Читать книгу Memories of Hell, Visions of Heaven - Esther Joseph - Страница 8

Nestled in the Eastern part of the Caribbean, is the tiny island of Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia’s historical background plays out like the myth of Helen of Troy. Just as Helen’s beauty ignited the passions of two men obsessed with possessing her and in turn, started the Trojan War, so did the beauty of Saint Lucia ignite the passions of two countries determined to claim her. Like Helen, Saint Lucia’s suitors engaged in bitter wars to possess her.

People fondly refer to Saint Lucia as “The Helen of the West.” Growing up, I heard many stories as to how the island got that name. However, my favorite theory claims that Juan de Cosa, an explorer traveling with Columbus, was so smitten that he exclaimed something like, “A beauty as magnificent as Helen of Troy! My, I think we’ve found our Helen in the West.”

Before any Europeans set foot on Saint Lucia, Arawak Indians and their enemies, the Caribs, inhabited the island. In 1499, Columbus and his crew laid eyes and boots on Saint Lucia. The British and French soon followed. By that time, both the French and British were madly in love and wanted to acquire her. Around 1660, the British colonized the island by signing a treaty with the remaining Caribs. Disputes set ablaze conflicts that persisted for over 150 years. The island would change hands fourteen times, until finally, the French surrendered and the British gained ownership in 1814.

In 1842, English became the island’s official language. Although English is still the official language, local Saint Lucians speak a French Creole Patois.

In 1967, the year after my birth, England granted Saint Lucia autonomy. However, the island did not gain independence until 1979. Since then, Saint Lucia has been a stable democracy, but still operating within the British Commonwealth.

Saint Lucians elected the same prime minister from 1964 to 1996!

During Sir John Compton’s tenure, the once booming banana industry was falling behind other countries; education was not improving, many students did not have the opportunity to attend high school, and there were no higher education or vocational schools to speak of. The lack of educational prospects led to young people aimlessly roaming the streets, giving rise to teen pregnancy and delinquency.

Having a Prime Minister; English as the official language; driving on the left side of the street; and a passion for cricket, are British characteristics that Saint Lucia possesses. However, the things that give Saint Lucia its flavor come from France and other parts of the Caribbean.

Saint Lucia is a mere 238 square miles in size with a population of about 165,000 people, and a great variety of vegetation and animal life. Exotic plants grow wild in the rainforests, and gardens and yards proudly display tropical flowers. The clearest and bluest of waters I have ever seen surround the island, and the sea is warm and welcoming, just like the people who reside there.