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…