@CultursGuruTCKsocial: SUPPORTERS Clubhouse:XOTV.me:@CultursMagChannel312 www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 7
Native Argentinean
SACHA BRONSTEIN grew up in a traditional Argentine household helping his parents Lilia and Daniel with Sunday Asados that are family tradition. There he learned the secrets of this Argentinian ritual and became the official Grill Master in every school, club or family event. He then began working in Argentine steakhouses. Bronstein has a passion for sharing this cultural, social and gastronomic essence of the ritual of making an Argentinian Asado. He especially loves pairing the best meat of the world with the best Malbec wines, along with a nice group of friends around the fire.
Third Culture Kid Expert MYRA DUMAPIAS is the Chief Executive Officer of TCKidNOW, which has been featured on the BBC, ABC News, The Telegraph, the U.S. Department of Defense and Education Week and helped thousands discover their TCK identity and find a sense of belonging long before mention of the term on social media. TCKidNow provides trauma-informed educational outreach about the lifetime impact of a transnational upbringing. While acknowledging the role healing plays in helping TCKs recognize and develop their skills, TCKidNOW fosters connections that help TCKs find a sense of belonging and give back to the world they grew up in. Dumapias holds a Bachelor’s in English and World Literature and a Master’s in Social Work. Chilean, Argentinean, Australian, French, Coloradoan CCK Filipina-American TCK
Colombian, Spanish TCA
ANDREA BAZOIN (pronounced “Bah-Zwah”) is a higher education professional turned entrepreneur. She is the founder of everHuman, LLC (www.everhuman.io), a company that provides tech support alongside coaching, project assistance and workshops delivered with both expertise and empathy. Her family ties span the globe and include Chile, Argentina, Australia and France. She currently lives in Fort Collins, Colo., U.S.A. with her French husband and culturally fluid son.
EXEQUIEL BRIEF From rural Argentina, Brief began his adventure with a move to the capital city. But three years ago, his adventurous spirit again took hold and he quit his job to follow his love for photography. The circumstances were not easy but he maintained perseverance and discipline. Soon his ideas became faces, landscapes captured within his camera via emotions, lights and stories. He aims to share his photography with the people who visit the city of Buenos Aires and give them a memory they can preserve. He speaks Spanish, English, Portuguese and is learning German.
CONTRIBUTORS
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Native Argentinean Adult CCK, TCA and TCK Parent
PAULETTE BETHEL, PHD, Career United States Air Force Officer, trauma recovery coach, global transition expert, mother to TCKS, culturally- and racially-blended, Dr. Paulette Bethel is our expert on the importance of transition and its effect on relationships. Read her CULTURS column: “Mélange: GPS Conversations for the Global Soul” and listen to her podcast, “Bella’s Front Porch” on our Culturs XOTV channel. CEO and Founder, Discoveries Coaching & Consulting International Speaker & Trauma Recovery Coach.
DIANA VEGA is a Third Culture Adult. Born in Mexico and passionate about design, they studied architecture and started a small business after college. Interested in entrepreneurship, Vega moved to Colorado, U.S.A. to earn an MBA at Colorado State University. Now repatriated to Mexico, they are a graphic designer and illustrator for Culturs Magazine.
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Guatemalan-American TCK Mexican TCA PUBLISHER’S LETTER
JOHN LIANG is an adult Third Culture Kid who grew up in Guatemala, Costa Rica, U.S.A., Morocco and Egypt before graduating high school. He has a bachelor’s degree in languages from Georgetown University and a master’s in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Liang has covered the U.S. military for two decades as a writer and editor for InsideDefense.com, and is also managing editor of Culturs Magazine. He lives in Arlington, Va., U.S.A.
JUAN MACHUCA is a Venezuelan entrepreneur living in Buenos Aires, Argentina since 2016 who founded Experience Baires in 2019. His vision is to develop a digital platform that enables local hosts to have authentic immersion experiences. Machuca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and a Master of Science in Economics. Along with applying his technical and entrepreneurial skills, he is eager to unlock digital transformation in the accommodation industry.
GISSEL Argentine native Gissel has been a photographer and graphic designer for more than 10 years. She’s worked as a photojournalist, and in social, culinary and lifestyle. Capturing memories is her passion, as shown in her fresh and candid style of photography. “Because I believe that pictures must have soul and that’s true smiles and unique gestures,” she says. Gissel also is a creative community leader in Buenos Aires who likes to travel, sightsee, make new friends and share cultures. Consistently rediscovering Buenos Aires is one of her favorite activities. Follow her on instagram @wander.portraits
Native Argentinean Venezuelan TCA JACKO PRADO is a Mexico City-based Mexican artist. Her specialty in photography are portraits and capturing the essence in them. She has carried out a self-taught learning experience and combined with her second career, which is dance, the handling of forms and bodies have complemented her photographic pieces. Mexico native www.CultursMag.com
PACIFIC ARCTIC OCEANATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN SWITZERLAND PORTUGAL FRANCE EGYPT GHANA BRAZIL URUGUAY DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COLORADO, U.S.A. ARGENTINA SWITZERLAND NEW YORK, U.S.A.
INDIANOCEAN SWITZERLAND TURKEY KENYASWITZERLANDSOUTHTANZANIAAFRICA ZANZIBAR ROMANIA World tour5TH PRINT ANNIVERSARY 5 CONTINENTS OVER 5 MONTHS Follow along on our “LIVE IN FULL COLOR” World Tour as we visit to celebrate the Fifth Anniversary of Culturs Magazine in Print! Starts in June and ends with a big announcement this fall! Check us on instagram @cultursmag
A term coined by author Ruth Van Reken in 2002, is a person who is living, has lived, or meaningfully interacted with two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during the first 18 years of life. This includes minority individuals living within majority culture.
Cultural Fluidity/Cultural Mobility
Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK)
Third Culture Kids (TCKs)
An adult who grew up as a Cross-Cultural Kid.
A term coined by Culturs founder Donnyale Ambrosine to characterize hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homo genous cultural environment. Culturally Fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows under standing between or among their foundational areas of meaningful experience. It also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.
An adult who grew up as a TCK. Domestic TCK Children who moved to various regions within the same country while growing up, often having to re-learn ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action are height ened in formative years when it is important to be accepted.
From Cultural Fluidity, to Third Culture Kid, Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Cultural Kid and more, the language to describe our in-between community is of utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belong ing and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease:
12 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com VegaDianabyIllustration
Culturally Fluid Definitions
Coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individu al’s passport culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience; this is the culture to which they most belong. The third culture often is where individuals feel community with others of similar experience.Adult Cross-Cultural Kid (ACCK)
n the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough as hidden, rather than visual, diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye. Whether through national ity, travel, race or ethnicity, many straddle culture in myriad ways.
Children of missionaries who travel to missions domestically or abroad. Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK)
Coined in 2002 by Psychotherapist Paulette Bethel to signify individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).
Missionary Kids
Third Culture Adult (TCA)
Multiethnic; Multicultural People whose family consists of two or more cultures to which the individual identifies. Even when belonging to the same race, differences in culture may exist between ethnicities, tribes and other cultural contexts.
Borderlanders Described by author Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids,” a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close to another. Often the norms, customs and traits of each country’s culture seeps into the other, creating a cultural experience separate from either original culture, while allowing inhabitants keen knowledge and insight into their own culture as well as the other.
Diplomat Kids
International Business Kids
Children of military who move with parents to different places within or outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.
Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often having fled for varied reasons — violence, politics, religion, environment, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their origin country.
Expatriate (Expat) As defined by Merriam Webster — to leave one’s native country to live elsewhere; which also sometimes means to renounce allegiance to one’s native country.
Traveler Those who travel expecting differences among intra-international or international culture, howev er, not immersed in these cultures for extended periods of time, or long enough to integrate local cultural norms as their own.
Refugees
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Military B.R.A.T.
People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.
Children whose parents work with multinational corporations that take them to faraway lands, often in professional fields surrounding oil, con struction and pharmaceuticals.
Multiracial People whose family consists of two or more races to which the individual identifies. With race often come cultural norms, slang language and attitudes that can greatly differ. Many multiracial children, though not all, have the unique opportunity to learn norms of all the cultures they comprise.
Immigrants
Non-Military Foreign Service
Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.
Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.
ARGENTINE asador Sacha Bronstein. 14 Summer 2021 | www.CultursMag.com
For those who share our weakness for the ritual ceremony of the Asado/Barbecue, in an atmosphere of friendly camaraderie, there are no secrets.
By Sacha Bronstein
BRIEF MANUAL OF AN ARGENTINESECRETSASADOR´S
A having or attending a barbecue in various South American countries, especially Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay where it is also a traditional event. There’s no more quintessential Argentine tradition than the asado. Combining social connections with culinary craftsmanship, the asado is far more than just a simple barbecue. It’s a custom dating back to a time when wild cattle roamed the plains of La Pampa, in central Argentina.
sado is techniquethe and the eventsocialof
Each Argentine “parrillero” (Grill Master) can have their preference, but everyone will respect the way the meat is roasted, paying special attention to the way the fire is lit and the embers spread out, the cooking time, the way the meat is placed.One of the fundamental secrets is the slow cooking, with few and wisely placed embers to ensure obtaining the best roast, where the flavor and the essential juices of Argentine meat are maximized. Only by doing this and by repeating it again and again in your own home, with your family and friends, will you master the art of roasting meat for the pleasure of those who are gathered together with you. In an Asado, people talk about what they eat and what they drink, and to talk, you have to know. This brief overview aims to be your guide and help you to focus on the key points of this traditional Argentine family practice: the art of roasting the best meat in the world. Grilled Argentine beef chorizo bife.
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STEP 1: KNOW LOCAL CATTLE BREEDS Aberdeen Angus: This breed of Scottish origin is one of the most widespread in Argentina thanks to its aptitude for fattening and easy adaptation to Argentine pampas. It has been bred in the country since 1879. These animals are excellent breeders and the young bulls fatten easily with grass. This meat has the flavor and tenderness that characterizes Argentine livestock. Hereford: Originally from England, it was brought to Argentina in 1861. One of its greatest virtues is that of providing baby beef, which is highly valued in international cuisine. Shorthorn: This was the first improved breed of Argentine cattle. The first bulls were imported in 1826 from England and the breed soon acquired recognitioninternationalandbecame the most exported steer. The main buyers of the meat were English, and in the search for the best qualityprice relation they preferred cuts with more meat and less bone and fat. On the other hand, the local population found the boniest and fattest part, the ribs, the most attractive.
