Better Late Than Never

Wednesday November 3, 2010

Day 61

I observed in the pharmacy today and it was very interesting.  I learned quite a few things and the person who was teaching me was very helpful.  One thing I realized is that I can not read most of the prescriptions for three reasons: messy handwriting, words in Spanish that I never saw in writing, and of course, I rarely read things in cursive anymore.  I think I will need to practice all three of these things.

I spent a lot of the day tracking the storm.  My brother is coming Friday and I am worried that he will not make it here because of the bad weather.  Tomas, leave my brother’s trip alone!  At night the entire family, including the dog, went to go pick up Juan Carlos from his school trip.  I wish my family missed me that much when I was gone for only 12 hours.

Thursday November 4, 2010

Day 62

The world came to a near halt today; it was raining.  It was actually raining a lot today and the drainage is terrible here so it makes a little more sense that everything slows down or stops.  I didn’t bring my computer today because I thought I was going to the clinic and I don’t use my computer there.  I was able to go back to the house and get my laptop and I also changed into rainy weather clothes (I copied this outfit from Teresa and others at the office and around town): capris and sandals.  I got a lot done at the office today.  I worked on some stuff for the conference and spoke with a dentist who is coming to do a presentation at the clinic during the conference.

After work we picked up the kids and went to the mall.  Teresa had to get some things before her trip to Mexico tomorrow for a conference.  At the mall we had Taco Bell and Teresa agreed that it was all in preparation for her trip to Mexico. Yes, I ate Taco Bell (hard corn taco with chicken, lettuce and tomato) and loved every bit of it.  See what happens when you are deprived of fast food as a child? Thanks, Mom!   After the mall I started packing for my vacation with my brother. I can’t wait until he gets here.  Stay away, Tomas!

Friday November 5, 2010

Day 63

I woke up early today so I could check on my brother’s flight status.  I also had to be up to take the kids to school with Freddy, our favorite taxi driver.  Teresa didn’t want to send them in the taxi alone so I accompanied them.  When I got back from that I finished packing for my trip with my brother.  Freddy came back and picked me up so we could go get my brother from the airport. 

My brother’s plane landed just in time because within minutes the storm really picked up and he would never have made it here in that weather.  As we were driving back to the hotel the visibility decreased dramatically and the rain was coming down extremely hard.  On the other side of the road we saw palm trees falling and blocking the road. It was crazy.   

Since the weather was really bad we ate lunch in the hotel and decided to stay indoors for a while.  After lunch we went to the gym and then prepared for dinner with the family.  Nanita made us a delicious dinner and Kenny’s favorite part was definitely the tostones (cut plantains that are squished into flat circles and then fried).  After dinner we went back to the hotel because Kenny was obviously exhausted after a long day of traveling.  Tomorrow we will go to Ruben’s and that will be exciting too.

Saturday November 6, 2010

Day 64

Today we woke up and prepared for our trip to Ruben’s.  We had a tasty and filling breakfast at Dominican Fiesta Hotel and then went to my favorite grocery store, Bravo, to get some things for the trip.  Freddy picked us up and we went on our hunt to purchase some more art supplies for the kids of La Lomita.  Unbeknownst to us it was a holiday and everything was closed.  Not a good way to start the day but it happens.

Freddy drove us most of the way but Ruben met us outside of his town because the roads by him would be impossible to pass in a taxi because they aren’t really roads.  The “roads” ended up being deep, muddy pathways that were only passable with Ruben’s pickup truck.  Thank goodness for trucks! When we got to Ruben’s house we had lunch and then he gave us a tour of his property.  The whole time he was handing us more fruit than we could possibly consume. 

After the property tour Ruben, his daughters, Kenny and I went to visit La Lomita.  When we got to La Lomita, Ruben wanted to give a few people he knew some powdered infant formula that he received as a donation.  He only wanted to give it to a few people but he ended up getting mobbed by everyone who heard he had something to give.  My brother and I were standing five feet away, in utter amazement at what was happening.  They were literally begging for a can of powdered milk.  When he couldn’t give everyone milk everyone was very upset.   We continued with our tour of La Lomita (the milk locked safely in the truck) and I think my brother enjoyed seeing what Grace Cares has done so far in this community. 

