Here's to Grand Adventures

Well more than likely this will be my last entry. I still have a week left here but I'm not sure if I will have internet access again. Tomorrow I leave for the coffee plantation, followed by a National Park where one of the most secluded beaches in the country is, possibly spend a few days up in the mountains and the beach, and having the town of Barahona as my home base. Tonight is my last night at Danny's place. Its all hotels and hostels from here on out. I have had the time of my life here...and its not quite over. I can't wait to see everyone again and hear how things have been. I'm sure we will all have alot of stories to tell. Until we meet again...

Adventure to the Alps

Ryan and I have really been bonding with the maid, Milades, and it really has been helping our Spanish. At night after dinner we just sit in the kitchen while she is cleaning up and talk to her. Her life is so different from mine. She lives here at the house 6 days out of the week...and only on Saturday night does she go home to see her daughter. Her room here is next to the garage, has very little ventilation, and no A/C. And yet...she always has a smile on her face. It really makes me see how good I have it. My everyday problems are very small compared to hers. Im not saying her life is worse than mine...I just can't imagine not being able to see my kids (if i were to have some) except for once a week while they were growing up. Shes a really cool lady and I really look up to her for what she does.

Today, Ryan, Marcie, Cristina, and I went to the mountainous region known as the Dominican Alps. It was very pretty and actually cool. Their were clouds at the peaks of the mountains and on some of the roads we actually were in them. If I lived here I definitely would live in Jarabacoa. Even though it is far from the beach...the air feels very refreshing and is away from the hustle and bustle and HEAT of the big city.

We had one of our taxi friend take us up there for a pretty decent price. He had family there to visit anyways and didnt mind taking us. Went white water rafting for the first time in my life and I definitely would love to do that again. We shared our raft with two girls from Canada who are here on vacation...and our guide was from England. I really didn't think before I came here I would be meeting so many people from around the world. Its pretty rad! Not going to lie our American-Canadian team was pretty much the best out there on the river. Some British-German people actually flipped their raft in "The Toilet" one of the bigger currents on the river and one lady even got bonked on head by her own raft and had to be swam after. We were watching the whole time and just laughing...along with all of the other boats. We survived "The Mike Tyson" and "Mike Tyson Jr" and the "Graveyard". The guides were really fun and were from all over the world. I think that should have been my internship...maybe next year? After our adventure we met back up at camp and had a few beers and as usual rice and beans...cant get enough of them! Headed back to Santo Domingo...pretty exciting going DOWN the mountain in a taxi...and now I think Im just going to hang out around the house for the rest of the night. Tomorrow is the last full day here for about half of the group before we all start parting our ways. Can't believe I am coming down to my last week here.

Hasta luego.

The Girls are Flocking.

So you know how I said I met that girl at the conference...

I gave her my email.

She wrote me...and also gave my email to her friend.

"hello como te va im so happy because i meet you nothing when you cant please sendme whatever you want" -noelia

"Hi there!Que tal estas? me llamo Cristina.... me contaron por ahi que estabas interesadoen el tema Chichorizo.... ehehehe just kiddind dud! is that truth?.... woa! youmust be truly dominican... coz the letters of this songs are our mean reason tolive.. i was wondering would u like to chat with me one day?Bueno.... gracias!Bye!" - Cristina (who I have never met in my life)

Also...Betty...the Christian girl who thinks dancing is a sin has called me ten times.

It must be my charming American accent.

Hope things are grand.

Get ya guns out.

Today is my last day of work. I was late getting to the office today because there was an explosion at a mall near my house. No one got killed but a man did get burned badly. Traffic was backed up and there was a mass of people outside talking to reporters and police. There are talks of terrorism but it sounds more like just a gas leak. Danny said that terrorism really is non-existant here, but there definitely is violent crime. I am safe though. There are enough police-military guys roaming the streets with their semi-automatics. HAHA. Wow. Its something else. The other day we were in a taxi and the presidents police came passing by...in a Lexus SUV no doubt with guys in suits yielding their assault rifles at cars to stop. There really is a sense of machoism here. Guys on their motorcycles...some people in the group have said that some guys have flashed guns at them when they were riding in their taxis. Its not that its chaotic here...just not as much order as there is in the states. On the road its pretty much dog eat dog. You go when you think you wont get hit and if someone hesitates they just have to stay put. Traffic laws and signals are there but not enforced.

