Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, pies, even your classic canned cranberry sauce. I had it all Thanksgiving Day despite being far from American soil. Get almost 200 PC volunteers together, and we make it happen. I travelled to the capital for Thanksgiving to spend a few days with my fellow Americans to celebrate our gringo holiday. After reuniting with my fellow PC friends, I realized how much I really needed to get away for a couple days to clear my head. Thanksgiving Day was filled with everything American. My day began at 7 am with the traditional Turkey Trot, a 6K Run around the Botanical Gardens. Not going to toot my own horn, but I rocked it- 31 minutes. The rest of the day was spent at a Country Club filled with sports activities (soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, swimming relays) and other events, plus a priceless talent show. Only mistake was that the swimming relay was after our Thanksgiving lunch feast and I almost puked while taking off in the water. I almost won, so it was worth it. Needless to say, our Peace Corps family did a great job at easing the homesickness during the holiday time. Being at my site eating platanos and rice for the umpteenth day in a row melting in what feels like summer heat just wouldn’t have sufficed. There was a lot to be thankful for as we all gathered together for our gluttonous feast. I am thankful for all the families and volunteers that sent overseas classic treats for the holiday including our canned cranberry sauce, Trader Joes walnuts for incredible pecan pie and boxed stuffing even though I am gluten intolerant and couldn't enjoy it, it was nice to see it on our big round table. I am thankful for being a strong woman when at times it is easier to toss in the towel. And when things get tough here I am thankful for having support from my family and friends. I am thankful for only being twenty-three years old and being able to have the opportunity to do this. There is a lot to be thankful for. Toilets, running water, I can go on for pages.
I am not going to lie. These last few weeks have been really tough. If anything that I have learned is that you don’t really experience much of a spectrum of emotions here. At least not at the beginning. Your highs are really high and well your lows, well they are lowwww, like you are buried 6 feet under. Imagine being on a roller coaster simply with big inclines and you know, what goes up must come down right? Ok I am realizing that this sounds really bad and don’t worry people, I am ok. On a good note, I had a very successful meeting with the Fishermen’s Association on Saturday. Working with them has been a lot better than I thought it was going to be. There’s me-young independent American woman (hear me roar) and twenty plus grungy machismo fishermen (which never smell like fish surprisingly) most of which have only seen a woman do work in a kitchen. But, they actually listen to me and are motivated to work with me. Next week I will be giving them a charla on the basics of starting an association and we will definitely be covering the importance of an agenda. The meetings sound like a Sports Bar during the Super Bowl-people shouting over one another, say the wrong thing and someone might get up and throw a punch. Let’s just say we will be working on group strengthening for awhile. I spoke during the meeting which was a big deal because I have been the fly on the wall trying to observe the group dynamic simply nodding when things are said that I agree with and standing to pray with the group at the beginning and end of each meeting. I think some of them were starting to wonder if I was mute or just dumb. After I was done talking, a man cleared his throat, stood up and reminded everybody that by the grace of g-d I was there to help them and that the words that come out of my mouth are wise and that on behalf of everyone that they feel that we should move forward together to create a strong organization because together, si dios quiere (of course) we can accomplish anything. –Everyone mutters in agreement- Feeling of success. Check. I’ll take each little win as they come. So the roller coaster does have some loops.
This week I will hopefully be prioritizing the projects I plan to work on here in Las Galeras. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the Development Association where I am going to work with the group on SWOT analysis of the community (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) so we can set up some of my responsibilities and possibly a plan for the next couple years.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Confianza Over A Cup of Coffee
I have been in Las Galeras for a week and a half and days are going by fast. I am still the new kid on the block, but I am finally able to put names to more faces. The importance of my first three months at my site is to build confianza, translating to building trust, with my community-building relationships and an understanding of one another.What exactly does that entail? Walking around talking to everyone in the streets, going to people’s homes and having coffee with doñas, stopping by the school to talk with teachers, watching dramatic telenovelas with my family, listening to music with some neighborhood kids, going for a quick dip in the ocean with my sister and cousins, helping kids with their homework, taking a jewelry making course with local artisans, sitting through intense evangelist church services, attending every community meeting for every organization, meeting with the mayor, making small talk with the farmer that always rides past me on his horse on my run, etc. etc. Thus far, it has been a great way to compartir, to share who I am and why I am here, but also to get to know other people and understand the members of my community. Needless to say, I have been very busy. And although some days are harder than others (sitting through church gatherings are very intense and not exactly my cup of tea), I am starting to feel more comfortable with my surroundings.
