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.