We've officially finished our first part of training here in the capital, and will be leaving for the mountains near Jarabacoa by bus tomorrow morning. So far in training, there has been a heavy emphasis on improving our language skills, gaining a good understanding of general Peace Corps policies, and cultural education and integration. All four technical groups (water/sanitation, health, youth development, and community economic development) were together for the first 4 weeks here at the training center, but last week we split up and only the business group remained in Santo Domingo. I hear Kimberly and Nate are doing well up north on the beach, and will get to see each other occasionally even though they live in different towns. Here in SD we've done some interesting things this week (met with a DR coffee federation, surveyed tourists and gift shop owners in the Zona Colonial), but I'm pretty excited to get out of the city and to get some fresh air up in the mountains. We won't find out where our sites are until we get back, after 5 weeks doing more technical training. I'm so anxious to finally know where I'll be!!
Some general notes so far:
Living with a host family:
Overall it's been a good experience, but it's definitely been challenging at times too. I'm forced to constantly speak/hear Spanish, and I have a firsthand view of Dominican family life--both important for my integration here. In general, women stay at home to cook, clean, and take care of the kids, and the husbands work to support the family. This is changing of course, but in general I think it holds true. The kids here only go to school about 4 hours each day, whether they're in kindergarden or high school, so there's plenty of free time for playing in the streets and watching TV--if the electricity is on. The electric system here is a mess, and blackouts throughout the day are the norm. My host family has a generator, and my Doña has a nice little side business going selling ice to the neighbors.
After so many years living on my own, I've definitely had to adjust to living in somebody else's house. I never feel like I have my own space, and I can't just go in the kitchen and make a snack when I feel hungry. They're pretty decent cooks, but the food's been a little heavy on plantains, yucca, and fried everything. Good thing I have my multi-vitamins. It'll be SO nice to finally have my own place and cook for myself, though I still have another 4-5 months of host family life before that day comes!
The Critters:
The big excitement this week has revolved around the rats that are attacking my room... Twice now I've woken up to a rat climbing through the window, crawling down the mosquito net that hangs over my bed, and making a dash for the desk. Now, I try to think of myself as being an animal-lover, not the shreiking-scared-of-mice-girly type, but feeling a rat on your foot at 3 in the morning quickly changes that. My Doña woke up one night to find me standing in the doorway, determined to wait until the rat came out into the trap I had laid in front of the desk before I'd go back to bed. She readjusted the trap and insisted I come sleep in the little extra bed in her room--which I did for the next three nights. We never caught any rats, but we did trap two mice in two days, and I got enough courage up to sleep in my own room again last night. As nervewracking as this is, it has proven to be a great way for my Doña and I to bond--I guess good can be found in any situation, no matter how ridiculous.
Transportation:
There are three main types of public transportation here: Moto-conchos, carro publicos, and guaguas. Moto-conchos are simply motorcycle taxis, though you'd be amazed at how many people and objects they can fit on the back. It's not unusual to see a man driving with a child behind him and a woman on the back, holding a baby in one arm and a groceries in the other. Unfortunately, helmets are rare and accidents are fairly common. The DR is the one country where Peace Corps volunteers are allowed to ride motorcycles, and we were each issued our own helmets a few weeks ago. Riding in the city is off-limits, but it may be necessary out in the mountains, so I'll have to get used to carrying a helmet around with me everywhere. The carro publico is an old, beat-up sedan with a yellow or green roof that has a set route and picks up and drops off passengers along the way. They're always stuffed: at least 4 in the back seat and 2 up front with the driver. Guaguas are mini-buses that are just as beat up as the carros, that should comfortably hold about 20 passengers. Why waste space though, when you could fit 40, or 43 with a few hanging out the side door? Plus there's always music (ususally bachata or merengue) blasting, adding to the experience. Lines between lanes mean nothing and the traffic lights only work sporadically (due to the blackouts), but somehow some sort of order still seems to exist. The other night we were in a guagua, music blaring, and we ran out of gas. No worries though--within 5 minutes a semi was pressed up to our bumper, pushing us to the gas station!
Nightlife:
Out in our barrio, where we spend most of our time, nights are mostly spent sitting in plastic chairs out in the street, talking with the neighbors. Sometimes we'll get in on a dominoes game at the colmado (little store) across the street, or share a beer or soda with our families. Generally it's all pretty chill. The Friday before the other groups left we decided to step it up a little, and we all met up at the Car Wash for a night of dancing. The car wash, you say? Yes, the car wash. Here in Santo Domingo there are tons of "Car Washes" (in English, not Spanish), where you can get a beer or two while they wash your car during the day. (Brilliant, right? Encourage people to drink before driving... Just great.) Then, at night, it turns into a Discoteca and people dance the night away. The one we went to had a Cardinals game playing on a big screen outside (Meagan, you'd love it!) and lots of plastic chairs and tables in the courtyard, and a bar and dance floor inside. I've certainly never seen anything like it before!
Okay, I'll save some of my other interesting observations for future entries--no need to bore you too much in one sitting. I'll only have internet access once a week while we're up in the mountains, but I'll try to keep in touch as much as I can. I'll still get mail while I'm up there though, so please send mail if you get a chance!!! I think this is the best address to use:
Melissa Watson
PEACE CORPS
APDO Box 1412
Santo Domingo
The Dominican Repbulic
Sadly I keep running into trouble trying to upload my photos, but I'll post them as soon as I can, I promise. Hasta luego!
