A very interesting experience… (mid-journal)
Although this may not seem like the typical blog entry, it is certainly worth noting 
I know I may have shared this with some of you…it was a very shocking event.
I was at Elena’s ice cream in the Rodney Bay Beach area (which is a popular spot to get ice cream especially later at night) and I was with Diana and Nicole. Me and Diana were laughing about something as I walked past a table and I accidentally stubbed his toe. He looked shocked because he thought that i was laughing at him although I was merely laughing at Diana’s jokes. I assured him that i was not laughing at him and I apologized. He did not seem to take this lightly. Me and Diana then went to another area, near the playground and he followed me and confronted Diana and asked why she was laughing at her and she said she wasn’t. He then proceeded to scream at me, as I was terrified that in his anger he could do anything. He then proceeded to ask me why it was so funny and if I liked getting my toe stubbed. He stepped on my toe and went away.
This experience made me realize how as being use to the American culture, we tend to laugh freely which is something that I would have never thought of altering until that day.
This is indicative of many of my experiences in Saint Lucia, in the sense of self-awareness that it brings you. I was never aware that i laughed so much, and that it would make it seem as if you were laughing at the other person. I felt that this brought my understanding of how the cultures were different to another level. Although at the time the experience was not very delightful, and although me and that particular man did not leave with having a good interaction between us, I felt that it still created a learning experience that I need to be careful of how much culture and every day behaviors can be taken as offense and as being a typical tourist infringing on a lifestyle of a country.
My experiences with the locals, although limited, were the most challenging yet rewarding experiences. I felt that I definitely understood the culture more and more as time went bye due to the continued interactions with some locals. Being able to talk about values, morals, expectations in all aspects of life helps you to see how you are similar and different. Discussing political issues with the locals also gives you a new sense of world view of just how the country runs. All of this I feel is valuable and I feel very lucky that most tourists intentionally avoid all of these experiences just because of the convenience of not wanting to stretch their horizons and be confronted with any situation which may make them feel uncomfortable. Yet how can you ever become aware of yourself and your culture without being uncomfortable and learning why you feel that way in certain social spheres?