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STEP 2: LIGHTING THE FIRE AND MAKING EMBERS
The best fuels for cooking an Asado are those of vegetable origin: coal or firewood. Using one or the other will produce different results: It is generally accepted among Argentine Parrilleros (a wooden board arranged with a variety of grilled meats: sirloin steaks, chorizo, Morcilla Blood sausage, and beef short ribs.) that the tastiest Asados are made with wood. If you use coal, which is a faster way of producing embers, distribute it on top of your traditional boy/girl scout wood/ newspaper structure before lighting the fire. Once the coals have turned whitish, they are ready to be used for roasting the meat. Distribute the coal embers evenly under the grill and now you are ready to put the meat on the Ifgrill.you prefer to use wood, making embers will last much longer, up to 1 and a half hours; which is a great moment to sit around and drink wine with your friends. If you use a hard wood (Quebracho, Espinillo), the resulting embers will last much longer whereas if you use soft wood the embers will die outOncefaster.you have red hot embers, this is the moment to spread them out thinly but evenly under the grill. Make sure you have a secondary side fire to continue producing embers which you will use to replace those embers that have lost their heat, because the worst thing that can happen is to run out of embers in the middle of the barbecue.
When you can place your open hand, palm down, above the grill for no more than 4-5 seconds, this is the moment to place the thin cuts, steaks and offal (organ meats) on it, making sure that the so called “white side” of the meat (the side where the fat or bones are) is facing down in contact with the grill. If the cuts of meat are thick, spread your embers out more, bringing the fire to a hand tolerance of 7-8 seconds and keep it at that level for the duration of the roasting process. When a few pink drops of blood appear on the upper surface of the meat, it is time to turn the cuts over and leave them for another 15-30 minutes until the side in contact with the grill turns a golden color. You are now ready to eat.
The chronological order of a typical Argentine Asado begins by eating a selection of variety meats/offal which are the first pieces to be placed on the grill and subsequently eaten while the rest of the cuts continue to slowly roast.
DESTINATION: ARGENTINA
Smoker bbq or chulengo as they call it in Argentina. Meat on the grill.
STEP 3: TECHNIQUEROASTING
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An important part of the Argentine Asado is the roasting of variety meats, also known as offal. The most important cuts are sweetbread (Molleja), kidney (Riñón), intestine (Chinchulín), sausage (Chorizo), blood sausage (Morcilla) and normally, they are eaten at the beginning of the Asado as an opening dish. These parts are very tasty, but make sure you don´t eat too much right at the beginning, to leave some space for the meat that will follow. The preparation of these cuts is the same as for the thin cuts of meat. We should not forget the Provoleta, which every decent Argentine Asado must include. These are round, thick slices of provolone cheese with a lot of seasoning (oregano, paprika, etc.) which can be placed directly on the grill or on small, round, stainless steel pans. After 10 to 15 minutes the Provoleta will begin to melt; how long you leave it over the fire will depend on if you prefer it more or less melted. Argentines love this stuff! Choripan.
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STEP 4: OPENING DISHES
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•
DESTINATION: ARGENTINA
Criolla sauce: wonderful and oilpepper.ingredients.10choppedsalt(adobo).andfreshnessaccompanimentsimpleofincomparabletobalancethemeatsachuras.OfSpanishoriginInabowl,dissolvethewithvinegar.Addthefinelyonionandletitsoakforminutes.MixalltheSeasonwithsaltandStoreinajarwitholiveatleast2hoursbeforeeating.•1tomatoperitas.•1mediumonion.•1cupoliveorsunfloweroil.•Saltandpepper.•1cupwhitealcoholvinegar. Chimichurri sauce: Typical sauce, more spicy and stronger than the criolla sauce, to accompany a choripán. Firstly, chop the garlic and parsley well minced and place in a jar with lid. Add the oregano, ground chili, salt and pepper. Cover with olive oil and add the aceto or vinegar stream.
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STEP 5: THE SEASONING SALT: It is customary among Argentine Parrilleros to salt the meat on both sides using what is locally known as “sal gruesa” (coarse salt) before placing it on the grill for cooking. This brings out the flavor of the meat more intensely.
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2 tbsp of fresh chopped parsley 1/2 tbsp of oregano 1 clove garlic 1/2 tbsp of paprika (if you like a little spicy, it can be ground chili) 1/2 tsp of salt Ground black pepper
ArgentineSAUCES
Choripan: A South American meat. Provoleta, thick slices of provolone cheese with a lot of seasoning. Chimichurri sauce.
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• Olive oil
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•
2- Having previously available the necessary instruments (knife, board, fork, clamps).
STEP 6: THE WINES
3- The thin cuts are roasted with moderate-high heat for a short time until they are browned, while the thick cuts should be roasted with moderate heat for a longer time.Cutting the meat.
Infallible, but without excess, the wine cannot be absent in a roast, in moderate dose, in order to moisten the papillae, facilitate digestion, warm the hearts and stimulate conversation. Generally they are fresh red wines, of high tannins, they have the attributes of complementing, assembling, melting, cushioning the sensations of the meat and its flavors. Consistent and textured, they are generally those of the Cabernet Sauvignon strain, without detracting from the Malbec strain that is widely grown in Argentina. Six key points to remember:
1- The embers must be well done (live fire, red hot, no black carbon color, no flame, with white ash) before placing the meat on the grill. Avoid the contamination of grease and meat by toxic gases derived from coal that is still black. Making the embers takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the firewood.
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6- The choice of wines is a matter of preference of tastes, but the suggested are Cabernet Sauvignon reds that are robust and with black fruits (blueberries and blackberries), or if you prefer something softer the Malbec reds, young and light with notes of red fruits.
To see how to follow this process, watch the Culturs Celebrations Argentine Asado video at cultursmag.com.Formorefrom the author, follow @Thesecretsofasado on Instagram. Sacha Bronstein. Scan here or culturs-celebrations-a-brief-manual-https://www.cultursmag.com/visit:of-an-argentine-asadors-secrets/ Meat with chimichurri sauce.
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5- Avoid the degrees of raw cooking and very cooked (past). Although it is a matter of taste, the juicy and pink intermediate grades allow you to appreciate the tenderness and flavor of the juices of the meat.
DESTINATION: ARGENTINA4- Buy coal in a 4 kg bag. The minimum use is 4 kg per roast and can be increased at a rate of 2 kg of coal per kg of meat.
BELLA’S FRONT PORCH LOUISIANA:ORLEANS,NEW AWITHCITYPOTMELTINGRICHA MOREANDHISTORYDIVERSE By Dr. Paulette Bethel New Orleans, Louisiana at Jackson square. 22 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
“Bella’s Front Porch” is cultural wisdom from the comfort of Grandma’s veranda.
In “Bella’s Front Porch,” New Orleans native Dr. Paulette Bethel draws from her polycultural background and life raising a uniquely global multicultural family to inform this new column on the diversity of conversations around race, culture and identity.
o much more than Beignets and Bourbon Street, New Orleans is a multinational, multicultural hub in the United States. Called “the northernmost Caribbean city,” by some — Mardi Gras and crawfish may make it iconic, but as our newest columnist illustrates — the city’s culture pumps life blood to those who call it home.
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BELLA’S FRONT PORCH
According to the New Orleans Insiders Blog, understanding the hybrid cultural roots of New Orleans, both the French and the Spanish who ruled the city before the United States bought it, along with the forced settlement of slaves from Africa and the West Indies, sheds a light on the origins of the color, vibrancy, style and the “attitude all its own” that the city is known for. It’s a city of festivals, of freewheeling fun, of go-cups poured in the bars where cocktails were invented. It’s a place where pirates and ghosts have free rein, where cemeteries are aboveground, cities of the dead and Voodoo has its own royal queen. Here, Carnival stretches for weeks, gumbo and crawfish recipes are family heirlooms and neighborhood pride is touted in all corners of the Big Easy. Bourbon street.
I originally hail from New Orleans, La., U.S.A., a culture that is uniquely unlike any other place anywhere in the U.S. As a global citizen who has lived and worked in many interesting destinations around the world, I intimately recognize why my hometown has a worldwide appeal that attracts millions of people to its streets every year. I absolutely love travel, cultural exploration and visiting new places. I would rank my hometown as one of the most interesting. For starters, the evolution of the city evolved from the influences of many cultures with the arrival of European explorers, enslaved people of African descent and Free People of Color, early immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asians and the many Native American nations that ALREADY inhabited this space. It offers great food, interesting architecture, major contributions to the creation of jazz and a vibrant art scene that reflects the influences of its many cultures over its 300-year history.
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BELLA’S FRONT PORCH
I recently journeyed home to visit family — old and new. I also spent time with longtime friends from my old neighborhoods, many of whom are still close friends of my deeply rooted family. In the early evening of my first day of the visit, I stood outdoors on the small front porch of the home of one of my family members, found in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. As I looked around, I took note of the Catholic Church sitting majestically in the background about one block away. It was the church where my large family gathered to witness my christening as a small infant many decades earlier. I was also struck by the “old world charm” friendliness of people walking on the street, who were saying hello with a smile or stopped and chatted for a moment, as they passed me. It was all reminiscent of the neighborliness and conviviality that I still vividly recall about growing up here. Standing there on that little porch called to mind many endearing childhood memories of being in this neighborhood before moving to a suburban area outside the city center. I still miss those comfortable, friendly, easy ways of interacting and connecting with others. New Orleans. Red beans and rice, New Orleans style.
