Claro de Luna Villas Puerto Plata

... the man asked me if I was pregnant...and I was like No?! So I looked down at my basket & couldnt find anything that signified me being pregnant...no pickles no chips. Then he pointed to the sign above my head that said priority line with a handicapped sign & a pregnant woman. Apparently that question is not inappropriate here in this culture. And that was my trip to La Sirena

... it contrasts with the dynamic Spanish prof. But I volunteered to change sections to a smaller class so another girl could be in that one...so hopefully this week is more exciting. - History of the Caribeen taught by a Cuban professor is also exciting. - Hispanic-American Literature might be a little bit intimidating because its a 3hr class once a week and there are 30 Dominican & Haitian boys studying theology plus me & 4 other Americans. I'm just scared about how ...

Yesterday was a very exhausting but exciting day! We went on a 3-hour treasure hunt around the city in groups of four, so that we could learn our way around the city. We had to take the conchos which are small cars that usually cram 4 people in back & 2 in the passenger seat & they have specific routes with letters. I was the chief of my team and the whole experience was so impowering! I feel more comfortable about ...

... he speaks 4 languages...and likes the LA Lakers and Usher. And when I told him my name was April, he said "Oh! Like Turtle Ninjas!" Exacto. We toured the pretty campus and went up to the Monumento a Los Heroes. The view was amazing! Mountains on every side. Also a plus...I had my first Dominican frozen yogurt. I really can't wait until I get into a regular schedule though. Right now it just feels awkward

With the title of this entry one could assume I'm talking about the rocky rainy island of Ketchikan, Alaska, but I´m not. I'm talking about the current tropical storm and collecting rocks. And for any of you who were worried the storm only caused a lot of rain and a little wind...better than an average day in Ketchikan in October. So, one day this week Dale and I went out to collect some rocks! And not just any rocks but a ...

... Creole) at Ascension and we're now at a private beach in Sosua. Monday through Thursday of next week will be spent in much the same way as last week, except we will also be going to a local hospital to distribute donations. Friday we leave for our adventure tour - first stop Caberete for surfing lessons! I hope I have a chance to update this blog within the next week or so. I can't wait to get home so I can upload all my pictures

... water as them! They said that they keep the sharks "in training" for a year before letting them swim with visitors, and supposedly they are "trained" to not bite people - though I don't know exactly how one trains a shark not to bite, which is an instinctive function that they need for survival. Anyways, after this spectacle and seeing Jonathan peruse the shark-infested water with calm and steadfastness, the day was over and it was time to go home. Everyone was ...

Hello All! I am in the capital doing some work so I wanted to take advantage of the free internet to give another update on life here in the DR. My most recent adventure referred to in the title was a bola race from Santiago to Samana. In Dominican Spanish, a "bola" refers to a free ride. So, a few of my friends and fellow volunteers got it into their heads that we needed to have a bola race. Santiago is the second-largest city in the country and the ...

... It was a little tense on a gaugua going through the mountains becuase th bus was packed. Come on, I could walk faster than the speed of the bus. We arrived in Cabrete around 11:00am and checked into El Pequeno Refugio which is right on the beach for RD$200 which is a little over 6 bucks a night. Paradise here I come. The water, the wind-surfers, the breeze. I do not think I need to say anymore. I was surprisedby the huge German population ...

Rescue undertaken... toured where BIG FAT PIG Trujillo used to sit & slaughter... & then left promptly for Cabarete, Sosua, and finally, the peninsula of Samana, which was Fantastic = could've stayed on for weeks there. Altogether, Beautiful country and water. Many threatening people though, both on deserted beaches, as well as deserted roads... Food was lacking! except for the fish! I hjear it's gotten better though, and that they keep some of their own produce for domestic consumption.