Distant Lands

             I traveled with a friend to a resort in the Republic of Cape Verde earlier this month.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Republic of Cape Verde is a cluster of ten volcanic islands off the northern coast of Africa.  Nine of these islands are inhabited and have become a holiday hot spot for Europeans.  The tropical climate, beauty and close proximity attracts large numbers of tourists from the UK, Portugal, Germany, France and Italy. This isn’t the case for Americans. I was greeted with a certain amount of surprise when I disclosed my country of origin with one person even exclaiming, “wow, you are really far away from home.”  Yes, yes, I was.

            Cape Verde has only been an independent country for the past 39 years.  I was told that the changes that have taken place during these years have been positive.  Residents were happy to discuss the beauty of their country and how much better it got every day.  The government is growing and developing, but as with all countries, there are still a few issues that should be addressed.  I am sure changes could be implemented on each island.  However, I’d like to focus on the one I spent the most time on: Boa Vista. 

            As a tourist advised not to drink local water, I was very pleased to see that bottled, clean drinking water was readily available on the RUI resort.  Better yet, the Coca-Cola Company was one of the beverage corporations providing the product.  I felt secure in drinking their product.  However, I was saddened to see that bottles were disposed of randomly about the island outside of the resort.  I was told by members of the hotel staff that there were no recycling programs on the island. This was truly evident. Litter was seen for miles along the streets, on the public beaches and in the ocean.  Couldn’t @CocaColaCo begin a dialog with President Jorge Carlos Feonseca @presidenciaCV and their government to establish a recycling program to benefit the people and environment of Cape Verde? It broke my heart to see so much trash discarded on the beach and in the water.  The beauty of Boa Vista was blemished with trash.

            Within the RUI resorts, there were several stray cats and dogs that were cared for by guests as well as the hotels.  The hotel employees advised us that they had vets treat the animals to prevent guests from being exposed to potential disease.  However, none of these animals were spay or neutered so the stray population rises.  Perhaps a program can be established with prominent veterinary schools to help create spay/neuter clinics throughout the country? With this in mind, I’m hoping this blog entry gets the attention of a few organizations and people who may be able to help implement change and develop the proper relationships to help bring these changes to fruition.  People such as @cesarmillan @rickygervais and organizations like the @ASPCA @HumaneSociety - is there any way this can be addressed? Are there international organizations that can intervene?

            I see a great deal of opportunity to improve the quality of life on the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde by addressing these two issues.  If a strong recycling program is introduced and funds are given for each water bottle and glass bottle then littering will decrease.  If animal welfare groups help to establish a spay/neuter program then there will be fewer starving stray cats and dogs in the streets. 

            I know, I am one American woman who brings her views and ideals to a very different culture.  I understand that not everyone in the world sees things in the same light. Still, wouldn't it be wonderful if pollution didn't exist and animals were all healthy and loved? Perhaps I'm describing Utopia.

Off the Grid

     If you read this blog, you may have noticed that I've been inactive for a bit over a week.  I took my vacation and traveled out of the country going off the grid.  I was completely unplugged from the USA and any news of my country. It was both a nice change and completely alarming.  I have felt a bit lost upon my return home.

     As I get my bearings and gather my thoughts (I did a lot of writing while I was away) I plan on posting a more detailed entry.  Meanwhile, enjoy the beginning of fall which is fast approaching.   

A Women's Place

            I must confess that I am completely baffled by the anti-feminist movement. Why would any woman be against feminism?  I did a bit of research and came across an article in the Washington Post titled Is this what an anti-feminist movement looks like?  It includes the Tumblr account with the photos I’ve seen going around on social media holding up signs that have anti-feminist statements. 

I have noticed that the word feminist is being poorly received by some young women. I believe the negative connotations stem from a misinterpretation of the word as well as a misrepresentation of the word by certain conservative groups.  A feminist is not anti-man; a feminist supports the rights and equality of women in all things and in all places. 

As a leader in the feminist movement, Gloria Steinem has been talking about the value of women for decades.  She raised her voice and helped us gain perspective on who we are, what we deserve and what we are capable of.  In fact, earlier this year she had a conversation with Jennifer Aniston on the subject. If you aren’t aware of her work please visit www.gloriasteinem.com and learn more.

Young American girls today may not realize how many limitations were placed on women in the past.  Because of the work of feminist women we have the right to vote, to work and to have an education.  It’s not like that in every country. Do you believe that Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for going to school, would be anything other than a feminist?  Young girls like Malala Yousafzai and women like Gloria Steinem help pave the way for the rest of us so that a women’s place is anywhere she wants it to be. Learn more about all of this before taking up any sign.