It has been a while since I have written because I feel like nothing has happened worth sharing. On the other hand, my daily life here is much different than that in the States and when I first arrived I would have written pages about the things I do everyday because they would seem foreign. Now that I have been here two months, everything that was once alien has become so normal that I am almost blind to it. Had I been walking down a street in California and found myself in a Dominican neighborhood, I would probably have pulled out my cell phone and called for the first possible transportation out of there. Some mornings, before the sounds of motorcycles or the music blaring from skyscraper-sized speakers of the local general store begins, I laugh because it hits me all at once that I am living life in a different culture. There are not many ways to experience a culture the way Peace Corps volunteers are able to. You not only get adequate training and integration through staying with host families all over the country for six months, but you also have the support of United States’ government and the country you serve in as well. What piece of mind I have knowing that the government supports and provides for me. The concept of you get what you give may not be true from a fiscal point in the United States but it certainly is in the Peace Corps.
My mind is dreaming big. Before I came I would get asked the question what do you plan on doing after the Peace Corps and I never had an answer because I knew that after two years I would have a much different perspective than what I had coming in. Now I see this as only the beginning. I do not want my adventures to ever stop and there is no point starting a career when learning new cultures and languages is something I would be earning money to do in the first place. While there may not always be jobs that will support my hunger to experience cultures, I think there will always be somewhere that could use my experience and heart for improving the life skills of children around the world. I am already starting to dream of where I can go and what I can do after I finish the Peace Corps. While I write that last sentence, I feel foolish because I have yet to even be sworn-in as a volunteer and have done nothing to improve the quality of life for youth in this country, but if people can be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for simply sharing a vision, it is only fair for me to share my vision with you. With the skills we learn here it is possible to live anywhere and become a valued member in the country of your choice. I am thankful to be part of an organization that seeks to empower Americans by giving them a global view. If we can teach citizens back home anything it is that we have the power to affect real change no matter who the president is, no matter who are parents are, or what neighborhood we grew up in. When it comes down to it, we are responsible for serving others, and we will fail if we wait for circumstances to permit us to do so. How many people chose not to participate in the government and make a change just because they dislike who the President was? How many people choose not to make a difference in their neighborhoods just because they have less than their neighbors? The world can not depend on those who "have" to be the majority of aid to those who "have-not" because those who "have" and those who "have-not" is a relative term that only exist when we focus on what is lacking and not what we are fortunate to have. You can never have too little to begin helping and serve your country. Too many times I heard people talk with passion about what they lacked instead of talking with passion about what they had. Too many times I saw people do nothing because they spent their days thinking about what they could not do instead of what they were able to do. What I am saying is do not wait for the circumstances to be just right because that time may never come or when it does it maybe too late. It is like saving money, the majority of people think they need financial stability before they can start saving. We need to live like we want to live regardless of our circumstances. If you see other people or our circumstances as a means of achieving what you want to do, you have not yet realized the power you already have. It starts with a thought; it is up to you to manifest them onto the world.
I have always believed these thoughts, but until know I feel as though I am actually living it. Here is some wise words from the great Dr. Suess!
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a yes or a no
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake,
or a pot to boil, or a better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants,
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
No!
That's not for you!
About Me
- Dominican Don
- Northern-California native, trying to do as much as I can in the time I have here.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
George Constanza
Patronales
We are in the middle of Patronales week here in Constanza and it has really added to the overall experience of our training. Every town in the Dominican Republic has their own Saint and once or twice a year they have week long celebrations that are comparable to a county fair back home. There are your vendors selling useless trinkets like plastic jewelry and factory manufactured bracelets and clothes with stereotypical symbols of playboy bunnies and marijuana leafs. Then you have the food vendors selling pizza, beer, and a local favorite; hot dog on a stick. No not the hot dog on a stick where the employees where those tacky multi-color uniformed but the hot dog on a stick where a guy as a charcoal grill and a plastic bag of maybe 50 unrefrigerated dogs. It is only a matter of time before I give in and purchase a salty dog. They have also seemed to skip the carnival games that rob the parents of children of all their money in hopes of a stuffed animal worth less the value of the actual game and moved right on to gambling for adults using a wheel with nails and a spinner with twenty different numbers, basically a makeshift roulette. My favorite part by far is the street dancing. While there are first-class concert stages set up with jumbo-tron-esque screen, the real magic happens when a SUV parks near the festivities, opens the rear barn door completely filled with speakers and blares meringue, bachata, and reggaeton. For the amount of people who dance in this country I was sure that they would all be dancing like pagans but it turns out in large functions they just stand around and as soon as someone does start dancing (like me) everyone stops and stares as if some official side show had began. I don’t mind the attention but I would have loved if everyone would have begun dancing as well. The dancing here has some rhyme and reason to it, and everyone of every age knows how. Tonight is the last night of Patronales week and I look forward to one last night of festivities.
Aguas Blancas
For the second week in a row I have had the experience of a lifetime riding in the back of a pickup truck, throwing caution to the wind and admiring some of the most beautiful scenery the Dominican Republic has to offer. Last week we headed up to the center of the country for a service project and this weekend my sector went up to a famous waterfall to swim in icy waters. Having a better understand of how to ride comfortably in the back of a pick truck going through winding roads and rocky paths we packed pillows and blankets to save our backs from being tortured. I prefer to stand at the very front so I can feel the wind in my face and get a good view of the rolling hills. I brought my iPod this time which really made a difference in the magic of the ride. While I was disconnected from the conversation of the group, I was having a spiritual journey in my own right. When the truck was not whipping through turns I imagined I was experiencing what ancient roman generals felt when being pulled around the country side in chariots. As for the waterfall, it was picturesque and was deep enough to jump off rocks. Some of the volunteers climb to some extremely high points but being so far away from a hospital I thought I would hold off on the acrobatic stunts. From what I hear, the Dominican Republic is filled with day trip adventures and I plan on seeing all of them.
We are in the middle of Patronales week here in Constanza and it has really added to the overall experience of our training. Every town in the Dominican Republic has their own Saint and once or twice a year they have week long celebrations that are comparable to a county fair back home. There are your vendors selling useless trinkets like plastic jewelry and factory manufactured bracelets and clothes with stereotypical symbols of playboy bunnies and marijuana leafs. Then you have the food vendors selling pizza, beer, and a local favorite; hot dog on a stick. No not the hot dog on a stick where the employees where those tacky multi-color uniformed but the hot dog on a stick where a guy as a charcoal grill and a plastic bag of maybe 50 unrefrigerated dogs. It is only a matter of time before I give in and purchase a salty dog. They have also seemed to skip the carnival games that rob the parents of children of all their money in hopes of a stuffed animal worth less the value of the actual game and moved right on to gambling for adults using a wheel with nails and a spinner with twenty different numbers, basically a makeshift roulette. My favorite part by far is the street dancing. While there are first-class concert stages set up with jumbo-tron-esque screen, the real magic happens when a SUV parks near the festivities, opens the rear barn door completely filled with speakers and blares meringue, bachata, and reggaeton. For the amount of people who dance in this country I was sure that they would all be dancing like pagans but it turns out in large functions they just stand around and as soon as someone does start dancing (like me) everyone stops and stares as if some official side show had began. I don’t mind the attention but I would have loved if everyone would have begun dancing as well. The dancing here has some rhyme and reason to it, and everyone of every age knows how. Tonight is the last night of Patronales week and I look forward to one last night of festivities.
Aguas Blancas
For the second week in a row I have had the experience of a lifetime riding in the back of a pickup truck, throwing caution to the wind and admiring some of the most beautiful scenery the Dominican Republic has to offer. Last week we headed up to the center of the country for a service project and this weekend my sector went up to a famous waterfall to swim in icy waters. Having a better understand of how to ride comfortably in the back of a pick truck going through winding roads and rocky paths we packed pillows and blankets to save our backs from being tortured. I prefer to stand at the very front so I can feel the wind in my face and get a good view of the rolling hills. I brought my iPod this time which really made a difference in the magic of the ride. While I was disconnected from the conversation of the group, I was having a spiritual journey in my own right. When the truck was not whipping through turns I imagined I was experiencing what ancient roman generals felt when being pulled around the country side in chariots. As for the waterfall, it was picturesque and was deep enough to jump off rocks. Some of the volunteers climb to some extremely high points but being so far away from a hospital I thought I would hold off on the acrobatic stunts. From what I hear, the Dominican Republic is filled with day trip adventures and I plan on seeing all of them.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Strings and Kings
Strings and Kings
Life here can be like living in a snow globe. Being shaken around and everything is flying everywhere and your never in the same place only to land calmly at the bottom only to do it all over again. For now I can appreciate the constant change because it is something a person can get used to and adapt to but I hope at some point I will look back and appreciate the challenges I overcame during training. If anything this is just that first quarter in college and the bucket showers I take and the stomach sickness is all part of hazing. When look at it through that perspective, it makes everything flow better and I look forward to what is to come and the activities I am in now. Like I have written before I am grateful for this position and will never take it for granted.
