The Real Tahiti

This is for all of you who thought I would be spending the semester in paradise....

The real Tahiti... Approximately 131,000 people reside in Papeete, the capitol of French Polynesia and located in Tahiti, and its development shows. Hundreds of cars travel to and from the city; commuting is extremely time-consuming because Papeete is where a majority of people work, and there is also only one main road that enters and leaves the city. If someone lives across the island, oftentimes they have to leave work two or three hours prior. Traffic is mainly regulated by round-abouts, which can back up traffic the same as stoplights. Also, businesses that are based in Papeete, such as Hinano and Air Tahiti, contribute to the amount traffic flowing in and out of the city because they are sources of employment. 

Tahiti is not as clean as most people might believe. As beautiful as the island is in certain areas, trash is littered throughout the streets, alongside the roads and corners, as well as on the beaches. Clusters of trash, cans, and bottles are observable once you leave the resorts. In addition to trash, sometimes the occasional smell of sewage occurs in Papeete, and wild chickens and dogs stroll throughout the island. 

Homeless dogs roam the streets throughout the island. At the university, they stroll through the café or cafeteria and lounge where students congregate. Personally, it is difficult to watch these dogs beg for attention or food. There are simply not enough people who want to own a dog, nor do a lot of people desire to keep a dog as a pet. Owning a dog is quite difficult because most people keep their homes as open as possible for ventilation, and dogs can also run away when the gates to their driveway are opened. People can call an organization that will come to euthanize a dog, but it does not appear many people do this. 

Despite what people believe, Tahiti is not a paradise. Living in Tahiti is different than vacationing the island. Although it has gorgeous beaches and beautiful colored water, paradise does not consist of geological landscapes, like I once believed. When living in Tahiti, you notice cultural differences and experience the hospitality from others living on the island as well as the frustrations that result in adapting and integrating into a different culture. It is sometimes difficult, but if an individual has the desire to become familiar with Polynesian culture, he or she will leave with a greater understanding of what lies behind just a beautiful beach.