When we were leaving La Lomita some little kids hopped on the back of the truck and were being very rude.  One of the kids, probably about 6 years old, was literally pretending to throw his knife at us.  Yes, he was only 6 years old but the blade was about 9 inches long and he was doing that in front of Ruben’s little daughters and I as we sat in the back of the truck, unprotected of course.  Who knows if he was going to accidently let go of the knife and hit us.  We were yelling at them to get off and eventually Ruben got them off the truck.  As they were running away from the truck they were throwing rocks.  Two weeks ago when I was there, all of the children were so cute and sweet.  I don’t know who these little rascals were but Ruben promised to straighten them out the next time he saw them. 

At night we had a nice dinner and a relaxing evening.  My mom sent a game with Kenny to give to the girls so that is what we played.  It was a giant carpet game board that had one side for checkers and one side for tic tac toe.  Kenny and I successfully taught the girls how to play and we played a little too.

Sunday November 7, 2010

Day 65

We woke up to the sounds of rain, chickens and ducks.  It is a surprisingly nice thing to wake up to.  Kenny and I went to church with Ruben and his family.  This church was different than the one we went to last time and it was much bigger.  The people who sang at the church had great voices and could definitely start a singing group if they wanted to.

After church, Ruben took us to a lake a few miles away.  He wanted to show us a dam where he was thinking of doing a project.  It was really nice by the lake and I was so mad that I didn’t have my camera with me at that moment.  We stopped by a restaurant for a drink and then Kenny and I decided that we should have brunch while we were there.  We picked out some fish and they fried it (without breading/batter, finally!) and served it with tostones.  The fish was so good and Kenny even said it was some of the best fish he ever had. 

After brunch we went back to the house and Kenny and Ruben discussed some Grace business.  I listened in but the two of them had all of the good ideas.   Ruben gave Kenny plenty of stuff to work on and I just sat there thinking, "let’s just do it all!" When there are so many people to help it is hard to choose WHO to help. 

After the meeting we packed up our stuff and Ruben and one of his workers/friends, Santiago, drove us to Puerto Plata.  Our neighbors from Toms River were arriving today so we wanted to get there around the same time as them and we were successful in that plan.  When we arrived, Ken and I had a bit of culture shock.  We just came from a place where people were begging for powdered milk and now we were walking into an opulent, all inclusive beach resort with 24 hour food and drinks.  It was also kind of funny to see our neighbors, Danny and David (twins that Kenny and I have both known since we were born) at the hotel when we got there.  It just seemed so odd that they were here, in the Dominican Republic. Strange.

November 8, 9, 10 2010

Days 66, 67, 68

I will now summarize the next few days.  It included way too much food and golf cart riding.  Monday was nice and we were able to go to the beach during the day.  At night there was a huge party on the beach for all of the guests and there were musical performances and fireworks.  On Tuesday it was raining but we went to Ocean World for a little while before it got too bad.  Ocean World is like a mini Sea World and it is right next to the hotel where we were staying.  We saw a show about sharks and then I went snorkeling in a fish tank with the twins.  It started pouring again so we went back to the hotel.

The hotel, which isn’t really a hotel but more of a huge vacation campus, was great.  They had every amenity possible and the beach there was beautiful.  The best part about Puerto Plata is that you can see mountains all around you.  Beach + mountains= beautiful. 

I had a lot of fun with my brother and the twins (I should probably stop calling them that now that they are 29 years old but it is a habit) and was sad that I had to leave on Wednesday.  I took the bus back to Santo Domingo (four hours) and made my mom nervous the whole time.  My mom had been worrying about this bus trip ever since she heard that was part of my plan.  Everyone kept telling me it was safe and in the end, everyone was right. 

Fun Facts:

1.       Apparently in this country, twins are just about the coolest thing possible.  Everytime someone noticed that they were twins they would get all excited and say “gemelos? Mira, ellos son gemelos!” or “twins? Look, they are twins!”

2.       Most of the guests at the resort were from the US so when I spoke Spanish to people at the hotel they got all excited.  It was fun.

3.       I can barely make a phone call in Spanish.  I try to avoid them at all costs.

4.       When I was boarding the bus in Puerto Plata I learned that they have a different procedure for this.  There was some form of a line but then, as soon as they opened the doors everyone started pushing and shoving to get on the bus.  I was literally pushed out of the line. It was scary. FYI, these were mostly older women doing this.

