last day of CBT

There are a few things I’ll miss about El Seibo. One of which is not creepy uncle that comes to the house every few weeks. Blanco is back. He’s not an awful guy. He cooks well and is always willing to make me juice, but his stares are too much for me. I will miss my host family though. Even if they are crazy, they know how to have fun and make exciting adventures out trips. I like my host family in Santo Domingo lots, don’t get me wrong – they are just different. I’m actually very happy to head back to the capital to see my fam! I hope they notice a difference in my Spanish. The thing I’m most looking forward to be getting fresh fruit in the mornings. They are also very good at conversing with me. The family here in El Seibo doesn’t make much convo, but we do watch telanovelas together. That’s kind of the way things are in the DR anyway. It isn’t about what you say or how you say it, it’s more about if your there or not. Just being present makes a huge difference to them. El Seibo its self I will miss because it way more calm and quite than my barrio in Santo Domingo. I’ll have to get used to falling asleep with earplugs again. Although, not for too long because one week later I’ll be on the road again.

We have just one more day and then we pack into a bus to head back! Training has been fun – kinda’ but I know we are all ready to move along and make that first trip to our sites. There is a rumor that we’ll find out of sites on Thursday!!! Keep your fingers crossed for a small town by the beach.

Unfortunately I’ll be skipping town the day before the Patronales weekend starts. Every town in the DR has a Patron saint, and to honor them the people of El Seibo has bullfights, carnivals, fairs, and lot of parties. The carnival got here this past weekend. It’s not much really, a few kiddie rides, a carousel, and a fiareswheel. However, it’s not just any fairswheel. This one packs in three people to a cart and probably goes 4 times as fast as those in the state. Lorena took Lindsey and I on this ride and it was WAY FUN. Yes it was scary because you think at anytime it could fall off and roll down the street. We survived. After, Daisy took us out to WOW and we did it up like Dominicans. Who knew that Sunday was the night everyone went to the dicoteca? So I danced with a few men here and there but kept my seat for a majority of the night. It was neat to see the groups of people and even picked out those people who have been to my house. It was perfect way to close out my stay here.

The past few days I’ve been in a funk. Can’t really explain it. I think I feel like we’ve just been passing time until Thursday, although instead of having little parties in class I’d like to have more Spanish class, call me crazy but I still need work. Oh well, why worry anyway. This is just part of integrating right? Learn how to relax and go with the flow, Dominican style.

I am writing this in the front gallery of my house as Lorena drives her boyfriend’s truck away with the radio loud enough to vibrate my chair. Like I said, they know how to party.

hallelujah

My last two Spanish presentations are done! My group knocked them out in two days. Working with the computer lab in the high school was not an easy task. Tuesday se fue la luz (the lights went out) so we thought that class would be put on hold, but turns out the high school has a generator! After 20 minutes of thinking that we would teach, then not teach we finally taught. I almost forgot, the teacher of the computer class didn't mention to us or our technical trainer (Ann) that she would be in Santo Domingo that day! We were lucky that the class of 33 students behaved long enough to sit through our hour long power point presentation. they were also helpful when I needed my Spanish corrected. We got positive feed back and impressed our grading audience with how we controlled the class - even with our low Spanish level.
Wensday night went a lot more smooth. There were only about 20 students and most of them were older since we taught the night class. the average age was about 20 years old. Even though these students were older, they were the basic computer class. We taught the very basics of Microsfot Word. It was challenging to pace the class since some people could type and others didn't even know where the space bar was. Again, it went very well and those people who wanted to learn did!
Now I only have one more week here in CBT - then off to the last few weeks of training! For now I have Spanish classes and a few more sessions on technical stuff. For the most part I am hanging out with my family watching telanovelas and trying various types of potatoes and boiled plantains. I'll be sad to leave El Seibo, but I am crossing my fingers that my site will have the same type of rolling hills and rich land to keep me company.

