9.20.2012

Playa Ensenada + Cayo Arena

1. Playa Ensenada (PE)- Little boy swimming by the shore
2. PE- Lauri gives me a quick pose
3. PE- Jana & Sarah enjoying the sun!
4. PE- CIEE Liberal Arts 2012 Cohort + PUCMM Estudiantes de Apoyo
5. PE- Lobster for lunch
6.  PE- A quick game of dominoes on the beach
7. Cayo Arena (CA)- Tucker "prepares" for our snorkeling adventure. The coral was spectacular!
8. CA- Where two shores merge
9. CA- View of the Cay lined with shacks
10. CA- Our Program Director's dog, Coby, smiles for his close-up
11. CA- Coconut on the Cay

International Student Rally

Despite my plans to get away from campus most weekends, this past Saturday, I returned to PUCMM to participate in the international student rally. A tradition at the university, the Rally Internacional allows new international students to get to know the PUCMM campus a bit better while working with other international (Haitian, US, etc.) and Dominican students. The rally itself requires teams to race around campus picking up clues and answering questions along the way. Inspired by the recent Summer Olympic Games, the Olympian theme was ever present in our clues and activities of the day.

After registering for the rally and getting a wristband I went looking for my teammates. Slowly, I found the other members with my same color wrist band. And soon enough, the purple team aka: Angry Birds, was ready to take off. Then suddenly it hit me, I was the only girl on this team of eight. I quickly let the thought go, and focused on the race ahead. I hoped that my extremely competitive nature and my athletic background would help me keep up. 

The countdown began, "Diez, nueve, ocho...tres, dos... uno," and we took off running. Given a paper with the clues for the rally, we started to read the first one as we were running. Too focused on keeping up with my speedy group of guys, I didn't even get a chance to look at the first clue. We ran into the Student Center where several chess boards were set up. An International Student helper (Estudiante de Apoyo) gave us our first question and task. Two members of the Angry Birds had to set up all the pieces of the chess board exactly how it should be at the start of any game. Then came our first questions,"When did the Olympic games begin? and where?" I could easily answer the second question: Greece. But I couldn't remember the date. We sped up the stairs to the third floor of the Student Center where we were asked to name ten Greek gods and their characteristics. Thankfully, we had a "cheat sheet" on the wall! After finishing up and getting our first star for completing the activity we fled the Student Center and headed towards the library across the way.

The next few rally activities were kind of a blur. I can remember running up several hills, completing a three-legged walk with a teammate, and attempting to find shade anywhere possible. It was nice to be surrounded by so many other competitive people during the rally. I felt confident about our performance throughout.

Perhaps that confidence turned into cockiness soon after, because I made a questionable choice along the way. We arrived at the PUCMM track and were given two options: Successfully kick ten soccer balls into the goal or jump over two hurdles. I immediately volunteered for the hurdles. I do not know why. In high school, I was a cross country person, not track. I had never attempted to jump a hurdle before. Could it really be that bad? Besides, one of my best friends in college was a track star, and hurdles were one of her main events. She made it look so easy. It couldn't be too hard, I figured. Maybe this was my motivation. Regardless, I decided to participate. As I took off running, I braced myself for the leap ahead. I was mentally prepared to clear that hurdle. I could even visualize myself clearing it, but beyond that... nothing. I couldn't imagine myself landing. When the time came for me to jump, I easily cleared the bar, just as I had imagined. It was a great feeling. With my teammates cheering from the side,  I was really feeling the adrenaline. Soon enough, the moment after I had successfully jumped over the hurdle I came crashing down on my knees. Like a good sport, I quickly got back up on my feet and kept on running towards the finish line, unwilling to disappoint or accept defeat in this challenge. I completed the hurdle task with minor injuries: one bloody knee and the other scratched up, some ripped and dusty shorts, and raw hands. "Shake it off," I told myself, "There's no room for hurt here. You have to push on." And "push on" is exactly what I did.

My team followed the rest of the clues on our sheet and finally arrived back at the starting point, ready to pass out after completing the incredibly strenuous rally. As a reward for completing the challenges, we all received complimentary Vita Malt/Malta (See the picture above: I grew up on this stuff!) and Cascada Water. A special thank you to our sponsors! [Insert product plug here]

As if the Malta wasn't enough (I would have been happy with just this), everyone received a certificate of participation. And what's more, prizes were given out to the top teams, those that completed all the tasks in the least amount time. Pleased with these lovely prizes, I quietly sat with my teammates in a grassy area awaiting the announcement of the first place team. To our excitement, we heard moments later that the purple team had won! We came in first in the rally! It was an awesome feeling, I'll never forget. As a reward, we received a trophy, more certificates, and the unofficial prize of bragging rights. I can certainly live with that! What an amazing end to all the craziness!

La Solapa Rural Work Retreat

Where: La Solapa (near Altamira, DR) 
What: Weekend Rural Work Retreat (Retiro de Trabajo)- Our project: We helped in the preparation and initial construction of a cistern that eventually will be used to provide water to individual houses in the La Solapa community. A lot of heavy lifting was involved. We carried bags of weighty stones along with the donkeys (burros). Also, we had a good amount of down time to get to know the community and try their locally grown fruit (limoncillo, Guayaba, and cacao)
Who: CIEE Students + U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers + Residents of La Solapa
When: September 7-September 9
Transport: Guagua (Bus) + Camión (Truck)
After all of our hard work on Saturday, we enjoyed a little excursion to 27 Charcos (27 Waterfalls) the following morning. Although we only had enough time to go up and down 7 of the waterfalls, we still had a great time. I can't wait to go back and do the rest!

