Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5632/-1/133/
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Celebration Of Youth - Lasting Memories
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I arrived in Dominica, The Nature Isle of the Caribbean, this past Friday January 25 to attend carnival and visit the many natural wonders this small island nation has to offer. So far, I have been through Portsmouth, Roseau, through many small villages; Bellevue, Bagatelle and Fond St. Jean. With additional visits to Trafalgar Falls, the Botanical Gardens, Champagne Springs in the volcanic crater of Soufriere, the Fresh Water Lake on top of Morne Trois Pitons and many visits to the sea, I have been able to witness something that is not too common in Anguilla.
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First cousins sharing memories of a lifetime together at Donkey beach in Canefield, Dominica.
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There is much national tourism here as there is so much beauty and so many activities. With that being said, in every corner I have visited, it has been great to meet and speak with the many children who were enjoying the natural wonders of their island. Lately, especially in Anguilla, there has been a push towards helping children be more aware of their natural surroundings and appreciating them, so it was refreshing to see Dominican children relishing their amazingly green island.
When one visits a place as beautiful as Dominica, it is common to look for similarities in other places one has visited before. I was reminded of my visits to Costa Rica because of the lush green mountain sides, natural flowing rivers and volcanic peaks. At night, the intense sound of the insects reminded me of my home where I grew up in Florida and it brought an overwhelming sense of peace. Seeing the children playing here in Dominica reminded me of my youth and made me think that when we are young there are certain things we do and experience that will have a lasting effect on us for the rest of our lives. Wherever the playful children end up, they will always remember the times they spent playing at the Dominican rivers or meeting under the bamboo trees in the botanical gardens where they had their first kiss as an adolescent.
It is important to provide opportunities for our children to experience the beauty of their home so that we can instil in them a greater sense of national pride. Being a child, as I have said many times before, is rough. It is a time wrought with great uncertainty, low self-efficacy and fright. Whenever the opportunity arises for them to create positive memories, we as adults know, that in times of trials and tribulations, it will be those positive experiences that will remind us of who we are.