Arrival

3.1.12

Yesterday I arrived in the Dominican Republic (DR) around 3pm… We went straight from the airport to a retreat in Santo Domingo.  In the evening we were given our first shots, and went filled out a lot more paperwork… We also got sized for our helmets (the DR is one of the last countries where the volunteers are allowed to ride on motorbikes).  We’re not allowed to ride on motorbikes until we leave Santo Domingo… and I’m really thankful for that because I don’t like what I see of it in this city.

Today was my first full day in the DR.  After breakfast we were taken to the Peace Corps (PC) training center where we were given a third orientation, where they gave us a schedule for our training.  In the afternoon we were given a brief training in DR culture and a survival language class where they tried to tell us everything that we needed to know how to say in 1 hour… Finally we were tested in our Spanish abilities so they could determine what our language capabilities were. 

Finally we were introduced to our host family.  My Donia’s name is Romula.  She is around 70 years old and is a grandmother.  She seems really nice and lives with her granddaughter Laura and Son.  My room is very nice but I’m going to have to get used to all the noise… There is a comaldo (store) across the street that plays very loud music.  I’m really nervous… but very excited to get started J

My Donia told me that on Saturday I’m going to go with her to San Francisco (a city two hours north of Santo Domingo) for her sister’s 80^th B-Day.

3.2.12

Today I woke up a little late so I had to take a carro publico with my Donia…In training we covered the basics of first aid and public transportation. Cobre me- means I pay you and Dejame- means leave me here... Cambios por favor - means that I need change, but you’re not supposed to ask for it right away because it kind of implies that he wasn’t going to give it to you…

After work I played cards with Laura.  I taught her house to play speed (rapido) and war (Guerra) and she taught me a few games and Dominos. 

3.3.12

Today I got up at 5:45 so I could go to San Francisco.  We left at 7am in a taxi for the Bus Station, where we met more of my Donia’s family.  I guess she has a Brother and sister in Santo Domingo.  On the bus there were lots of ppl trying to see candy and leche con chocolate. 

We traveled through lots of mountains and farms (I think they were rice farms)… When we got there it was a lot nicer than I expected.  There were lots of tables set up really nicely and there was a huge cake (looked like it was bigger than the cake I might have at my wedding some day…).  The first thing we did was go to church for a service in honor of my donia’s sister.  Then we came back and it was happy hour… everything was catered…  after we ate I sat outside with the kids for a while.  It was nice because there were two girls that had lived in the US with their parents so they spoke a little English…

On the way back we took guaguas (a cheaper bus) I think.  It was very crowded, and I never thought you could fit so many people in one bus.  The bus driver was good, but he made me nervous.  I guess instead of slowing down here, the driver just honks most of the time.   It’s up to the people to get out of the way. 

When I got home I tried to teach my Laura how to play soduko but I don’t think she liked it. 

3.4.12

Hoy es Domingo! Today I went to church at 7 am.  It was nice to meet all the people and I tried to understand the service.  After lunch my donia made me a grilled cheese sandwich with coffee.  Then Brendon and Barbara came and we went on a walk.  We went to a mini marcardo  and checked it out.  When I came back it was lunch time and my donia made carne, with some veggies and beans.  After lunch I got to meet Laura’s father (who works in a different city).  I think he only comes on Sunday.    In the evening my donia and I shared stories about animals…

3.5.12

Hoy es lunes!  Today was the first day of my language training.  I’m a 3 on the scale from 1-10. 

After language training we learned about water and all the things that come with it… diarrhea… malaria, and all the other things that make us sick…

3.6.12

I think I’m starting to really learn a lot more Spanish… When I think now, even in English the words kind of appear to me in Spanish too.  Sometimes I think of them in Spanish first.   

Today was our first day of technical training, and we started out with some icebreakers.  And a brief breakdown of the environmental state of the DR. 

After lunch we had a training on Mochismo in the DR… it was very interesting.  Then we had more Spanish training and finally we had a training in how to dance the merengue and a few other dances.