September 19 2008
Well it has been over a week since I last updated this blog. In case anyone was wondering, I am still alive and healthy! I am doing my CBT (community based training) in Los Robles. So far everything is great; I have an awesome host family who owns their own colmado (corner store)- which means I gets lots of goodies!
For the past week I have been working on my community diagnostic and yesterday our group gave our presentation… in Spanish! We did well even if we were a bit rusty trying to use our Spanish around all the technical terms. Today we had to go to a public school and a private school to observe the differences in teaching styles, actual school buildings, as well as the materials taught. I sat in a class in each school about half an hour and took notes. All in all, I learned a lot. Basically its better to be going to a private school because the added structure allows for a better learning involvement.
On another note, I started jogging again in my community during the mornings. I feel safer jogging around here and I use my ipod. I think people look at me weird because its not common to jog- but I do it anyways.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
CBT here I come!
September 10, 2008
I am officially done with core training! We had an exam on Monday which consisted of me defending my position on family violence in Spanish, along with other multiple choice exams. The next step was the postponed PCV visit. Sadly enough though, I was unable to go on my PCV visit because of the heavy storms- damn Ike and all the other hurricanes! We were told to come in on Tuesday morning with our bags, and they would tell us the status. I got in at 9:30 in morning in order to talk to David, with my backpack, small duffle bag, helmet, and my mosquitero. I walked 20 minutes with all of that stuff, looking like a super gringa. We waited at Entrena until 12, when they told us the news- we can’t go. Boo….
Fortunately the next stage of training is the CBT (community based training) where I will go to Juan Lopez, a small campo near Moca. I will live with a host family for the next 5 weeks while receiving the technical portion of my training along with the Spanish technical training. In fact, a Spanish teacher will live in every barrio with us! In CED, we will live in 4 different barrios (I live in Los Perez- closest to the highway). Apparently it is still an agricultural community, with a few perks such as an internet café, which makes my life exciting.
So this morning before arriving at Entrena, my Dona Juana gave me a lecture (not unlike the ones I receive at home from my own parents) about not leaving my things everywhere in my new host family’s house because I don’t know if someone will take something. On several occasions, I have misplaced the money PC gave me, and my Dona so nicely will put it back in my room. I guess I have some learning to do…
Rumor has it that today is a day of Carrefour, watching movies, and charlas with the PCV.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Carwashes
September 6, 2008
I am writing this from under the tent of my mosquito net, listening to the “calm” playlist on my itunes. It is definitely a slow morning. As a result of hurricane Ike, we are on standfast and not allowed out of the Pantoja area until further notice. As I sit here waiting for the internet café to open I am also thankful that the electricity is working. I am allowed to enjoy the fan blowing the warm air around, but hey at least it is somewhat of a breeze during these hot and humid days.
I’ll start by recalling my night, a “gringo gathering filled with meringue, bachata, reggeaton and the actual hiphop.” Somehow Mark, a fellow trainee, managed to get everyone together for a carwash dance party. In the Dr, carwashes are transformed to dancing, beer-drinking lugar donde los jevones con flo se juntan eschucando la musica hevi (the stylish youth get together to listen to cool music”. Unfortunately this is outside, which means sweating, sweating, and more sweating on the dance floor or even if you are just chilling. That night turned us into a “show”, 25 gringos dancing together to 50cents “in da club.” All in all, it was a great night especially after 8 to 5 training and more training.
Today I plan to read, watch movies with my host brother, study for our competency exams, and talk to David on skype. Possibly another night of dancing…
Side note, piropos are when the men in the street make catcalls to women. This is a part of the Dominican machismo that can also be seen in other Latino cultures. Well, I always walk to and from entrena with Justin so I never got piropos in the street. I thought that it was because I look Latina and not gringa, however I was wrong. I walked home yesterday by myself and realized that it was because I was escorted by a man to and from my destination, but yesterday I was “available” because I was by myself…interesting…
I am writing this from under the tent of my mosquito net, listening to the “calm” playlist on my itunes. It is definitely a slow morning. As a result of hurricane Ike, we are on standfast and not allowed out of the Pantoja area until further notice. As I sit here waiting for the internet café to open I am also thankful that the electricity is working. I am allowed to enjoy the fan blowing the warm air around, but hey at least it is somewhat of a breeze during these hot and humid days.
