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!!!