What is to come!
Our group is taking off to a place that is only accessible by riding on the back of a truck and then a motorcycle so I will be disappointed if I do not come back with stories and pictures worth sharing. This week the city I am living in is also kicking off their patronales week were they celebrate their patrons. I think it is an excuse to sell more stuff and party in the streets. Our director strongly recommends that we take part in everything we can.
Keep reading and send me comments, I can’t get enough of them!!!!
Life here can be like living in a snow globe. Being shaken around and everything is flying everywhere and your never in the same place only to land calmly at the bottom only to do it all over again. For now I can appreciate the constant change because it is something a person can get used to and adapt to but I hope at some point I will look back and appreciate the challenges I overcame during training. If anything this is just that first quarter in college and the bucket showers I take and the stomach sickness is all part of hazing. When look at it through that perspective, it makes everything flow better and I look forward to what is to come and the activities I am in now. Like I have written before I am grateful for this position and will never take it for granted.
What is to come!
Our group is taking off to a place that is only accessible by riding on the back of a truck and then a motorcycle so I will be disappointed if I do not come back with stories and pictures worth sharing. This week the city I am living in is also kicking off their patronales week were they celebrate their patrons. I think it is an excuse to sell more stuff and party in the streets. Our director strongly recommends that we take part in everything we can.
Keep reading and send me comments, I can’t get enough of them!!!!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Day To Remember
Quick note before reading this! My mom asked me to break up my blogs so they don’t hurt her eyes trying to read them all in one sitting so I went ahead and wrote my longest blog yet…sorry Mom but you can print them out and enjoy them on paper. However my mom had a great point and after this blog I will keep them shorter and trimmed to a single subject or experience. I will also be including pictures so that you can not only read all about my time here but see some of it too! Thanks for all the comments by the way!
A Day to Remember
When you start missing home you begin to think of every fun time you ever had …ever. Then you start to compare your past memories to the time you are currently having wherever you maybe that is not home and the comparison is a resounding victory for past memories. If you spend enough time in one place and around the right people, some of those past memories are of times in the place you are now, and if you really do it right home is no longer that place were you once lived but the place you made a new home of.
It has taken a lot of me to cut some strings from the comforts of home but with every memory I create here I feel more and more at home here in the Dominican Republic. Today was a day I will always remember. It would be better to say that the last 24 hours has been memorable. Okay actually I should rewind the tape a little bit more to tell you about a time I hope I never go through again. I awoke at two thirty in the morning with the strong smell of garlic as if someone was cooking a huge caldron right outside of my room. Since it was the middle of the night I thought it was a bit odd but after some of the things I have seen here I didn’t second guess it. I remember prior to consciousness I was dreaming that I shaved my moustache. Waking up to such a strong smell was displeasing but I thought I would be able to ignore the smell and get back to sleep. About a minute later things were escalating and I thought I may be experiencing what people call nausea but having only thrown up twice in my entire life I was not entirely sure. I got up and opened the creaky door that wakes up the entire household of six other people who share a single room and creped into the bathroom. There is no running water so the toilet was completely wet from the back splash of the previous person who flushed it using a large bucket of water. I thought about how pleasant it would be to vomit into the white porcelain toilets with plush shag rugs I am accustomed to in the States but was grateful for a toilet in this time none-the-less. Nothing was happening. I must have surely been mistaken and I was not sick just upset by the strong garlic smell. I sat down on the floor and a wave of discomfort and pain over came me and the feeling was unbearable. The thought of all the horrible viruses they warned us about in training flashed through my mind and at that point I knew I needed to reach out to someone. I stepped out into the hallway and said in my best Spanish, “soy enfermo”, if I was taking a Spanish grammar test I would of failed because I used the wrong verb for a temporary physical condition which is estoy, but it was also a possibility that my body was trying to tell me that this was not temporary and it could very much be something permanent. After the words left my mouth I heard nothing. No voices of confusion or disgruntled muffles but silence. So I tried my Spanish again and as I thought of the words to say I began to lose conscience and fell to the cold stone floor. The next thing I remember is my host Dad helping me off the ground and they quickly got my director who speaks English. While I was waiting for her, I took my own temperature from my medical kit provided by the Peace Corps and it read 93 degrees Fahrenheit. I wrote that down next to the time. 93? There is no way that could be right. I took my temperature again and this time is was 92. I shrugged it off since I did not feel any temperature discomfort. My director showed up and she was shivering. That’s the moment I started to believe what the thermometer had read. I told her my symptoms and she called the Peace Corps doctor immediately. As it was ringing I asked her if she could smell the garlic and after a couple sniffs she said there was no smell in the air at all. Uh oh. The doctor was unsure of the situation as well but was as thorough as one could be over the phone. My director decided to clean the thermometer and take her temperature to see if it was broken. Her temperature was a normal 98 degrees. Now I was really freaked out. I went back in the bathroom after warming up a little and began to make myself vomit. I think it was a good decision on my part because I began to feel a little more grounded. The doctor made sure that my director could stay the night in another room if things got worse. If I was still feeling as bad as I did then we would leave in the morning on a bus to the capital where I would receive full treatment in a hospital. Lucky for me my temperature balanced out but I was drained. I found enough strength to do my first presentation in Spanish that morning in front of my class and returned to my bed to sleep almost 24 hours straight. It was a scary experience to go through but I feel stronger and more prepared for anything that may come my way in the future. In some weird way I think it was all part of my training and something everyone should experience while surrounded by a great support system.
That was a bad memory, now for the one I was originally excited to write when I began this letter. The day after being sick my sector of 16 other Peace Corp volunteers planned a team building night to learn a little bit more about each other. At 8 pm we gathered and walked into the mountains that surround the town we live in. For the first time in the Peace Corps I felt like I was not among volunteers but friends. We shared stories of home, experiences that have shaped us, and plenty of inappropriate jokes and remarks. It was great moment for me personally because I knew things could only get better and we would grow closer as times goes on. The Peace Corps allows volunteers to take rest and relaxation days to visit other volunteers or just get caught up with personal time. I have heard that this is a necessary component of service especially in the first few months after training when we are all alone in our sites. After spending some quality time with other volunteers it helped remind me that we are not just here for work but to make lasting friendships as well.
The next day I woke up early because half of our group was going to meet with our Ecological youth groups to do a reforestation project somewhere in the mountains. The fact that I had never been part of a reforestation project made me all the more excited. We met near a basketball court in their neighborhood and waited for our transportation to take us up there. While we were waiting we got a few games of basketball in and by the time everyone showed up, there were 26 of us in total. Our transportation for the trip up the mountain was a red pickup truck with a large truck bed that fit us all in including our equipment. Finally I would get some real Dominican experience. We were told that the ride would only take around forty minutes so I thought that any seat I chose would be fine. Little did I know that the ride was three hours long all up hill through winding narrow dirt hills with drops of more than 300 hundred feet. Regardless of how dangerous the ride was it was breathtaking to see some of the views as we came up the mountain. You could imagine that an exotic island such as the DR would have plenty of snakes, predators, and other things that would enjoy us as a meal but the island actually has no insects or reptiles that are poison anywhere, nor does it have any large predators. Instead all I saw was large cows and bulls munching on some leaves off to the side and an occasional horse tied to a tree. After being rattled around in the back like a bunch of Mexican beans we arrived to a national park with a statue of a pyramid. It turns out that the statue marked the actual center of the country. I was really excited to see that but even more excited that we had finally reached or destination and that we all got hats and t-shirts for the event we were participating in. It turns out that the reforestation project was a trash pickup project in an area that did not have a residential area around it for more than 30 miles away. So as far as trash went we did not have much to pick up. We spent thirty minutes picking up whatever we could find and then ate a lunch of sandwiches and Tampico which they provided for all of us. As soon as we finished a news crew with photographers and cameras showed up and we then spent an hour acting like we were picking up trash and pretending to plants trees. The absurdity of it all kept me amused. Regardless of the little service we actually accomplished it was a wonderful time to bond with my friends and the youth groups in a outrageously beautiful place that was tranquil and private. The ride down was just as great with even more amazing views. The only downside is that we had to hall the trash back with us. The Dominican youth used it as pillows, as for me I stood up the entire ride in the front of the truck so I could see all the views and not be anywhere the trash bags full of broken glass and other hazardous materials. With the wind in my face and the presence of adventure in my heart I could not believe that the government was paying for this incredible experience. It was a unique trip that I will always remember.