I’ll start by recalling my night, a “gringo gathering filled with meringue, bachata, reggeaton and the actual hiphop.” Somehow Mark, a fellow trainee, managed to get everyone together for a carwash dance party. In the Dr, carwashes are transformed to dancing, beer-drinking lugar donde los jevones con flo se juntan eschucando la musica hevi (the stylish youth get together to listen to cool music”. Unfortunately this is outside, which means sweating, sweating, and more sweating on the dance floor or even if you are just chilling. That night turned us into a “show”, 25 gringos dancing together to 50cents “in da club.” All in all, it was a great night especially after 8 to 5 training and more training.
Today I plan to read, watch movies with my host brother, study for our competency exams, and talk to David on skype. Possibly another night of dancing…
Side note, piropos are when the men in the street make catcalls to women. This is a part of the Dominican machismo that can also be seen in other Latino cultures. Well, I always walk to and from entrena with Justin so I never got piropos in the street. I thought that it was because I look Latina and not gringa, however I was wrong. I walked home yesterday by myself and realized that it was because I was escorted by a man to and from my destination, but yesterday I was “available” because I was by myself…interesting…
Thursday, September 4, 2008
More hurricanes...
Well today is another day of rain. Apparently hurricane Ike is on the way and has windspeeds of more than 75 miles an hour and is travelling at 17 miles an hour. What does this mean for me? Well it means that I can no longer go on my PCV visit this weekend… we are stuck on “Standfast” which means we have to stay put. The good thing is that Entrena now hows WIFI working! Well, it works when it wants to but that means I have to carry my laptop to work (and risk it being stolen). Fortunately I purchased insurance on my laptop and my camera, which helps me from all the drama it case it does it stolen.
On a better note, I am learning a bunch of new Dominicanismos. I also had my APCD interview regarding what time of person I am and what type of work I would be doing eventually. Basically what I am comfortable with. For the most part, I think it went well.
Any who, nothing more to say but the usual: Uno playing, internet surfing, skype chatting, movie watching, book reading self.
On a better note, I am learning a bunch of new Dominicanismos. I also had my APCD interview regarding what time of person I am and what type of work I would be doing eventually. Basically what I am comfortable with. For the most part, I think it went well.
Any who, nothing more to say but the usual: Uno playing, internet surfing, skype chatting, movie watching, book reading self.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
motoconchos y carro publico
September 1, 2008
Well today is the first day that I feel fairly comfortable after almost two weeks of being here. Today during our Spanish class we took a trip to Carrefour, which is basically a Super Target/Best buy, so that we can learn how to buy things and learn about the different types of fruits and vegetables. They sell everything! Well I took the carro public and felt like I knew what I was doing. During our training session, we learn about how race is interpreted in the DR. We watched a video about how black is associated with Haiti which is seen as “bad” and everyone likes to associate with Indio. Historically, however, when the Spaniards came, the enslaved the indios of DR, the Taino, and killed them off. They then brought Africans to be the new slaves. Therefore, most of the Dominicans are mulatos . Therefore when I walk around, I see light Dominicans, dark dominicans, straight hair dominicans, and curly hair dominicans. Unfortunately, no matter how dark a Dominican is he does not associate with being black- because the Haitians are black. Haitians in the Dr are like the Mexicans in the States, a lot of them are undocumented and there are close to 1 million in a country where there are around 10 million people.
After training around 5, I went on the internet and talked David and my dad for about an hour. When I went home to have my usual dinner, (fried platano or potatoes and salami or ham), I had an hour conversation with my Dona Juana about the gastos in the Dr. For my homework assignment, I had to figure out the typical budget of a Dominican family by asking how much my host family pays for the essentials. That conversation led to talking about the cultural differences of Americans and Dominicans and how in the end, we are all striving for the same things in life- to be secure and happy. Being financially secure means that you can now be happy, so once the first one is established the second one comes. Well on Thursday I am going on the PCV visit. This means that I will be traveling 5 hours to visit a Peace Corps volunteer in Puerto Plata to find the “true living scenario” of a fellow volunteer. I feel that this is definitely going to be a great way to learn. Well I am out hommies, until later. Peace.
