Books and Babies!

*NOTE: I ususally write an entry at my house, then go to the internet cafe to post it.  It saves money…but I wrote this one last weekend, and I’m just now able to get to internet to post it.  I wrote this on Sunday.

Today was a very good day…and I needed a good day after the last couple of days. I was getting frustrated with the living situation. I’m just not used to being so dependent on other people and I have to be very dependent right now at least. So today, we had a tour around the Zona Colonial (Colonial Zone) and we learned a lot about the history of the Dominican Republic. As it turns out, the DR was the place where many firsts happened: the first university of the Americas, the first cathedral was built, and the first paved roads were created for the ladies of high status. As for the paved roads, the story goes that there were high-ranking women visiting the city and she was bringing her cortezans. These women were treated like precious jewels by their high-ranking husbands, and because they were so precious, they were only allowed outside twice a day: in the morning to go to mass, and in the afternoon for a walk. Well, they were visiting the city and they wanted to make sure they got their afternoon walk, so their husbands ordered that the roads be paved for their ladies. And so the street was named Calle las Damas (Street for the ladies).

Anywho, after the tour, Darryl and I wandered around separate from our group, and that was kind of nice too. We blend in here really well because we’re “morenas” (brown skinned)…that is, until we open our mouths to try to speak Spanish! So we wandered around El Conde which is a touristy street with lots of shops and things to see. I had a pina colada and it was fantastic on such a hot day! (Side note: while we were waiting for a bus, an evangelist handed us some reading material, a little flier entitled “El infierno no es para ti”…we’ll be going to church this Sunday.)

After we spent the day doing touristy things, we headed home…but not before stopping at a giant mega-store sort of like a Wal-Mart, but not really. Who knew that in the midst of such basic living, a store with so much stuff to buy and people buying stuff (and me buying stuff too) would give me such joy and rapture. I was so happy to be in that store, I didn’t know what to do! I bought really random stuff…some cornflakes, a US magazine in Spanish, nail polish remover, nail polish, and Aunt Jemimah pancake mix, and words can’t describe how happy I was. I still haven’t shaken the American consumerism thing, but I think it was just the thing I needed: some freedom and fresh air without worrying about where I had to be next.

I’m enjoying it here, but training is tough. I am quite brain-dead and there’s still more to be done. I’m losing my English and I still don’t have Spanish, so sometimes I just can’t speak! Next week, we’re getting lessons on how to ride a motoconcho (a motorcycle taxi) because we have to go – by ourselves – to visit a current volunteer. I have to take a bus for 3 and a half hours, then take a taxi, then take a motoconcho to visit my volunteer. Wish me luck!  **NOTE:  the volunteer visit was rescheduled because of Hurricane Hannah or Ivan or maybe Josephine…We’re trying to go this Monday through Wednesday.  It’s hurricane season here in the DR! (But don’t worry..we’re safe.  The Peace Corps takes good care of us.)

PICTURES!!! Finally, here is a link to a few pictures of our trip so far. Enjoy!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNmjdm2ZMmL7Q

***Another NOTE:  Here is my address…we will have to same address for the 2 years we’re here.  It’s the Peace Corps Office address and we’ll go there periodically to pick up mail:

Trenita Childers

Cuerpo de Paz

Avenida Bolivar 451, Gascue

Apartado Postal 1412

Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic

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