Fin de Semana en Miches

Sunday was a completely Dominican day. I was told to be ready by 9AM so that we could get to Miches temprano (early). Like the gringa I am, I was ready to go by 9AM but little did I know Daisy was just getting up. In pure Dominican fashion we left around 11:30AM. Jesus and Idaliby took their boat this time. They came by the house around 10:30 so see if we were ready. Since we were not they went ahead and took off. Since I was ready I thought maybe I should ride with them, but I wasn’t really invited. So I waited another hour and rode with Daisy, Rolando, and a family friend Kiki (?). Only 10 minutes outside of town we came upon Jesus and Idaliby’s guagua (SUV) that was pulling the boat and followed them all the way to Miches. After stopping to here and there to pick up yucca and other roots and meat for lunch we got to Daisy’s brother’s house to find a few guys eating lunch and talking about their roosters. (Daisy’s brother raises roosters for cockfighting). Since lunch was cooking and would be an hour or so, I went with the younger crew to find the boat ramp in Miches. We drove around a little bit asking people where we should go, we kept getting sent further down the beach not really sure where we were headed. We finally came across a sandy beach that might work. Little did we know that it was supper shallow and the guagua ended up getting stuck in the sand! It was one of those times where I wish my Spanish was quick and accurate enough to say something. I just stood back and let it all happen. With every acceleration of the guagua it sank further and further into the sand, my grin just kept getting bigger. I felt so helpless but what could I have done anyway, Jesus didn’t even want to listen to the men in town who offered advice. I was surprised how calm everyone was – maybe that’s why I felt okay just watching from the sidelines. Franko, a friend of the crew was on his way along with another SUV following with Jesus’s sister and brother in-law and crew (lots of family). Idaliby called them on the cell phone and the girls got dropped off at the house and the guys came to rescue the guagua. After two hours, several broken strings, lots of digging and 15 or so men trying to help a Miches city/government mini-Mac truck pulled it out with heavy duty iron chains!
By this time I was back at the house eating my lunch (at about 4PM). So we didn’t get to the beach until 5pm. Jesus & Co. had the boat anchored there so I went for a ride! We didn’t really go anywhere, it was a short there and back type of trip, but it was amazing to see the island from the water. I took some pictures but don’t think they do it justice. This family sure does like to have fun though- there is never a shortage of beer or rum when we all get together. On the way up the mountain to go back to El Seibo Jesus’s guagua broke down. Again I stood back and let the crew handle the situation. While Kiki and I were sitting in plastic chairs in front of a colmado the men were pushing the broken down guagua up the hill to make room for Daisy’s guagua so they could attach the boat to it. The three people in Jesus’s car then pilled into ours – two men up front, four of us ladies in the back and one other guy in the very back (that’s not even close to full). Like I said, it was a very Dominican day. I don’t know if my family is just super chilled out but they didn’t seem to worry about the truck or any of the setbacks throughout the day. It just goes to show you that here in the DR any can and will happen.
Also on Sunday night I went to my first cockfighting arena. While we waited for the rest of the group to come back from the beach we walked over since Daisy’s brother lives real close and was there with his rosters. The arena was small but there were a good number of people there for an Easter Sunday. Men, women, and kids were staggered throughout the circular stadium watching the center ring as the handlers were aggravating the two cocks that were about to fight. I’ve never been into killing sports nor do I like the idea of two animals fighting so that humans can be entertained, but I’ll respect people’s cultures and give it a chance. I was very impressed at how the two cocks fight. It was somewhat of a graceful dance between the two cocks, each one pecking at the other, wings extended to gain leverage over the other. Here they shave the lower half and neck of the roosters – I think it’s to keep the opponent from easily being able to peck the feathers. Thus they have to peck to the head, back or wing area. The men who fight them also add “spurs” to be back roster’s feet so when they fly over the opponent they can bring their foot down to stab them in the neck, head or back. And when one rooster can’t take it any more they go limp and just lay down, like a dying swan in Swan Lake. I know it doesn’t sound very graceful but it wasn’t hard to watch. I feel like I found peace with it because I know that the roster that dies ends up being a meal for a family somewhere. Also, chickens and roosters are already raised to be eaten anyway, what does it mater how they die? Don’t worry, I wont become addicted to the fights.
My family and I went to Miches on Saturday and Sunday. The drive through the mountain is incredible! When you are driving up the mountain you go through grassy hills used for cattle grazing. Then as you get higher you can see the larger mountains in the distance, the valleys in between and the most gorgeous blue water. Everything is green and lush and looks so tranquil as the clouds float by leaving puzzle pieces of shadow on the valley. At times I have to pinch myself and remember that I am in the Peace Corps.
Some things I noticed throughout the weekend - Dominicans don’t really drink water, they usually quench their thrust with beer or booze. Dominicans don’t go to Miches to swim in the ocean; instead they wear new clothes and walk around on the beach or dance at the clubs on the beach. Most men will make catcalls at you if you are a young lady (especially if you are a gringa) walking down the beach. This includes boys eight years and older! I eventually just stared saying “thank you” under my breath when they would walk by and call me “Linda” or something. I knew it was a bad idea to walk down the beach in just my bathing suit, but I need to get dry before I could put my clothes on. Besides it was much better to go through that then have wet shorts for the remainder of the night. When I got back form my walk I got to play dominoes with the family. I am getting the hang of it! Jesus and I even beat the “unbeatable” team a few times!!! Yeah, I’m starting to integrate just fine – without even speaking Spanish. It also helps that my dancing skills are equal to many of the men I’ve danced with. I feel like its nice to have this chance to integrate but the real test will be in 3 weeks when I head to my site!
We only have two more weeks of technical training after Wednesday then we are back in Santo Domingo for a few days before heading to our new homes. The initial visit is just to meet the family, project partners and move our stuff. Then we head back to Santo Domingo for the swearing in ceremony and then the 2 years officially begins!!!