September 2 2008
Well today is a new day, in fact I am sitting here as the storms continue outside. Because it is hurricane season, we either get the actual impact of the hurricane, or we get the tormentas and it rains all day. Today is one of those days. However, we also get our helmets for the motoconchos (motorcycles) that we will be using on our trips to visit the PCV on Thursday. I basically have to take a four hour bus ride, a guagua, and then a motoconcho to arrive. Motoconcho is a way of public transportation that is used more in the rural areas. Peace Corps policy states that we have to use our helmets when riding them. In fact, we are the only PC country that is allowed to use motocycles and cell phones, pretty sweet.
PS I also included the link to my photo album online. Check it out when you can, XOXO
Well today is the first day that I feel fairly comfortable after almost two weeks of being here. Today during our Spanish class we took a trip to Carrefour, which is basically a Super Target/Best buy, so that we can learn how to buy things and learn about the different types of fruits and vegetables. They sell everything! Well I took the carro public and felt like I knew what I was doing. During our training session, we learn about how race is interpreted in the DR. We watched a video about how black is associated with Haiti which is seen as “bad” and everyone likes to associate with Indio. Historically, however, when the Spaniards came, the enslaved the indios of DR, the Taino, and killed them off. They then brought Africans to be the new slaves. Therefore, most of the Dominicans are mulatos . Therefore when I walk around, I see light Dominicans, dark dominicans, straight hair dominicans, and curly hair dominicans. Unfortunately, no matter how dark a Dominican is he does not associate with being black- because the Haitians are black. Haitians in the Dr are like the Mexicans in the States, a lot of them are undocumented and there are close to 1 million in a country where there are around 10 million people.
After training around 5, I went on the internet and talked David and my dad for about an hour. When I went home to have my usual dinner, (fried platano or potatoes and salami or ham), I had an hour conversation with my Dona Juana about the gastos in the Dr. For my homework assignment, I had to figure out the typical budget of a Dominican family by asking how much my host family pays for the essentials. That conversation led to talking about the cultural differences of Americans and Dominicans and how in the end, we are all striving for the same things in life- to be secure and happy. Being financially secure means that you can now be happy, so once the first one is established the second one comes. Well on Thursday I am going on the PCV visit. This means that I will be traveling 5 hours to visit a Peace Corps volunteer in Puerto Plata to find the “true living scenario” of a fellow volunteer. I feel that this is definitely going to be a great way to learn. Well I am out hommies, until later. Peace.
September 2 2008
Well today is a new day, in fact I am sitting here as the storms continue outside. Because it is hurricane season, we either get the actual impact of the hurricane, or we get the tormentas and it rains all day. Today is one of those days. However, we also get our helmets for the motoconchos (motorcycles) that we will be using on our trips to visit the PCV on Thursday. I basically have to take a four hour bus ride, a guagua, and then a motoconcho to arrive. Motoconcho is a way of public transportation that is used more in the rural areas. Peace Corps policy states that we have to use our helmets when riding them. In fact, we are the only PC country that is allowed to use motocycles and cell phones, pretty sweet.
PS I also included the link to my photo album online. Check it out when you can, XOXO
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Marilyn's birthday
August 28, 2008
Well pre-service training in the DR sure makes the time past bye fast. I heard that once we are at our sites, our concept of time will be sooo much slower. `Earlier this week we were hit with another hurricane which meant rain, rain, and more rain. What does that mean for me? Strep throat. So soon in the DR and I am already sick; apparently germs like dampness and since I have weak tonsils, I am more susceptible to certain sicknesses. I am taking antibiotics, so no worries. On another note, today was the first day I took a carro publico sola. I was too lazy to walk all the way to Entrena (about a 15 minute walk especially since I decided to fix my hair) so I took a chance with the public transportation. All in all, it was not bad; I arrived in three minutes and only had to pay about 15 pesos, which is equivalent to about 40 cents.