BELLA’S FRONT PORCH
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BELLA’S FRONT PORCH
As I continued to enjoy my memories and basking in the blush rose and gold sunset with painted clouds that softly glowed behinds the neighborhood homes, I briefly recalled my last visit a year earlier and enjoying the celebratory revelry of a ragtag group of second liners moving along the streets behind a legendary brass band, waving handkerchiefs and exuberantly joined the second line, as is the custom here. Oh, how I loved joining in, as I strutted joyously and rhythmically to the unique brass instrument and polyrhythmic drumming sounds. The Second Line style is a tradition of dance that is part of the cultural heritage of the city. It is foundationally and quintessentially from the Black culture of New Orleans and has roots stemming from performative influences that enslaved people from West Africa and the Caribbean brought with them — traditions that will forever dwell in my soul. What a nice way to end the first day of my visit. New Orleans. 26 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
LOOK FOR IT ON 4K ULTRA HD™, BLU-RAY™, AND DIGITAL NOW Special features not MPA-rated and may not be Hi-Def or SDH. © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. SDH ENGLISH BLU-RAY ™ INCLUDES DIGITAL MOVIE CODE SCAN HERE I Watch Batsuit x Gadgets x Batmobile Now Everything has an authentic look and a handmade feeling to it in this film, from the Batsuit to the self-made gadgetry to the roaring Batmobile that Bruce made himself. This piece highlights the best of everything.
Argentina 28 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
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ne featuresmostArgentina’sofattractiveisthe Aerial view of Buenos Aires, Argentina. depth of its cultural heritage and breadth of its cultural experiences. When people think of Argentina, they tend to think of either its rural cultural traditions or its urban cultural heritage, but not commonly both. To most people, Argentinians are either gauchos or tango dancers, but the country has much more to offer. Here a local guide provides an overview of some of Buenos Aires’ most famous neighborhoods and its culture.
By Juan Machuca
O
Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires. The Casa Rosada (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkasa roˈsaða], English: Pink House) is the office of the president of Argentina. 30 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
San Telmo: This is probably the neighborhood that comes to mind if one is looking to learn about Argentinian culture, in part due to it being one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.
Located just south of the Plaza de Mayo, what was once the historic center of the city and contains the presidential Pink House, San Telmo features some of the older, more historic buildings and is one of the central places for that urban cultural experience. Here you will find traditional pulperías and bodegones, where you will find traditional food and drink.
Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires.
NEIGHBORHOODSFAMOUS
The San Telmo fair is also a popular tourist attraction where locals sell a variety of goods. The San Telmo market has a number of restaurants for a variety of tastes and also some shops with a wide variety of goods. You will also find tango shows and classes here. Being one of the earliest neighborhoods means it also has some of Argentina’s older wine shops. San Telmo has been both an upper-class and lower-class neighborhood throughout its history, which one can see in its architecture. Today it is a popular tourist destination for its rich cultural heritage.
Palermo: It is the largest neighborhood in Buenos Aires. As a result, it has a number of attractions. These include the MALBA, which is the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, the Bosques de Palermo, the Japanese gardens and ecoparque. As a result, Palermo has a significant amount of green space that many other
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El Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) is one of the most famous landmarks in the neighborhood of Puerto Madero. Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) 32 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
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Panoramic view of Tigre River and Tigre train statation. neighborhoods do not have, enabling a nice escape from the cement of the city. It also has the Hippodrome, which is where horse racing and polo matches commonly take place. It is a common destination for immigrants so you may be more likely to run into English speakers there, and also find things like English-speaking tango classes.
The Delta: Located north of the city proper, the delta region is a unique and lovely destination. Situated at the delta of the Tigre River means its daily life has significantly more to do with the river. The river’s tributaries make the geography in the region stand out. Tigre is perhaps most famous for its large outdoor market of
Recoleta: Neighboring Palermo to the Southeast, Recoleta is another very large neighborhood that is a common destination for immigrants and therefore shares some characteristics with Palermo. Within it you can find the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Recoleta Cemetery and the Ateneo Grand Splendid along with some green space. The Recoleta Cemetery is an aboveground cemetery due to Buenos Aires’ riverside low sea level and is where some famous Argentines are buried, including Eva Perón, or “Evita,” an Argentine actress, politician, activist and philanthropist who served as First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. The Ateneo Grand Splendid was once a theater and is now a large bookstore, making it one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world as a result.
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Aerial view of downtown Buenos Aires and Bencich. Buenos Aires city legislature tower and downtown. regional and artisanal products. You can also go on boat rides and check out its museums, including a mate museum and the amusement park.
THE DANCE: TANGO Due to the digital age we live in and the international popularity of tango music, most people probably think of Buenos Aires’ urban culture first, which includes tango, Argentine rock music, cumbia villera music, as well as a culinary history that travels through its various immigration periods. Tango is perhaps the most iconic part of Argentine culture. Tango music will make you think of Buenos Aires and if you dance, you’ll want to put on a pair of dance shoes. The music is as distinct as its intimate, complex and beautiful dance. Its history involves origins from Africa, influences from Europe and local rural folkloric traditions. Its intimate embrace is a result of 36 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
Tango dancers. Cementerio de Chacarita, Buenos Aires. Caminito in La Boca neighborhood Buenos Aires. www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 37
local knife-fighting body language training and the ideas from European partner dances. AfroArgentines often owned the dancing, drinking and entertainment establishments during the period, no doubt having an influence on tango music.
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CULTURE ABOUNDS Argentine rock and cumbia villera are other forms of music that are popular in the Spanishspeaking world. As far as food goes, empanadas were brought over by the conquistadorsSpanishandpizza by the Italian immigrant wave in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Argentinians added their own twist to empanadas and every region of Argentina has its own unique empanada. All along Corrientes Street in the capital you can find Argentina’s famous traditional pizzerias, which are the Italo-Argentine immigrants’ take on pizza. This includes a thick crust, lots of cheese and the fugazetta — a homegrown pizza type with lots of cheese and onions. Another thing the Italians brought with them was a taste for Fernet in the late 19th century, which originally was sold in Italian pharmacies as a digestive aid. Argentinians drink Fernet with coke and consume more Fernet than Italians. Coke, to a significant number of Argentinians, is rarely drunkThealone.famous grilled meat, or Asado, originates from Argentina’s rural culinary tradition.
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Sarmiento y Av. del Libertador, Zona de Palermo. Yerba mate cups. GAUCHOS, ASADO, MATE AND MORE Argentina is a large country, and as a result, a very rural country. Rural culture, which is essentially its gaucho culture, includes Mate, Asado, folkloric music, folkloric dance, and Pato (horseball). Its famous meat comes from a long rural tradition. In the early days gauchos (Argentinian cowboys) were the front line of defense of the national borders and played a key role in Argentina becoming independent from Spain. Many rural traditions go back to the days before Argentina was formally an independent nation. Its national sport, Pato, or horseball (like Polo but without the sticks and a bigger ball), was how the gauchos entertained themselves on horseback. Over the years these gauchos, longpracticed in cattle ranching, perfected how to cook many different cuts of cow meat, creating the Asado as we know it today. While Tango is the music and dance most associated with Argentina, it has its own folkloric musical traditions and famous folk singers and bands. For example, Mercedes Sosa is an
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whodifficultArgentinaisn’telaboratedancearefolkloricinternationally-recognizedsingerand“chacareras”songsthatpeoplewouldinthefolkloricstyle,incostumes.WhileMateawell-knownaspectofinternationally,itistofindanArgentiniandoesn’tdrinkit.Mateisan
herbal infusion made from a local herb and invented by the Guaraní and Tupí native peoples long before the European settlers came. It is a bitter drink, but many swear by its health benefits and some drink it multiple times a day. In spite of Argentina being famous for Malbec wine, its national drink is actually Mate. However, that brings us to the topic of wine.
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WINE CULTURE Wine culture in Argentina has always straddled both the urban and rural traditions as one needs vineyards to produce the wine, but people all over consume it. Back in the early days, churches in both cities and small towns alike have always needed wine, which is why, in fact, wine grapes were initially brought over. While Malbec is Argentina’s most famous wine, the original Malbec grape is from France. But that does little to stand in the way of Malbec being Argentina’s famous wine as Argentina is now the producer of 70% of the Malbec in the world. Its Malbec, more-so than that of France, is what people associate with Malbec.
Argentina also has a completely homegrown wine, a white called Torrontés that is grown primarily in the northern regions of the country. These days, many Argentinians are happy to enjoy fine wine with dinner. This is so much the case that Buenos Aires is second only to Paris in terms of wine consumption.
BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED: This Kenyan-Filipino family is steeped in a love that began as strangers in marriage.
By Doni Aldine and
John Liang 42 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
C
hristian andSolomonpastors(“Sol”)LizOcampo
have taken a unique path to love. They didn’t meet and fall in love and then get married — on the contrary, it was an arranged wedding. Both of their sets of parents were in the ministry, with Sol’s Filipino parents having met Liz’s Kenyan father and Ugandan mother when the former were missionaries in Nairobi. It was Liz’s mother who instigated the whole process in 2012, although an arranged marriage wasn’t exactly in Liz’s“Forplans.me, it started as a big joke,” Liz says in a joint interview with her husband with Culturs Magazine. “Like, you cannot be serious that you’re choosing my husband. Every time I would see my mom, she was so serious about it, and she wasn’t liking my current boyfriend at the time. She would pray for the breakup of thatSol,relationship.”ontheother hand, had seen his older siblings’ marriages arranged by his parents. “But still, it was crazy, it was pretty crazy to a logical human being,” he says, asking himself: Why would your spouse be picked by someone else other than you? “And then someone that you have no feelings for (a) and (b) someone you do not know, (c) someone who is not from your www.CultursMag.com
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neighborhood, (d) someone who is not from your country, (e) someone who is not even the same race! It goes against everything you grew up knowing — the concept of who your wife is supposed to be. What everybody grows up being,” he adds.
What made their parents think an arranged marriage between Sol and Liz could work was that both sets of parents were very close friends, according to Sol.
“That’s who you see, your father marrying a Filipina, and your uncle — they’re all the same race,” he continues. “Then now you’re jumping out with no really clear explanation why. So it was crazy, even though I was used to it [arranged marriage] with my siblings.”
“They were friends at church, [his parents had] been missionaries over here in Kenya since the late 1980s,” he said. “So they ... formed this bond with her parents for two decades-ish, but we didn’t know each other personally as individuals. Our parents were good friends, working together in the ministry. So I guess my mom was seeing her and was saying, ‘Oh these two would make a good couple,’ and she was friends with her mom very tightly so I don’t know what was the reaction with her mom.”