Some pics from my weekend at Miches, DR

With my sunblock and sunglasses I'm off to the playa...

Semana Santa has been a very slow and quite week around El Seibo. On the tech side of things our sessions have been productive. My lab is almost set up with software and anti-virus programs. Next week I'll have the chance to teach a basic program class to some of the high school students. Yes, in Spanish! Its the second Spanish presentation I'll be graded on.
There are only three more weeks of community based training and then I'll be told where my site is for the remaining two years. Its very exciting!!! Most of us are ready to know where we'll be and what organizations we'll be working with. I am crossing my fingers for a small town not too far from the beach! It's a long shot but I might as well dream big.
As for my health - I am almost back to normal. I have a slight cough now but that's about it! Now we know, don't eat the random organs of any animal (cow, chicken, ect), you just never know what type of parasites they might have!!!
Since it's a holiday weekend here in the DR, my family is taking me to the beach. Everyone in the DR goes to some type of body of water to celebrate Easter/ Semana Santa. The only thing is that with water activity comes drinking, and with drinking comes driving. Don't worry my host mom is responsible and probably won't drink and drive tomorrow. (just kidding mom! don't worry). Another trip to Miches is on the agenda tomorrow!

another week

The Spanish presentation went well, as I posted the other day. Last week was a full week. Not only was there Spanish class and technical training things to do all day but also I taught yoga three days and ran two days. Wednesday was very busy. We had a full day of classes; including a tour of the candy factory in town (Dona Tula’s) then I taught a yoga class and after went to the dance lessons I coordinated with Claudio (the friend of the family who is a DJ on the radio and at the Discoteca). The dance class was a success! Yeah, we said 7:30PM and Cludio showed up at 8:10 but whatever, that’s the DR for you. Once it got started the group really had a good time learning the meringue and the guys did a tremendous job learning how to lead and guide their partners while turning them. I felt so proud! We made plans to hit up the Discoteca Wow on Saturday night so the guys could show off their new moves.
Thursday was spent working on our Spanish presentations. Mine was about what I learned from the three ICT workers I had interviewed throughout the week. I’m interning at the lab in the Lecio (high school), and the ICT worker there doesn’t even have a working lab. When it is set up there are only about 10 computers for the 40 some students in the class. So most of teaching is theoretical. The DR’s education system is big on students just memorizing information and having them repeat it back so it makes sense to have it be the same with computers too. This is also a country where something like 2% of the GDP is spent on Education, ranking 133 out of 134 countries. It’s unbelievable sometimes. So that’s what my group gets to work with! This week we (all of us in the training group) are going to try to fix the computers and re-install Windows, and hope that they last a few weeks. The computers the Secretary of Education (SEE) gets for these labs are usually old and refurbished so they don’t hold up too well anyway. This week should be fun because we’ll finally be doing hands on learning! Enough of the sitting through lectures!
Friday night we were so ready to chill out after the very long day of presentations in Spanish. So we all made plans to watch a movie at another PCT’s house. My Don bought me a bottle of rum, that I was share with the group. I did my best to share but everyone wanted beer. Unexpectedly Cecilia and Justin (two PCV, I met a few weekends ago while on my PCV visit) came by the house, they are in El Seibo to help with our training. The talked me into going to Harold’s (the colmado across from WOW) and then discoteca Wow. I danced a lot and had a good time, but the hangover the next day was torture.
