Suriname = United Nations

Suriname is without question the most ethnically tolerant place and ethnically mixed place I have ever been. The people here come in every shape, mix and colour. Well, there aren't too many white people I guess. And those that are white most certainly are not from here.

It's really interesting to see that Maroons will marry Hindustani's and Chinese will marry Creole's and there seems to be no backlash for it at all. It seems that the populations are so mixed there is no beginning and no end to the races. Most interesting is that everyone seems to live in harmony. It's really quite something to witness.

Last night I went to a wedding party actually. I'll post a photo later to show the tradional dress. At the wedding everyone was encouraged to wear white and green. It was odd to imagine at first, but then you arrive and everyone is in the same colours, it was actually quite nice. The wedding party was at the home of the bride and groom. The bride was a 30 something black woman from Suriname. The groom was well, let's just say he was a significantly older white man from Belgium. I have some definite opinions about the union. For love or money, you decide!!

The wedding was also my first chance to see the dance-style of Suriname. Let's just call it lewd and leave it at that. It didn't bother me exactly, though I found it disturbing to see young girls (the age of my neices) thrusting their hips about in such a way. At that age, can you even understand what movements like that mean...or should you be able to understand what movements like that mean. I had this terrible thought that I fought to get out of my mind...no wonder they have a problem with HIV/AIDS here. I know, I shouldn't think that way and like I said, I have to fight with my own upbringing to not prejudice myself that way. It's just the first thing that came to my mind. I didn't say it was right, just an immediate response. It's a different culture than I'm used to and I find it shocking that such behaviour is not only accepted but encouraged in such young girls.

Check back soon. I'll post pictures from the wedding.