OUR MOTHERS’ LOVE
“There are three of us. And so [Sol’s mother] said, ‘Your last daughter, Liz.’ And mom laughed even harder because she knows me very well — there’s no way I’m gonna do that, and she said, ‘You know, it’s a very good idea but if Liz agrees, I am for it.’”
Liz’s mother called her immediately. “She’s telling me, she’s laughing, ‘You know the Ocampos? You know who’s next in line?’ Actually I don’t know those guys there’s just too many. And she’s like ‘Anyway, it’s Solomon and they’re considering you to be his bride.’” Liz was in shock.
The bride-to-be had no intention of being told who her future husband would be. But her mother did not give up. Upon returning to Kenya from the Philipines, Liz’ mother continued her persuit of a potential union between her daughter and Sol. “You should think about it — he’s so nice,” she coaxed. “When I was there, I really thought this guy could be my son-in-law.”
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“You’re there. Please explain it’s not going to happen,” Liz shares. Her mom replied, “That’s exactly what I told them, but just think about it, consider it.”
NOT IN THE CARDS
As for Liz, Sol’s mother “only mentioned it when my mother went to the Philippines for his [Sol’s] sister’s arranged marriage and so after the wedding of his sister, she was like, ‘You know, the next child that needs to get married ... I’m considering your daughter’ [as a potential spouse to her“Andson]. my mom also laughed, ‘Which daughter?’” Liz continues.
Liz’s father was on her side,Hethough.saidto Liz, “’No, I believe you. You should fall in love with the person you’re going to be married. You need to be attracted to the person.’ And I was very much not attracted to him at the time.”
For the next two years, Liz dated other people. Sol was in Liz’s Facebook timeline, but she blocked him because she could not explain to her then boyfriend who this was in her Facebook feed. The likelihood of a wedding seemed to fade as each day passed. “I feel like I really needed those two years,” Liz muses. “Because by the end of those two years I was convinced that he was the Asone.”for Sol, “I’m very much pleased that she took those two years to delay it, fortunately she came back to me and said yes.” In the meantime, however, this enabled Liz to “go to the market and see the selection.” Liz took the time to date in Kenya, in Nairobi, even international, and cross-cultural. “So I guess I’m not the only foreign choice she had,” said Sol. “So at least now she’s settled. I’m happy in that regard.”
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Sol did at one point lose hope. “I told myself it’s a done deal, she turned her back, because even with my mom, who’s very persuasive, she tried to talk to her for hours and my father, and she was still set on ‘No.’ So I said, ‘That’s it, it’s done.’”
The biggest stumbling block for Sol was that while he “could see with my eyes that she was very beautiful and very pleasant to the eyes, I was still coming from the closed-minded and traditional concept of just being stuck with wanting a Filipina bride. So I was not appreciating that beauty because I was so hung up, so stuck up on the cultural concepts and preference that I was coming from. But now of course I can’t imagine my life without her. I’m so blessed and pleased that I ended up with her and she still chose me. Because I just can’t imagine the beauty and everything, the whole package that comes with marrying a black woman. And you know what they say, ‘Once you go black...’” he says, laughing.
STUMBLING BLOCKS ON BOTH SIDES
A LIGHT THROUGHSHINES
To Sol’s surprise, she unblocked him from Facebook one day. “I said fine, and with my mom we planned a surprise engagement whirlwind trip.” Out of the blue, the marriage was ON! From the Philippines to Kenya on the weekend to propose — off went Sol. “I was ready for anything, a yes or a no because it had been a no for two years so If she had said no and embarrassed me to my face — which was her plan by the way, I didn’t know that that was her plan to say no
CAUGHT OFF-GUARD
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LIZ SCREAMED. “I said, ‘Wait, how are you here, you’re in Manila!’ And so my whole family heard and they all came to the living room, and now there’s so many people so I didn’t want to embarrass him, and I’m like what is going on here?!?”Sol’sisfamily was there, Liz’ family was there: Eagerly awaiting an answer for the impending bethrothal. “It was the longest two minutes of my life because when I asked ‘Will you marry me,’ she didn’t say yes — she said ‘WHAAAT?!?’” recalls Sol. Liz was in disbelief. She didn’t know what to say. “I didn’t want to say ‘no’ and embarrass him because there were so many people — so I just said yes,” she recalls. “Then he got so happy, he’s jumping up and down, my family grabbed me quickly and we went to a room and [they] were like ‘Congratulations!’” Liz wanted to nip it in the bud: “I’m gonna tell him no, I just didn’t want to embarrass him,” but her big brother set her straight. He held her and said, “You can’t do that to a man. You have to say ‘yes,’ you have to mean your ‘yes,’” he insisted. Not wanting to disappoint her brother, Liz thought to herself, “Okay, let it play out.” And play out it did! The news spread quickly through their homelands. “Before I know it his mother has bought me a ticket to the Philippines, and so now this is becoming very hard to say, ‘I was joking, guys,’” she laughs.
— but she was just pressured by the audience of all the family members there, so I’m thankful for them pressuring her.” Sol was ready for a no, and when she said yes, he was in disbelief. She said yes. After two years of “no,” it was a “yes.”
During the whirlwind of activity, Liz didn’t know Sol was flying over to Nairobi to propose. “I unblocked him on a Tuesday. By Friday, he was in my living room to propose,” Liz conveys with hearty laughter. “It happened too fast, it was like, ‘Dude, I just unblocked you.“HisRelax.’sister-in-law who was living in Nairobi at the time, came and said, ‘I brought you a cake,’ and she makes fantastic cakes. And so I’m just sitting there going ‘Where’s the cake?’ And she comes back with him. He gets on his knee and says ‘Will you marry me’ ...
During the engagement period, before Liz even started falling for Sol, she was falling for her future in-laws.
“Yeah the honeymoon was, it was short, I think we only had two weeks before she fell ill, with the pregnancy, but it was a wonderful,” Sol says.
CHANGING COUNTRIES, CHANGING LIFE
“The honeymoon became a family vacation,” he adds. “There was an instance when the bellboy at the hotel switched keys. They gave our room key to some of our family members and we’re you know, in bed, getting it on, and all of a sudden the door opens!
“I was falling for his mother, not him or the idea of the marriage,” she says. “But [with] his mother, I was like, ‘I can live with her as a mother-in-law.’ She was amazing and she would spoil me Therotten.”engagement to the wedding lasted only two and a half months, according to Liz. During that time, Sol says he “was thrilled and also nervous at the same time, because I’m entering marriage here. It’s for life. This is it, it’s not something you joke around with. I was thrilled and excited and nervous.”
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“The Philippines is 7,000 islands so you’re just in awe of everything,” Liz says. “And yes, getting to know him, like, ‘OK, what is your second name?,’” she laughs. “We had so much to talk about because we knew absolutely nothing about each other. And we were both so talkative. We’re both extroverts; I didn’t expect to marry an extrovert, I always thought I’d marry an introvert.”
SHOCK AND AWE So the wedding proceeded. Sol’s mother planned a monthlong honeymoon for the couple — and both families — to spend in the Philippines. The honeymoon was also the new couple’s first chance to actually get to really know one another.
MOVING QUICKLY Before she can get her bearings, Liz is in the Philippines shopping for a wedding dress and picking a venue. “It happened so fast,” she says.
“During that time because we had agreed that I was going to live in the Philippines, it was just saying goodbye to my country,” Liz says. During those two months, she had a lot to absorb and quite a bit of adjustment to process. She had just started a career as a radio presenter and her career had skyrocketed, “I was starting to get my daily show, and here I am giving it all up to go get married to someone I don’t love or like,” she laughs. “It was just too much to take in. I felt like I was in a daze, it just happened so fast.” “Shock and awe,” Sol added as they both laugh.
“I was literally skin and bones, and so every three days I would have to go for an IV just to get fluids into my body,” Liz
Luckily he didn’t see anything — the door was down the hall, but can you imagine? This is the first time you’re getting to know your spouse carnally, then boom, you could hear your brother and your“Andsister.”that night, our wedding night, we had no peace,” Liz chimes in. “Because a sibling would come in, ‘Oh sorry sorry, we left this in your room. So we were up until 4 a.m. because we had different siblings coming in and out and I’m just sitting there in my wedding dress and I’m like, ‘This is not how I imagined it,’” she“Itlaughs.waslike torture. We didn’t even undress,” Sol says.
ONLY TWO WEEKS OF BLISS Two weeks into the honeymoon, Liz was throwing up. A Shelot.was pregnant. “My first [pregnancy] was my worst, compared to what I just had right now, which was my fourth one,” Liz says. Liz suffered a condition called “Hyperemesis Gravidarum,” where a woman’s morning sickness is elevated, “your hormones are completely off the chain, off the hook, you can’t smell anything, you can’t afford to smell anything, even water has a smell. So I would just throw up 40 to 50 times a day.
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Liz’s delicate condition during that first pregnancy caused “small things” to irritate her, she says. “Hearing Tagalog being spoken would just have me throwing up, and so I would be craving Kenyan food, I would be craving snacks and Kenyan smokies, stuff like that, [so when my mother visited], her bag was just full of Kenyan food.” Liz’s mother stayed one month and the food she brought ran out. Liz was crying every day. “So she asked my father to come, so my father comes, again with food, and he’s like, ‘No, we have to take our daughter back.’”
So Liz and Sol went back to Nairobi and moved in with her parents so they can nurse her back to “Duringhealth.that time, because Sol had just got to know me for two weeks, I am looking horrible, constantly throwing up, so I’m constantly smelling, I couldn’t take a shower because the water would just make me throw up in the shower and in the bathtub so I’m going for weeks without a 50 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
continues. “I was in a wheelchair for the first seven months, I couldn’t walk, he would have to carry me to the restroom, and immediately you know I cannot smell anything, so he has to carry me back and go back and flush. And so he’d have to feed me but I would throw up absolutely everything.”
THE GALLANT HERO?