Yesterday I hosted my first, somewhat official event, a Veterinary Medical Mission. Veterinarians from the United States came to give free services for the animals in my community. It was a great turnout with about 150-200 animals receiving care from vaccinations, operations, neutering and consultations. I was in charge of finding a location for them to work, setting it up and translating for the veterinarians during the event. This was a quick win in my community-a great way for members of the community to see that I will be opening the doors to many opportunities that they can take advantage of.
Today I have been inside all day due to the unruly rain. Keeping busy doing my own research and homework and passing time with my family as they watch TV at an audible level to drain out the sound of the rain. This morning when I had a little time to myself (this never happens). I found ABC and NBC television channels (didn’t even know we had them). We get the news from South Florida, so I spent a little time watching Good Morning America. I feel so out of the loop and to be honest watching English television, seeing familiar places, getting the update on who was kicked off Dancing with the Stars last night, made me home sick. Maybe it’s better to keep the distance that I have developed. Don’t get me wrong, I love being here, but there are days where you just miss a piece of America. Whether it is being able to drive somewhere, have a choice of what I want to eat (miss the chain restaurants), talking to people that I can relate to, hearing the same teenie bop song on the radio every fifteen minutes, Monday night football, efficiency-okay, you get my point. So I guess for the best, I was lucky to only have about ten minutes of the TV to myself before my host dad came in to watch the very graphic local news. Nothing like watching a dead gang member murdered on the street-live, no censoring. Just another cultural difference. I might not get used to that in two years, but I can definitely get used to using rain as an excuse to pass the day inside since the town shuts down when there is rain.
A rainbow on my street after some of the rains
Some pics from the Vet Med Mission
Yesterday I hosted my first, somewhat official event, a Veterinary Medical Mission. Veterinarians from the United States came to give free services for the animals in my community. It was a great turnout with about 150-200 animals receiving care from vaccinations, operations, neutering and consultations. I was in charge of finding a location for them to work, setting it up and translating for the veterinarians during the event. This was a quick win in my community-a great way for members of the community to see that I will be opening the doors to many opportunities that they can take advantage of.
Today I have been inside all day due to the unruly rain. Keeping busy doing my own research and homework and passing time with my family as they watch TV at an audible level to drain out the sound of the rain. This morning when I had a little time to myself (this never happens). I found ABC and NBC television channels (didn’t even know we had them). We get the news from South Florida, so I spent a little time watching Good Morning America. I feel so out of the loop and to be honest watching English television, seeing familiar places, getting the update on who was kicked off Dancing with the Stars last night, made me home sick. Maybe it’s better to keep the distance that I have developed. Don’t get me wrong, I love being here, but there are days where you just miss a piece of America. Whether it is being able to drive somewhere, have a choice of what I want to eat (miss the chain restaurants), talking to people that I can relate to, hearing the same teenie bop song on the radio every fifteen minutes, Monday night football, efficiency-okay, you get my point. So I guess for the best, I was lucky to only have about ten minutes of the TV to myself before my host dad came in to watch the very graphic local news. Nothing like watching a dead gang member murdered on the street-live, no censoring. Just another cultural difference. I might not get used to that in two years, but I can definitely get used to using rain as an excuse to pass the day inside since the town shuts down when there is rain.