5.       On the bus, a lady in the row next to me played really loud music on her cellphone and then decided to put on her headphones after a few people started giving her dirty looks. After she put her headphones on she decided to sing even louder than the music was before. 

6.       This lady who worked at the resort told me to sit in front of the bus but wouldn’t tell me why.  She insisted that I just listen to her but wouldn’t offer a reason.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a seat in front but nothing bad happened to me in the middle/back.  I am still confused about this.

7.       Our first golf cart was horrible and kept backfiring every few yards.  Luckily, we got a new one and it was much quieter.  I want a golf cart now.

Peace,

Jaclyn

Puerto Plata is BEAUTIFUL!

The crew at dinner (my last night)

Slacking

I will update this blog soon. My brother is visiting and we have been quite busy. More coming soon!

Just Hanging Out with the Nuncio

Monday November 1, 2010

Day 59

I worked on my two month summary today and finally finished it.  It was originally four pages but I cut it down to two pages.  I had so much to say but I figured no one would want to read something that long.  I also worked on translating an article about last week’s visit.  Project HOPE made the news of course!  We stayed at the office until almost 8:30pm and then went to my favorite grocery store to get some things for tomorrow.  Tomorrow they are having a special mass at the clinic and the Nuncio is coming.

Tuesday November 2, 2010

Day 60

Today was a very busy morning. Teresa and I went to the grocery store to get more things for the mass and the little snack after.  Teresa had something else to do so I was in charge of preparing the food.  We wanted to provide some refreshments to eat after the mass for the caballeros and damas (knights and ladies) of the Order of Malta and of course for the Nuncio too.  I cut about 5 pounds of cheese and made it look lovely of course. (Thanks mom for teaching me about food presentation.) I helped prepare the room and set the table as well.

The mass was really nice.  There were probably about 60 people who came, many of which were employees from the clinic.  Earlier in the day, a few people transformed the clinic into a beautiful little chapel. It is amazing what a few white sheets and flowers can do.  The Nuncio is like the ambassador for the Dominican Republic to the Pope.  In other words, he is really important! He is actually from Poland and was the Nuncio for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan before his time here.  They move around like other ambassadors and I think he is getting a good deal serving in the Dominican Republic.

After the mass we went to the conference room for the refreshments (only the important people like the Order of Malta people and of course, Jaclyn).  One of the caballeros introduced me to the Nuncio and that was special. He is really down to earth and speaks English too!  The secretary to the Nuncio (a priest) overheard and started speaking in English too and asked me what school I graduated from and when I told him of course he replied “Oh, IU, the Hoosiers!” I found out after that he was from Nebraska (Cornhuskers).  I could obviously tell when they were both speaking during the mass that they weren’t native Spanish speakers but for some reason I didn’t think the priest from Nebraska was from the US.  Oh those Americans can be so sneaky with their accents!

In the afternoon I observed in the administration department.  I learned a few things but ended up leaving early because it had been raining a lot all day and Matteo was afraid it was going to get worse.  Remember that thing I wrote a few weeks ago about people being afraid of the rain in this city?  Still true.

Fun Facts:

1.       Tomas is making me nervous. I have an important visitor coming Friday and fun plans with friends on Sunday.  I am also worried about the people in Haiti and I am hoping it turns away from Haiti.

2.       The Nuncio and Secretary had a little traveling mass kit, complete with all of the things they needed for the mass and it was packed neatly in a suitcase.

3.       I was eating my soup on Tuesday and encountered a big piece of meat. I thought it was fat on the bone so I didn’t eat it. Teresa asked me why I wasn’t eating it and I told her it was because it was all fat. She said that it wasn’t fat and that it was cartilage.  I still was unsure and then she told me it was pig feet. After that I politely declined to eat it.  This is where not knowing about meat really can be dangerous. 

4.       People wash bananas here.

Peace,

Jaclyn

Halloween Weekend?

