Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Marlins Hotel & Golf Resort Juan Dolio

... I had imagined. I brought a few paintings back with me that I had bought down here previously, and I finally got them back from being framed this week! So, although the walls are frighteningly white, I have managed to put some colour to them. I am also toying with the idea of an accent wall behind the bed - just to make it a little less bland...any colour suggestions, anyone?

The a/c is broken at the moment, but I have been ...

... Consuelo, as I was unsure of where exactly I wanted to live - San Pedro or Juan Dolio. So I decided to stay with my second Dominican "family," where I lived for 2.5 months last year. It was a wonderful reunion, with lots of hugging and tears of happiness! My Dominican dad was visiting their daughters in Antigua, so I did not get to see him until after I moved to my place. However, it was wonderful to see Juana and my little "sister," Tata (her real name is Jennifer ...

Left very cold Birmingham far too early in the morning. The flight was fast due to tail winds - only 8 hours!! It was made bearable by playing Who wants to be a Millionaire and watching the new 'Brideshead Revisited'. Landed in hot and sunny Dominican Republic at 2pm - we are 4 hours behind everyone in the UK.

... the lifestyle for the students in the bateyes is not conducive to striving for academia. Although many of the students are very smart, they simply have too many obstacles that make it difficult to spend any amount of time on school outside of class. That being said, they all come to school with smiles on their faces, and even though some of them look like they haven't slept in days, they are always polite and try their best to stay focused ...

... dogs, and it gave me my dog fix for a while, as I have been really missing Maggie and Dusty (and of course, Scott!!). Between the pool, the yard, the food, the dogs, and the wonderful company, I had a really enjoyable time in Juan Dolio, and I think I will take Matilda up on her offer to go back to visit whenever I feel like getting away. Sadly, it is back to Consuelo, work, and reality on Monday! I guess my week off had to come to an end sometime! Ta ta for now!

... books, etc. I just happened to glance at them while Sindy was picking out her stuff, and I saw sitting there...Le Petit Prince (the Little Prince) - in SPANISH!! There were 3 or 4 copies of it, and it was only 36 pesos (or about $1.50 Canadian). I was so excited to have found it, so of course I bought it! I also stumbled upon a mini Toblerone bar, which I quickly snatched up (I have been dying for chocolate since I got here). After the market, Sindy's ...

... having seen how my students in the bateyes are living, one could almost say (or in some cases, could definitely say) that a child may be better off not having a family, so that they may live in this wonderful place where they are sooooo well cared-for. I know that it seems like a horrible thing to say, but I guess one has to see it to believe it. My pictures really don't do it justice - it truly is a little secret haven tucked away in the ...

... politicians, and outright begging. Begging was our speciality and far more lucrative than the vapor-rub sales.) At 7 a.m. everyone gathered at the park and awaited the busses arrival. Once they were spotted the shoving match for seating arrangements began. I made the mistake of taking on 17 year old Marisol and lost my seat within 30 seconds. By about 8 o'clock everyone was seated, myself and a few of the less aggressive participants stood in the aisles, and the ...

... certain things like yuca, batata, or platanos. Therefore, they can live off the land, however, the people that live in the city have to buy everything including paying for transportation. Things have not only doubled, but tripled in prices and families are going hungry and it hurts to see this happening. Some families of four or five here are living on 1000 to 2000 pesos which is barley not nearly enough. The hardest thing for me to see is that the men with be ...

... around a look back in the house to see them laughing. Also, I have quit drinking anything after 6pm because I do not want to get up and use the restroom at night for several reason: spiders, the house is locked and can´t get out of the house to use the latrine (which is really dark and scary, and the alternative is a basiñia (a pot to go in). Have not had to use it so far? (thank god) I brought a set of dominos with me and my family just plays all the time. I mean there is a point ...