This next weekend just the volunteers are headed to a place called Aguas Blancas which is supposed to be some beautiful waterfalls along with some incredible sites. I hope to share some more stories and provide you with some pictures to enjoy as well. I also wanted to write that while I am making new memories, I am often comforted and warmed by past memories of home and time spent with family and friends. My most recent one was going to get doughnuts late night with Andy, Ben, and Crosby. It is little memories like those that make me smile and provide me joy in an often foreign place. The memories I struggle most with is those of my parents because it is tough not having them to come home to, but my time living at home after college was the life of a prince and I am grateful for it because it allowed me to realize my desire to serve in the Peace Corps. I do not think I will have life as comfortable as I did the two years after graduating college but I am starting to realize the amount of personal growth that can occur when you are constantly out of your comfort zone. Even though I am not surrounded by family and friends I physically can feel the power of their love and support here thousands of miles away. Well maybe a few thousand miles away. My heart is calm here and I am getting used to adapting on a regular basis. May God keep us safe so that we can speak again.
A Day to Remember
When you start missing home you begin to think of every fun time you ever had …ever. Then you start to compare your past memories to the time you are currently having wherever you maybe that is not home and the comparison is a resounding victory for past memories. If you spend enough time in one place and around the right people, some of those past memories are of times in the place you are now, and if you really do it right home is no longer that place were you once lived but the place you made a new home of.
It has taken a lot of me to cut some strings from the comforts of home but with every memory I create here I feel more and more at home here in the Dominican Republic. Today was a day I will always remember. It would be better to say that the last 24 hours has been memorable. Okay actually I should rewind the tape a little bit more to tell you about a time I hope I never go through again. I awoke at two thirty in the morning with the strong smell of garlic as if someone was cooking a huge caldron right outside of my room. Since it was the middle of the night I thought it was a bit odd but after some of the things I have seen here I didn’t second guess it. I remember prior to consciousness I was dreaming that I shaved my moustache. Waking up to such a strong smell was displeasing but I thought I would be able to ignore the smell and get back to sleep. About a minute later things were escalating and I thought I may be experiencing what people call nausea but having only thrown up twice in my entire life I was not entirely sure. I got up and opened the creaky door that wakes up the entire household of six other people who share a single room and creped into the bathroom. There is no running water so the toilet was completely wet from the back splash of the previous person who flushed it using a large bucket of water. I thought about how pleasant it would be to vomit into the white porcelain toilets with plush shag rugs I am accustomed to in the States but was grateful for a toilet in this time none-the-less. Nothing was happening. I must have surely been mistaken and I was not sick just upset by the strong garlic smell. I sat down on the floor and a wave of discomfort and pain over came me and the feeling was unbearable. The thought of all the horrible viruses they warned us about in training flashed through my mind and at that point I knew I needed to reach out to someone. I stepped out into the hallway and said in my best Spanish, “soy enfermo”, if I was taking a Spanish grammar test I would of failed because I used the wrong verb for a temporary physical condition which is estoy, but it was also a possibility that my body was trying to tell me that this was not temporary and it could very much be something permanent. After the words left my mouth I heard nothing. No voices of confusion or disgruntled muffles but silence. So I tried my Spanish again and as I thought of the words to say I began to lose conscience and fell to the cold stone floor. The next thing I remember is my host Dad helping me off the ground and they quickly got my director who speaks English. While I was waiting for her, I took my own temperature from my medical kit provided by the Peace Corps and it read 93 degrees Fahrenheit. I wrote that down next to the time. 93? There is no way that could be right. I took my temperature again and this time is was 92. I shrugged it off since I did not feel any temperature discomfort. My director showed up and she was shivering. That’s the moment I started to believe what the thermometer had read. I told her my symptoms and she called the Peace Corps doctor immediately. As it was ringing I asked her if she could smell the garlic and after a couple sniffs she said there was no smell in the air at all. Uh oh. The doctor was unsure of the situation as well but was as thorough as one could be over the phone. My director decided to clean the thermometer and take her temperature to see if it was broken. Her temperature was a normal 98 degrees. Now I was really freaked out. I went back in the bathroom after warming up a little and began to make myself vomit. I think it was a good decision on my part because I began to feel a little more grounded. The doctor made sure that my director could stay the night in another room if things got worse. If I was still feeling as bad as I did then we would leave in the morning on a bus to the capital where I would receive full treatment in a hospital. Lucky for me my temperature balanced out but I was drained. I found enough strength to do my first presentation in Spanish that morning in front of my class and returned to my bed to sleep almost 24 hours straight. It was a scary experience to go through but I feel stronger and more prepared for anything that may come my way in the future. In some weird way I think it was all part of my training and something everyone should experience while surrounded by a great support system.
That was a bad memory, now for the one I was originally excited to write when I began this letter. The day after being sick my sector of 16 other Peace Corp volunteers planned a team building night to learn a little bit more about each other. At 8 pm we gathered and walked into the mountains that surround the town we live in. For the first time in the Peace Corps I felt like I was not among volunteers but friends. We shared stories of home, experiences that have shaped us, and plenty of inappropriate jokes and remarks. It was great moment for me personally because I knew things could only get better and we would grow closer as times goes on. The Peace Corps allows volunteers to take rest and relaxation days to visit other volunteers or just get caught up with personal time. I have heard that this is a necessary component of service especially in the first few months after training when we are all alone in our sites. After spending some quality time with other volunteers it helped remind me that we are not just here for work but to make lasting friendships as well.
The next day I woke up early because half of our group was going to meet with our Ecological youth groups to do a reforestation project somewhere in the mountains. The fact that I had never been part of a reforestation project made me all the more excited. We met near a basketball court in their neighborhood and waited for our transportation to take us up there. While we were waiting we got a few games of basketball in and by the time everyone showed up, there were 26 of us in total. Our transportation for the trip up the mountain was a red pickup truck with a large truck bed that fit us all in including our equipment. Finally I would get some real Dominican experience. We were told that the ride would only take around forty minutes so I thought that any seat I chose would be fine. Little did I know that the ride was three hours long all up hill through winding narrow dirt hills with drops of more than 300 hundred feet. Regardless of how dangerous the ride was it was breathtaking to see some of the views as we came up the mountain. You could imagine that an exotic island such as the DR would have plenty of snakes, predators, and other things that would enjoy us as a meal but the island actually has no insects or reptiles that are poison anywhere, nor does it have any large predators. Instead all I saw was large cows and bulls munching on some leaves off to the side and an occasional horse tied to a tree. After being rattled around in the back like a bunch of Mexican beans we arrived to a national park with a statue of a pyramid. It turns out that the statue marked the actual center of the country. I was really excited to see that but even more excited that we had finally reached or destination and that we all got hats and t-shirts for the event we were participating in. It turns out that the reforestation project was a trash pickup project in an area that did not have a residential area around it for more than 30 miles away. So as far as trash went we did not have much to pick up. We spent thirty minutes picking up whatever we could find and then ate a lunch of sandwiches and Tampico which they provided for all of us. As soon as we finished a news crew with photographers and cameras showed up and we then spent an hour acting like we were picking up trash and pretending to plants trees. The absurdity of it all kept me amused. Regardless of the little service we actually accomplished it was a wonderful time to bond with my friends and the youth groups in a outrageously beautiful place that was tranquil and private. The ride down was just as great with even more amazing views. The only downside is that we had to hall the trash back with us. The Dominican youth used it as pillows, as for me I stood up the entire ride in the front of the truck so I could see all the views and not be anywhere the trash bags full of broken glass and other hazardous materials. With the wind in my face and the presence of adventure in my heart I could not believe that the government was paying for this incredible experience. It was a unique trip that I will always remember.
