Well mis amigos the time has finally come when I can say that I am infact a Peace Corps Volunteer...no more of this aspirante business! Butbefore we commence with the present comings and goings, it is onlyapropriate to explain what has lead up tp today...
Almost two weeks ago I learned that I was going to be living in a apueblo called Fantino, Sanchez Ramirez. It is essentially in themiddle of the country, surround by rice fields and a few mountains inthe distance. I got to Fantino two Tuesdays ago for a quick visit tolearn my new family, the community and my school. The Directora is my project partner andso far she seems very motivated. The site visit had its ups anddowns...my Espanol while better always seesm to be a problem when Ifirst meet people...its hard when they just throw Spanish at me andthen think I can`t speak it because I don^t speak super fast. BUT ohwell, one day it will come...I also got VERY sick from a plate ofcabbage...serves me right for mocking the PC nurse about salad. Idefinitly paid for it and wasnt able to meet with my tech commitee onFriday because I was in bed. Urg...but as was better and my neighborwas very sweet and brought me fruit. The next day I got up feelingbetter and went on a tour with my project partner and visited thefirefighters, the Defensa Civil, the Church and a few other locations. Later that night I went to a birthday party of one of the teachers atmy school and hungout with them for awhile which was really nicebecause I got to spend time with these people outside of a worksetting. The birthday girl was pretty stoked I was there and felt badthat I was a vegetarian and couldnt partake in the Mondongo= cowintestines! Yes, it is not a joke. I assured her that it was trulyalright and that I had already eaten, but alas, she told me that Icould just eat the veggies and rice (even though it had beenmarinating with the cow parts) After refusing this 2 times I realizedthat I better suck it up and gain confianza all the while knowing Iwould be back in the bathroom that night...well I was right, but itdid get me in good with the ladies!
That Sunday I traveled back to the capital for my last week oftraining and graduation. Training seemed pointless once again, but itwas great to reconnect with my friends and hear about everyone else^svisits. They ranged from great to one kid has tarantualas in his roomand they hiss at him! Gracias adios that I am only worried aboutroaches in my bathroom! Anyway, Thursday we had our graduation and theUS Ambassador spoke (not in Spanish!) as well as a few others and oneof my friends gave a great commencement speech (In Spanish) on behalfof our class...she was phenomenal! We all recieved fancy pins withthe DR and US flag and our picture to post on the DR map where oursite is...pretty cool.. Then the festivites began! I^ll spare thedetails, but it was a great weekend spent in the Capital with myfriends as well as older Volunteers. But Saturday came quickly andwith it my time to venture out on my own to Fantino!
The trip was quick and all the while I was thinking about what I`mgoing to do for the next tow years here...what I was going to do whenI woke up on Sunday! But I took a deep breath, unpacked my stuff, atesome boiled bananas and cheese, watched Bee Movie in Espanol with myhost sister and went to bed! The next morning I ate and rather thansitting around I visited the cultural center and talked with twoUniversity students for about 1.5 hours about the Brigada Verde Groupas well as their functioning Theater Group! So this week I will beattending a few meetings and meeting and hanging out with jovenes.But still, I don´t really know why I am needed here because manythings appear to be functioning quite well. However I do have someideas...a newspaper for the school seemed to go over quite well withthe Directora and the teachers keep asking when I`m giving computerclass and yesterday I was solicited to give English class. BUT we`llsee, right now I just need to get to know people and see what I canget my hands into!
That seems like a good review...hope all is well back in the good oleUSA...I visited it lst Friday when I was swimming in the pool at theUS EMBASSY...I`ll leave you with that thought...hahaha.
Also, elections are this Friday here so it should be nteresting.
much loveA
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