Hola chicas!I'm writing a brief update on the DR to keep you all posted. I also have updated my DR blog, http://www.sabanarey.wordpress.com/, but it is more general and I wanted to include some of the stuff that may interest you all who came down in 2007. It is wonderful to be back and I am going to meet my cooperadora Nini tomorrow. I've heard rave reviews about how incredible she is and I can't wait to find out for myself.
Juan's colmado is still on the corner along Calle Duarte, though it has been repainted a lovely green color in place of the yellow & red that it used to be. Last night we walked down and bought some Presidente, whipped out a bunch of plastic chairs, and sat around while some of the ILAC staff played Dominos. Mari's place is also still in business, and we went there for an initial ice cold Presidente yesterday before dinner. She has totally remodeled. Now she mainly just sells alcohol and candy bars. She put up a wall to divide the store and rents out the other side as a chicken stand. Afterward, we were told we can't go down there anymore--apparently she facilitates prostitution out of the back and it doesn't look good to have us going in and out of there. Sad because Mari is a nice lady.
Also, I ran into Edita (our cooperadora from Venu Arriba) today! She had brough
t someone from the campo into the ILAC center for dental work. It was so nice to see her and catch up. A few updates--Genesis and Albania are in school and Marco turned 18 this year and joined the seminary! I did not realize he was that old already! Edita also said she received a letter from Megan in May. I sent some pictures for Edita, my family, and Esteban & Louisa. I told Edita that hopefully I would be able to visit at the end of the summer program, so I am praying that it works out.
Well, sorry to talk your ears off for those of you that have no idea who these people are, but I am so excited. I hope you all are doing well, and I will try to post more pictures soon! Hasta luego!
Juan's colmado is still on the corner along Calle Duarte, though it has been repainted a lovely green color in place of the yellow & red that it used to be. Last night we walked down and bought some Presidente, whipped out a bunch of plastic chairs, and sat around while some of the ILAC staff played Dominos. Mari's place is also still in business, and we went there for an initial ice cold Presidente yesterday before dinner. She has totally remodeled. Now she mainly just sells alcohol and candy bars. She put up a wall to divide the store and rents out the other side as a chicken stand. Afterward, we were told we can't go down there anymore--apparently she facilitates prostitution out of the back and it doesn't look good to have us going in and out of there. Sad because Mari is a nice lady.
Also, I ran into Edita (our cooperadora from Venu Arriba) today! She had brough
t someone from the campo into the ILAC center for dental work. It was so nice to see her and catch up. A few updates--Genesis and Albania are in school and Marco turned 18 this year and joined the seminary! I did not realize he was that old already! Edita also said she received a letter from Megan in May. I sent some pictures for Edita, my family, and Esteban & Louisa. I told Edita that hopefully I would be able to visit at the end of the summer program, so I am praying that it works out.Well, sorry to talk your ears off for those of you that have no idea who these people are, but I am so excited. I hope you all are doing well, and I will try to post more pictures soon! Hasta luego!
JEHF
woo hoo!!!
ReplyDeletewish I was there :-)
have a Presidente (or two or three) for me!!
YEAH, thanks for the update, Joc!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're having a great time.
So glad you got to see Edita---I can't believe Marco is in the seminary! And Genesis and Albania are in school!? Wow, they're so old!! I really hope that you can make it to Venu sometime!!!