First week of Volunteerism

After our initiation we spent the next day lounging around the Peace Corps office and the US Embassy (thats right, the US Embassy = good exchange rates, good food, pool, tennis courts).  Then Friday we had an informational session on Cholera.  

Finally they let us go to our sites on Saturday.  It was good to be back and I have a great 3 days there visiting people, playing games with the children and getting back into the swing of things.  Then we got a message on Monday saying that Tuesday we all need to be back in the capital (for region 6, the one that i am) for consolidation due to Tropical Storm Tomas that is heading our way.  So I was in my site as an official volunteer for about 2 full days.  I did not want to go back to the capital.  It is rather surreal now because we are in a swanky hotel, with all you can eat buffets, pool, key cards to use the elevators, king size beds, hot showers, flushing toilets! and everything.  And it is within walking distance from the Peace Corps office (i.e. easy access to free internet and the free box).  So far we will be here until Sat, but things will probably change and we will be consolidated until the storm gets here and then passes.

Some thoughts and experiences:

• I have never seen so many naked little boys in my life, and i am worried that they might fall and scrape/hurt their little man parts.
• It is proven once again that Heidi and 'organized' sports mix like oil and water - They Don't.  I was playing kickball with some of my kids yesterday morning before I left for the capital.  And like steel wool to a magnet the ball (a half deflated basketball) found its way to my face.  The game went on and for that I think that I earned some Street Cred.  I should get a girl scout badge that says 'The Americana can take a ball to the face,' but all i got was some redness on my eyelid and cheek (not even a black eye).
• One Dominican man can be more romantic through a text message than 100 American men (from the USA) with flowers and cards - Boys brush up on your super sappy poetry. 
• This next part I will take from an Eminem song, Cleanin' Out My Closet, "I'm sorry Mama, I never meant to hurt you.  I never meant to make you cry but..." the other night I chewed on some sugar cane.  The entire time  that i was chewing and sucking the juices out i was feeling a lot of verguenza (shame) knowing that was the one thing that my mom told me NOT to do.  But I did floss and brush my teeth for like 5 min that night when I got home.  Sorry Mom, please don't be too mad.  It was for a good cause, creating confianza (trust) in the community, I couldn't refuse. 
• Going to the bathroom in a Latrine - sometimes your aim is good, sometimes not so great.  Either way it is no fun with a ton of mosquitoes at night.
• The chickens know how to go around the curtain so I still get watched when i bucket bathe.  

P.S.  I have a phone now, so if you want the number email me at Heidi.Larr@gmail.com and I will send it your way. :)