“I can’t say I was a gallant hero, I was just an angel there, overjoyed doing it all, you know, whistling my way through,” Sol continues. “Of course it was sludge, it was dread. It was sleepless nights, I would carry her around upstairs and everything, and it was tough, it was difficult even for me.” “But I knew I had to do it, yeah to this stranger, she was still a stranger. We hadn’t known each other before this, so I’m just fortunate that I was able to go through it,” he says. “I’m not claiming that I was a hero or a pure, good-hearted guy, it was“Itdifficult.”wasdifficult, but I’m just glad that the grace came for me to see [it] through, but looking at someone who was suffering ... it was breaking my heart to see ... my newly married wife carrying my child ... it was not that she partied and drank herself to death — it was because of the baby she was carrying for us,” he continues. “But it really broke my heart seeing her go through a neardeath experience, so when it was over, we were just overjoyed and I’m proud of her that she pulled through it ... because [although] she’s thankful for me being there, she’s the one who suffered through it. So I can never know the pain and suffering that women go through carrying a bath, I can’t brush my teeth because if I see a toothbrush I would just throw up, and so he dealt with all this smell and stuff,” Liz says with a laugh. It was Sol’s perseverance during this time that really won Liz “I’mover. just like, completely broken,” she says. “Which man would have taken care of me like this? This just had to be God. And he was just patient the entire time, he left everything in the Philippines and came to Kenya, was staring at me 24 hours a day, you know? He was like my 24-hour nurse. And so, the whole night because I had such bad heartburn, he’d hold me up, and we’d just sit up the whole night. During the day [we would] try to catch some sleep but it was just so horrible, the whole pregnancy, I was like an AIDS patient, most people thought I had AIDS, I was just so thin,” she remembers. “It was very, very difficult, extremely difficult, and we didn’t think we’d do it again [have another child], and here we are six years later with a fourth.”
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Sol chimes in, “Now that she’s retelling the story, I don’t even remember how it was, I just know that I had a shocking experience, I was just like, this is not what you thought a honeymoon was supposed to be. And again, you’re just strangers and immediately it’s a medical, life-and-death situation. So we were on survival mode.”
child, bringing life to the world, so I salute all women and mothers around the whole world.”
One year to the day after the first child was born, Liz and Sol were pregnant again and back in Kenya.“Exactly the same story,” they both say (Interestinglysimultaneously.enough, they wound up finding out they were pregnant with the second, third and fourth child exactly one year after the previous kid was born. “There’s something about the first birthday,” Liz says with a laugh. “Now we know, the first birthday we will [be in] separate rooms.”
Once the child was born, “Parenting, it was fun,” Liz laughs. “It was fun in the beginning, having your first child is everything, every milestone, you’re just so celebrating and excited. We went back to the Philippines and so just ready to start over again, and ‘OK, let us press play now.’ The baby is here, we’re a new family, let us start over again, and everyone was excited to see a mixed-race child... The Philippines really likes mixed-race children.”
“The third one got better because the smell didn’t affect me as much,” she says. “So I was eating more. And then this fourth one became totally opposite, where [with] the first one I couldn’t eat anything, with the fourth one if I stopped eating I throw up. So I was eating 24 hours. I gained almost 50 pounds. (Laughs) I would lay down in the bed and if I just wake up at night like for two seconds if I didn’t dump food in my mouth I would just go and throw up and throw up so I was constantly chewing. [For] 24 hours, you’d see me anywhere — if I’m in a meeting, if I’m in an interview, constantly just eating my food.”
“We’ll be roommates or brothers and sisters in the Lord,” Sol quips with a laugh.)
With the first two kids, Liz suffered the same constant morning sickness.
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“We’ve done countless interviews where she was eating,” Sol laughs. “I’d have to tell the producer or editor, ‘Please just edit it Despiteout.’”all the trials of childbearing, it’s still worth it, they“Itsay.isa lot of work, since there are now four and they’re all five and under,” according to Liz. “They’re at the age where they really need a lot of attention. So we can’t wait for them to grow up and relax. The older kids help ... and thank God in third-world countries its easy to get nannies ... so we thank God for that.”
www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 53 Join Culturs Editor-in-chief Doni Aldine to discover cultural connections, meet new people and experience culture and food around the globe. embrace joy, come alive, immerse yourself Surprise global experiences with friends Spain zanzibar colombia portugal turkey costa rica Egypt u.s.a. peru brazil argentina XOTV.MEwATCH:CHANNEL 132 CULTURS GLOBAL MULTICULTURAL TV NegraComoSoy.comVISIT:cultursmag.compodcastanylISTEN:popularchannel
While both had plans to be in non-ministry careers — Liz in radio broadcasting and Sol in engineering — they both wound up following in their parents’ footsteps and working as fulltime“I’dpastors.been ordained in 2010 in America,” Liz says. “So yeah, I was doing that but not full-time. Part-time pastor, part-time radio presenter. But when I got married it became too much, because in the media you can’t keep coming and going and coming and going. And so that’s what kept happening when I would get pregnant. Because after my first pregnancy then I came back to the media and then I left again [for my] second pregnancy but when I came back, they were like, ‘OK you’ve been replaced.’ And so I just dived full-time into the ministry.”
“From age zero, every year was just moving around, even within the Philippines, we never stayed in one city,” he says. “We moved from city to city, province to province. The challenge, you know, was you’d make friends and have best friends and you have to leave them, and then you get new friends, best friends and you feel nostalgic, melancholic of leaving your old neighborhood, then you’d move again, and you’d move again maybe two years, three years, five years, and then we went international, we went to the U.S. when I was lets say 11, 12, 13; went to Canada, lived there also for about a year, then came back to the U.S. again and lived there another maybe a year, came back to the Philippines, moved around again everywhere in the Philippines. We have three regions so its like going from west coast to east coast, then moved to America again, now to Africa to Nairobi in 2006-2009 then went back to the Philippines again, moved around there again, then back here to Nairobi. So just all over the place.”
For Sol, living abroad as a kid — as well as an adult — has taught him “to have an open mind. It’s not really just about
THIRD CULTURE MEETS CROSS CULTURE As for Sol, he had grown up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) as a result of his parents’ missionary work. He spent his formative years moving within many islands of the Philippines as well as in the United States, Canada and Kenya.
FULL-TIME PASTORS
While Liz grew up in Nairobi, she went to a boarding school from age eight until she finished highAfterschool.that, Liz’s parents sent her to bible school in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., where she lived until age 21, after which she began pursuing communicationmassatone of the universities in Nairobi. “And that was until I was 24, and at 25 I married him. He married me. We were both 25.” Liz also noted her crosscultural upbringing, spending holidays in Uganda and Tanzania.
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“My mother’s from Uganda, so during holidays she would send us to go learn the language. My mother is a princess in Uganda. She’s from the Kingdom of Toro.”
“So it takes work,” he continues. “You can’t just do it on autopilot, or parent them the same way you would parent a non-mixed child. Of course then, the usual issues of parenting and growing up are there, but on top of that are those unique issues that mixed-race kids face.“
Check out the video interview on XOTV.me by scanning https://www.cultursmag.com/here:beautifully-arranged To connect with Liz and Sol via social media channels or You Tube, scan here.
embracing only your own culture of course, everybody’s culture is wonderful but it doesn’t mean that your culture is superior to others. There are great things about your culture and then there’s some not-so-great things about your own culture. Learn from the other culture and when you combine it, you have a richer, new culture, combined culture or hybrid or whatever you wanna call it — intra culture in your family.”
Since they now have a biracial family, Sol says they do have to talk to their kids about who and what they are. “As young as they are, fortunately or unfortunately we do have to talk to them about these issues because they get picked on sometimes,” he says. “When they’re in Kenya, they’re not fully Kenyans, and when they’re in the Philippines they don’t look fully Filipino. They’re mixed-race. So it’s like their sense of identity, of belonging, they don’t fully belong, so we have had to address it and we continue to address it, definitely those unique challenges to them that maybe other, non-mixed kids wouldn’t have. This is the odd one out of the class, their eyes get picked“Theiron.”nose,” Liz chimes in.
“Their nose, their eyes,” Sol says. “They get called Chinese when they’re not, so we have to tell them no, you’re Kenyan because sometimes they would say, ‘No I’m only Filipino, I’m only from the Philippines’ and we would have to tell them ‘No, you are African, you are Kenyan, and you are Filipino at the same time. Because your father is Filipino, your mother is Kenyan, so you are both.’
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IDENTITYUNDERSTANDING
THE FUTURE OF CLIMATE JUSTICE INTERSECTIONALIS By Andrea Bazoin, M.Ed., Founder of everHuman 56 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com TECHNOLOGY
• It’s warming.
haveWhatHumanPolarGiantBlack-footedleopardsferretspandasbearsbeingsdoalloftheseincommon?
H species list. And yet, millions of people face the real threat of cultural extinction and death due to the effects of the climate crisis: intense heat waves that lead to drought, crop failure and starvation. Increased disease and global pandemics. Intensified weather that leads to catastrophic events like hurricanes and wildfires. The list goes on. U.S.-born, Sweden-based sustainability scientist Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, author of “Under the Sky We Make: How to be Human in a Warming World,” explains the climate crisis this way:
umans, of course, are not on the endangeredofficial Asian elephants Snow
•
•
Frischmann.Chad Nikki Ritcher.
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•
They are endangeredall species.
The person who is best positioned to know what to do right now, in the time and place where you are, is reading this sentence.
• It’s us. We’re sure. It’s bad. We can fix it.
But, can we fix it? Yes, we can. But, only if we recognize the “climate crisis” is inseparable from every other system of oppression and injustice we face in our world. If you’re asking, “But, what can I do?” read on because the person who is best positioned to know what to do right now, in the time and place where you are, is reading this sentence.
You are an intersectional being. The “intersectionality”term was first introduced in 1989 by U.S. civil rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw, and further developed by sociologist Patricia Hill Collins in her book “Black Feminist Thought,” released in 1990. Intersectionality is defined as “the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism and classism) combine, overlap or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups.”Youcontain multitudes — your culture, class, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, location and more — these are all aspects of you that combine in a completely unique way. And, like you, the climate crisis is intersectional. It sits at the nexus of human rights and wellbeing, environmentalistgreengirlleah/)(https://www.instagram.com/Thomasenvironmentaldevelopmenteconomicandconservation.OnMay28,2020,LeahusedherInstagramtocallforthecommunity to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and other Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) supporting movements. She defined Intersectional Environmentalism in this way: Environmentalism“Intersectional is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality. environmentalismIntersectionaladvocates for justice for people + the planet.”