I woke up Saturday morning and no one was up because well, it was Saturday! I didn’t feel like waking up Yenny (the “adopted” daughter who usually makes my breakfast) since she is starting her vacation. So I walked to the colmado across the street and bought some bread. I was struggling at the tech session we had that morning. Lunchtime finally came. I had never craved rice and beans so much in my life! I would have killed for some huevos rancheros or eggs benedict that morning! When I did get home Daisy was upset that I didn’t wake her up so she could make me breakfast. I didn’t think to much of it but since this culture is very much about appearances, she doesn’t want people thinking she doesn’t feed me. She does, just not much at breakfast, but only you know that. Later on as a group of gringos, we hit up the pizza place that has Wi-fi, it worked for the first few minutes and then went out. After my slice of pizza and beer (a little hair of the dog that bit me… you know) it came back on. I found out that I could get a yoga-teaching manual in Spanish for $25, something to think about if I want to start classes at my site. After that little adventure Stacie and I went to for a run. We found I nice paved road that took us out of town toward Miches. It’s the perfect running road with just the right amount of hills and straight-aways. I need to add that on this night I attempted to eat a soup that was mostly cow intestines! Yes, I tried it, chewed it, and swallowed it. I gave it my best shot but just couldn’t eat more than a few spoonfuls. It was the most disgusting food I’ve ever had. BUT AT LEAST I TRIED!! If that doesn’t say Peace Corps I don’t know was else does. Not to mention I now have diarrhea (I’m thinking that’s why). Then it was time to get ready for the Americans debut at WOW. Everyone had a good time and Claudio was happy with the guy’s performance. We scheduled another class for Monday.
Sunday the PC group went to Costa Esmeralda (?), close to Miches. It is still a virgin beach, most of the property is rumored to be developed by a foreign development firm, but no word on when or what exactly will be built in the future. The views on the way there and at the beach were absolutely amazing. The drive there was bumpy but seeing the valleys and countryside made up for the small amount of carsickness most of us had. We spent the day lounging around, swimming and walking around this very tranquillo beach. No one wanted to leave, it was the perfect spot to sleep under the sky in a hammock, but alas we had to leave before dark since the drive through the mountains is a little tricky. My sickness didn’t kick in until I got in the car to head back to El Seibo (thank goodness). Once at my house my stomach hurt so bad and I was so nauseas I crawled into bed at 8PM and woke up at 7AM. Not only was my stomach in pain, but I’ve also come down with El gripe (a cold). Slowly I’m feeling better, I’m taking lots of liquids and advil.
Because of my yuckiness I was in daze most of Monday. I did feel good enough to go to the dance class. I was a lesson in bachata dancing. It’s a very boring dance. The beat isn’t fast and your not supposed to turn the ladies that much in it. Oh well, at least I showed up. I’ve learned so far that here in the DR 90% is just showing up. Either way, for a job or meeting, if you just show up people think your doing something – even though that’s not always true.

just a thought

It was a quick yet long week here in El Seibo. Lots of Spanish class and my first presentation in Spanish! It went well. Thanks for asking! I celebrated with my friends by watching a movie at on of the other trainee's house. I'll up date more later but just wanted to let you know all is well.