barriomulas.com - Just Kickin' it like a Jibaro

George Dawson Flinter, former Venezuelan elitist who left the country after it gained its independence had relocated to Puerto Rico where he later wrote a book titled "An Account of the Present State of the Island of Porto Rico." His description of the rural peasants was quite entertaining:

Riding out one afternoon... I was overtaken by one of those sudden showers of rain... I fled for shelter to the nearest house, which happened to be the cottage of a poor Xivaro... He was coiled up in a hammock of such small dimensions, that his body was actually doubled in two; one foot rested ont he ground, with which he propelled the hammock to and fro; and at intervals with his great toe he turned a large sweet potato, which was roasting on a few embers, placed on a flag on the ground close to him, and which no doubt was intended for his evening meal. He had a guitar in his hand, from which he produced sounds which appeared to me discordant, but seemed to please him exceedingly. On my entrance he turned on his side, and offered me the hammock, which of course I refused to accept. Two small children, perfectly naked, were swinging to and from in another small hammock, and greedily devouring large roasted plantains.

Chillin'!