Look who came to visit...

...my family!

Familiar faces? :) My Mom, Aunt Julie, and Sara were here in the DR for a long weekend. It was a really great visit - hadn’t seen anyone from home in over 6 months (that’s half a year, weird huh?), so I loved it! We packed a lot of traveling (and a lot of espanol) into four and a half days. After reuniting at the Puerta Plata airport, we stayed in Cabarete at a fun hotel on the beach which had a lot to offer - personal favorites being - the AC and a shower with HOT water. It’s the little things in life - except I wouldn't consider either of those to be little things anymore. Anyway, it was a really good time. Photos from Cabarete:

Waiting for everyone in the Puerta Plata airport

A couple of the many animal friends Aunt Julie made in the DR :D

Caught the sunrise one morning!

After a weekend up north, we went back to my site to meet the host family, neighbors and the school. One of the days we had lunch at my host family’s - featuring the bandera: rice, beans, salad, and chicken. Having the families meet was probably one of my favorite parts of the visit. To add to that, my family got to experience a homemade Dominican meal - and lucky them, because Heaven knows my little kitchen will never fully succeed in recreating any of my host mom’s dishes. While they were in town, I brought my family around to meet the neighbors and everyone at the school, too. Photos from visiting Mao:

Ruby with students in computer class

Francisco showing his artwork

Aunt "Julia" and Don Jose

Dona Dominga and Mom

Simon and Sara

Mis Familias Americanas y Dominicanas juntos!

Mom, Lenny, me, Sara, Aunt Julie

Lenny gave one of his paintings to my mom

After a couple days in Mao, we ended our visit at the Santiago airport, at which point we went our separate ways again. My family went alla to Nueva Yol, and eventually everyone made it safely back to Boston. On the other hand, I stayed here and taxied back to Mao with Gustavo, a new friend who shared an abridged version of his life story during the ride and then gave me a pineapple. And so concludes our trip. I wish everyone could have stayed longer.

Gracias, Gustavo.

Another great part of having my family here was being able to hear about how people are doing back home. So, if you’ve seen my mom in the past month, chances are that I got a mini-update on your life. :o) Also thank you for sending warm wishes, gifts and thoughtful cards - it really felt like a surprise Christmas.

Grandma, Grampy, Folkins Family, Supino Family, Kathy, Dennis, Angie - Thank you! :D

Oh! By the way, those are New England-scented candles in the photo. Woohoo - Happy Fall from the Dominican Republic.

Cuidense!

XO