La Tambora Beach Resort Samaná Peninsula

October 26, 2008 Hey Gang, After a rough first six months in my site, things are finally coming around. Adjusting and adapting to my new surroundings has been all consuming. Please forgive me for not writing more frequently or keeping up with you. I also hope that you continue to stay in touch with me and remember to keep me updated on your life. I have learned that time is precious, passes much too quickly, and, it is hard to ...

... our oath in both Spanish and English to protect the U.S. and serve as Peace Corps Volunteers. Our U.S. Ambassador to the DR swore in my class of 36 volunteers. Speakers included a representative of the office of the Primera Dona (first lady), Head of State of the Environment in the Dominican Republic, our Dominican Republic Peace Corps Director, and an official of USAID who is also a former Peace Corp Volunteer. A word about the PCDR Country ...

... Oh, our Italian friend Luca told us they filmed Italian Survivor here. Yesterday, I went whale-watching. Many of the North Atlantic humpback whales breed in Dominican waters, as part of an annual migratory cycle that takes them up the eastern seaboard of the United States and over to the freezing waters of Greenland and Iceland. We were on quite a big boat of about 40 people, but the sea was pretty rough. It was very wise that ray didn´t come with me because ...

... and restaurants etc. It was a lovely walk about. One thing of note however, we were instructed not to go into particular areas. Even the areas we ventured into, as two single women, I did not feel safe. I cannot quite put my finger on it but it was a gut instinct sort of thing. We did a little shopping but were anxious to meet back up with our group. One thing to take note of, there was one glaring wonderful absence in this city.... no McDonalds!!!

... Click on "Caribbean" in the "Choose a region" page 5. My project is the second one listed entitled Community Health Initiative. It also lists my name. Hope this info makes it easier to find what you are looking for. Again, if you know anyone else who may be interested in donating, please pass along this information. Thanks so much! Love, Maggie

... and implementation of two AIDS vigils to honor those who died of AIDS and also to raise conciousness. With the two Escojo groups, we planned and implemented a camp called Ëscojo Lider where the kids had to form presentations on working in a team, leadership, and what makes a good volunteer. We had the camp in one of the surrounding campos and the kids slept in tents and had a blast. It got off to a rocky start, (only 7 of the ...

... the wait isn't so bad when you're certain your prowess as a DJ will lift the mood of the entire bar. But my cornfed antagonist wasn't having any of it. Despite noticing a palpable change in the crowd once my first song made its broadcast, from the pie-eyed bogtrotter at my flank to the motley crew chucking darts, as soon as Beast of Burden put to bed his twangy songs about checking the air in the tires of your American ...

... and I'll try to post pictures; there are always AT LEAST 7 people in a car, a normal like Toyota or whatever, it's like a clown car...and buses, I don't even know, like if you can move, you have a lot of space. It's just insane, and there is no organization or routes; you just have to know where you are going and what kind of car to look for and stuff. I'm getting used to it, but I am definitely praying a lot when I'm on ...

... in disbelief that we had made it a whole year and had less than one year remaining. All was going well until I had a huge panic attack as I suddenly started thinking about all the things that hadn´t exactly accomplished that I had wanted to. And now, here lay one year left to get it right and make a difference. That is a lot of pressure to surround yourself with! My fellow volunteers calmed me and gave me praise for the job which I had done and tried to remind ...

... on how quickly my laundry dries. I attended a conference on the economic situation between Haiti and the DR and it was quite a to do. The German ambassador was there, directors of NGOs, and news cameras and photographers. I'll share an interesting fact with you: Haiti is the number two importer of Dominican products, the US is the largest importer. The conference was how to strengthen the economic relationship ...