In other news...Jim Reynolds, the former director of the MSC came by my office yesterday and visited with my boss. My boss really talked up my job and how I have been such an asset to the company. I wouldn´t go that far...but I did appreciate it.

Well my independent excursions start tomorrow...some people in the group are leaving Friday...the next week and a half I have white water rafting, the coffee plantation, a few days at the beach, and a few trips to the marketplace in store.

Hope things are good.

Bar Fights and the Discoteque!

Let's just say that I am having the time of my life here! This weekend was pretty much amazing...once again. The group headed to Bavarro for an all-inclusive stay at a very nice hotel for 4 days. All you can eat, drink, and lots of fun in the sun. Just sitting there on the beach, surrounded by palms and blue water...it doesn't get any better...AND I didn't step on a sea-urchin this time. We went to a club near our hotel called Mangu two nights in a row and I have to say that it was probably the most fun I have had dancing ever. I'm talking Reggaton, Electronica, Merengue, Hip Hop, Pop...two levels...with people from all over the world...Dominicans, Germans, Americans, etc etc...And definitely not a typical American club...a few transvestites here, people dancing from the ceilings, guys on roller blades in their underwear, girls dancing Coyote Ugly style on the bar...we didnt leave both nights till 3 in the morning, but Eduardo stayed till 5....and said there were still people dancing. It was something else. Almost got into a bar fight with a Canadian at the hotel. That was interesting. Jennifer and I walked up to the bar...waited..and then the bartender looked at us...so I ordered. The guy next to me was like..."Do I look like a statue to you? Do I look like a statue to you?" Jennifer and I weren't really comprehending what he was trying to say because he kept repeating it and then finally it clicked. I told the guy that he can go ahead and order but he just kept repeating the statue thing. Finally Eduardo came up and told the guy to shut up...followed by the canadian telling him to mind his own business...a few choice words here...blah ti blah...the bartender finally serves our canadian friend his drink, he walks away with his wife apologizing, we get our drinks and go about our night. It was funny though. I mean for crying out loud...we are on vacation in the Caribbean...chill out dude. I can wait. haha.

Well the beach was great. The transmission on our bus blew out on the way back though so we had to wait an hour for another one. But overall...another grand adventure.

Happy Fathers Day!

Adventures with Mama Margarita!

Yesterday during lunch Margarita (the lady that danced with me the first day) asked if she could take me and Francisca out on the town after work. It sounded like fun...getting an insiders view of the city and all but I also knew it was going to be a challenge since she doesnt speak english at all. We left the office at 6 and drove to the Malecon. I tried Mofongo for the first time...it kind of reminded me of a cheese ball...with out the cheese...lots of bread or cracker with nuts and some animal that I wasn´t able to comprehend. haha. But it was very good. The restaurant was right on the Carribbean Sea and had some really amazing views. After that she took me and Fran to the Zona Colonial. We went to an old fort and then to Plaza Colon. Here we had a few drinks and ventured out to the port. There definitely was a ship docked from Japan and I definitely got a group of Japanese sailors to do ¨GIGEM¨ with me and the ladies. It was really funny. And I only spoke Spanish to them to really confuse them. It started to rain and for some reason Margarita didnt want to get wet so we huddled under a doorway of the fort with lots of other dominicans. It only rains for a few minutes so I guess everyone is cool waiting it out. Everyone was laughing though because we were all squashed together huddled under this ledge. After driving around for a bit through the Zona Colonial...which is quite a cool place to be at night...few lights on streets that are winding...and being with Margarita who isnt familiar with the streets...hahaha. Makes for a grand adventure. We then went to a traditional dominican restaurant and watched some traditional dominican dancing. I even got to try a few steps with Margarita and Francisca...but my Gringoness definitely came out. One of the dancers there was able to spin on a bottle of rum. How she did this...I have no way to explain but it was quite a cool thing to see. And the music! WOW. I really enjoyed myself. After the restaurant Margarita took us to her home where I met her niece. Margarita doesnt have a husband or kids and lives in an apartment above her sisters house. She really enjoyed taking me out and now i am her ¨hijo¨ and she is my ¨dominicana mama¨...since my mom at the house Im staying at doesnt seem to want to have anything to do with me. I´ll tell yall more about that when I am in the states. HAHA. Took a taxi home and actually could carry on an entire conversation with the driver....how we both have family in New York, learning languages, and what is great about Santo Domingo. I guess I have learned a little since I have been here. I got home and some people from the group were watching the Mavs game...and extremely jealous that I had a night on the town with latinas...

