Saturday was the Beach to Sosua, about a 2 hr bus trip to the north of Santiago. The new teachers (and a few current), as well as a mission team from Philadelphia, (who had been working in Palo Alto), went with us. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. The sand was scorching hot to walk on, but the water made up for the hot sand. We were served a lunch of either chicken or fish for lunch-- I had the fish-- this was a new experience, b/c I've never eaten fresh fish where it's the whole fish (eyes and bones included!). Despite the bones and eye staring at me, it was very good! We also had a pineapple drink, straight from a pineapple-- also very delish! By the end of the day I was absolutely exhausted, and we got back to our apt around 7. Our water had gone out Friday afternoon (which is someone common-- we were told to keep a large can of water with a little clorox in it, in case it happens again.), and Saturday morning before we left for the beach, our electricity had gone out (which is also very common-- we have an inverter-- a backup generator box that allows our fans and outlets in our bedroom to work, but not the living room or kitchen). I thought of the no water/elec as a "Welcome to DR" gift--- at least it's in the first week, so as to not get us too comfortable! LOL It makes you appreciate when you're able to take a cold shower! Thankfully, we had both water and elec when we got home Saturday. ;-)
Sunday, we went to Palo Alto, which is about an hour car ride up into the mountains. The road to the mountains is not paved, very steep, and you have to have 4-wheel drive. (My funny story is that I had heard people from SCS talking about Palo Alto, and my first thought, was "why are you talking about California?! LOL)-- Anyway-- PA is mission that SCS supports-- Recently, a Retreat building was built for teachers to use and also as leadership opportunities for students. Sunday was the dedication of the building. There is a couple that lives there-- they have a house in Santiago, but have chosen to live there (in a house near the retreat building)- with no electricity, running water, very primitive dwelling-- to be missionaries to the people. He is a minister to the church-- that we attended in the afternoon. There are more details to their story, but that is what I can remember. Their house is very close, in that if there was a mudslide, their house would be buried, so the next project is to expand another building as their house, a little ways down from their original house.
All I can say about the mountains there, is that they are absolutely breathtaking. It's hard to put into word how beautiful the scenery was. One of the SCS teachers that is familiar with the area, took us on a short (but very steep) hike, which led to a 360 view of the mountains-- with more incredible views-- we could see Santiago, and our school in the distance. Before we went home, they took us the Palo Alto School, which SCS supports, and we were able to walk around the building. There are some students that walk 2 1/2 hours just to come to school here. The government has said that their building is not fit to go to school there, but they go there anyway, b/c they don't have anywhere else to go.
It was about 7 when we finally got back from Palo Alto, and with having very little food in our apt (yet), we decided to attempt our first ordering of DR food delivery-- Yaway --the sandwich shop Sarah and I had eaten on Saturday. Thankfully, our roommate Kyla speaks Spanish, so she ordered for us! Our goal is to know enough Spanish by the end of the year, that both Sarah and I can order on our own from Yaway! LOL
Monday and Tuesday we have Love and Logic Training, and then Wed-Friday, we are going to a resort in Puerto Plato!
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