First Week in Republica Dominicana

Crazy to think that I've only been in the DR for a week because it feels like I've been here for so much longer! If you're planning to live here anytime soon, be prepared to constantly sweat, be humbled by the conditions people live in, to go the beach as much as you can, and fall in love with the kids more and more every day.

 

When I first got out of the car at our house, three little kids were waiting to give all the "teachas" hugs. (That's all the local littles call every young white girl they see. They know what we are here for.) Everyone we meet is so friendly and always yells "hola!". Some are a little too friendly... everyone in our group gets catcalled every time we step outside, so we've learned to avoid talking to most of the men here! haha our house is in the middle of the Puerto Plate province, where most of the people here have relatively nothing compared to those in America. 

 

Most houses are made of old wood and scraps of metal sheets, where those who have a little bit more money have houses of cement or stucco. Many people don't have plumbing or clean water to drink, but everyone seems to have a TV or a Facebook account. In the midst of all of this, these people the happiest and warmest people I've ever seen! Every morning, as soon as the sun is up, you can expect music to start blaring and everyone in the neighborhood to start singing and laughing. The quietest time is usually in the daytime when everyone is either at work or school and at night it picks right back up again. After dinner, if you step outside the gates of our house, all the kids gather to come play with us and show off the English they know. Even though they have so much need, they are happy amidst all of it!

I have gone to the beach every single day, and I have never been happier. My dreams of being a beach bum may finally come true! Not one minute goes by where I miss the cold winter days of Utah (except maybe when you're trying to fall asleep in 93% humidity). The water is so clear and blue, and you can buy dried coconut and fresh pina coladas on the beach so can I get a holla!! The food here is amazing because it always involves fresh fruit, rice, and some sort of meat that you never really ask about. We also went to an amazing beach today called Sosua, and it was the prettiest beach I've ever seen in real life. I'm basically in heaven.

 

There are definitely moments where I miss home and my family. I miss having a bathroom that we can actually flush the toilet paper instead of throwing it in the garbage, and a place where I don't immediately start sweating buckets the second I get out of the shower. The smells here are definitely interesting as well. With most of the city not having indoor plumbing, that will happen. Even with missing home, I wouldn't rather be anywhere else! When my schedule this week being to wake up, go to the beach, play with kids, and play cards with such a fun group of people, its been pretty great.

We start teaching officially next week, and I can't wait to bond with and love my kids!