Saturday October 30, 2010

Day 57

Today was another relaxing weekend day in Santo Domingo.  We were planning to go to play basketball and use the gym at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel but at almost the exact same time in the afternoon, both of the kids got sick. It was so strange but definitely could have been a case study in epidemiology.  As quick as the kids got sick, they got better too.  When they were better we went to the movies.  We saw “Eat, Pray, Love” in English (Spanish subtitles) which was pretty good.  I read the book the first week I was here so I was glad we got to see the movie.  The last time we were at the movies there were only a few other people in the theater so I wasn’t able to get the real experience.  Well the real experience here is quite interesting.  People laugh at the most inappropriate times and people chat during the whole movie.   No one yells at anyone or tells them to be quiet.

Sunday October 31, 2010

Day 58

I kept forgetting today was Halloween.  I love Halloween but without the candy, costumes and trick or treaters it can easily fly by as just another day.  The only reminders during the day were the constant Facebook picture uploads that kept popping up on my screen.  Everyone needs to show off their costume pictures of course.  Actually when we were at the mall to see the movie on Saturday I saw a few people dressed up in costume and the theater was decorated with orange and black balloons.

In the afternoon, we all helped Teresa make ceviche for lunch.  Her ceviche is a lot different than any other ceviche that I have tried.  This type is made with tomatoes and when it is finished looks more like gazpacho.  She also cooks her fish before she makes it which isn’t how it is traditionally prepared.  The finished product was delicious!

After lunch the kids and I watched Coraline.  I am not really a fan of animated movies but this one wasn’t too bad.  I also enjoyed it because it was a little scary (well I mean for kids it would probably be scarier) so it was fitting for Halloween.

Fun Facts:

1.       They have an “As Seen on TV” store in the mall.

2.       You can buy beer at the movie theater.

3.       The security guards in the mall parking lots have a whole scheme set up to make money off “good parking spots”. They put a cone or something in the spot and when they see you, they move it away and let you park in it.  They know you’ll appreciate their kindness and give them a tip when you leave. So smart yet so wrong. 

4.       You can get just about anything delivered to your door here.  The other day I saw someone get cereal delivered.  Now that is a dream come true for me!

Peace,

Jaclyn

Ending the Week, Starting the Weekend

Thursday October 28, 2010

Day 55

Today was our last day with the visitors from the US.  We all had a nice breakfast at the Dominican Fiesta and then went to the clinic for a tour and a little meeting.  I prepared a lot for the tour but Teresa actually did most of it.  She has so much passion for that clinic so it is hard to keep her from sharing it.  It was still nice to show everyone around the place that I have grown to like so much.  I had a sense of ownership that I didn’t think I would have for a place I have only been at for less than two months.  After the tour we had a little meeting with two of the Cabelleros or Knights of Malta.  They both spoke English so that made everything even easier.  After the clinic we headed to the Santo Domingo Country Club for lunch.  I went with one of the cabaelleros and his driver because there wasn’t enough room for me.  I think this whole “not having enough room for Jaclyn” thing is becoming a theme. (Happened twice that day and a few times this week already)  Either way, we got there and I was so surprised to see a country club less than a mile from Teresa’s house.  How did I miss that these last 54 days? The lunch was nice and the conversation was good.  It was nice having the visitors but their presence has increased my calorie intake tenfold and for that reason it is OK that they are leaving today. 

Friday October 29, 2010

Day 56

We went back to our regular schedule today.  I went back to my research and other assignments and Teresa went back to, I am not sure but probably just saving the world as usual. I am being serious and not sarcastic at all.  I have been following the cholera epidemic in Haiti very closely and have noticed how some newspapers and websites report on the same story and give totally different facts.  The health officials in the Dominican Republic are doing a ton of health education and prevention and praying that it doesn’t cross the border.  If it does, I think they’ll be more than ready. 

We left a little early today to do some errands and get the kids from school.  I was happy to see all of the kids at Cynthia’s school dressed in orange and black for Halloween.  When I got there they were disassembling a huge structure that Cynthia later told me was a haunted house that was actually dark and scary.  I spent the rest of the day and night relaxing and I am glad that this tiring but great week is over.

Fun Facts:

1.       My brother is coming in 7 days! (See previous post)

2.       The sweet dessert I bought last week is supposed to be served with cheese and that is why I found it too sweet.

3.       People in the street market next to the office have TV’s set up to watch.

4.       The Dominican Republic is preparing their health information about cholera in Spanish and in Creole.   I plan to learn French in the next coming years but Creole just seems impossible!