This next weekend just the volunteers are headed to a place called Aguas Blancas which is supposed to be some beautiful waterfalls along with some incredible sites. I hope to share some more stories and provide you with some pictures to enjoy as well. I also wanted to write that while I am making new memories, I am often comforted and warmed by past memories of home and time spent with family and friends. My most recent one was going to get doughnuts late night with Andy, Ben, and Crosby. It is little memories like those that make me smile and provide me joy in an often foreign place. The memories I struggle most with is those of my parents because it is tough not having them to come home to, but my time living at home after college was the life of a prince and I am grateful for it because it allowed me to realize my desire to serve in the Peace Corps. I do not think I will have life as comfortable as I did the two years after graduating college but I am starting to realize the amount of personal growth that can occur when you are constantly out of your comfort zone. Even though I am not surrounded by family and friends I physically can feel the power of their love and support here thousands of miles away. Well maybe a few thousand miles away. My heart is calm here and I am getting used to adapting on a regular basis. May God keep us safe so that we can speak again.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Peace Corps Life is similar to Hollywood
Once again, sorry for any spelling erros or things that dont make sense. Enjoy!
The Peace Corps is often like every movie in the early 90’s. It starts off with someone who is having a difficult time with live; people do not understand them, they just moved to a new town, they go through a breakup or divorces, or they just lost their job, and if things get any harder they just might give up on it all…until that new girl comes along, or a voice telling them to build a baseball field and all of a sudden they have a reason to live and push on. You wake up welcoming the day with a smile on your face. Everything has purpose and it is has if you are looking through a new pairs of eyes. Of course there will come a time usually with thirty minutes left in the movie where someone tries to ruin you or everything accomplished looks as though it will come crashing but along comes a missing piece to the puzzle, or a friend that you thought you had lost and you make it through, not just make it through but you have triumphed, you are victorious, and you are celebrated. It is good to be you. Then the music begins and the credits begin to roll and if you’re lucky there just might even be a sequel to your adventure.
My movie has just begun and already I feel as though I am going through the difficult times. There are many hoops and hurdles to jump through and it has been a trying time. Sometimes I think it would be better to be a supporting cast member like Goose in Top Gun, or Ron in Harry Potter. Then again the supporting cast rarely gets the girl or the glory so I am grateful to overcome the challenges that lay ahead of me.
I am really lucky to be on this adventure. Sometimes I find myself to be complaining or comparing my situation and surroundings to the ease of life I had in the States and those are the most difficult of times for me here. Then there are times when I am too busy to think about anything with learning Spanish and working on training project. But the best of times is usually when things are winding down in the day and I look back on everything I got to do, the people I met, and the food I had on the table, and I become appreciative for the things I do have, and I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to expand my ability to serve. If I am not able to be appreciating my time here, I will most certainly become miserable and do a poor job. One of the times I never forget to thank God for His gifts is right before I pour a freezing cold bucket of water on me to shower. I am not sure what it is but it has always made the water feel a little warmer than it really is. I have actually began get used to it but it will be nice when I move to my site I will live in for two years which will definitely be much warmer than this area.
A little more on Castanza. I moved here on Thursday the 9th, and will be here until the 17th of October. This is my community based training and their 16 people in our sector. Of those 16, I work with 2 others to put together a community diagnostic and other projects which will aid us in learning how to carryout our projects after we are sworn in. Every group within our sector receives a youth group that has already been established for some time now. Lucky for my group we received a model youth group and they have been extremely inspirational and have breathed new life into my Peace Corps training. It is always a joy when we meet with them and they continue to impress me with the organization and knowledge. This past weekend, our youth group walked an hour towards a river it was really something special. This area is a valley surrounded by mountains and they grow a majority of the fruits, flowers, and vegetables for the Dominican Republic. When we reached the river it was almost as if we were walking by one giant waterfall. There were several places that we could have stopped and swam but we decided to push on and find a really secluded spot. I forgot to mention that in order to get there we needed to cross this wooden ladder/bridge which was a bit intimidating but everyone made it safely across. We enjoyed splashing around and enjoyed getting to know each other a little better.
Now that we are out of the capital we are able to exercise a little bit more. One of the female volunteers host mom wakes up every morning and does a brisk jog for an hour and a half. We were all excited to here that one morning and we woke up at 5:30 in the morning and jogged all the way down to this electric plant were there happens to be some stone stairs. At first we started to sprint up the stairs but then realized that there were about 200 of them. It didn’t help that half of them happened resembled a latter more than they did stairs. After questioning the sanity of the host mom I realized that this was something I would not be able to do every morning. Other than early morning jogs, it is every kids dream to play sports with us. The primary sports we play with them are soccer, baseball, and basketball. The first day we were here we found a place that gives free Tae Kwon Do lessons and has facilities to box. I have not had time to take advantage of these things but I do plan on doing so if time allots. The city we are in has a lot of great features. It has a great downtown feel with plenty of fruit and vegetable markets. Kind of like a 24/7 farmer’s market and insanely cheap prices. All my meals are made already for me so I have not bought too many items other than an occasional fruit. I usually am greeted every morning with my Doña bringing me coffee and bread before eating my usual breakfast. In this part of the Dominican Republic their biggest meal comes at lunch; something I always look forward to. I am really beginning to get used to this whole Peace Corps training life and it makes life a little easier to cope with. I forgot that every morning starting at five I have a non-stop alarm clock of a group of loud roosters who try to out do each other. Hooray Roosters!
Some things I have to look forward to are a presentation in Spanish about the community of Las Flores, and a weekend project to reforest a section of the community. If I have left anything out I will include it in my next blog. Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and left encouraging comments, it really brightens up my day. Thank you.
The Peace Corps is often like every movie in the early 90’s. It starts off with someone who is having a difficult time with live; people do not understand them, they just moved to a new town, they go through a breakup or divorces, or they just lost their job, and if things get any harder they just might give up on it all…until that new girl comes along, or a voice telling them to build a baseball field and all of a sudden they have a reason to live and push on. You wake up welcoming the day with a smile on your face. Everything has purpose and it is has if you are looking through a new pairs of eyes. Of course there will come a time usually with thirty minutes left in the movie where someone tries to ruin you or everything accomplished looks as though it will come crashing but along comes a missing piece to the puzzle, or a friend that you thought you had lost and you make it through, not just make it through but you have triumphed, you are victorious, and you are celebrated. It is good to be you. Then the music begins and the credits begin to roll and if you’re lucky there just might even be a sequel to your adventure.
My movie has just begun and already I feel as though I am going through the difficult times. There are many hoops and hurdles to jump through and it has been a trying time. Sometimes I think it would be better to be a supporting cast member like Goose in Top Gun, or Ron in Harry Potter. Then again the supporting cast rarely gets the girl or the glory so I am grateful to overcome the challenges that lay ahead of me.
I am really lucky to be on this adventure. Sometimes I find myself to be complaining or comparing my situation and surroundings to the ease of life I had in the States and those are the most difficult of times for me here. Then there are times when I am too busy to think about anything with learning Spanish and working on training project. But the best of times is usually when things are winding down in the day and I look back on everything I got to do, the people I met, and the food I had on the table, and I become appreciative for the things I do have, and I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to expand my ability to serve. If I am not able to be appreciating my time here, I will most certainly become miserable and do a poor job. One of the times I never forget to thank God for His gifts is right before I pour a freezing cold bucket of water on me to shower. I am not sure what it is but it has always made the water feel a little warmer than it really is. I have actually began get used to it but it will be nice when I move to my site I will live in for two years which will definitely be much warmer than this area.
A little more on Castanza. I moved here on Thursday the 9th, and will be here until the 17th of October. This is my community based training and their 16 people in our sector. Of those 16, I work with 2 others to put together a community diagnostic and other projects which will aid us in learning how to carryout our projects after we are sworn in. Every group within our sector receives a youth group that has already been established for some time now. Lucky for my group we received a model youth group and they have been extremely inspirational and have breathed new life into my Peace Corps training. It is always a joy when we meet with them and they continue to impress me with the organization and knowledge. This past weekend, our youth group walked an hour towards a river it was really something special. This area is a valley surrounded by mountains and they grow a majority of the fruits, flowers, and vegetables for the Dominican Republic. When we reached the river it was almost as if we were walking by one giant waterfall. There were several places that we could have stopped and swam but we decided to push on and find a really secluded spot. I forgot to mention that in order to get there we needed to cross this wooden ladder/bridge which was a bit intimidating but everyone made it safely across. We enjoyed splashing around and enjoyed getting to know each other a little better.