A rainbow on my street after some of the rains
Some pics from the Vet Med Mission
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A New Place to Call Home
I know, it’s been a while, but with good reason. Since my last entry I have traveled back to Santo Domingo, had my official site visit, went back to Santo Domingo, bought a guitar, swore in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer and finally permanently moved into my new home in Las Galeras. –deep breath- Now is when all the fun starts.
Last week was the accumulation of my three months of training. I took the same oath the President of the United States of America takes before swearing in to office. If it wasn’t official before, I certainly am now. The big day came and went, I had to leave my support network and begin a new journey all alone in my new home. I had become so accustomed to the security of being around other volunteers that this transition will take a little bit of time to get used to.
So here I am. In my new community. Dropped off at the end of the road (literally), eager to start. And now what? My site has a little bit of a different dynamic than your typical site. Unlike some of my other fellow volunteers, there isn’t a set project here for me to work with. I am here to figure out the needs of the community and work from there. Pretty broad, I know. Las Galeras has never had a volunteer before which comes with its positives and negatives. Some people just don’t really understand why I am here (they could very well be thinking that I am just like any other gringa mooching off their incredible beach). Others have approached me with tons of projects that they feel are all feasible. Apparently in two years I am capable of starting a women’s group, artisan association, fishing cooperative, vocational school, building a library, starting a rock climbing ecotourism project, teaching English classes-o the list goes on. Thus far, I have experienced a mix of emotions. It is all very overwhelming, but I take day by day. The crazy thing is, I wake up and I am supposed to figure out what the heck to do with myself-no more schedule like in training. This week I am that awkward neighbor, walking house to house meeting all my neighbors and desperately trying to remember all their names (Note to self: blue house made of wood with pink door belongs to Negra-yes her nickname is Negra because she is very dark). My notebook is filled with these little observations. I am taking things very slowly, and with all the rain we have been getting, days have been passing fast and although it has been harder to walk around with the road block of mud and puddles everywhere, I manage to keep myself busy.
Keep in mind, I have three months to figure out everything before I report back to the Peace Corps with my diagnostic. In the next three months I will be doing a variety of things including mapping out my community, interviewing 100+ households, analyzing the needs of the community and creating an action plan for the next year. It’s definitely far from your typical cubicle job.
O and about Las Galeras. Did I mention I will be living in paradise for the next two years? Karma has come my way because I am a 5 minute walk from one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. I did ask my supervisor if at all possible I could be placed near some form of water, a river or anything (somewhat jokingly), and well she gave me the entire Bahia de Rincon. Very tempting to pass the day on the beach, snorkeling- my uncle, lucky me, owns a scuba diving school (yes I will be getting certified). It is nice to know that when things get tough, whether it be trying to manage my work or confronting the inevitable dengue and amoebas, I just have to take a stroll down the road and remember, I am living in paradise.
Anyways, Las Galeras is a fishing village/town. In the past few years it has become more well known and it is becoming kind of an off the beaten path tourist spot. I should clear this up. The money from tourists lies primarily in the hands of foreign investors and the locals continue living with bare minimum, most in poverty. There might be a luxurious hotel close by, but my community still lacks running water. This is a country where most of its people don’t have the privilege to think about the future. They live day to day here. If they are able to put rice and beans on the table for dinner, well then that is all that matters. Tomorrow they will wake up and try to do the same thing over again. This is the mentality here amongst the poor and unfortunately this puts them at risk for generations of continual poverty.
This where I come in. If Las Galeras continues to grow, what affect will that have on the locals? Where can the locals get jobs? Although more than 80% of them depend on fishing as their main means of income, the fishermen don’t work together nor are they able to sell markets, hotels, etc. (the issue with the fishermen alone gets me heated). The youth who graduate high school don’t do anything. All in all, there is plenty of work that needs to be done here.
I have a lot of support from the community and my host family. My doña not only makes the best food in town (getting used to fresh fish all the time) but I think if someone tried to be mean to me, she would throw a coconut at their head-doña power.
