Christmas is just around the corner
Trip Start
Sep 07, 2003
1
34
48
Trip End
Nov 26, 2005
Constanza,
Dominican Republic
Monday, December 13, 2004
I guess I should fill you in the things that have happened in the past few weeks. I am such a ¨bolera¨ which mean a person who is always trying to get free rides whenever possible. The fact is that they do not pay us enough to pay for a ride all the time. The other thing is that you never know who you are going to meet when you get a free ride. I have been lucky so far and have survived the rides, although there have been some after thoughts about why on earth did I pick that one.
So I woke up at 1:30am Thursday morning (Thanksgiving Day) to catch a free with my host brother to the capital. Let just say it was way to early and I was drifting in a out of sleep while hearing the remarks of ¨hey, was that a cop, better go this way.¨ Several detours later, we made it to Felo´s house
A nice way to cool off
. (He is the owner of the truck and who pays my host-brother to bring flowers down form Constanza to the capital to sell.) Well, I was a little worried about what I was going to do at 4:30 in the morning, but Dominicans are so friendly and so before long I was fast asleep in one their beds until about 8 in the morning. However, there were some birds in the next room whom I would have liked to put to rest, however being a guest I might have worn out my welcome right then and there.So I was off in a taxi to the Peace Corps Office and full of energy. Most of all I was looking forward to the food and man was there a ton of it. (Turkey, Dressing, Mash Potatoes, Honey-glazed carrots, corn on the cob, salad, and 3 different kinds of pie.
I guess this is where I should mention that I had/have a stalker. He is the son of a gentleman who has some land in my community, but he lives in the capital. I mentioned that I would be in the capital the following week for some events and maybe we would talk. I was completely shocked to pop my head out of the water of the pool and find him right in front of me. I did not know what to do. My first instinct was to go to the Peace Corps Staff. The reason being that I did not invite him to this invent and I have no idea what lead him here and how he found me
My birthday....24 years old
. I played it cool and got rid of him. I guess if someone wants to find you they will. As much as I have let my guard down in this country maybe I should raise back up a notch or two. The next day I called his dad and had a little talk about how his son creeped me out and I have not heard from the son since then. So needless to say that he asked a ton of volunteers how to find me and went to the place where we usually stay, so I wound up crashing with Jessie and her mom. I was not at all about to complain because she and her mom had a hotel room in the Colonial Zone with air conditioning and hot water. When I was in the states, I never took the time to think about there being or not being lights or water. It was just a given. Things could be better here in the Dominican Republic, but the problem is who is going to start the ball. There are about 70 houses in my community and about 7 of them pay for their electricity, while the rest are just stealing it. Of course, the electric company comes out every now and then with the police and cuts the wires and gives them a lecture. About five minutes after they have left, you see the later and wires coming out and being hooked right back up. Try and ask someone to pay the lights and they will look at you like you are crazy. They might say "well if she starts paying then maybe I will" or "why should I pay when there are blackouts all the time." I have given up on trying to talk to them
OutKast Replay....
. This is where I am grateful for America and that you can count on you neighbors paying their bills but moreover that you electricity is not dependent on everyone paying their bills.So I got back to my community and organized a talk slash activity for World Aids Day. It was small, but I think some people listened. I also gave out little ribbons and I have to laugh at this one women because I had said something about aids being a issue at heart and the next day she lifts up her shirts and says "see the ribbon it is close to my heart." I had to give it to her and I knew that I would never see that again.
I went to my first wedding ever in my life here in the Dominican Republic and it was beautiful. Of course, it was a wedding for those that have the money to have a wedding. The rest of the country (poor) usually just move-in together and that's it your married for life. There have been times when I have tried to explain our culture and when I have been the gossip of certain people in my community. First of all, I am 24 years old and I am just realizing what it is that I want in life. Second, I refuse to stop living because of what someone else thinks or is saying about me. We all have different beliefs and I do not think we have any right to push those beliefs on someone else
Serving Line at Thanksgiving
. So my house has become the local dance club for the rats in the neighborhood. Oh, I am not laughing, but it just bugs the hell out of me. Get this, not that they are in my house, just that they are making so much noise and I cannot sleep. Talking about becoming numb to certain things. Given, I do now sleep in the middle of the bed so that my extremities are not in biting range.
My birthday was wonderful and I must thank so many people. Those that cooked, that paid for the stuff, and those that were there. I was not able to take a picture of myself, but that is life for you. I tried to get someone to take one, but he just kept taking it all wrong. So needless to say, I could do without the photo. There was cake, drinks, and a wonderful soup that I hope to learn how to make. However, my dona has little hope for me in the kitchen. I am shocked considering I can cook fairly well in the states. Given, everyone usually laughs at my attempts to peel bananas or plantains, but let's see you try to peal a green banana and then you can talk.
Well, I have no idea what I am going to do for Christmas. I did have plans, but who knew that they would fall through
Thanksgiving Evening chilling by the beach
. Go figure that those people who had said they were not going to the states, are not either there or going pretty soon. So I guess, I will in my site for Christmas, I am not sure about this because I was to be in signal range and my site is just about the middle of nowhere. One thing for sure, I am leaving for New Year's. I think will be going with a group of people to Playa Rincon to camp out for the night. My health is ok, despite the eye infection that just has such a hard head. Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and be thankful for that you have. Just having the basics is a precious thing.
Love
Courtney