Now that we are out of the capital we are able to exercise a little bit more. One of the female volunteers host mom wakes up every morning and does a brisk jog for an hour and a half. We were all excited to here that one morning and we woke up at 5:30 in the morning and jogged all the way down to this electric plant were there happens to be some stone stairs. At first we started to sprint up the stairs but then realized that there were about 200 of them. It didn’t help that half of them happened resembled a latter more than they did stairs. After questioning the sanity of the host mom I realized that this was something I would not be able to do every morning. Other than early morning jogs, it is every kids dream to play sports with us. The primary sports we play with them are soccer, baseball, and basketball. The first day we were here we found a place that gives free Tae Kwon Do lessons and has facilities to box. I have not had time to take advantage of these things but I do plan on doing so if time allots. The city we are in has a lot of great features. It has a great downtown feel with plenty of fruit and vegetable markets. Kind of like a 24/7 farmer’s market and insanely cheap prices. All my meals are made already for me so I have not bought too many items other than an occasional fruit. I usually am greeted every morning with my Doña bringing me coffee and bread before eating my usual breakfast. In this part of the Dominican Republic their biggest meal comes at lunch; something I always look forward to. I am really beginning to get used to this whole Peace Corps training life and it makes life a little easier to cope with. I forgot that every morning starting at five I have a non-stop alarm clock of a group of loud roosters who try to out do each other. Hooray Roosters!
Some things I have to look forward to are a presentation in Spanish about the community of Las Flores, and a weekend project to reforest a section of the community. If I have left anything out I will include it in my next blog. Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and left encouraging comments, it really brightens up my day. Thank you.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Darker Side
This was an email I sent my best friend. I was sharing with her the gripping feeling I get when I become homesick. It's not all sunshine.
Is it normal to feel left out of your life primarily for the reason that I am no longer there to be around you? For the first time during my journey I have truly felt the pains of being away from home, being away from my daily comforts, being away from those I call my friends, being away from family; my blood, and most painful of all; being away from the one I adore. Tell me this is stupid or normal, and that it will soon feel right. I can sense a gravitational force gripping me toward all that I have been accustomed to and it is distracting me from the choice I have made to come here. It is not in the forefront of my mind but hidden in between thoughts. I know it is there but I am either choosing to be blind to it, or unsure of the feelings I have for it. I am not considering coming home at all but I cannot deny that I truly do miss my life I had in California. The “if only” is difficult to cope with but I am aware that it is an illusion not only here but if only I were home as well. It is fascinating how I can dream of life back home and become so enamored with my thoughts that I begin to believe I need to live that life immediately. I only hope in time I will break free from the desire to live the life I had and accept the life I have chosen. There is so much to accomplish, so many relationships to form, and adventures to partake, so many strangers, and so many challenges. I can only feel blessed to have the opportunity to experience this right now. While looking at my past has been painful, I need to look ahead with the same intensity. It is difficult when I worry if you will be a part of that future or not. That insecurity is the manufacturer of all my fears. I wish I could always write with an optimistic outlook and a strong and courageous soul but this vulnerability is something I value as well. I feel more authentic when I can share my fears and doubts with others, it is a way to really connect to people and help one another become aware of the places where we need most help from others. I think I have spent so much of my life trying to see the sunny side that I have completed missed the painful and embarrassing parts of myself and in others as well. If I have failed to see your dark spots I am sorry for not being aware and there to give you some comfort. In my time here I hope to get to know my other half as much as I do my positive half, and in turn become aware of when others are reaching out to me and sharing their deeper selves. This letter started out dark but I think it is helping me address the light associated with it as well. I feel more whole and I am grateful to share it with you. I don’t want to only share with you a list of activities but everything that is going on with in me, I hope you too can share with me what I so desire to know. I can not say how much I appreciate you for reasons that are too long to list but I want to say thank you and I hope you feel empowered by the affect you have had on me and my family. Thank you.
Is it normal to feel left out of your life primarily for the reason that I am no longer there to be around you? For the first time during my journey I have truly felt the pains of being away from home, being away from my daily comforts, being away from those I call my friends, being away from family; my blood, and most painful of all; being away from the one I adore. Tell me this is stupid or normal, and that it will soon feel right. I can sense a gravitational force gripping me toward all that I have been accustomed to and it is distracting me from the choice I have made to come here. It is not in the forefront of my mind but hidden in between thoughts. I know it is there but I am either choosing to be blind to it, or unsure of the feelings I have for it. I am not considering coming home at all but I cannot deny that I truly do miss my life I had in California. The “if only” is difficult to cope with but I am aware that it is an illusion not only here but if only I were home as well. It is fascinating how I can dream of life back home and become so enamored with my thoughts that I begin to believe I need to live that life immediately. I only hope in time I will break free from the desire to live the life I had and accept the life I have chosen. There is so much to accomplish, so many relationships to form, and adventures to partake, so many strangers, and so many challenges. I can only feel blessed to have the opportunity to experience this right now. While looking at my past has been painful, I need to look ahead with the same intensity. It is difficult when I worry if you will be a part of that future or not. That insecurity is the manufacturer of all my fears. I wish I could always write with an optimistic outlook and a strong and courageous soul but this vulnerability is something I value as well. I feel more authentic when I can share my fears and doubts with others, it is a way to really connect to people and help one another become aware of the places where we need most help from others. I think I have spent so much of my life trying to see the sunny side that I have completed missed the painful and embarrassing parts of myself and in others as well. If I have failed to see your dark spots I am sorry for not being aware and there to give you some comfort. In my time here I hope to get to know my other half as much as I do my positive half, and in turn become aware of when others are reaching out to me and sharing their deeper selves. This letter started out dark but I think it is helping me address the light associated with it as well. I feel more whole and I am grateful to share it with you. I don’t want to only share with you a list of activities but everything that is going on with in me, I hope you too can share with me what I so desire to know. I can not say how much I appreciate you for reasons that are too long to list but I want to say thank you and I hope you feel empowered by the affect you have had on me and my family. Thank you.
Another Day in Paradise
So much to tell, so little time. We have our first exam this week and I am a bit nervous but I am sure everything I have crammed in my mind will ooze out when I get to the test. I spent this last weekend visiting a current Peace Corps Volunteer living in the southwest of the country. The transportation was great except for the promised air conditioning broke after the first hour into the trip. The campo I visited was really…well normal. It had everything a normal town would have and plenty of schools and places to workout! That was a plus for me. On the other hand, there was not much to do there but I did get to see a couple of the programs that the PCV had begun and it gave me some insight into some things I could do in the future. I am anxious to get things started but I am also enjoying being around 50 other Americans for the next 7 weeks. We had two trainees quit after the weekend and it sent a weird vibe throughout the others. I can’t blame them, this is not always the dream we had imagined it to be. But it takes time and we will readjust and adapt to our new lives here together. It was cool to see the other Peace Corps Volunteers who had been here already for a year and have a great relationship and several funny stories to share with us. The campo life was fine but being a guest in someone’s house is never an enjoyable experience. At least for me, I never want to be a burden on them so I go out of my way to make sure I am as pleasant as a guest could be and it is usually tiresome. The last day however we met up with other volunteers at one of the most beautiful locations I had ever seen. There were few people there and the river that came down from the mountains rolled into some man-made pools and finally came into the ocean. Not all the beaches here are clear blue and sandy, many of them are really rocky but beautiful none-the-less. That same night we stayed in a villa on a cliff overlooking the ocean. In the US it would run about 250 a night, we had three bedrooms at seven US dollars a night! It was a great time and really let me relax. It was a wonderful to know that these places existed on the island and that anytime I wanted to get away for a couple days a vacation such as that could fit in my Peace Corps budget. We actually get two R&R day a month with per diem. Everyone needs their rest and relaxation. There is a really funny publication called the Gringa which is produced by Peace Corps volunteers. It was great to read because the make fun of the hardships and trails we face which is a necessary activity if we are going to make it out sane. I am looking forward to having my own home. A place to call my own. I find myself daydreaming about the potential a place could have. Hopefully I will find a home with some fruit trees to provide me with a little bit of free food! Our group leaves again but this time within our own sector. The location we will be at is Costanza for youth development. The rumor is that we actually will need some warm clothes which is good news. I still have a suitcase with clothes that has not even seen the light of day because I would sweat to death if I worn them. More to come sorry for the short blog.