I am learning to take things at a slow pace and for everyone reading this, ya I know you probably chuckled. But here, things get done “si dios quiere.” Things will get done, god willingly. This is how everyone talks. “Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?” Response: “Si dios quiere.” This person is not committing to anything and when tomorrow comes and if they remember there is a meeting, well then they might go or they might not. Not the most efficient way to run things, but this is how time passes here on the island, even more so now that I am in a beach town. If the Ministry of the Environment can be two hours late for a meeting yesterday, I can only imagine what normal Dominican standard time is like here. And as hard and frustrating as it might be at first, I just need to remember to cogelosuave-take it easy.
So ladies and gents, family, friends and dedicated followers, I am finally here, living the not so glamorous Peace Corps life. Out here on my own and things are, well things are happening. I am very happy with my site and that is what is most important right now.
Sorry for taking so much time off, I’ll try and be better about writing-si dios quiere.
Paz
The Whole Gang Swearing In
My New Home, Las Galeras, Samana, Republica Dominicana
Last week was the accumulation of my three months of training. I took the same oath the President of the United States of America takes before swearing in to office. If it wasn’t official before, I certainly am now. The big day came and went, I had to leave my support network and begin a new journey all alone in my new home. I had become so accustomed to the security of being around other volunteers that this transition will take a little bit of time to get used to.
So here I am. In my new community. Dropped off at the end of the road (literally), eager to start. And now what? My site has a little bit of a different dynamic than your typical site. Unlike some of my other fellow volunteers, there isn’t a set project here for me to work with. I am here to figure out the needs of the community and work from there. Pretty broad, I know. Las Galeras has never had a volunteer before which comes with its positives and negatives. Some people just don’t really understand why I am here (they could very well be thinking that I am just like any other gringa mooching off their incredible beach). Others have approached me with tons of projects that they feel are all feasible. Apparently in two years I am capable of starting a women’s group, artisan association, fishing cooperative, vocational school, building a library, starting a rock climbing ecotourism project, teaching English classes-o the list goes on. Thus far, I have experienced a mix of emotions. It is all very overwhelming, but I take day by day. The crazy thing is, I wake up and I am supposed to figure out what the heck to do with myself-no more schedule like in training. This week I am that awkward neighbor, walking house to house meeting all my neighbors and desperately trying to remember all their names (Note to self: blue house made of wood with pink door belongs to Negra-yes her nickname is Negra because she is very dark). My notebook is filled with these little observations. I am taking things very slowly, and with all the rain we have been getting, days have been passing fast and although it has been harder to walk around with the road block of mud and puddles everywhere, I manage to keep myself busy.
Keep in mind, I have three months to figure out everything before I report back to the Peace Corps with my diagnostic. In the next three months I will be doing a variety of things including mapping out my community, interviewing 100+ households, analyzing the needs of the community and creating an action plan for the next year. It’s definitely far from your typical cubicle job.
O and about Las Galeras. Did I mention I will be living in paradise for the next two years? Karma has come my way because I am a 5 minute walk from one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. I did ask my supervisor if at all possible I could be placed near some form of water, a river or anything (somewhat jokingly), and well she gave me the entire Bahia de Rincon. Very tempting to pass the day on the beach, snorkeling- my uncle, lucky me, owns a scuba diving school (yes I will be getting certified). It is nice to know that when things get tough, whether it be trying to manage my work or confronting the inevitable dengue and amoebas, I just have to take a stroll down the road and remember, I am living in paradise.
Anyways, Las Galeras is a fishing village/town. In the past few years it has become more well known and it is becoming kind of an off the beaten path tourist spot. I should clear this up. The money from tourists lies primarily in the hands of foreign investors and the locals continue living with bare minimum, most in poverty. There might be a luxurious hotel close by, but my community still lacks running water. This is a country where most of its people don’t have the privilege to think about the future. They live day to day here. If they are able to put rice and beans on the table for dinner, well then that is all that matters. Tomorrow they will wake up and try to do the same thing over again. This is the mentality here amongst the poor and unfortunately this puts them at risk for generations of continual poverty.