5.       See photo below.

Peace,

Jaclyn

A helmet with room for a ponytail? Great idea!

A Request

My brother is coming to visit me next week and we will be bringing some very special things to the community of La Lomita. Here is a copy of his e-mail.

Hello All,
Next week I will be heading to the Dominican Republic to visit my sister, spend a few days at the beach, and visit a village called La Lomita.  La Lomita is a small rural community where the non-profit I co-founded, Grace Cares, has done several projects.  In the past we have built a community center (used as the school), a water well, and a chicken coop to start a community owned egg business.  We have also provided for an elder care program.  I will be going to check-out some of the past projects and would like to bring supplies to set-up an art program for the children there.

I am buying classroom-sized boxes of crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, paint brushes, and pastels in the US and sister will purchase the bulkier items like paper, clay, and bottles of paint in Santo Domingo.  These are things that most of us had plenty of in school and probably at home growing up, not so much there.  This is a small project and as such even small donations would help out greatly.  If you can spare $5-10 dollars or would like to pass this email on to someone who can, it would be greatly appreciated.

Information about Grace Cares and more about our past projects in the Dominican and elsewhere is available at http://www.gracecares.com/.  Grace Cares is a 501(c)3.   As I will be bringing the goods along with me, 100% of the donations will be going towards purchasing the supplies.  Donations can be made by check to Grace Cares, Inc. 773 Guilford Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301; cash (send me an email); or online at http://gracecares.com/donate.html. 

Thank you,
Captain Ken

P.S. At the beginning of December our Annual Report will come out with info about our larger projects completed this year as well as those proposed for next.  If you are interested in finding out more, please let me know.



Teresa and the kids in La Lomita singing a song



"Life" in the Time of Cholera

Monday October 25, 2010

Day 52

Today was a nice start to an exciting week.  In the afternoon Teresa and I went to the airport to pick up two people from Project HOPE who are visiting this week.  Two people are visiting from Sanofi and they came earlier this morning.  The two Project HOPE people were so excited to see Teresa and she was equally excited to see them.  We took them to their hotel and we went back to the office to finish some work before dinner.  Did I mention that we skipped lunch?  That was the only bad part about the day.  I really don’t like missing meals.  (Right, Mom?)

We went back to the Dominican Fiesta Hotel and picked up our four visitors and went to a restaurant in the Zona Colonial for dinner.  The restaurant was very nice and we started out sitting outside with a nice view of Alcázar de Colón which was the home of Diego Columbus , but had to move inside when it started raining.  We had a good diner and great conversation to go along with it.

Tuesday October 26, 2010

Day 53

We started off our long but exciting day with a meeting with the person in charge of the national vaccine program for SESPAS (Ministry of Health).  We discussed the donations and the cholera outbreak.  A note about the cholera outbreak: Everything we are doing now has been altered or must be altered because of the cholera outbreak in Haiti.  In the Dominican Republic people acknowledge that this is all one island so not only is the Dominican Republic at too, but as neighbors, they must help Haiti.  As we keep hearing, “Diseases have no borders.”  For now there haven’t been any cases here and hopefully it stays that way.

Following our very informative meeting we went to see the cold rooms where they store the vaccines.  The warehouse has a few big walk-in refrigerators where they store the vaccines.  We got to see the donated vaccines as well as the rest of the warehouse.  It was so cool (pun?)!

Since our car was very full they sent two of us with the doctor who we just met with to travel a few blocks to the Ministry of Health.  That was when I thought “hmm, I am in the car with the person who is in charge of a national vaccine program, how great!” We went to the meeting and the Ministry of Health and unfortunately the Minister had to cancel because he was at the border for a cholera meeting (I know this is true because I saw him on the news tonight in one of the border towns).  Instead we met with the Vice Minister of Health.  That was still extremely impressive.  I can’t believe all of these opportunities I am getting!

After a relaxing lunch at the Dominican Fiesta we went to UNICEF for a meeting.  At UNICEF we had the same issue because the person we were supposed to meet with was also at the cholera meeting at the border.  Instead, we met with a person who specializes in health in disasters.  It was interesting to talk with him and he gave us some good insight about what they were doing at UNICEF.  Oh, and this time at UNICEF I brought my passport so I didn’t need to use my gym membership card as identification.