Another Day in Paradise
So much to tell, so little time. We have our first exam this week and I am a bit nervous but I am sure everything I have crammed in my mind will ooze out when I get to the test. I spent this last weekend visiting a current Peace Corps Volunteer living in the southwest of the country. The transportation was great except for the promised air conditioning broke after the first hour into the trip. The campo I visited was really…well normal. It had everything a normal town would have and plenty of schools and places to workout! That was a plus for me. On the other hand, there was not much to do there but I did get to see a couple of the programs that the PCV had begun and it gave me some insight into some things I could do in the future. I am anxious to get things started but I am also enjoying being around 50 other Americans for the next 7 weeks. We had two trainees quit after the weekend and it sent a weird vibe throughout the others. I can’t blame them, this is not always the dream we had imagined it to be. But it takes time and we will readjust and adapt to our new lives here together. It was cool to see the other Peace Corps Volunteers who had been here already for a year and have a great relationship and several funny stories to share with us. The campo life was fine but being a guest in someone’s house is never an enjoyable experience. At least for me, I never want to be a burden on them so I go out of my way to make sure I am as pleasant as a guest could be and it is usually tiresome. The last day however we met up with other volunteers at one of the most beautiful locations I had ever seen. There were few people there and the river that came down from the mountains rolled into some man-made pools and finally came into the ocean. Not all the beaches here are clear blue and sandy, many of them are really rocky but beautiful none-the-less. That same night we stayed in a villa on a cliff overlooking the ocean. In the US it would run about 250 a night, we had three bedrooms at seven US dollars a night! It was a great time and really let me relax. It was a wonderful to know that these places existed on the island and that anytime I wanted to get away for a couple days a vacation such as that could fit in my Peace Corps budget. We actually get two R&R day a month with per diem. Everyone needs their rest and relaxation. There is a really funny publication called the Gringa which is produced by Peace Corps volunteers. It was great to read because the make fun of the hardships and trails we face which is a necessary activity if we are going to make it out sane. I am looking forward to having my own home. A place to call my own. I find myself daydreaming about the potential a place could have. Hopefully I will find a home with some fruit trees to provide me with a little bit of free food! Our group leaves again but this time within our own sector. The location we will be at is Costanza for youth development. The rumor is that we actually will need some warm clothes which is good news. I still have a suitcase with clothes that has not even seen the light of day because I would sweat to death if I worn them. More to come sorry for the short blog.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pumping Iron in the DR
Pumping Iron in the DR
I decided to finally see what a Dominican gym was like in a barrio. I am not sure I will return but it was an experience in itself. If you ever wondered where that rusting piece of gym equipment goes when a gym finally decides to throw it out goes, I think I found it at this gym. You really have to use your imagination to get things done there. To get there I left my barrio and ran along a freeway or an autopista as they call it. Not the best air in the world but you have to be able to make do with what you got. My Dad was always worried that I would go for a jog with my Ipod on blast and run the chance of an accident…no worries there Dad. This is an important rule to keep in mind when running next to a Dominican freeway for two reasons; the first being that you always need to be alert and hear what is coming, and you don’t want anyone to envy you in any way. So I just elected to enjoy the loud rumbles of the motorcycles and the Cobradors yelling at me from their guaguas. As I said before a guagua is a bus here, but what I haven’t shared is that a cobrador is a guy who hangs out the doors of buses trying to convince you that their bus is going the same place you are. It is always confusing when three of them, whom are going different places come up to you and all tell you that their bus will take you wherever you need to go. There really is no such thing as a bus stop here other than any given place on the side of the road. If I am sounding critical you have it all wrong, I love this system. Back to the gym story, I crossed the freeway on a pedestrian bridge and found myself in a much busier barrio than I was accustomed to. Finally I get to the gym which is a YMCA…kind of… There was what used to be a brick wall but now just has portions of what was at some point a brick wall. Something interesting I don’t understand is that all the signs here look as though they were painted in less than a minute. I guess if you can read it, and you know what they are selling, that is all that matters to them. Before I entered that gym on the second story I had to pass the physical test of walking up a steep spiral flight of stairs with no rails what so ever. I got in around five and there were about 12 people inside. Within 20 minutes the place was infested with guys who looked like they came there often. It just goes to show you that 5-7 pm at any gym is always going to be crowded. I was getting the vibe that things could take an ugly turn so I finished up some exercises and hit the dusty trail…no really the road is pretty dusty here. The day before I did a lot of push-ups, jumped rope, and did lunges in the streets where I live and I felt as though my work out went a lot better and safer there in my own little barrio, the place I call home. My return to the gym is still up in the air but I may have to accept that pumping iron is no longer part of my life…for now. Next up will be my blog on my Peace Corps Volunteer visit. To clarify, I am a trainee and after I pass all my tests and trainings I will get sworn in. Thanks for reading and God bless.
I decided to finally see what a Dominican gym was like in a barrio. I am not sure I will return but it was an experience in itself. If you ever wondered where that rusting piece of gym equipment goes when a gym finally decides to throw it out goes, I think I found it at this gym. You really have to use your imagination to get things done there. To get there I left my barrio and ran along a freeway or an autopista as they call it. Not the best air in the world but you have to be able to make do with what you got. My Dad was always worried that I would go for a jog with my Ipod on blast and run the chance of an accident…no worries there Dad. This is an important rule to keep in mind when running next to a Dominican freeway for two reasons; the first being that you always need to be alert and hear what is coming, and you don’t want anyone to envy you in any way. So I just elected to enjoy the loud rumbles of the motorcycles and the Cobradors yelling at me from their guaguas. As I said before a guagua is a bus here, but what I haven’t shared is that a cobrador is a guy who hangs out the doors of buses trying to convince you that their bus is going the same place you are. It is always confusing when three of them, whom are going different places come up to you and all tell you that their bus will take you wherever you need to go. There really is no such thing as a bus stop here other than any given place on the side of the road. If I am sounding critical you have it all wrong, I love this system. Back to the gym story, I crossed the freeway on a pedestrian bridge and found myself in a much busier barrio than I was accustomed to. Finally I get to the gym which is a YMCA…kind of… There was what used to be a brick wall but now just has portions of what was at some point a brick wall. Something interesting I don’t understand is that all the signs here look as though they were painted in less than a minute. I guess if you can read it, and you know what they are selling, that is all that matters to them. Before I entered that gym on the second story I had to pass the physical test of walking up a steep spiral flight of stairs with no rails what so ever. I got in around five and there were about 12 people inside. Within 20 minutes the place was infested with guys who looked like they came there often. It just goes to show you that 5-7 pm at any gym is always going to be crowded. I was getting the vibe that things could take an ugly turn so I finished up some exercises and hit the dusty trail…no really the road is pretty dusty here. The day before I did a lot of push-ups, jumped rope, and did lunges in the streets where I live and I felt as though my work out went a lot better and safer there in my own little barrio, the place I call home. My return to the gym is still up in the air but I may have to accept that pumping iron is no longer part of my life…for now. Next up will be my blog on my Peace Corps Volunteer visit. To clarify, I am a trainee and after I pass all my tests and trainings I will get sworn in. Thanks for reading and God bless.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Vamos a la playa
I had my first trip to the beach here. It was a bit different but really tranquil and somewhat private. We took a bus for two hours and I was not expecting it to be that long at all. For the majority of rides it cost 15 to 25 pesos which is like 50 cents to 75 cents. But we got on one bus that cost 60 pesos and I was taken off guard and realized I didn’t have enough for the return. Luckily my Doña covered me on the way home. I thought leaving home for the beach with a hundred pesos would cover it…I kind of forgot that a hundred pesos is equal to a little over three US dollars. The exchange rate is currently 35 pesos to every American dollar. I am still getting used to the whole conversion thing. While public transportation is relatively cheap here, everything else is on par with the Unites States. It makes it difficult to stay in the budget but it is all part of the program. Anyways the beaches here are mostly different. They have large stone barriers that keep out the waves in the public ocean areas. Nobody goes in the beach outside of it because there is a lot of large rocks and other objects that are dangerous. No one snorkels or anything, it is like a large saltwater pool. I had a great time especial since we arrived early and enjoyed the water before it became a beach party. There are many people who sell things there like coconuts, DVDs, candy, liquor, and God knows what else. We bought some fruits and other snacks but my Doña being the intelligent women she is packed us spaghetti and some bread. Back home I would not appreciate a good pack lunch but when you are on a budget you come to appreciate free lunch. It is a new experience for me to be on my own but with the security that my parents always have my best interest in mind. We stay for most of the day and when we were returning I realized that I had forgot to put on some sunscreen and being near the equator my face and skin was not a happy camper. At least I got to brag to the other volunteers that I got to go to the beach.
The next day we went on a tour with a college professor of Latin American history. It was incredible. So much history on this tiny island. A lot to do with Christopher Columbus and dispelling myths. If you come I will give you a walking tour and try to repeat as much as I heard. The Peace Corps director is coming here tomorrow so I better get some sleep. He is kind of a big deal in the United States and his first stop is here in the Dominican Republic. I should also mention that I am leaving Thursday for a Peace Corps Volunteer visit in Barahona which is closer to the ocean. The peace corps volunteer I am visiting has been here a year working in the same department as I am (youth development). I am looking forward to the journey as it will be my first solo experience here. I am sure I will have plenty of interesting things to say. Also please help me make this blog better. Give me some tips on things I could do to make it easier to read and more exciting. I can take some good criticism.