Yesterday we went to downtown Santo Domingo to visit Peace Corps headquarters, clinica abreu, a pension, and some historical sites. The Peace Corps center has WIFI, which is always a plus con aire conditionar and the Clinica Abreu is the richest clinic in Santo Domingo. In fact we are not allowed to go to any other clinic because it is not equipped with such advanced doctors. Now if I had an emergency and my site is 4 hours away, I must take a taxi straight to this clinic unless I am bleeding to death or I am not breathing. Now that’s some scary stuff.
We meet at Entrena before heading out and ended up all being on the same guagua. The chofer blasted reggaeton for us (since we were the only ones on) and some of the gringas began to dance. I wonder how hilarious it must have been to see a guagua full of dancing Americans.
So far my day consists of Peace Corps training from 8 until 5, I talk to David for about an hour at the internet center using Skype, and playing Uno with my nine year old host brother, Waldid. Sometimes I stay from that agenda to include walking around, the casual movie, and some shopping. I figured once I am in my established site, I will be able to ubicarme un poco major. Well I am going to take this time to make a shoutout to my sister Marilyn for her 25th birthday, Happy Birthday!
Well pre-service training in the DR sure makes the time past bye fast. I heard that once we are at our sites, our concept of time will be sooo much slower. `Earlier this week we were hit with another hurricane which meant rain, rain, and more rain. What does that mean for me? Strep throat. So soon in the DR and I am already sick; apparently germs like dampness and since I have weak tonsils, I am more susceptible to certain sicknesses. I am taking antibiotics, so no worries. On another note, today was the first day I took a carro publico sola. I was too lazy to walk all the way to Entrena (about a 15 minute walk especially since I decided to fix my hair) so I took a chance with the public transportation. All in all, it was not bad; I arrived in three minutes and only had to pay about 15 pesos, which is equivalent to about 40 cents.
Yesterday we went to downtown Santo Domingo to visit Peace Corps headquarters, clinica abreu, a pension, and some historical sites. The Peace Corps center has WIFI, which is always a plus con aire conditionar and the Clinica Abreu is the richest clinic in Santo Domingo. In fact we are not allowed to go to any other clinic because it is not equipped with such advanced doctors. Now if I had an emergency and my site is 4 hours away, I must take a taxi straight to this clinic unless I am bleeding to death or I am not breathing. Now that’s some scary stuff.
We meet at Entrena before heading out and ended up all being on the same guagua. The chofer blasted reggaeton for us (since we were the only ones on) and some of the gringas began to dance. I wonder how hilarious it must have been to see a guagua full of dancing Americans.
So far my day consists of Peace Corps training from 8 until 5, I talk to David for about an hour at the internet center using Skype, and playing Uno with my nine year old host brother, Waldid. Sometimes I stay from that agenda to include walking around, the casual movie, and some shopping. I figured once I am in my established site, I will be able to ubicarme un poco major. Well I am going to take this time to make a shoutout to my sister Marilyn for her 25th birthday, Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My birthday!!!!
August 24, 2008
On Saturday night I went out Dominican style! There is this one girl who did Peace Corps in Ecuador and is extending a year here in DR, so for my birthday she had invited me to go out with her and her host sister. Well it ended up being Megan (the gringa), Regina (otra gringa), me, Megan’s Dominican sister Louisana, Louisana’s brother, her friend, and her copadre. We went to this club where we were drinking beer, dancing meringue, salsa, bachata, and reggeaton, all night long. I’ve never seen so much dancing going on, considering not a lot of people were drinking. At 12 midnight they made an announcement that it was my birthday and everyone sang me happy birthday. I also received a pina colada that was really tasty and made from real pineapples. I had to get home by 2 though so my host family wouldn’t worry but I had a lot of fun dancing so much. And because we went with three boys, I didn’t have to dance with sketchy dance partners. Those boys loved to dance and were respectable (one had a girlfriend, the other was the host brother, and the other one was a neighbor).
