Día tras Día

(Martes, 3/23/10)

After these first few weeks of training, I’m starting to get into the swing of things in the DR. Things are different to be certain, but I’m really happy here and loving it so far. I haven’t said too many specifics of the daily life yet, so if interested - read on. A typical day (during the first 3 weeks) is spent at the training center (below) and evenings spent in the barrios with host families and friends. As a training group, we spend the day in Spanish classes, Peace Corps and DR-specific information sessions, and presentations from training staff and current Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). These presentations cover a variety of topics from Peace Corps medical rules to DR-related politics/history/cultural issues. This week we have oral and written exams on all we’ve learned so far in training.

Aside from the training, the family I’m staying with has introduced me to a LOT of new foods. One of the highlights was drinking a few sips of water from a coconut (not so sure about the taste, but I felt super cool, nonetheless). Also, since I have yet to find a colmado that sells chai tea lattes, I’ve become a coffee drinker here - black with cane sugar. Growing up; getting serious.

Here in the DR, water and lights operate on a conserved schedule throughout most of the country, so sometimes we don’t have either in the barrios. Some barrios have had more problems with the lack of water, but things at my house have always been pretty good. Not to mention, bucket baths are not as bad as they sound. (1. water is never as cold, and 2. water is used less). But, I’m still pretty new, so that novelty may wear off during the next 26 months.

Another novelty to me is sun-dried laundry. I hand wash some of my clothes, and there’s a washing machine in my host family’s house, but no drier so everything is hung on the roof to dry in the heat. Unlike water and light, there’s always plenty of sunshine here. I know its not a big deal, but its my first time hanging laundry outside. Throughout college, I harbored this weird, unspoken fear that my clothes would be taken from the laundry room and hung somewhere public and embarrassing on campus. Well, good news. After the sight of my underwear hanging nonchalantly for all neighbors in the barrio to see, I no longer have this worry. :-)

Anyway, I just feel so lucky to be where I am. I can’t wait to be in a community at work on my own projects. It would be really perfect if I could package up a few New Englanders to be sent here, too. (Anyone in?)

This last photo is in my mosquitera (mosquito net) having a good time.

xo,

Emma