Kaoba Puerto Plata

... are lanes and arrows and traffic lights that people follow...and it is right on he coast and also has mountains to be explored. I would like to come back to Puerto Plata some day to spend more time there and do some exploring! By the time we got to the hotel, I would have slept in a ditch, because I was so tired and feeling so sick from my allergies. I awoke the next morning feeling better, but was anxious to get to the bus station and begin my journey back ...

... can't wait to see them.  My little Ellie Grace has<br>grown at least one inch, is beginning to give up her bottle, and is saying new<br>words.  She grew up some while I have been gone--I'm going to eat it all<br>up when I get back!<br>I haven't been able to reflect on this experience.  I've heard that<br>reflection comes in bits and pieces, interwoven during normal daily routines--a<br>thought here, an image there.  What I do know, is that this ...

Hi everyone,<br>Just when I thought I had seen what living in destitution represented, I walked into a neighborhood this morning that redefined the word "poor" for me.  It seems that this redefinition is a consistent happening here.<br>This community lives in squalor, not only in ramshackle "buildings" but in filth.  In fact, their homes are literally built upon a dump. So, you ...

We pray for children<br>Who sneak popsicles before supper,<br>Who erase holes in math workbooks,<br>Who can never find their shoes.<br>And we pray for those<br>Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,<br>Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,<br>Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead.<br>We pray for those who never go to the circus,<br>Who live in an X-rated world,<br ...

Hola Todos-<br>Have you ever thought of how fortunate you are, just because you were born in a certain geographic location?  We went to a Haitian Batey today.  The Bateys in the DR are kind of like a no-man's land, not recognized by the DR, or by Haiti.  Consequently, the people who live in them are literally without a country.  These people live very poorly, and are rarely allowed out of ...

Hi Everyone!<br>Very busy Monday.  We started out doing home visits with the International Child Care Center.  My group saw two children.  One child was so neurologically unstable, that he really wasn't a great candidate for "therapy" per se.  He is being raised by his grandmother/father, who told us that he has at least nine seizures a day.  In fact, while we were assessing him, he had two.  Not a pleasant sight, and as you can ...

... states "Paradise" and is amazing and well worth the trip but it is approx 2 hours bus drive there and 2 hours back and bumpy (As the tour guide called it "Free Massage"!!) and could be very hard work with young children. We had a family in front of us where the poor little girl suffered travel sickness and the little boy was very restless! HOLIDAY OVERALL As stated above, this has been the best holiday we have had yet and would not hesitate to ...

... down the block from my homestay. It was a lot of fun and I had my first experience attempting to dance to merengue! Today after class we had dance lessons (merengue and bachata) and then went to the Cultural Center Leon, which is like a museum of Dominican culture. Tomorrow we will have cooking lessons and Thursday we´re having a farewell party at a different local bar, Montezuma. I think the hardest thing for me to get used to (besides ...

These are some images of the tour. it finishes with a visit to the amazing Damajagua Waterfalls, unafortunately I haven't got any pictures as I did not think of buying a watercamera :S but if you type in internet the name you can get amazing pictures!

... I am headed to the capital the weekend of August 18th-20th for Peace Corps committe weekend, when all of the volunteer committees meet to plan their activities. When I am there, I am going to go to the animal shelter to adopt a puppy to bring back to my campo and keep me company in my new house. I can't wait! Again, pictures coming in the near future. I hope all of you are well and happy. Take care, and stay in touch! Love, Maggie