Well, I have now been in the DR for
one week. Before I begin to tell
everyone about the school I am at, my students, etc, let me go back and tell
you about my first few days here.
As most of you reading this probably know, I was in Brazil for two weeks before leaving for the DR. I had a great time being with Nick’s family. We had time to relax, but we also had a lot of fun (horseback riding was my favorite!). However, with all of that fun, it was a quick (not even) two days at home before I had to leave again.
Nick and I got some time to talk and hang out at the airport before I went through the security gates. We enjoyed our last cup of hot chocolate together for quite some time, said our goodbyes, and I was off on my own. It was pretty difficult saying goodbye, but I know time will go quickly and I will return.
My first flight was fine. However, afterward I spent a lovely five or so hours in the Miami airport. I made a few phone calls, caved in and paid for internet access, and spent plenty of time people watching. (Airports are quite good for that kind of thing). A Cedarville friend, Alex Gonzales, was also flying to Santiago, so we met for dinner and boarded our plane together.
That flight started out interestingly, because the power went out on the plane just as we were getting ready to pull out onto the runway. I don’t know about you, but I cannot think of a much a reassuring way to start a flight across the ocean. Ha. Even will all of that, we made it safely to the Dominican Republic. I was greeted by some other Doulos teachers at my arrival who were coming back from Christmas break. After at first worrying that my luggage at not arrived, Alex helped me find it and we made our way to our individual schools.
The first two nights I was here, I stayed with the school director and his wife. I had a very relaxing start with them, because they allowed me to spend my time at their house sleeping and using the vonage phone to call Nick and my parents. I was thankful for that because I was definitely suffering from jet lag (something I always thought was a fake condition).
My host family is wonderful. They are a family of four, and are not Dominicans, but Colombians. They moved here about 5 years ago. There are two daughters in the family who I have really loved getting to know. Priscilla is in 7th grade, and Aileen is in 1st grade. We have had many opportunities so far to talk , play games, and even watch Winnie the Pooh (in Spanish, of course). Priscilla also acts as my personal translator when I have a hard time understanding her mom, and Aileen and I like to spend time where she teaches me Spanish and I teach her English. I am very thankful to be living with such a nice family!
I started school this week, and everything went very well, although for now I am simply observing. In my next post I will explain more about the school and my experience here so far.
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