So I don’t have any pictures of my memorable night to because I didn’t want to bring my camera. Also custom here has it that the men always pay for the women when they go out so I didn’t have to pay anything. At first I wanted to pay but I realized that I am supposed to learn the Dominican culture and respect it, so I guess I was just respecting the culture J
The funny thing is that they were supposed to pick me up at 8 but ended up coming at 930 without even calling, I was just reading thinking that they were not going to come so I guess I got my first taste of the Dominican sense of time. After I arrived home, I showered and went to bed, my dona juana had already set up my mosquito net for me. I also had a new fan so I was super excited, but unfortunately unos ladrones came to rob our generator (with is the backup electricity because it goes out all the time) around 4 in the morning. I was sound asleep and didn’t wake up until around 11 in the morning. My dona juana told me that while robbing the generator they cut off our electricity as well. Now I am without electicity again for who knows how long, so it was a rough start. Luckily Waldid wanted to hang out with me and take me to his uncle’s house,Willder, because he has internet. And then his wife came out with my birthday postre, it was a plate full of fruit with condensed milk that was really good.
On Saturday night I went out Dominican style! There is this one girl who did Peace Corps in Ecuador and is extending a year here in DR, so for my birthday she had invited me to go out with her and her host sister. Well it ended up being Megan (the gringa), Regina (otra gringa), me, Megan’s Dominican sister Louisana, Louisana’s brother, her friend, and her copadre. We went to this club where we were drinking beer, dancing meringue, salsa, bachata, and reggeaton, all night long. I’ve never seen so much dancing going on, considering not a lot of people were drinking. At 12 midnight they made an announcement that it was my birthday and everyone sang me happy birthday. I also received a pina colada that was really tasty and made from real pineapples. I had to get home by 2 though so my host family wouldn’t worry but I had a lot of fun dancing so much. And because we went with three boys, I didn’t have to dance with sketchy dance partners. Those boys loved to dance and were respectable (one had a girlfriend, the other was the host brother, and the other one was a neighbor).
So I don’t have any pictures of my memorable night to because I didn’t want to bring my camera. Also custom here has it that the men always pay for the women when they go out so I didn’t have to pay anything. At first I wanted to pay but I realized that I am supposed to learn the Dominican culture and respect it, so I guess I was just respecting the culture J
The funny thing is that they were supposed to pick me up at 8 but ended up coming at 930 without even calling, I was just reading thinking that they were not going to come so I guess I got my first taste of the Dominican sense of time. After I arrived home, I showered and went to bed, my dona juana had already set up my mosquito net for me. I also had a new fan so I was super excited, but unfortunately unos ladrones came to rob our generator (with is the backup electricity because it goes out all the time) around 4 in the morning. I was sound asleep and didn’t wake up until around 11 in the morning. My dona juana told me that while robbing the generator they cut off our electricity as well. Now I am without electicity again for who knows how long, so it was a rough start. Luckily Waldid wanted to hang out with me and take me to his uncle’s house,Willder, because he has internet. And then his wife came out with my birthday postre, it was a plate full of fruit with condensed milk that was really good.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
landing in DR
Hello to all who are reading. I landed in Santo Domingo yesterday and met my host family today. I will be living near Pontoja for the next three weeks learning Spanish, Dominican culture, and safety. Then I will be moving to a rural community for technical training for the following 5 weeks.
The very first thing I thought of getting off the plane was its resemblance to Guadalajara, Mexico. I started the vaccinations yesterday ( a total of 10 including rabies) as well as the anti malaria pills. Interestingly enough, sometimes they cause sideeffects such as nightmares and vivid dreams. I was given a mosquito net and without instructions I was able to put it up around my bed before going to sleep, oh its the great life, but I am willing to be challenged.
August 22, 2008
Today started the cultural training on base. We spent all day learning about what we were going to do for the following weeks, and then had our Spanish language exam because soon we will be grouped into 3 or 4 people to learn accelerated Dominican Spanish. After a gruesome day of being in the humid weather and reapplying repellent bug spray (mosquitoes during the day pass dengue while the mosquitoes during the night carry malaria), I met my host family. My dona was surprised at how well my Spanish was while my 9 year host brother, Walday (I think that is how it is spelled) took me around the barrio asking me a lot of questions while inviting me to the aquarium. After using the internet at a computer center, I arrived home to take a shower. Interestingly enough the electricity went out for about 20 minutes. Apparently the electricity isn’t reliable and aportones (which mean blackouts) are common. Luckily enough I had my handy flashlight and was able to take a shower nevertheless. When I went back to my room, my Dona was setting up the mosquito net with a candle as light. Tomorrow I have more training from 8 until 12 and will be arriving by bus. I know it will be another interesting day.
