Adjusting

Since today is independence day and a national holiday, we did not have training and were even offered a free tour of the colonial district. The tour guide was fabulous and it was great to learn about the history of the city. I didn't realize that the Dominican Republic was basically the central hub of the Indies and the Americas. Afterwards we went to watch the military parade but we waited until it was already an hour past the official starting time and we got sick of waiting so we left. I got sunburned but felt really bad for the soldiers dressed up in full gear with hats, face paint, camping backpackts, etc. I'm sure their clothes must have been soaked within minutes.

This weekend also went really well. I was worried about being stuck at home and getting bored, but it turned out great. Saturday night I went out with most of the group to celebrate another volunteer's birthday. We went to a car wash which is where all the action happens at night. Car washes have music, dancing, and beer. I don't think I've actually seen a bar, but car washes are everywhere...my theory is because the ground there is already clean. Anyways, it was fun to hang out at night and try to dance merengue (although I made a fool out of myself). Sunday I went with another volunteer to an internet center where they give classes and we interviewed the owners to find out about IT stuff. It was really helpful for our projects. Then I went to see the dominican movie "Sanky Panky" which is about a dominican man who tries to get an american girlfriend to take him back to the US. It was hilarious in that awful way. And the actor who played an american was definately from a spanish speaking country and had a thick accent- pretty excellent. Everyone danced out of the aisles when it ended to the theme song: "hey there, sanky panky." WOW.

Thursday I head out to visit another volunteer for the weekend to see what life is like for her. I am really excited. We also meet other volunteers who come to training once or twice a week and it is always good to talk to them and ask questions. I'm amazed that they say the two years just fly by...

Each day I am getting used to it more and more here, but it's still amazing how things just function differently (like waiting an hour to get money changed when there were only 5 people in front of me in line). Time to go home now...Love you all.

Spaghetti sandwiches and guaguas

Well, training is going well so far. I was placed in the highest level spanish class and 2 of the people in the class were raised speaking spanish. There are 5 of us total and I am definately at the lowest level, but I figure it´s better to be with better speakers and learn from them. I just have to force myself to speak. We have been talking a lot about public transportation and yesterday we went on buses with a teacher into the center of the city and then back again. Driving here is a ¨desfio a la muerte¨ -a challenge to death or a death wish. They say you have to drive with 4 eyes. Public transportation can be a guagua (bus), a carro publico in which 6 people plus the driver sit, or a motoconcho (motorcycle). We are not allowed to ride motoconchos in Santo Domingo because they are too dangerous and will receive a class on how to ride one later on. Basically, public transportation is hilarious with about 100 different hand signals meaning different things depending on where you are and you can easily fing yourself with a stranger and a rooster on your lap in a car or squished in someone´s armpit on a bus. We have to take both a guagua and a carro publico to get to training but topday we walked which takes hardly more time and is much more enjoyable (especially when we sit all day). Tomorrow we will go with our spanish classes to visit the peace corps office, the clinic where we are to go in case of emergency, and some other important places.
Today I also got my assignment for my volunteer visit. In about a week and a half we are each spending the weekend with a volunteer to see how their project is, what they live like, etc. I will be going to the south west somewhat towards the border. I am excited to see a real IT volunteer in action. Today we also had our first IT meeting and I feel much better about my nonexistant skill level. The people who are training us are really great and qwell any anxieties.
Life at the house is going well. I got served a spaghetti sandwich for dinner one night (yes, spaghetti put inside of bread) but usually I get great food like rice, beans, plantains, meat, etc. I better be off ebcause I´m worried about staying out too late and them getting worried. I definately ahve to get used to the whole sitting around thing. Love you and hope you are all doing well.

First days in country

I am in the Dominican Republic! I wanted to let everyone know I have arrived safe and sound. We arrived on the 15th, spent the first night in a "retreat" center where we had general introductions and lined up for our first shot of many. It was kind of funny seeing 30 people in a row getting a mosquito net, malaria pills, and then a rabies shot. Welcome to the DR. The next day we headed out to our training center which is kind of on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. The center itself is quite beautiful and tranquil. They said that the DR is one of the 3 noisiest countries in the world (bring your earplugs) and I believe it. But yeah, the training center is very nice and the people there are all great too. I was feeling really confident about my spanish abilities after hearing the people there speak and talking with some. Then, at the end of the day, we were picked up by our host families. It was like they were speaking another language. Dominicans pronounce about half of each word and when they speak slower to try and help, they don't actually pronounce any more of it. Anyways, my family is very nice- a Dona, her daughter, and three grandsons. We have running water 3-4 days a week and the electricity comes and goes. There are also about 6 or so chickens and a rooster which crows alllll night long. Aparently, most of the families we are staying with are considered lower middle class. pretty interesting. So, last night we talked a little and I showed her the pictures of my family. This morning she helped me and my neighbors (3 other volunteers are living in the houses next door) get to training and then we came home at 1ish. They don't seem to have a lot of planned activities (although one volunteer aparently went to a wedding his first night) but rather just sit around and chat. Definately a different pace of life. So yeah, I better head back before my absence becomes an oddity. I will try and report more and communicate on a more personal basis as time goes on. Much love to everyone.

Arrival in DC

Well, I have arrived in DC and am sitting in the hotel using my roomate's computer. I have already been quite the busy bee...Last night I had dinner with some fabulous friends, today I already went out to breakfast with Sue, and lunch with Lexi is right around the corner! We officially start at about 2 or 3 today. I have two other girls in my room- Robin from Montana and Cindy from Denver. Both seem really nice so far and I am excited to meet the rest of the crew! Not much to report yet, but I am taking advantage of internet access while I have it...

Despedida

Tonight we had a dinner with the whole gang. There was my dad's famous caesar salad, an amazing lemon meringue pie, and other yummy food. It was great to see everyone one last time and having everyone in the same room made me think about all the wonderful people in my life, how much support I have, and how lucky I am. I had all my second parents, Noah and Alex, my cousin, and one of my oldest friends. I will miss everyone so much. And, of course, no celebration is complete without a song, a poem, and apparently a "pueblo prayer." I even saw a tear... Anyways, it is all feeling pretty real right now. I am getting so excited for my new adventure (but also thinking about what it means to be leaving home). Thank you to everyone who came tonight and to those of you who aren't nearby, I wish I could give you all hugs! T - 4 days and counting!