Tropicana Caribe by EVRentals Puerto Plata

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

... he said, "I don't have the money or the time."  It was maddening.  I truly believe in my heart that this child will not survive this illness, just because of his living situation.  It was difficult to walk away-
Please offer your positive thoughts, good karma, prayers, or wishful thinking to this little one tonight.  Maybe they will help.
Missing all of you,
Love,
Lani

... never get dessert,
Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
Who watch their parents watch them die.
We pray for those who can't find any bread to steal,
Who don't have any rooms to clean up,
Whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
Whose monsters are real,
Whose nightmares come in the daytime.
And we pray for those who will eat anything,
Who have never seen a dentist,
Santiago, Dominican Republic lstockwell

... pass us by around Thursday afternoon, thanks in advance, Bill.  It rained all night last night, and looks like Thursday will be a wet day as well.  
I'm attaching a very recent pic of my little one, taken last week.  I think she's learning to play the piano in my absence, and definitely growing up too fast while mommy is away.
Take care.  Hope you are all well-
Love,
Lani
 

... this is my first, "I'm really homesick, and am admitting it to the world" blog since arriving here.  I'm hoping that I continue to stay busy, as that makes the days seem shorter :)
I'm attaching a group picture.  This picture was taken after the Campo clinic and education session.  Yes, we are really as tired as we look!
Please feel free to drop me an email and let me know how you all are doing.
Adios,
Love,
Lani

... wear and tear from daily activities!
This morning we went to church, then were able to see about 10 more patients.  One patient (who lived across the river) just wanted to be able to access the community, independently.  It sounds simple, but in reality was not.  This patient has only one arm, no legs.  She mobilizes by using her hand to walk on.  She is completely independent, other than that mentioned previously.  So, you think ...

... have a wide selection of cocktails, which are generally fairly weak, but if you were to ask they would make them strong. This applies to all their drinks though if you have say a Cuba Libra (Rum & Coke/Pepsi) it will be moderately strong! When you are out on excursions though they make them VERY strong, one of the lunches we had I asked for a Cuba Libra and the put ¾ rum and ¼ Pepsi, which nearly blew my head off!!!!!! STAFF All the staff ...

... just up the road, poor sods, these people are 'rich'. Here in the harbour everyone keeps their VHF radio on Ch68 and your business is everybody's. We had just finished calling a boat we had met in the Turks to ask about check-in procedures when a dinghy pulls up to say hello. It is Andrew and Kerry from Mariposa, whom we had met in Cuba a month or so ago. Of course, our use of the radio let everyone know that On-On had arrived. As they had been in Luperon for a month ...

... we got to play with the two dolphins, in pairs, two at a time. I went with Leanna. Right away the trainer told me to kiss the dolphin, and he put his snout right up to me and I kissed him on the lips three times! We fed the dolphin a fish that he gave us, and hugged them and danced with them. It was so much fun. The dolphins are so sweet and playful. They must be having a good time - they are too smart to be doing this if they didn't enjoy it. I see it akin to ...

... men like to take that opportunity to harass me, which can get a little uncomfortable. It is nothing threatening, but being the Americana I naturally stand out and draw a lot of attention, not necessarily good attention. So I am learning who and what situations to avoid, and I think the more people I get to know in my community the less I will be bothered. In my free time, I have managed to make a weekend trip to the beach with some other volunteers, which was ...