This where I come in. If Las Galeras continues to grow, what affect will that have on the locals? Where can the locals get jobs? Although more than 80% of them depend on fishing as their main means of income, the fishermen don’t work together nor are they able to sell markets, hotels, etc. (the issue with the fishermen alone gets me heated). The youth who graduate high school don’t do anything. All in all, there is plenty of work that needs to be done here.
I have a lot of support from the community and my host family. My doña not only makes the best food in town (getting used to fresh fish all the time) but I think if someone tried to be mean to me, she would throw a coconut at their head-doña power.
I am learning to take things at a slow pace and for everyone reading this, ya I know you probably chuckled. But here, things get done “si dios quiere.” Things will get done, god willingly. This is how everyone talks. “Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?” Response: “Si dios quiere.” This person is not committing to anything and when tomorrow comes and if they remember there is a meeting, well then they might go or they might not. Not the most efficient way to run things, but this is how time passes here on the island, even more so now that I am in a beach town. If the Ministry of the Environment can be two hours late for a meeting yesterday, I can only imagine what normal Dominican standard time is like here. And as hard and frustrating as it might be at first, I just need to remember to cogelosuave-take it easy.
So ladies and gents, family, friends and dedicated followers, I am finally here, living the not so glamorous Peace Corps life. Out here on my own and things are, well things are happening. I am very happy with my site and that is what is most important right now.
Sorry for taking so much time off, I’ll try and be better about writing-si dios quiere.
Paz
The Whole Gang Swearing In
My New Home, Las Galeras, Samana, Republica Dominicana
Monday, October 18, 2010
All The Right Moves
Tomorrow is Project Partner Day. Meaning, I will be meeting my mentors (community members/leaders) who will be with me in my project site in Las Galeras. After a day filled of group strengthening activities and ice breakers (joy), they will be taking me to Las Galeras. It's a big day. I will finally get to see where I will be spending my next two years. I am really anxious/excited/nervous, but most of all ready. Training is coming to an end and although I feel a little overwhelmed to leave everybody and be on my own, I am also ready to get this all started. Catch is, I only get to stay until Sunday. I can't leave training without graduating of course. That big day is next Wednesday-Swearing In. We actually take the same oath the president of the United States takes (fun fact).
In other news, I celebrated my 23rd birthday (one of three birthdays I will celebrate in the DR) last Thursday. Thanks to my wonderful friends, I had an incredible candlelight dinner. No, we don't eat by candlelight to be romantic, se fue la luz (the lights went out). Like always. Although I couldn't be with my family and friends, it was so nice to be around people that I have become so close to and come to love like my family.
(Just so you can get the candlelight feel)
In other news, I celebrated my 23rd birthday (one of three birthdays I will celebrate in the DR) last Thursday. Thanks to my wonderful friends, I had an incredible candlelight dinner. No, we don't eat by candlelight to be romantic, se fue la luz (the lights went out). Like always. Although I couldn't be with my family and friends, it was so nice to be around people that I have become so close to and come to love like my family.
(Just so you can get the candlelight feel)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hands on Learning
Drum Roll Please
Written October 7
Yes, I have the answer we have all been waiting for-where I will be living for the next two years of my life. I know the suspense is killing you. But, before I let you in on this essential piece of information, I am going to tell you about the Peace Corps Business Plan Competition I partook in this past weekend. (Please don’t read ahead to just find out my site). I traveled to the capital with the other trainees to see the annual business plan competition that is put on by other Peace Corps business volunteers and a micro finance NGO. As business volunteers, we have the opportunity to teach a course on basic business skills and how to write a business plan to the youth in the community where we serve. Youth create an extensive business plan on a micro business that they would like to start in their community. These plans are submitted and the best plans are presented at this national conference each year. This year, there were three winners-the groups actually get the money to start their business and even those who don’t win the money are so passionate that many find ways to fund raise to start their business. Businesses varied from starting an internet café, to a hot dog stand to a repair shop, etc. It was such a rewarding experience sharing the weekend with such motivated youth. I didn’t realize how much of an impact this experience has on so many of their lives. There were teenagers there that had never left their little campo before and now they had the chance to start their very own business! It was the first time I really got to see Peace Corps Volunteers in action. The whole weekend got me so excited to get started. I will definitely be helping out next year to plan the event.
