The Adventure Begins

Day 1

September 5, 2010

Today started out at the ungodly hour of 3:45am. I had to leave the house by 4:30 for my flight that would leave at 7:15am. My Dominican adventure began at the gate when the announcements came in Spanish first and then in English. I did a lot of head nodding and “si” and “no” when people spoke to me at the airport and on the plane. When I arrived in Santo Domingo I was greeted by my new family: Teresa, Juan Carlos (13?) and Cynthia (12?). They were so warm and welcoming and that made me feel so much more at ease. Fortunately Teresa and her kids came to pick me up in a big SUV that was able to fit my huge luggage. We drove along the coast en route to their house. There are miles of water but not a beach like you would expect to see with beautiful blue water. They actually drive somewhere else to go the beach and swim in the ocean. We stopped for lunch and I had a delicious dish of rice and chicken. The drive was probably 45 minutes (not including the lunch break) and in that time I was able to witness the interesting driving style here. Swerving is important and turn signals aren’t necessary. FYI, Teresa is a good driver and I am so glad she is driving and not me.

Teresa lives in an apartment complex in a residential area. The apartment building has locks to enter the building and then of course each apartment is locked. This is for all of those who were worried about security. The building is very nice and there is a semi-court yard inside I guess. Teresa’s apartment is very nice as well. It is so colorful and very neat. Cynthia is letting me stay in her room during my time here. In typical tween fashion I will be sharing the room with The Jonas Brothers (posters, not the actual singing group). I love it. My summer of tween/teen supervision (Carly and Dana!) has prepared me for lots of Disney Channel/Nickelodeon conversations. (OMG you like iCarly and Wizards of Waverly Place too? OK maybe there wasn’t a full out OMG). Teresa had to pick up an armoire and then a handyman came to put it together and move some furniture. During that time I broke out the string collection to make bracelets with Cynthia. (Thanks for the practice, Dana). Note: Cynthia is nearly fluent in English although she won’t admit to it. Juan Carlos is very good as well but he is the shy one when it comes to speaking English I think. They both attend a bilingual school and are clearly learning a lot.

Before I came here, everyone warned me that the electricity in Santo Domingo is unreliable and it often goes out without warning. However, I did not know that the water doesn’t work sometimes too. That happened today. Eh, who needs to shower anyway? Of course I have my antibacterial hand wipes for hand washing; can’t leave home without them!

After we discovered the water crisis it was time for church. They like to go to a mass at 7:30pm on Sunday. I thought she meant 7:30am at first. The church was a catholic church but it was much different than the catholic churches I frequent (could I even say frequent?). They played fun, upbeat, pop music that reminded me of Christian Rock music. Everyone was singing and really feeling the music. At the end of the mass they honor birthdays and sing happy birthday to anyone who is standing up for their birthday that week. Phew, missed that one by a couple of days. Unbeknownst to be, first time visitors to the church also have to stand up. I was forced to stand up and the whole congregation sang a song to me. I do NOT like that kind of attention. (Hey Mom, how is that for some social anxiety treatment?) It was scary. I rather make a speech in front of a large class than have a whole church singing to me! Wow, I bet my face was red.

We had a late dinner and the family was eating something that I couldn’t eat because it had wheat in it and I do not eat wheat. Luckily, I had some packets of miso soup in my luggage that I didn’t know were there. (Miso soup fairy, show yourself!) Teresa was so accommodating, nearly offering me everything in her kitchen. I also had a couple of pieces of fried platanos with my soup.
Fun fact: the family dog, a Chihuahua named Ti Ti (Spelling?), starts to sing when Cynthia plays the recorder. It is the funniest thing. I may start to like Ti Ti if she learns not to lick me. I am not a dog person and that is mainly because I HATE to be licked. She will learn.

I already miss my family, friends and my house and I can’t believe I will be here for three months. It is a nice place but I will just have to get used to it.  Everyone is going to bed soon (well after they turn off the Justin Bieber music, true story. He is even popular here!) so I will write again tomorrow. I am hoping for better internet and water tomorrow.

Peace, love and water,
Jaclyn