A Few Things...

Saturday, a returning teacher invited Sarah, Kyla, and I out for lunch and to take us around to do some errands. She took us to Squeezed, a very good juice/sandwich bar.

I had the egg omelette and an "Africa"-- chocolate and peanut butter-- very good!

Afterwards, we went to La Sirena, and got a few things for our maid to use, as well as a couple of chairs for our patio.

That evening, we were invited over to a couple from our school-- Selina works in purchasing and her husband Hugo works for an architecture company in Santiago-- for an authentic Dominican meal. (I didn't take pictures of the meal, but took pictures from their view from their rooftops-- very pretty!)

           Plantain trees

We had fried eggs, fried cheese, salad, mongoo (not sure of spelling)-- plantains, butter, and cheese-- very good!, beef bologni (I think), and for dessert arroz con leche (rice with milk and raisins-- also very good--sweet!). It was so much fun to talk with everyone, and also to learn more about the Dominican culture!

Sunday, we went to another church-- I can't remember what the name of the church was-- We sat with the congregation for the songs, and then went up to a box area where, the sermon was translated in English. Also that Sunday there was 10 baptisms that were done-- there were going to be another 10 next Sunday. We ate at a restaurant for lunch, and I had the most fabulous strawberry frozen drink-- I'm finding that the DR has the best juice and frozen drinks!!

In the evening, Kyla and I went over to our friend Heather's house, and along with another new teacher Allison, played Spanish Clue. It had been years since I had played original Clue, but it wasn't too hard to get the hang of it (thanks to some Spanish speakers)!

Yesterday, we met with our principals, and we learned about Responsive Teaching practices, which is an approach that the elementary level uses. Today we had a presentation about the Dominican lifestyle-- how to dress, behaviors, dos and don'ts, as well as the must see places to visit. We also talked about culture shock, and how to handle it. 

Kyla and I had another outing this afternoon with walking to Baillon-- similar to Home Depot, to make copies of our keys. It was a successful outing for the both of us!!

A few things....

• All the buildings are made of cement, because there are not good trees for building- it is also the reason why central air is very hard to have here.
• Lunch times are not interrupted by disturbances-- it is time to talk and spend time with the people you are eating with. Dinner/Supper times are usually very late (compared to other North Americans)-- 9:00. (And lunch is usually later as well)
• Breakfast is not pastries- -it is usually something "sturdy"
• The DR is the only country with the Bible on it's flag- -with the Bible verse John 8:32
• One of the forms of transportation is Concho (which is different than a taxi)-- the cars have a special route they take in the city-- 4 people sit in the back, and 2 other people in the front besides the driver -- approximately 20 pesos (I think). 
• Motoconcho's are transportation with motorcycles-- and can have multiple people on them as well. 
• For taxi's, you call them up, and they come to your house, or wherever you are, and take you to your destination- -this can be a few dollars

Please pray for rain here. We are in a drought here, and if it does not rain soon, the water will be rationed.