EnvironmentalistIntersectionalpledgeisawayyoucanbringyourwhole,intersectionalselftotheissuesthatcontributetotheclimatecrisis.
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WHAT ENVIRONMENTALISM?INTERSECTIONALIS
The post went viral. The energy behind this Taking the
Taking the pledge:thethewhole,wayEnvironmentalistIntersectionalpledgeisayoucanbringyourintersectionalselftoissuesthatcontributetoclimatecrisis.Hereisthe
• I will proactively do the work to learn about environmentaltheand social injustices these communities face without minimizing their voices.
Frischmann.Chad
Nikki Ritcher. www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 59 TECHNOLOGY
• I will not remain silent during pivotal political and cultural moments that impact targeted communities. Instagram post led to the creation of IE, “a 501(c)(3) climate justice collective radically imagining a more equitable + diverse future of
• I will not ignore the intersections environmentalismof and social justice.
• I will stand in solidarity with BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and Disability communities and the planet.
• I will use my privilege to advocate for Black and brown lives in spaces where their messages are often silenced.
• I will respect the boundaries of BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and Disability friends and activists and not demand they perform emotional labor or do the work for me.
• I will share my learnings with other environmentalists and my community.
• I will amplify the messages of BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and Disability justice activists and environmental leaders.
—advocacy,flowtothempartsbetter…YouandadvocatingIThomastoDismantleEnvironmentalist:book,environmentalism.”Fromherrecentlyreleased“TheIntersectionalHowtoSystemsofOppressionProtectPeople+Planet,”explains,“IoncethoughthadtochoosebetweenformyBlackidentitytheplanet,butnowIknowneverhavetosilenceofyouridentityorforcetotakeabackseatinorderadvanceacause.Ouridentitiesthroughourpolitics,ourwhatwecareaboutwhetherwerealizeitornot.”
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SEE THE SOLUTIONS
place of justice, equity and inclusion. This creates a system of solutions. Otherwise we’re just recreating a system of exploitation. We have power — as individuals, as communities, and in our workplaces — but if we don’t know where we’re going, we’re never going to get there.”
“We need all-of-the-above solutions,” Frischmann explains. “We are fixated on the problems, but the solutions are right in front of us. The paradigm of problem fixation, driven by fear in a conflict-oriented form of competition, leads to apathy and inaction. That’s what the 1% want, because they reap the
In other words, Frischmann understands that a focus on solutions, rather than problems, is the way out of inaction and into joy, hope and creativity.
Chad Frischmann is the founder of changewe’rehierarchicalsaid,intersectionality,”addressingordinarylearnclimateDrawdown,engagementcommunicationsReviewWarming,”ProposedComprehensivebest-seller,behindSolutionsarchitectleadIntelligence,Regenerativeandtheco-author,researcherandprincipaloftheDrawdownFramework,theenginetheNewYorkTimes“Drawdown:TheMostPlanEvertoReverseGlobaltheDrawdown(February2020),andallandeffortsatProjectaleadingresourceforsolutions.IspokewithFrischmanntomoreaboutthewayspeoplecanparticipateintheclimatecrisis.“RecognizingourFrischmann“breaksuptheneedforstructuresofpower.Ifgoingtosolveclimatewehavetodoitfroma
But, when we shift from fixating on the problems to seeing the solutions of the future, we focus on possibility.
When people ask, “What can I do?” Frischmann’s call to action is, “See the solutions. Visualize the marker on the horizon of where you want to be, and take the next best step to get there, as you honor the steps you’ve already taken. Choose your own adventure! Remember, this is a joyful journey. When you start to look around, you’re going to see more people doing this work. Then you’re not walking alone — you’re walking together.”
“We want to move beyond sustainable development to create a regenerative economy — one based on life, not death. We can use the climate crisis as a catalyst — creating a new normal that is restorative and regenerative, not exploitative and extractive. We can catalyze the future we actually want by solving the greatest threat to humanity that we’ve ever faced.”
I spoke with German-born global citizen and host of the podcast “Green Planet Blue Planet,” Julian Guderley. His intention was to move away from the doom and gloom narrative of the media around climate change and, instead, seek answers to the question, “What makes a healthy climate?” His podcast interviews focus on change makers who are committed to people, planet and
COME ALIVE We’ve all been conditioned to do two things, on repeat: consume and perform. We consume information in school and perform it on a test. We consume advertisements and perform our capitalist duty to buy more. We consume the societal norms we see on social media and perform them in our careers andWhatlifestyles.ifwe chose a different path — regeneration? Humans are not separate from nature, we are a part of it. And, regeneration is a quality of life’s organic intelligence. His most important piece of advice? Come alive!
rewards. But, when we shift from fixating on the problems to seeing the solutions of the future, we focus on possibility. Let’s not look at the problems of the past and say, ‘fix them,’ let’s look at the solutions of the future and say ‘go And,there.’”“there” is not just a place of sustainability. In fact, nothing in nature “sustains” — it evolves and changes as part of a cycle of life.
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BE THE CHANGE
• Focus on the future you want to see.
“Nothing is more amazing than humans coming alive and expressing their organic intelligence,” Guderley explains. “If there were one [solution], it is to empower each person to express their unique gifts in the world.”
“Part of the mind’s problem is that there should be [a solution] that goes for everyone. What’s the right thing? What’s the politically correct thing? What am I allowed to do? Yet, as long as you’re trying to have someone else tell you what to do, you stay in the cul-de-sac, the problem zone, and you won’t get out of it. You have to learn to listen to what is deeply yours based on your inner intelligence. When you bring that into the world — doing more of what is already engaging to you without fearing that someone else won’t [approve], now you’re of to past and future generations. Once you know who you are and what is the vision you hold for your life, all you have to do is deflate the hold that the matrix [of oppression] has on you and turn up the volume on what’s already in you that wants to play. Throw yourself into your unique creation.”
So, how can you contribute to solving the climate crisis?
• Leverage and intersectionality.celebrate
• Embrace joy, liberation and your unique creativity. service to everyone because you are leveraging your energy.” When I asked Guderley about the violence and oppression we see in the world, he said, “Individually, all people you will meet have values of love, reciprocity and trust. But, as a collective we live with an illusion that there is something bad about humans. To break this programming, we have to consistently choose to align ourselves with organic intelligence instead of messages of violence, fear and scarcity. Ask yourself, are you acting in alignment with my values? Are you affirming that you believe in life with your actions? We disembody ourselves from our“Wevalues.”areon this planet to have quality experiences that are in right relationship to all of life and
Nikki Ritcher.
profit and believe in the regenerative principle of life. His most important piece of advice? Come alive!
From shows to watch and songs to hear, to artistry, shopping and things to explore, know and do, here’s a specially curated list of things we recommend as MUST experience items for the culturally fluid. THEMUSTLIST www.CultursMag.com | Spring 2022 63
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n her travelogue “The Catch Me If You Can: One JourneyWoman’stoEveryI Country in the World,” celebrated traveler and photographer Jessica Nabongo — the first Black woman on record to visit all 195 countries in the world — shares her journey around the globe with fascinating stories of adventure, culture, travel musts and human connections. Images from Jessica Nabongo’s first book, “The Catch Me If You Can.” Jessica Nabongo/National Geographic Books. Georgia.Antigua. www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 65
• A late night adventure with strangers to cross a border in Guinea Bissau, and • Sunbathing on the sandy shores of Los Roques in Venezuela.Alongwith beloved destinations like Peru and South Africa, you’ll also find tales from far-flung corners and seldom visited destinations, including Tuvalu, North Korea, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Bali. Nepal. Afghanistan. www.CultursMag.com
MUST l READ
NABONGO’S TOP 100 DESTINATIONS In her memoir, Nabongo reveals her top 100 destinations from her global adventure. Beautifully illustrated with many of the author’s own photographs, the book documents her remarkable experiences in each country, including:•Aharrowing scooter accident in Nauru, the world’s least-visited country,•Seeing the life and community swarming around the Hazrat Ali Mazar mosque in Afghanistan,•Horseback riding and learning to lasso with Black cowboys in Oklahoma, • Playing dominoes with men on the streets of Havana, • Learning to make traditional takoyaki (octopus balls) from locals in Japan, • Dog sledding in Norway and swimming with humpback whales in Tonga,
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Sao Tome and Principe. Myanmar. Tonga. 68 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
“The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World” is available wherever books are sold in print, digital and audiobook formats. Iran. Seychelles. Somalia.
LOVE LETTERS TO DIVERSITY AND BEAUTY Nabongo and her stories are love letters to diversity, beauty and culture — and most of all, to the people she meets along the way. Throughout, she offers bucket-list experiences for other travel lovers looking to follow in her footsteps.
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DRINK IT IN 70 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com MUST l TRY
t all started in 2011 with a silicone Mate cup. The designersindustrialMercedesI Buey Fernandez, age 33 and Nicolás Tiferes, age 37, had met in college and wanted their own industrial design studio. They first had to show that they could design, market and produce a product. This is how that iconic Mate cup was born, with the name of “Mathienzo,” which would later become a brand of premium Yerba Mate. Today they sell throughout Argentina and different countries of the world.
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According to Tiferes, Mate is an Argentine national icon, along with the Asado, the Tango, the Empanada and the Gaucho. It represents unity and sharing, helps people socialize, facilitates networking and lengthens or promotes conversation, while reducing social distance to make more intimate, relaxed and informalTiferesconnections.saystheMate tradition is transmitted by family inheritance. From parents to children, the habit is passed from generation to generation; for many parents it is a source of pride that their children start drinking Mate. Yerba Mate is diuretic, it energizes and it contains vitamins and minerals. Find out more about Mathienzo’s premium Mate products at www.mathienzo.com. www.CultursMag.com
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n the San foundneighborhood,TelmowetheABSOLUTEI most adorable ice cream shop in Buenos Aires. Amazing breakfasts and snacks, including cakes, ice cream, waffles and more. The staff is uber charming and oh-sohelpful. As in all of South America it seems, of course, dogs are welcome. At NONNA, however, they’re truly loved!