The next day we went on a tour with a college professor of Latin American history. It was incredible. So much history on this tiny island. A lot to do with Christopher Columbus and dispelling myths. If you come I will give you a walking tour and try to repeat as much as I heard. The Peace Corps director is coming here tomorrow so I better get some sleep. He is kind of a big deal in the United States and his first stop is here in the Dominican Republic. I should also mention that I am leaving Thursday for a Peace Corps Volunteer visit in Barahona which is closer to the ocean. The peace corps volunteer I am visiting has been here a year working in the same department as I am (youth development). I am looking forward to the journey as it will be my first solo experience here. I am sure I will have plenty of interesting things to say. Also please help me make this blog better. Give me some tips on things I could do to make it easier to read and more exciting. I can take some good criticism.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Getting in Deep
*Sorry if the blog is a bit choppy, I write when I can and it also may contain a lot spelling errors.
I feel at home already. It was worrisome for a little but all it took was reminding myself that I chose this and for a good reason at that. Life is pretty amazing here. There is a lot more time since I do not have things like television, constant internet access and a car. Instead I wake up and visit with my host mom and my new best friend who is a nine year old girl. She has more life than anyone I ever met in my entire life. Then on days I have training I catch a taxi or ride the bus to the training center. The roads are intense here, you have to be careful and there is no such thing as crossing the street because it would be like an unfortunate game of Frogger. Then we come back around 5 and do what ever we want play in the streets with kids, play dominos with adults, dance the meringue, and the bochacha (I don’t know how to spell it yet) and salsa is not as popular as I thought.
There are only two people who live in the same house as me. However during the day there are many people who come over and visit. Many people live in different houses but not far away. It would be as if your entire family and the friends of your entire family lived in one neighborhood.
The food is also a treat. My host mom thinks it is weird that I drink my coffee with no sugar but I guess it is not normal in the states either. In this culture it is popular to treat people with extra sugar and oil in some foods as a sign of hospitality. I think she understands that I am a bit of a health freak but that does not mean I turn anything down.
We are getting in deep. While we have only been able to experience life in Santo Domingo, I feel that we are slowly turning into Dominicans. For one thing, my skin is getting a darker and my Spanish is getting faster. My desire to take showers are limited to when I go to bed and not every time I break a sweat…which is every second here. And for the most part, the mosquitoes are beginning to leave me alone. If you come to visit me you will have to accept that you have new blood that the mosquitoes go crazy over. One thing that you will need is a good mosquito net, some spray, and malaria pills. Also it is recommended to take B-Complex which works for some and not for others. I suggest taking malaria pills a month prior to coming. You will have crazy dreams but that is free entertainment as I see it.
Every day we have training but yesterday are training consisted of a field trip into the city. What I mean by that is right now we live in an area that is concentrated with many barrios and the city is the metropolitan area where there is historical buildings and sites and shopping galore. I guess I can refer to it as the Zona Colonial. It is a great place with many things to do, but I was a bit turned-off because I have been enjoying my barrio life so much. It is an adventure every day. Sometimes you wonder how anyone can live in a place like this, and some days you wish that you grew up here. The barrio life is much different than anything I have ever seen or experienced in my life. It is the real deal; muddy streets, dogs everywhere, loud music, and people always sitting and enjoying their time together.
Today at training we learned a few dances and to play dominoes. I can see why it is so popular here and I am not sure why American doesn’t have a game people play all-day together other than World of Warcraft. On the other hand I can see why people play those online games. There is something lacking in American culture. It is not like people here don’t work all day or go to school. They do, but when they come home they play, dance, cook, clean, sing, dream, and visit with neighbors. Some how I lost a lot of those things when I got so wrapped up in my own personal life. I hope when I return the United States I can continue to live this way. Work is great, but it shouldn’t spill into my family and friend time. However, if I am the only one who thinks this way, it will be difficult to find others who are willing to enjoy their time with me and not think of all the many things they need to accomplish for work and themselves.
Enough bagging on American culture. I was able to really exercise today for the first time. I ran about a mile and a half to play basketball with my friends at the park. We played 5 on 5, Americans vs. Dominicans, and I am pleased to announce that we won twice. I was sweating like a pig but we won none-the-less. I can get used to working out here; the hardest part is sucking in all the bad air from the pollution. The cars here would not pass a smog check if their life depended on it. It makes me believe that the hardcore environmentalists in America are delusional because the amount of pollution same as other 2nd or 3rd world countries in the world. It is expensive to be green…Maybe environmentalists are on to something…something profitable???? The Industrial Revolution created such a mess.
I feel at home already. It was worrisome for a little but all it took was reminding myself that I chose this and for a good reason at that. Life is pretty amazing here. There is a lot more time since I do not have things like television, constant internet access and a car. Instead I wake up and visit with my host mom and my new best friend who is a nine year old girl. She has more life than anyone I ever met in my entire life. Then on days I have training I catch a taxi or ride the bus to the training center. The roads are intense here, you have to be careful and there is no such thing as crossing the street because it would be like an unfortunate game of Frogger. Then we come back around 5 and do what ever we want play in the streets with kids, play dominos with adults, dance the meringue, and the bochacha (I don’t know how to spell it yet) and salsa is not as popular as I thought.
There are only two people who live in the same house as me. However during the day there are many people who come over and visit. Many people live in different houses but not far away. It would be as if your entire family and the friends of your entire family lived in one neighborhood.
The food is also a treat. My host mom thinks it is weird that I drink my coffee with no sugar but I guess it is not normal in the states either. In this culture it is popular to treat people with extra sugar and oil in some foods as a sign of hospitality. I think she understands that I am a bit of a health freak but that does not mean I turn anything down.
We are getting in deep. While we have only been able to experience life in Santo Domingo, I feel that we are slowly turning into Dominicans. For one thing, my skin is getting a darker and my Spanish is getting faster. My desire to take showers are limited to when I go to bed and not every time I break a sweat…which is every second here. And for the most part, the mosquitoes are beginning to leave me alone. If you come to visit me you will have to accept that you have new blood that the mosquitoes go crazy over. One thing that you will need is a good mosquito net, some spray, and malaria pills. Also it is recommended to take B-Complex which works for some and not for others. I suggest taking malaria pills a month prior to coming. You will have crazy dreams but that is free entertainment as I see it.
Every day we have training but yesterday are training consisted of a field trip into the city. What I mean by that is right now we live in an area that is concentrated with many barrios and the city is the metropolitan area where there is historical buildings and sites and shopping galore. I guess I can refer to it as the Zona Colonial. It is a great place with many things to do, but I was a bit turned-off because I have been enjoying my barrio life so much. It is an adventure every day. Sometimes you wonder how anyone can live in a place like this, and some days you wish that you grew up here. The barrio life is much different than anything I have ever seen or experienced in my life. It is the real deal; muddy streets, dogs everywhere, loud music, and people always sitting and enjoying their time together.
Today at training we learned a few dances and to play dominoes. I can see why it is so popular here and I am not sure why American doesn’t have a game people play all-day together other than World of Warcraft. On the other hand I can see why people play those online games. There is something lacking in American culture. It is not like people here don’t work all day or go to school. They do, but when they come home they play, dance, cook, clean, sing, dream, and visit with neighbors. Some how I lost a lot of those things when I got so wrapped up in my own personal life. I hope when I return the United States I can continue to live this way. Work is great, but it shouldn’t spill into my family and friend time. However, if I am the only one who thinks this way, it will be difficult to find others who are willing to enjoy their time with me and not think of all the many things they need to accomplish for work and themselves.
