Hi, it's the mom...Darren and I are visiting Krissie for the week. Wow, what a joy. We are really getting a good taste of what she does and it's great. So far the above is the extent of my Spanish...but it's still early. So Krissie has taken us to the clinic and school (both at the same location) in the hills, in the heat, in the beauty of the countryside and also in the midst of the poverty. It is such a tug of war between beauty and suffering! It is really hard to switch back a forth from going "oh, isn't that beautiful - a child's smile or a beautiful flowering bush - to an impoverished sight of pain, suffering and want.We were also privileged to go to Antera's home for lunch today. (She works in the clinic.) We enjoyed a typical Dominican meal of rice, salad, fried cheese and plantains. It was awesome and so special. The adults sat around the table while the kids waited patiently in the other room - about 3 feet away. There were maybe 12 people in her house that would be about 8' x 8'.
Last night we went to church. It was really great. All in Spanish of course so we were a little lacking in 
understanding, but still had a great time. It was a big Dominican mother's day celebration. The most amazing thing I would say about the DR is the friendliness of the people. They have so little (most of them) but they are so happy - always greet you with a smile and a warm Hola. Darren is pulling on my arm wanting me to go into the pool with him, so got to run. Splash!!
Out of the pool but it is still 32 in the shade so I'm hot again. And the mother who is always on her kids to use sunscreen has a slight burn on her shoulders (don't tell Jackie).
So today Krissie made me ride a motoconcho down from the clinic. So there was the guy (driver) me in the middle and Darren on the back. Hmmm - Now I know what the icing in an oreo cookie feels like. I had to chuckle to myself as Krissie was haggling with the motoconcho drivers. There are Darren and I standing in the 42 degree heat because we were in the sun and about 6 black guys on motercycles were circling around us and Krissie and Amy (her roommate) to see who could drive us (well, really the girls!)
So after we get down the hill we have to catch a guagua (another name for a bus that carries 22, yes I said 22 people). It is the size of a mini van. I had to count how many of us were in there and yes, it again there were 22.
Well, one guy was hanging outside, 4 people in the front and so on.
understanding, but still had a great time. It was a big Dominican mother's day celebration. The most amazing thing I would say about the DR is the friendliness of the people. They have so little (most of them) but they are so happy - always greet you with a smile and a warm Hola. Darren is pulling on my arm wanting me to go into the pool with him, so got to run. Splash!!Out of the pool but it is still 32 in the shade so I'm hot again. And the mother who is always on her kids to use sunscreen has a slight burn on her shoulders (don't tell Jackie).
So today Krissie made me ride a motoconcho down from the clinic. So there was the guy (driver) me in the middle and Darren on the back. Hmmm - Now I know what the icing in an oreo cookie feels like. I had to chuckle to myself as Krissie was haggling with the motoconcho drivers. There are Darren and I standing in the 42 degree heat because we were in the sun and about 6 black guys on motercycles were circling around us and Krissie and Amy (her roommate) to see who could drive us (well, really the girls!)
So after we get down the hill we have to catch a guagua (another name for a bus that carries 22, yes I said 22 people). It is the size of a mini van. I had to count how many of us were in there and yes, it again there were 22.
Well, one guy was hanging outside, 4 people in the front and so on.But here we are and we arrived safely.
Earlier today we went to Arroyo Scco where Krissie helped build the school. (her very first project here). It was awesome to see. Quite substancial - much more than I had imagined. So we hiked it down the road to see if we could meet any of the locals. And of course out they came as we were walking. A little girl came running out to see Krissie, did I mention she knows everybody! They are all so pleased to see her coming. She is introducing us to everyone which is really great. So we hiked off the road (Krissie is never one to stay on the beaten path) so into the hills to a beautiful grandma’s house. She offered us the best she had which was 3 chairs to rest on. Her little grandchildren sat and stared at us as only Krissie could communicate with them. Grandma thought Darren looked really strong!! I think so too. Ha Ha...Anyway that was one of my favourite stops so far. It reminded me of Grandma Sonnenberg and how she would be. Rustic and country and peacefull. I'd love to go back and sit with her and chat, now I know why Krissie keeps coming back.
So Krissie is reminding me to tell you all about the talent show, fund raiser she took us too. It was really good. They are such talented musicians. So
there we were enjoying the show along with about 300 young adults when the power goes out – completely! So out in the streets are lots of other people milling around and there we are in a building which is almost pitch black. Hmmmm...pray now! Then the lights came back on in about 3 – 4 minutes and we were good to go. The show was amazing.
The first day we were here I realized I had not packed enough cool tops so Krissie said she’d take us out shopping for some clothes. Now that’s a first. So off we went, Kris grabbed us a publicar (a “taxi” where you fit in as many people as you possibly can). After it broke down on the side of the road for a minute or two I thought it would be a good time to open my pop – yes, I said pop. At a time like this you are not fussy about your liquids – just happy you have some – anyway, as it turns out it was not such a good time to open it as Kris and I found
out. Apparently the roads are a little bumpy and it sprayed all over Kris and I and the driver and his car. O bother. But alas I had a wetnap in my pocket and made the most of it. Nothing a little extra tip to the driver couldn’t fix.
So we are having an awesome time. Hope I didn’t bore you with my ramblings. Hope to write again before we have to leave. Cheers, Lisa
Earlier today we went to Arroyo Scco where Krissie helped build the school. (her very first project here). It was awesome to see. Quite substancial - much more than I had imagined. So we hiked it down the road to see if we could meet any of the locals. And of course out they came as we were walking. A little girl came running out to see Krissie, did I mention she knows everybody! They are all so pleased to see her coming. She is introducing us to everyone which is really great. So we hiked off the road (Krissie is never one to stay on the beaten path) so into the hills to a beautiful grandma’s house. She offered us the best she had which was 3 chairs to rest on. Her little grandchildren sat and stared at us as only Krissie could communicate with them. Grandma thought Darren looked really strong!! I think so too. Ha Ha...Anyway that was one of my favourite stops so far. It reminded me of Grandma Sonnenberg and how she would be. Rustic and country and peacefull. I'd love to go back and sit with her and chat, now I know why Krissie keeps coming back.
So Krissie is reminding me to tell you all about the talent show, fund raiser she took us too. It was really good. They are such talented musicians. So
there we were enjoying the show along with about 300 young adults when the power goes out – completely! So out in the streets are lots of other people milling around and there we are in a building which is almost pitch black. Hmmmm...pray now! Then the lights came back on in about 3 – 4 minutes and we were good to go. The show was amazing.The first day we were here I realized I had not packed enough cool tops so Krissie said she’d take us out shopping for some clothes. Now that’s a first. So off we went, Kris grabbed us a publicar (a “taxi” where you fit in as many people as you possibly can). After it broke down on the side of the road for a minute or two I thought it would be a good time to open my pop – yes, I said pop. At a time like this you are not fussy about your liquids – just happy you have some – anyway, as it turns out it was not such a good time to open it as Kris and I found
out. Apparently the roads are a little bumpy and it sprayed all over Kris and I and the driver and his car. O bother. But alas I had a wetnap in my pocket and made the most of it. Nothing a little extra tip to the driver couldn’t fix.So we are having an awesome time. Hope I didn’t bore you with my ramblings. Hope to write again before we have to leave. Cheers, Lisa
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