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EXPERIENCE Buenos Aires 76 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com MUST l DO
entrepreneurenezuelan Juan Machuca founded The company’s goal is to promote connection and exchange between local and foreign people and businesses. They have a full staff that is intimately familiar with the areas they operate and provide unique guest experiences within the Greater Buenos Aires metroplex that give a greater understanding of Argentinian culture. Their expertise with the local area and the national culture offers a rich experience in one of the world’s most phenomenal cities. Experience Baires offers multiple food, wine, adventure, rural and culture tours in San Telmo, Palermo, Recoleta and the Delta (see more about these areas on pages 28-41).
$37 -$143 US. Scan here to find out more: the Buenos Aires-based tour company Experience Baires in 2019 under the name San Telmo Experience. It began as an online startup focusing on local immersion experiences in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. At the beginning of 2020, the name was updated to Experience Baires as a result of its expansion both within the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Experience Baires provides immersive experiences, offers accommodation options, work and networking spaces for digital nomads, travelers and entrepreneurs from Argentina and around the world. As providers of experiences, the platform purposefully facilitates experiences that integrate and immerse travelers in local culture.
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LACASSAPAGE HOTEL 78 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com MUST l VISIT
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hile in Buenos Aires, we stayed at three amazingW hotels: The Alvear Palace Hotel, The Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt and the Cassa Lepage Art HotelPasaje Belgrano. All three provide extraordinary stays, however hands down, Cassa Lepage was the most comfortable, warm, inviting and interesting space of the three. This boutique hotel in the historic helmet of the city gives a more intimate experience with its 22 suites. It’s as if you’re living
80 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com MUST l VISIT NEW PODCAST JOIN DONI ALDINE, CULTURS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, AND DR. RHONDA COLEMAN AS THEY BRING YOU THE INSIGHTS, PERSPECTIVES AND HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN LATIN AMERICA TO EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN AND CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR YOU. CULTURS IS THRILLED TO BRING YOU THE BEST OF CROSS-CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN LATIN AMERICA WATCH: XOTV.ME CHANNEL 132 CULTURS GLOBAL MULTICULTURAL TV VISIT: NEGRACOMOSOY.COMPODCASTANYLISTEN:POPULARCHANNEL
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inside an artist’s installation because of the onsite urban archeology museum and art gallery. The property also boasts an eco-friendly terrace garden, auditorium and refined Peruvian restaurant. Located in the middle of everything makes it walkable to many of the city’s best offerings. Make it exciting and vibrant or quiet and nurturing, depending on your desire. Oh, and the included daily hot breakfast? Definitely not to be missed.
FITNESSMELISSAINFLUENCERNEILL’S BRITISH-AFRICAN UPBRINGING By John Liang 82 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
Fitness and lifestyle coach Melissa Neill is a proud, biracial British woman who is “very comfortable” in her own skin. In an interview with Culturs Magazine, she talks about her British/ Malawi
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CULTURS — What was it like being a biracial child in Ghana as well as the U.K.? NEILL — I found it pretty easy being a biracial child in Ghana. There weren’t any issues. But as soon as I moved to the U.K. I got a lot of questions from white kids like, “Why are you black and your mum is white.” They said hurtful things like she must be a prostitute or I wasn’t really her child. I found better expectance and understanding from black children in the 1970s. I did struggle sometimes with my identity as I was raised in a white family but I always had that feeling of being treated slightly differently by my extended family. As an example, my grandparents introduced me to their friends as an adopted daughter which obviously wasn’t the case but showed they were ashamed of my true identity. But conversely, I didn’t always fit in with the black kids either, as my culture was different because I was raised with white people. Although I did find that once I reached my teens I gravitated more to black culture through music and socializing.
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CULTURS — Where did you grow up? How old were you when you moved to the U.K. after living in Ghana?
MELISSA NEILL — I was born in the U.K. in March 1967 and my mother moved over to Accra, Ghana shortly after. She couldn’t return to my father’s country Malawi because of the political regime there. My father was a newspaper editor for the national newspaper in Malawi but he was imprisoned because he spoke out against [former] President [Hastings] Banda. My mother didn’t want to stay in the U.K. as things would have been difficult bringing up a black child on her own so she got a teaching job in Ghana. We had a very good life in Ghana, a large, detached house and I recall my mum had two people working for her, looking after me and doing the household chores. This was (and still is) normal for both black and white people to have domestic help in many countries in Africa. I spoke one of the local languages, Twi, because one of the women that looked after me spoke Twi and my mother was keen for me to learn the language. So I was bilingual. We relocated to the U.K. when I was six. I am not entirely sure why we moved — perhaps for a better education — but Mum told me it was culture shock [for her] coming back to the U.K.
I don’t think my mother had too many problems in Ghana but when she came back [to the U.K.] even renting a property in the 1970s was difficult. You had signs up saying “No blacks, no Irish.” But luckily she found a great landlady who eventually went on to sell her a house and provide her with a mortgage. I would say my mother had problems not only having a mixed-race child but also as a single woman with a child. For example, she wasn’t able to get a mortgage from the bank because single women couldn’t in those days. I remember her taking to her bed with stress. She probably had depression. I’m sure that was because she had so much to deal with but she never talked about it. She went on to be a head school teacher later on, which shows you she was a very capable strong woman but perhaps if the odds weren’t stacked so heavily against her, she could have achieved more.
CULTURS — What challenges did your parents face while raising you in Ghana and the U.K.? Are they still together?
NEILL — I never knew my father — they separated before I was born. I do believe my mother did have difficulties. Simple things like she didn’t really know what to do with my hair and looking back now I know that people must have judged her.
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CULTURS — What do you consider yourself as: Ghanaian, Malawian or British, or a combination of those?NEILL — First and foremost I am British. Black British. Sometimes when you travel around or even on my social media channels people find this hard to take in. “Oh, I didn’t know you were British” is a common comment I get. I think there is still a stereotype of where you should “come from” if you’re black. For example when I am traveling to other parts of Europe and I say I am British, sometimes people will say, “But where are you really from?” In my opinion, I am really from the U.K. But I do have a little of Malawi and Ghana in me. I have African heritage and I am proud of that. When I visited Ghana in the 1990s, they called me “Obroni” which means “white person.” When I pointed out I am actually black, they laughed, for they only saw the white side in me. Where as in the U.K. people see the black side.
CULTURS — How has being raised in more than one culture affected your worldview?NEILL— Nowadays, I am very comfortable in my own skin. I feel because of my background I find it easy to communicate with and fit in anywhere. I believe I am inclusive because I have dual heritage. I don’t judge people based on the color of skin or heritage. Likewise I don’t let my
background hold me back in reaching my full potential. It’s easy to think that you can’t follow a certain career path just because there are no people of that color in that profession. I was often the only person of color in the office throughout my working life, but I didn’t let that hold me back. I also chose to live in a provincial town in the U.K. which is not very diverse. I didn’t let that put me off and I fit in extremely well in my community, despite being one of a handful of black people living in the area. I am not saying that racism doesn’t exist, but you shouldn’t let that dictate where you want to live, what job you want to do and how you live your life.
CULTURS — What or who influenced you to want to become a trainer? NEILL — In my late 40s, I suffered from depression due to my marriage breakdown. I started on my fitness journey just to feel better. I was literally crying most days and fitness helped me turn my life around. Then I progressed on to wanting to change my body shape, but found it really difficult because there was a lack of understanding and information to help women over 40 and menopausal get in shape. In fact, information was nonexistent at best and at worst there was (and still is) a lot of misleading information like doing tons of cardio and cutting out carbs. I spent two and a half years trying to transform my body and failed. Then I actually found what worked for women at my stage in life, which is strength training and good nutrition with plenty of protein. I started sharing what I learned on my YouTube channel and it grew quite quickly. That’s when I brought out my unique programs to help women over 40 reach their goals and I now have my own app BodyByBikini. As far as I know, no one else is doing this. The big fitness and weight loss brands tend to ignore women over 40. I think we are sort of forgotten about in the mainstream media too. So my social media channels — YouTube, Instagram, TikTok — address this. My goal is that every woman over 40 should understand how she can get the body shape she wants. To find out more about Melissa, go to her website or see her YouTube channel, scan below or visit cultursmag.com/fitness-influencer-melissa-
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DOGS OF SOUTH AMERICA PradoJacko By Doni Aldine 88 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
The United States of America is the No. 1 dog-loving country. It appears to be “a haven for man’s best friends, with the country’s dog population standing astonishingly high at 75.8 million,” based on stats from the WorldAtlas.com article “Countries with the Most Dogs Worldwide.”
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owners. In Mexico, Peru and Colombia, for instance, many restaurants have signs encouraging dogs as guests, and providing special treats and perks for dog Andreowners.Motta, a Sao Paulobased Brazilian professional tour guide, mentioned how much Brazilians love their dogs, noting that most people treat their dogs better than the people in their lives. ”Here in Sao Paulo, we have more pet stores than drug stores, so people care more about the pets than about themselves,” he laughs.Argentina’s booming population of man’s best friend has a market for pet care that is increasing dramatically. The World Atlas article cites Poodles, Labradors and German Shepherds as the most popular breeds in the country, with about 16% of the owners having adopted stray dogs to keep as their pets. The government of the country also encourages pet ownership by promoting canine vaccinations and spaying/neutering programs.
However, Latin America is a close second with two countries in the mix: Argentina ranks No. 8 with 9.2 million dog lovers and Brazil No. 2 at 35.7 million canine companions. Additionally, many Latin American countries seem to exhibit amazing love for dogs — letting them frequent restaurants, clubs and other establishments along with their www.CultursMag.com
n the Americas, apparently, we love our dogs.
