The World is a Rainbow

As a native Californian and "Los Angelino", I have always loved the cultural diversity here at home. I've traveled to other parts of the country where that same diversity lacks GREATLY. EVERYONE there looked the SAME, and there was just no "flavor" in anything. And I'm not talking about food, I'm talking about, spice, pizzazz...the stuff that makes people and places interesting. There just wasn't any in those other parts of the country.

But here...

So today at work, one of the guys brought in a sweet bread. At first I wasn't really sure WHAT it was because it didn't look like anything I'd ever had or seen before. So I passed.

Later, he sent out an email letting us know that it was a "special" cake and if we ate some we might get a "surprise".

Hmmm???

At that point I was curious so I went in to get a slice. Before getting a slice we were instructed to READ about the bread first. So...I did.

Turns out that the cake had baby Jesus-es hidden inside and whoever got a slice with a baby Jesus in it had to host a meal or something like that.

Hmmmm...

Did I still want a piece?

I mean, how BIG is this baby Jesus?

What's it made out of?

Will I KNOW if I have one?

And what kind of meal will it have to be if I do?

Well, curiosity got the best of me and I had a slice. Tasted like the regular pan dulce that I get from my local mercado. And I like that.

So I ate my bread, and didn't get a "surprise". I was ok with that.

More than the bread though, I enjoyed hearing my co-workers talk about it. Some were quite serious. Others made me giggle. Either way, I learned something new today. Something that I probably wouldn't have learned in certain other parts of the country.

It left me a bit disappointed though too. As a Black (African-American...whatever we call ourselves) woman, I wish that my culture had more African traditions to celebrate. Most of us here though are so far removed from our African roots, we wouldn't know where to begin with "traditions". With slavery, we were stripped of our language, traditions, and yes...even religion. It saddens me at times to think that if I were to ever travel to Africa, I wouldn't even know which country to call my "home". I have NO IDEA where my African ancestors came from. And that...is a dag-gon shame.

Anywhoo...

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR favorite cultural tradition?

Talk to me!

Til next time...