Dominican Survival Guide 101: Living Situations

Yes, I know. It's been a minute. Over the last two weeks, I've been occupied by weekend trips throughout the Cibao region, my Fulbright ETA application, and my classes at PUCMM. Life is once again as busy as usual. I cannot complain. I enjoy having activities to occupy my time. Although, down time is always nice too! I'm still trying to figure out some plans for this upcoming four-day weekend. Monday is a holiday: El Día de las Vírgenes de Mercedes, so we'll have no classes! Yay! Perhaps I'll take a trip to the mountains. Bring on the outdoor adventures. (Minus Pico Duarte.. I still need some time to mentally and physically prepare myself for that one!)

On top of the typical business, I'm adapting more and more to my living situations here in Santiago. Here are just a few things I've become accustomed to (mas o menos): 
  1. Cockroaches: They come out at night fall and have parties in my bathroom without inviting me. How do I know this, you may ask? Whenever I enter my bathroom after 11:00PM, they all flee the scene leaving not a single trace of their fiesta. Those little buggers!
  2. My Host Mama: One of her greatest pastimes is talking on the telephone. When she begins to limit here use of  "Ay Dios Mio!" or "Oh, my God!" it is a clear indication that the conversation is nearing an end. Also, when she is really perturbed by something someone on the other line said, she's likely to begin listing every Catholic Saint's name. It goes a little something like: "Ay _insert Saint name here_ Santo". Boy, am I learning a lot!
  3. Apagones/Blackouts- The lights go out frequently around here. Today in my TESL course, while giving video presentations (using the Audio-lingual method, in case you were interested...) the lights/electricity in Aulas II went out. Conveniently, the professor had been video taping our presentations. So now one of the groups will have an awkward video of themselves presenting material to the class during a blackout. That's sure to be memorable!
  4. Water-outs: There's got to be a word for this, but less frequently than electricity, the water stops running in my apartment. Sometimes it happens in the middle of a blackout, which obviously makes for a very exciting situation. Just yesterday we had one. FYI, I have only had to take two "sink showers" thus far. Mother would be pleased to know that I have no problem maintaining proper hygiene here. All is well! I take a shower on the reg, Mum!
 Recent Adventures
Taking a concho after visiting La Pulga:
An incredibly dense flea market of vendors selling everything from car parts and chicken legs to used clothes. Its only open on Thursdays, so a couple of us girls got up pretty early so we could go check it out before classes.
Photo Cred: Frances B.
My First Dominican Blowout:
A blowout is a straight hairstyle which is typically achieved using a blow dryer. It only lasted a few days because of the humidity, sweat from the heat, and the rain. It's so cheap though, I'll definitely be going back to get my hair done again soon.
Photo Cred: Kim S.
Photo Cred: Khemani G.

9.02.2012

Santo Domingo + Classes + Sosua Beach

Santo Domingo Day Trip 8.26.12: Zona Colonial

 I find it hard to believe that I've only been in the Dominican Republic for two weeks. I've already traveled to the capital, Santo Domingo, visited one of its famous beaches, Sosua, and spent a lot of time getting to know the other students in my program. Is all that possible in only two weeks? Usually when I travel for a couple of weeks or even a month, time seems to go by really slowly. But here, in the Dominican Republic, I'm experiencing just the opposite. These last two weeks have gone by so quickly. Perhaps I perceive time as going by faster because I realize that I will be in this country for a longer time span than I have been in any other. I'm not sure how else to explain this "phenomenon."

Last weekend the group took a 2+ hr bus ride from Santiago de los Caballeros to Santo Domingo for a day trip. Scheduled to visit the capital on Sunday the 26th, we were met with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. It was not exactly a photographer's dream. The entire day was overcast and rainy and entirely the opposite of how I imagined a trip to the Zona Colonial. Although I did enjoy seeing some of the historical firsts in the Americas, I found myself quite distracted from these remarkable sites by the unbearable post-Isaac humidity and countless soggy pigeons. Nonetheless, I was able to get several successful shots despite our clouded and damp environment. Hopefully I can return to the Zona Colonial at some point and really take in these scenes.

Following our tour around the Zona Colonial, which was led by the ever-so-animated Dr. Guitar, we took a drive out to Los Ingenios de la Boca de Nigua- an 18th-19th century slave plantation with crucial historical significance for the island of Hispaniola. It is the site of the fist slave rebellion on the island, and also the place where, in 1801, Toussaint L'Ouverture declared the freedom of all slaves on the island. For me, it was an incredibly moving and solemn experience to be there. I was deeply intrigued by the history of this plantation. Although my family descends from a very different island in the Caribbean, my knowledge of the shared history of the West Indies profoundly connected me to this place. 

 First beach trip 8.31.12: Playa de Sosua
The remainder of the week flew by. After orientation ended on Tuesday I experienced several firsts in the DR: On Wednesday I got my first Dominican blow-out (a straight hair style) along with my first Dominican mani/pedi,  on Thursday I attended my first classes at PUCMM, and on Friday I went to the beach for the first time. By the time Saturday came around, I was ready for a little rest. My 75 yr. old host mom could hardly believe me when I told her I had no plans for Saturday night. As she was walking out the door to go to a Santiago social club, she told me to call my friends up and see if anyone wants to go out. She's too sweet! But its true. I'm not one to stay in the house/indoors in general for long. I like to keep busy and exploring. So its on to the next adventure for me! Next weekend is a rural work retreat, an opportunity to serve some of the campo communities near Santiago. I'm looking forward to this weekend trip, as I personally am a strong believer in incorporating service into the practice of travel. Its a great way to enrich your experience abroad!