ADDRESSING PRIVILEGE: CREATING THE MISSING PIECE IN MY GREAT LOVE AFFAIR WITH MY TCK TRIBE By Myra Dumapias 90 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com TRANSNATIONAL THIRD CULTURE KID FILMMAKERS
D iscovering my Third Culture Kid identity(TCK)as an adult has been like a predestined romance waiting to happen before I had the language for it. Yet throughout this love affair, realized in the process of claiming a tribe, I’ve noticed a missing piece: acknowledgement about privilege variances as a tribe. The intense feeling of being different without a language to internally process it or externally name or explain it has impacted me significantly. I felt like a misfit whenever I attended a school without other TCKs. The consciousness of knowing I was different grew more distinct after I left the international school system: In college, I told a roommate moving around so much as a kid influenced who I was romantically compatible with, but couldn’t explain why. The longer I was away from my TCK-filled past, the more I felt an isolation I didn’t know how to talk about. I felt like I found myself in an abandoned city with signs of fresh activity but no one there to talk to. Discovering the term that explained my experiences and knowing others could relate to me validated I experiencingwasan identity and not an abnormality I had to fix. The answers didn’t come until my 30s, when a colleague called me a “Third Culture Kid,” which led me to TCKid.com. These words were keys that opened new As a tribe, however, we tend to go back to our individual compartmentsidentitywhen it comes to aging, sudden disability, racism, economic struggle, etc. Yet our global nomad background can have as much relevancy on these matters as it does on “Where is home?”
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“Where is TCKidNOWhome?”recognizes being an adult TCK intersects with other identities, i.e. race, gender, class, aging, passport country, citizenship status, etc. TCKidNOW designs its services mindful of how the intersection of identities ties to varying levels of access to resources, or privilege.
• People with working or lower income class experiences as well as those from consistently upper middle class or higher background,
doors for me, most importantly of understanding. As I illustrated in “the significance of words” (page 4 of the book “Refusing to Be Erased”), discovering the term that explained my experiences and knowing others could relate to me validated I was experiencing an identity and not an abnormality I had to fix. More personally, the career dream I wrote about in my college applications was to help people who grew up moving around like me. I knew there was a need before I knew there was a language for it. In 2011, within six months after I discovered the term, TCKid, an online community forum created by Brice Royer, became a bridge to that dream. He passed onto me the online community three years after he created the forum. I formalized TCKid as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Today, the organization, which now goes by TCKidNOW, has continued helping more TCKs connect and expand its global reach, and provides traumainformed educational outreach as part of community care services under development. TCKidNOW addresses the question after the initial discovery of the TCK identity: “Now, what?” — the space where intersectionality and privilege are relevant. There have been great discussions around the common TCK experiences, i.e. finding home, being a hidden immigrant, etc. As a tribe, however, we tend to go back to our individual identity compartments when it comes to aging, sudden disability, racism, economic struggle, etc. Yet our global nomad background can have as much relevancy on these matters as it does on
• The centering of individuals from developing as well as developed countries, The differences in privilege themselves aren’t a cause for tension. What can be is when a majority of resources, events, accolades, and standards and recognitions of
acknowledgeaccomplishmentsadmirableandleadershipdonotorincludeatruediversityofTCKsbythetimewe’realladults.
PRIVILEGE: UNCOMFORTABLETHE BUT CONVERSATIONNECESSARY
• Community-focused work under leadership that has an
Privilege can be an uncomfortable topic that can easily cause a little tension or division, but it doesn’t have to. In expat communities, we do not all usually enjoy the same luxuries, such as paid private school tuition, luxury cars or rich neighborhoods. It’s part of what expats sign-up for. The differences in privilege themselves aren’t a cause for tension. What can be is when a majority of resources, events, accolades, as well as standards and recognitions of admirable accomplishments and leadership do not acknowledge or include a true diversity of TCKs by the time we’re all adults, such as:
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• People of color from all over the world as well as the universally perceived face of the Western World,
needsourrepresentationvicioussupported.acknowledged,gatekeepersorganizationsmoreexamplevariancessurveyTCKidNOWthecircumstances.”unforeseeableThiswasbeforeCOVID-19globalpandemic.Atthetimeofthesurvey,couldnotfindadedicatedtoclassamongTCKs.ThisisanoftheimpactofhavingprivilegedindividualsorservingasofwhoisapplaudedandGatekeepingcreatesacycleofprivilegeinandnarrativesoncollectiveidentity,values,andpriorities. www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2022 93 TRANSNATIONAL THIRD CULTURE KID FILMMAKERS
understanding of the multiple intersections of struggle and marginalization, as well as the cosmopolitan entrepreneur who symbolizes a successful jet-setter lifestyle, and • Individuals who identify fluidly across spectrums of class, gender, sexuality, racial, passport and other privilege.
The default representation of TCKs has been more reflective of the latter half of scenarios above when a community survey TCKidNOW conducted from July 2018 to January 2020, N (sample size) = 340, found that approximately 50% self-reported having lower or working class experience within “the past five years.” TCKidNOW’s survey also found 21% more participants “strongly disagree(d)” than “strongly agree(d)” that they have “a safety net or sufficient resources for
CLARIFICATIONS ON INCREASING ACCESS:
Setting a price for services, having a successful small business, or recognizing a person’s accomplishments are not, of course, negative. What would be negative is if we in the field of TCK work do not collectively work together to widen access to resources, recognition and inclusion. Individuals with experiences from less-privileged backgrounds in roles with program and research design decisions and leadership can open new windows of insight. Individuals from less-privileged backgrounds must be the decision makers, not given a spotlight temporarily to benefit the career of someone else more privileged, e.g. in academic research, business entrepreneurship or innovative projects.
The social workers code of ethics at socialworkers.org states that social work is guided by the core values of: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. TCKidNOW follows these core values along with the systems theory, which explains human behavior as influenced by multiple subsystems, i.e. an individual’s school, family, economic class, cultural identity, friendships, etc., that operate interrelatedly within a larger system.Addressing an individual’s problem would then require looking at how the various subsystems are affecting each other as well as the individual directly. TCKidNOW also embraces the social work value of a person’s right to selfdetermination. The persons experiencing issues have within themselves solutions as the experts of their own lives, not a passive passenger of a clinician or coach who knows better.
THE APPROACHVALIDATESPRACTICEPROFESSIONALTHATOUR
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Informed by my less than economically-privileged seasons in my life and stories from other TCKs about limitations in accessing resources, I conducted a survey designed to measure certain privileges. The results of this first community needs survey confirmed class variances within the TCK population, usually thought to be mostly upper middle or upper class. The included infographic shows some findings and an overview of the TCKidNOW Community Mental Health Network, which aims to gather TCK/cross-cultural focused mental health service providers willing to charge sliding-scale fees according to income/cost-ofliving context for TCKs who cannot afford standard rates. Please consider joining the network. We are also seeking donors and businesses interested in sponsoring this program who would like exposure on our TCK and Cross-Cultural Kid social media platforms. In closing, I want to say that I am so grateful to see how far we’ve come as a tribe since the days when TCKs were still not considered a “valid population.” We all as a tribe did this! The International Therapist Directory has played a major role in healing and I hope that this network will provide an avenue for us all to worker together to spread even more love!
Individuals from less privileged backgrounds must be the decision makers, not given a temporary spotlight to benefit the career of someone else more privileged, e.g. in academic entrepreneurshipbusinessresearch,orinnovativeprojects.
Myra Dumapias, MSW, (BA English and World Literature) is the CEO of TCKidNOW. Myra is a 2nd generation TCK, daughter of a 2nd generation career diplomat, and mother of a domestic and international TCK and is a community organizer, writer, photographer, film geek and volunteer first responder. She grew up in in China, Malaysia, Ohio, Indiana, Manila, Germany and Romania and during college years, in South Korea. As an adult, she also lived in Bahrain. For more resources and to link to TCKidNOW or donate, SCAN HERE:
HOW YOU CAN HELPTHE HEALTHCOMMUNITYTCKIDNOWMENTALNETWORK
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Ocampo kids after school.Argentine tango. Mate tasting. Park Hyatt. Citty views. 96 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com BEHIND THE SCENES
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Ocampo kids, Liz’s mum with cousins. Argentine-italian influence in food. Night life in Buenos Aires. Breakfast at The Palace Hotel. Figurines from “Mafalda,” a famous comic strip character in the Spanish-speaking world. Park Hyatt.
HardinNiara WORLDHEARTOFTHE AWARDS THE ALCHEMIST 98 Summer 2022 | www.CultursMag.com
overlooked. Whom do you want to
our
and
and visions
The Culturs Awards celebrate the best and brightest of in-between community. From Third Culture Kids and Military B.R.A.T.s, to uplift amplify the brightest minds, talents of those oft celebrate? the best of the in-between at CultursMag.com/Culturs-Awards.
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immigrants, mixed-race, multi-ethnic and Expats, we want to
From Military B.R.A.T. Deidre Hardin, who designed the CULTURS AWARD: As an artist, the spark of creativity is fickle at best. I tend to start a concept, set it aside, then come back when it calls for my attention. I spent a day playing with ideas meant to express the meaning of the CULTURS award. Keywords like belonging, family, culture and food were some of the broad concepts I considered. By the evening, I had drained my mental toolbox and settled down to listen to an audiobook. “The Alchemist,” by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, was to be the catalyst that brought my efforts into fruition. My initial hesitation was with using copper to create the piece, my assumption being the award should be an elaborate material. This anxiety was swiftly laid to rest after a few sentences in the book stated, “There is no need for iron to be the same as copper or copper the same as gold… copper and iron have their own legends to fulfill.” Birthed from this unexpected inspiration came “The Alchemist Heart,” the title for the copper heart sculpture. The book is a metaphor for life. A story about a personal journey and how to listen to your heart and follow your dreams. The secrets of alchemy are said to exist on a small emerald tablet that can’t be expressed in words. The Alchemist can transmute lead into gold and uses a solvent called the elixir of life to cure all ills. The chaotically twisted copper design is an interpretation of a personal journey through travel, decisions and career paths. The top of the heart is left open to represent one’s courage to embark upon their possibilities. Therefore, I placed the faux emerald that symbolized the Philosopher’s Stone as the eye of the fish. The fish symbolized not only food but a biblical proportion in sharing a skill with others. The base, as referenced in the book, can be the elixir of life or the oceans of the world. As a whole, the piece may be interpreted as ocean-crossed global citizens who find home, happiness, and belonging within their hearts. No heart suffers while pursuing its dreams using lessons learned in discovering its legend. Ultimately, there is no magic panacea to one’s heart’s desire.
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