Teresa had an important meeting with important people in regards to the work Ecuador is doing in Haiti.  Everyone loves Teresa and it is no surprise that she had to jet out of a meeting to meet with some ambassadors.  While Teresa was at her meeting Ruben and I went to get snacks and water for the trip to the border towns tomorrow.  The fast paced grocery shopping and the selection of fruit and water reminded me of my days as the wrestling team manager at IU and my many grocery store trips before meets.  I miss it!

For dinner we went to the Argentinian restaurant that we went to for Nanita’s birthday the other day.  I had some sort of steak and it was delicious.  I rarely eat steak but it was a steak place so I think that is what you are supposed to do.  Everyone really enjoyed the food and I hope we can find another excuse to go back there.

Thursday October 27, 2010

Day 54

We woke up early today and were on the road to the border towns by 7:45am.  We took Teresa’s SUV and hired our favorite taxi driver, Freddy to take some the overflow people.  I was one of the overflow people and I enjoyed the ride with Teresa, Orlando and Freddy.  The first stop on our trip was to El Limón.  We wanted to check out the vaccine situation there at the rural clinic and the regional director of health met us there too.  While we were there, one of the doctors was giving a lecture on Cholera to about 30 people crammed in to the tiny clinic.  Teresa eventually took over and wow, what a public speaker!  She was so animated and passionate and I think she should go to every town and do this.  She explained to everyone what Cholera is, how to prevent it, how to treat it, etc.   I attempted to videotape the lecture because it was THAT good but silly Jaclyn had it on the wrong setting so it didn’t come out correctly.  I can almost guarantee that everyone in the room (more people started coming in when they saw from the street that something was going on) now knows about cholera and how they can prevent and treat it.  I hope to do this exact thing one day (the public health talk).

We left El Limón and went to Jimani which is on the border of Haiti.  We went to their public health office and met with a couple of doctors there.  They told us how they were responding to the Cholera outbreak in Haiti and what they were doing to prepare.  We also assessed their vaccination situation and discussed things that they think they need to improve their care.  Just a few feet away, across the street was their hospital and we went there next for a quick tour.  It seemed surprisingly quiet and empty and everyone kept reminding us how right after the earthquake it was absolutely full with patients, crowding every inch of space in the waiting areas, hallways, etc.  

We wanted to go over to the Haiti side just to see the health centers closest to the border but we decided against it. We figured it would be too risky if we went over and for some reason (perhaps an increase in Cholera cases) they decided to close the border, we could be stuck there.  In the beginning of the week, or maybe it was last week, they suspended the market days at one of the other border crossings that take place right next to the border where Haitians bring their goods to sell so everyone has been afraid that they might actually close the border.  Instead of crossing over we just drove right up to it, took a few pictures and turned around.

We headed back to Santo Domingo and I was grateful to be back after a long day of sitting in a car.  It was another good experience so I am definitely glad I got to go.

Fun Facts:

1.       None of the toilets I used today out in the field flushed and only one had toilet paper.  Am I oversharing? I just thought it was a fun fact.  Advice to all traveling: tissues and hand sanitizer gel/ hand wipes are key.

2.       I saw a truck with tire flaps (I have no idea what that is really called) from Hackensack, NJ in Santo Domingo.

3.       At the military and police checkpoints Teresa continued her public health promotion.  She told the military people that when the vaccines are available they need to get the meningococcal vaccine because it is being prioritized for military personnel. 

4.       We had to stop for a cow crossing the road three different times today.  Why did the cow cross the road?

5.       There are goats everywhere here.

6.       On the way to the Ministry of Health I spotted Haagen Dazs and Baskin Robbins.  I call that success!

7.       The other day I had such a bad mosquito bite (or something else) and my ankle was swollen almost twice the normal size and it actually hurt a lot.  I am alive now so I guess it is OK. It is still a little big but I am not suffering from “cankles” anymore. 

8.       Sometimes I drink coffee here to be polite because people serve you things and assume you will drink/eat them.  Everyone here is just so nice that they want to give you food, drinks, seats, etc.

Peace,

Jaclyn

The group minus one of the doctors and Ruben. Banana promotion?

Teresa doing her AMAZING Cholera lecture. The lady next to her was someone she called up to answer a question.



The border