All the business trainees were super anxious this weekend-the other volunteers in different sectors had found out about their sites and then current volunteers were telling us that they found out their placement at the end of the business plan competition when they were trainees. But we had two weeks left to go in training, so we weren’t expecting to hear anything. The director had made it plenty clear to me that she still wasn’t sure where she wanted to place me. I mean, it is very difficult to place us. In our sector, there is such a diverse amount of work that you can do, they really try to match your skills and your preferences. Sunday rolls around, we are reflecting as a group on our weekend and the Director walks in. Everyone stops talking and just looks over, because I think we secretly knew why she had walked into the room. She explains to us that we are going to have a class on geography. Geography? Really, almost two months in and we are going to go over geography again? But, the twist was that we were going to have a geography class to show us where our placements are on a map. Everyone went crazy. We were screaming, some people started to cry. I mean, this is a huge deal. We have been basically walking blind, left our home for two years not even knowing where we will be living, putting our future in their hands- yea, it’s a big deal. Since the computer wasn’t working (go figure), we pulled out a huge map. We sat together, holding hands, anxious to hear everybody’s placement. For each person, a sticker was placed on the map showing the location, a one to two sentence description of the site project was given, a drum roll and then the person who’s site it would be was announced. The placements were given, starting in the south. I was one of the last placements to be announced. A sticker was placed literally at the end of the road on the peninsula of the D.R., the providence of Samana, on the water. Everyone gasped because it is 1. Almost unheard of to get a placement on the beach 2. Where exactly the sticker was placed in Samana is one of the most, if not the most beautiful beach in the whole country. It was announced that the person who would serve there was going work with an organization to aid in business development, help with some fisherman project, but also do community development work. The community needed someone innovative and creative. Super broad I know. My name was called and I freaked out. Everybody, I will be spending the next two years of my life in Las Galeras. Look it up on the map, research it, get excited! Luckily, one of the current volunteers that was at the business competition is my neighbor (about an hour away and from San Diego, go figure) and she was working on preparing the site for me. She didn’t have too much information for me, but she had a picture of my site on her phone. Uhm, let’s just say that if you plan on visiting me, be prepared for paradise.
I don’t know too much about my project just yet. I have to wait until the 18th of October to receive more information, but such a weight is lifted off my shoulders. Not only am I relieved that I know where the heck I will be living, but I feel like karma is coming back to me and it tastes SO sweet! The director did such a good job at placing everybody. It seems like everybody’s preferences were taken into consideration. What a great way to end the weekend. I feel like I have something more concrete to look forward to now. Knowing my site has made this experience seem so much more real already. Las Galeras-can’t wait!
Yes, I have the answer we have all been waiting for-where I will be living for the next two years of my life. I know the suspense is killing you. But, before I let you in on this essential piece of information, I am going to tell you about the Peace Corps Business Plan Competition I partook in this past weekend. (Please don’t read ahead to just find out my site). I traveled to the capital with the other trainees to see the annual business plan competition that is put on by other Peace Corps business volunteers and a micro finance NGO. As business volunteers, we have the opportunity to teach a course on basic business skills and how to write a business plan to the youth in the community where we serve. Youth create an extensive business plan on a micro business that they would like to start in their community. These plans are submitted and the best plans are presented at this national conference each year. This year, there were three winners-the groups actually get the money to start their business and even those who don’t win the money are so passionate that many find ways to fund raise to start their business. Businesses varied from starting an internet café, to a hot dog stand to a repair shop, etc. It was such a rewarding experience sharing the weekend with such motivated youth. I didn’t realize how much of an impact this experience has on so many of their lives. There were teenagers there that had never left their little campo before and now they had the chance to start their very own business! It was the first time I really got to see Peace Corps Volunteers in action. The whole weekend got me so excited to get started. I will definitely be helping out next year to plan the event.