The very first thing I thought of getting off the plane was its resemblance to Guadalajara, Mexico. I started the vaccinations yesterday ( a total of 10 including rabies) as well as the anti malaria pills. Interestingly enough, sometimes they cause sideeffects such as nightmares and vivid dreams. I was given a mosquito net and without instructions I was able to put it up around my bed before going to sleep, oh its the great life, but I am willing to be challenged.
August 22, 2008
Today started the cultural training on base. We spent all day learning about what we were going to do for the following weeks, and then had our Spanish language exam because soon we will be grouped into 3 or 4 people to learn accelerated Dominican Spanish. After a gruesome day of being in the humid weather and reapplying repellent bug spray (mosquitoes during the day pass dengue while the mosquitoes during the night carry malaria), I met my host family. My dona was surprised at how well my Spanish was while my 9 year host brother, Walday (I think that is how it is spelled) took me around the barrio asking me a lot of questions while inviting me to the aquarium. After using the internet at a computer center, I arrived home to take a shower. Interestingly enough the electricity went out for about 20 minutes. Apparently the electricity isn’t reliable and aportones (which mean blackouts) are common. Luckily enough I had my handy flashlight and was able to take a shower nevertheless. When I went back to my room, my Dona was setting up the mosquito net with a candle as light. Tomorrow I have more training from 8 until 12 and will be arriving by bus. I know it will be another interesting day.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Arriving in Miami
So today has been a crazy long day which started with 4 hours of sleep. Arriving at the airport I originally thought David would be able to go through security with me, but unfortunately our flights were not at the same terminal. As a result, we had to say our goodbyes at the security. He told me to wave to him once I get thru, but because of all of the bobby pins in my hair I set off the alarm, unfortunately I was considered a risk by the metal detectors and had to be patted down (by a female employee of course).
After stopping at an airport shop to pick up a ridiculously expensive yogurt for breakfast, I realized that it was final boarding for my flight! I ran the rest of the terminal to my gate, and ended up being the last person to board the flight. Once I was safely in my seat for two hours, I managed to get motion sickness and had to use the barf bag (there goes the yogurt I ate). Luckily, once I disposed my body of the yogurt, I felt perfectly fine and only managed to gross out the people around me.
Once I reached my final destination of Coconut Grove Hotel, I recognized two Davidson alums- Darryl Childers and Trenita Childers! There are serving as a married couple. I was too geeked to see some people that I knew, and did not realize how stressful it can be to meet new people at once. It was also at this point that I realized all 50 of the Peace Corps Volunteers currently staying at the hotel were all going to the DR with me!
The rest of the day was a hot and humid orientation (the electricity went out because of the hurricane weather in Miami), which involved climbing 20 flights of stairs, meet and greet with other volunteers, and many other staging events. Afterward a bunch of us headed to Chili’s for dinner in which we were able to get to know each other better and share our own anxieties and aspirations about serving as a volunteer.
All in all it was all new and exciting to meet other people in my own situation, feeling the same things I am feeling.
After stopping at an airport shop to pick up a ridiculously expensive yogurt for breakfast, I realized that it was final boarding for my flight! I ran the rest of the terminal to my gate, and ended up being the last person to board the flight. Once I was safely in my seat for two hours, I managed to get motion sickness and had to use the barf bag (there goes the yogurt I ate). Luckily, once I disposed my body of the yogurt, I felt perfectly fine and only managed to gross out the people around me.
Once I reached my final destination of Coconut Grove Hotel, I recognized two Davidson alums- Darryl Childers and Trenita Childers! There are serving as a married couple. I was too geeked to see some people that I knew, and did not realize how stressful it can be to meet new people at once. It was also at this point that I realized all 50 of the Peace Corps Volunteers currently staying at the hotel were all going to the DR with me!
The rest of the day was a hot and humid orientation (the electricity went out because of the hurricane weather in Miami), which involved climbing 20 flights of stairs, meet and greet with other volunteers, and many other staging events. Afterward a bunch of us headed to Chili’s for dinner in which we were able to get to know each other better and share our own anxieties and aspirations about serving as a volunteer.
All in all it was all new and exciting to meet other people in my own situation, feeling the same things I am feeling.
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