Quite the night in Santo Domingo. Its really a different experience seeing everything in the eyes of a person that lives here instead of just other tourist/tourist guides. Well I must be getting back to work...tomorrow is Corpus Christi...everyone takes off of work...the group is heading to Bavaro for the all inclusive resort. Shall be a great weekend!

Hope things are good.

Smiling.

Its all about the Comida!

Yesterday Danny had family over for a BBQ. The food was great but the conversations were awkward. Ryan and I just kinda sat there for awhile sweltering in the heat. It was pretty obvious we werent from around these parts...as everyone else seemed to be cool...not even sweating.

Social settings are definitely different here than in the states. During dinner time before eating everyone wishes each other a "Buen tiempo" which basically means its a good time to get together. The food is served in separate dishes that are laid out across the table and everyone shares the food. Even at work when everyone orders separate meals it is customary to share with everyone else. It is rude to say no. Lets just say I get a little bit of everything...arroz y habichuelas, mangu, papas, y carne...At work they don't understand how I only eat sandwiches. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Dinner is very light. They stare at me everyday and my two ham and cheese sandwiches and try to beef me up with whatever food they have. They tell me that Americans are fat because we eat a big dinner instead of a big lunch...that we eat and then go to sleep...whereas they eat and go back to "work". Its reasonable I guess...but I dont think Im going to be changing my eating habits. At the end of the meal everyone wishes each other "Buen provecho" which basically means I hope the food satisfied and nourishes you. If someone is still eating it is polite to stick around and talk with them so that they are not left alone. Independence/being alone is looked down on here. They are a very family oriented people.

Well theres a little cultural lesson for you. Hope it didnt bore you too much. Things are good...a little hot...but I am definitely surviving.

Ryan and I can only turn on the AC in our room at night. Lets just say that sleepy time is grand time.

Hola Latina Barbie! Yo soy Ken!

Today Ryan, Marcie, Cristina, Meg, and I went to the Zona Colonial and walked around El Conde, a marketstreet with lots of vendors and stores. There was a political rally today so some of the stores were closed and there wasn't too many people around. It's a really cool street though and a great place to see the locals. After a drink in the Museo de Jamon, a restaurant that has legs of ham hanging from the ceiling we ventured to the Malecon. The Malecon is the street that runs perpendicular with the Caribbean Sea. There are lots of hotels and casinos and some very pretty views of the city. Alot of families come here to cool off in the evenings and take a stroll. There have been alot of brownouts in the city recently. Last night I had my third night without air conditioning. Really makes me see how fortunate I am to have AC in the states...and how I never really think twice about it back at home.

Just a relaxing weekend I guess. No beach. Trying to get over a minor cold though so it probably is the best for me. I was supposed to go out last night with my friends from work but had to cancel because I wasn't feeling well. A girl I met while I was working the conference called too. Oh the joys of chopped up Spanglish on the telephone! So a little side note about this girl...her name is Betty...she is "christiano" so doesn't dance and is 23. Her mom wants me to take her out and says that I am Ken doll and she is Latina Barbie. I also gave out my email address to a girl working at the hotel and got a chopped up message in English the next day...something about how she hoped I will remember her? Hahaa. The Latinas are falling for me. What can I say?

My last week here I might be working on a coffee plantation...and by working I mean sitting with the owner of the plantation and drinking coffee. Well thats the plan at least. The guy is one of Danny's relatives and was here for the weekend and wants me, Marcie, and Jessica (the other two that are staying here longer) to come out and see his farm. I think it sounds pretty exciting.

Well I hope all things are grand in whatever you are up to!