The Culture Of The Puerto Rican Culture By Avis Giegerich

The culture I researched is the Puerto Rican culture. I interviewed Avis Giegerich. She was born in New Jersey, but she did spend a few years living in Puerto Rico when she was younger. Even though I have known her for several years I still learned more than I thought I would. For the first question it was revealed that she prefers to be called Boricua which is another word for Puerto Rican.
The second question asked what influences her the most and Ms. Giegerich reveals that she was heavily influenced by her grandparents and mother. She also told me she tries to do everything she can to please them and make them happy. She also told me that she was not allowed to go to the pool hall because good girls (Latinas) did not go there, but her brother
Giegerich says her culture values are God, family, and the elderly. She told me that she remembers being in church a good bit during her childhood. When she had her boys, she had them christened Catholic. The Puerto Rican culture places high value on family time. She said Christmas is a very joyous time for her culture as they go from family to family eating and drinking with each other. The Puerto Rican culture will also include their neighbors in the fellowship. Ms. Giegerich has told me many times the Puerto Ricans will take care of their guests. For example, they will make sure their guests are fed and have a place to stay when they visit. As for the elderly, they place a high respect and value on them. They do not place them in nursing homes, but they will take care of them at home. Some of her favorite pastimes she mentioned was getting together with her family and eating good food while drinking adult beverages. She said the family will often play dominos and possibly a card game called brisca. Brisca is family card game and from what I understand can be a little confusing at
Giegerich does follow the news in Puerto Rico as she still has family down there. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, there were a few tense days as Ms. Giegerich and her family could not get in touch with the family on the island. Her mother, Mrs. Boatner, saw the destruction of her beloved island and former home and it hurt her. Mrs. Boatner told me there was virtually nothing left as the hurricane took it all away and the once lush rainforests were ripped apart. It was hard to hear them talk of their former home and the destruction that took place. It is more Mrs. Boatner that talks to the family down in Puerto Rico than anyone else in the family. Ms. Giegerich also told me that alcoholism and drugs have gotten very bad on the island. She said when she went down there she saw many people strung out on heroine walking around. From what I understand this has not affected their family directly, but they are afraid one day it will.
The one holiday Avis and her family does celebrate that many Americans do not celebrate is The Three King’s Day. It is celebrated on January 6 each year as that is the day that the wise men reached Jesus to give him their gifts. She said it is a lot like celebrating Christmas all over again. Parents and children will often leave out straw or grass for the camels to eat. It is said that as the camels travel through the night they will eat the grass or straw. It is similar to leaving milk and cookies out for Santa. Families will take this day and