Enough bagging on American culture. I was able to really exercise today for the first time. I ran about a mile and a half to play basketball with my friends at the park. We played 5 on 5, Americans vs. Dominicans, and I am pleased to announce that we won twice. I was sweating like a pig but we won none-the-less. I can get used to working out here; the hardest part is sucking in all the bad air from the pollution. The cars here would not pass a smog check if their life depended on it. It makes me believe that the hardcore environmentalists in America are delusional because the amount of pollution same as other 2nd or 3rd world countries in the world. It is expensive to be green…Maybe environmentalists are on to something…something profitable???? The Industrial Revolution created such a mess.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
3 AM Found Me in the Dominican Republic
August 19th-21st
3 AM found me in the Dominican Republic. For those who do not know what I am talking about, back home in California I would always wake up around 3 AM and usually eat a snack of some sort but here I am not hungry, I just naturally woke up at 3 AM. There is a ridiculous amount of stuff that has happened in the last 48 hours since I have been here so I will do my best to recap it all. I guess first off we made it safely with no problems. That is impressive for a group of 51 Americans traveling at 2 AM on little sleep. I remember sleeping at the airport underneath the rows of waiting seats. Most of everyone was passed out asleep and much of the same for the flight from Miami to Santo Domingo. When we touched down in the Dominican Republic we had to practice this phrase, “No gracias”. The reason being because there are several polite Dominicans who will help you with your luggage but request a tip. Even though I practiced my “no gracias” like the rest of the group, somehow a guy about 5 feet from the luggage truck grabbed my bag for me and placed it in the truck. I actually did not mind because it aloud me to get a sweet spot on the shuttle…bus…van? We spent the first night in a large church for dinner and some training. I was dying because we had a snack and then they began some presentations and turned the lights off. Just like in any school setting when the lights go off, my eyes go shut. It was difficult and painful to stay awake but I did my best has they explained some important rules and information for our safety. The accommodations here blow my mind. They are more than anyone would imagine for the Peace Corps. They say that the Dominican Republic is one of the most desirable Peace Corps countries to serve in….I am definitely beginning to see why.
The next day we traveled early in the morning to the ENTRENA training center for a day of information, Spanish training, and signing forms. ENTRENA is the company outsourced to train us. We are 1 of 2 Peace Corps countries that receive outside training by a private company. You have no idea how special this is. The food is amazing here and it is made up of different kinds of salads, chicken, rice, beans, fried treats and plantains.
After the day was coming to an end I got the opportunity to meet my host Dona. My Dona is fabulous. She has had many Volunteers before and knows how to make an American feel comfortable. One of the first things she said was that with all her Peace Corps volunteers she has confidence and trust in them to tell her exactly what they like and do not like because she is my Dominican mother. It is a bit difficult to communicate at this point but it is only an amount of time till Spanish begins to spew from my mouth. The only person here that speaks English is a joyful 9 year old girl who lives here and is wise beyond her years. She is a real treat because like many other girls in the U.S. loves Hannah Montana. I guess you can never escape the influence of Disney no matter how far you travel. They also like to watch the Simpsons here, Go Homer! The little girl said at dinner that needed to be excused because she needed a little bit more Homer. My house has fans, electricity, regular shower, and toilet, lights, music; you name it I got it. I don’t have wireless but come on that is asking a bit much.
Well it is now four and I should be getting back to sleep.
3 AM found me in the Dominican Republic. For those who do not know what I am talking about, back home in California I would always wake up around 3 AM and usually eat a snack of some sort but here I am not hungry, I just naturally woke up at 3 AM. There is a ridiculous amount of stuff that has happened in the last 48 hours since I have been here so I will do my best to recap it all. I guess first off we made it safely with no problems. That is impressive for a group of 51 Americans traveling at 2 AM on little sleep. I remember sleeping at the airport underneath the rows of waiting seats. Most of everyone was passed out asleep and much of the same for the flight from Miami to Santo Domingo. When we touched down in the Dominican Republic we had to practice this phrase, “No gracias”. The reason being because there are several polite Dominicans who will help you with your luggage but request a tip. Even though I practiced my “no gracias” like the rest of the group, somehow a guy about 5 feet from the luggage truck grabbed my bag for me and placed it in the truck. I actually did not mind because it aloud me to get a sweet spot on the shuttle…bus…van? We spent the first night in a large church for dinner and some training. I was dying because we had a snack and then they began some presentations and turned the lights off. Just like in any school setting when the lights go off, my eyes go shut. It was difficult and painful to stay awake but I did my best has they explained some important rules and information for our safety. The accommodations here blow my mind. They are more than anyone would imagine for the Peace Corps. They say that the Dominican Republic is one of the most desirable Peace Corps countries to serve in….I am definitely beginning to see why.
The next day we traveled early in the morning to the ENTRENA training center for a day of information, Spanish training, and signing forms. ENTRENA is the company outsourced to train us. We are 1 of 2 Peace Corps countries that receive outside training by a private company. You have no idea how special this is. The food is amazing here and it is made up of different kinds of salads, chicken, rice, beans, fried treats and plantains.
After the day was coming to an end I got the opportunity to meet my host Dona. My Dona is fabulous. She has had many Volunteers before and knows how to make an American feel comfortable. One of the first things she said was that with all her Peace Corps volunteers she has confidence and trust in them to tell her exactly what they like and do not like because she is my Dominican mother. It is a bit difficult to communicate at this point but it is only an amount of time till Spanish begins to spew from my mouth. The only person here that speaks English is a joyful 9 year old girl who lives here and is wise beyond her years. She is a real treat because like many other girls in the U.S. loves Hannah Montana. I guess you can never escape the influence of Disney no matter how far you travel. They also like to watch the Simpsons here, Go Homer! The little girl said at dinner that needed to be excused because she needed a little bit more Homer. My house has fans, electricity, regular shower, and toilet, lights, music; you name it I got it. I don’t have wireless but come on that is asking a bit much.
Well it is now four and I should be getting back to sleep.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Last moments in the United States!
Made it safely to Pre-Training in Arlington, VA. It was a wonderful coincidence that my friend Scott Kircher was flying on the same plane from Sacrament to Washington D.C. for business school at George Washington University. We arrived a night early and was able to enjoy a little bit of the nightlife in Washington. All the monuments were on the way to his place. Washington would be a fun place to live at my age. There was plenty of people out on a Tuesday night and they all seemed around their mid-twenties.
We arrived home late and I wanted to grab a bite to eat at McDonald's next to our hotel but however their lobby was closed. I thought it would be worth a shot to order through the 24 hour drive-through and it worked...until I walked to the order window and the guy would not serve me. I sadly walked backed to my hotel room where I sat thinking about those delicious chipotle bbq snack wraps. Oh well.
The next day was filled with meeting all the 50 other volunteers headed to the Dominican Republic. The majority of the people were in their mid-twenties and the oldest was a grandmother. The guy to girl ratio is 1:1. We did a lot of basic training talking about risk and how to prevent them. It was fun and interactive but a little exhausting. They gave us $120 dollars for the next couple of days. Everyone was happy about that. My last meal was at Crystal City Sports Bar and I add chips and salsa, bbq sliders, and a nice cold beer to celebrate. We played a little pool and went home to get ready for our 2 AM wake-up call. Well that hasn't happened yet, it will in about an hour and I am sure I will regret not going to bed. However the time change isn't helping me much either.
Next blog will be in the Dominican Republic!
We arrived home late and I wanted to grab a bite to eat at McDonald's next to our hotel but however their lobby was closed. I thought it would be worth a shot to order through the 24 hour drive-through and it worked...until I walked to the order window and the guy would not serve me. I sadly walked backed to my hotel room where I sat thinking about those delicious chipotle bbq snack wraps. Oh well.
The next day was filled with meeting all the 50 other volunteers headed to the Dominican Republic. The majority of the people were in their mid-twenties and the oldest was a grandmother. The guy to girl ratio is 1:1. We did a lot of basic training talking about risk and how to prevent them. It was fun and interactive but a little exhausting. They gave us $120 dollars for the next couple of days. Everyone was happy about that. My last meal was at Crystal City Sports Bar and I add chips and salsa, bbq sliders, and a nice cold beer to celebrate. We played a little pool and went home to get ready for our 2 AM wake-up call. Well that hasn't happened yet, it will in about an hour and I am sure I will regret not going to bed. However the time change isn't helping me much either.
Next blog will be in the Dominican Republic!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Who Am I?
Donny Moore
Roseville, CA
Youth Development Program
Domincan Republic
Send me your heart:
Don Moore PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
Avenida Bolivar 451,
Gazcue Apartado 1412
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Ground Control To Major Don
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1....Lift off! Check ignition and may God's love be with you. Here I go. This is epic. Can what I am feeling be any different than Colombus before he set off to find new trade routes or Niel Armstrong prior to launching off to be the first man on the moon? I can only imagine that they went through the same changes, leaving dear friends and family behind to embark on an adventure. All I can say is that I am blessed and will never take this opportunity for granted. It is a gift. For anyone reading this that personally know me, I would like to thank you for your support and friendship. I hope you come visit and if not then at least write and enjoy my stories and pictures. I love everyone.
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