All the business trainees were super anxious this weekend-the other volunteers in different sectors had found out about their sites and then current volunteers were telling us that they found out their placement at the end of the business plan competition when they were trainees. But we had two weeks left to go in training, so we weren’t expecting to hear anything. The director had made it plenty clear to me that she still wasn’t sure where she wanted to place me. I mean, it is very difficult to place us. In our sector, there is such a diverse amount of work that you can do, they really try to match your skills and your preferences. Sunday rolls around, we are reflecting as a group on our weekend and the Director walks in. Everyone stops talking and just looks over, because I think we secretly knew why she had walked into the room. She explains to us that we are going to have a class on geography. Geography? Really, almost two months in and we are going to go over geography again? But, the twist was that we were going to have a geography class to show us where our placements are on a map. Everyone went crazy. We were screaming, some people started to cry. I mean, this is a huge deal. We have been basically walking blind, left our home for two years not even knowing where we will be living, putting our future in their hands- yea, it’s a big deal. Since the computer wasn’t working (go figure), we pulled out a huge map. We sat together, holding hands, anxious to hear everybody’s placement. For each person, a sticker was placed on the map showing the location, a one to two sentence description of the site project was given, a drum roll and then the person who’s site it would be was announced. The placements were given, starting in the south. I was one of the last placements to be announced. A sticker was placed literally at the end of the road on the peninsula of the D.R., the providence of Samana, on the water. Everyone gasped because it is 1. Almost unheard of to get a placement on the beach 2. Where exactly the sticker was placed in Samana is one of the most, if not the most beautiful beach in the whole country. It was announced that the person who would serve there was going work with an organization to aid in business development, help with some fisherman project, but also do community development work. The community needed someone innovative and creative. Super broad I know. My name was called and I freaked out. Everybody, I will be spending the next two years of my life in Las Galeras. Look it up on the map, research it, get excited! Luckily, one of the current volunteers that was at the business competition is my neighbor (about an hour away and from San Diego, go figure) and she was working on preparing the site for me. She didn’t have too much information for me, but she had a picture of my site on her phone. Uhm, let’s just say that if you plan on visiting me, be prepared for paradise.
I don’t know too much about my project just yet. I have to wait until the 18th of October to receive more information, but such a weight is lifted off my shoulders. Not only am I relieved that I know where the heck I will be living, but I feel like karma is coming back to me and it tastes SO sweet! The director did such a good job at placing everybody. It seems like everybody’s preferences were taken into consideration. What a great way to end the weekend. I feel like I have something more concrete to look forward to now. Knowing my site has made this experience seem so much more real already. Las Galeras-can’t wait!
Keeping two feet on the ground
Written: October 1
Today my sister and the neighborhood children came running to me to ask a question. They wanted to know if you could open windows on an airplane. One of them shouted before I could answer “of course not because that would make the airplane fall to the ground.” I tried to explain that there was no way to open a window but not because the plane would necessarily fall, but because the oxygen isn’t breathable when you are up that high. They looked at me a little puzzled, still trying to understand how there could be windows that you couldn’t open. Just puts things into perspective. Everything has been so fast paced and because I am still surrounded by my colleagues, sometimes I forget that I am the alien, the one that has lived a life so different from theirs.
Today my sister and the neighborhood children came running to me to ask a question. They wanted to know if you could open windows on an airplane. One of them shouted before I could answer “of course not because that would make the airplane fall to the ground.” I tried to explain that there was no way to open a window but not because the plane would necessarily fall, but because the oxygen isn’t breathable when you are up that high. They looked at me a little puzzled, still trying to understand how there could be windows that you couldn’t open. Just puts things into perspective. Everything has been so fast paced and because I am still surrounded by my colleagues, sometimes I forget that I am the alien, the one that has lived a life so different from theirs.
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