6/27/2014

We walked to the temple this morning.  It took a while because we got a little lost and had to get directions 3 times.  We finally got there and I felt so much better, seeing something that I recognize and think of as a safe place.  Where we are staying is nowhere near the living situation I was in.  The neighborhood is safe enough though, and we were fine walking to the temple.

We went to see Nancy Rappleye because I miss her and love her and also everyone was hot and thirsty.  She lives right next to the temple so it wasn't difficult at all.  We walked in her apartment and everyone got hugs and glasses of ice water.  She's wonderful.  I miss and I think I will always love the people I lived in the DR with because we became really close during that time.

When we got back we got lunch at a local comedor and then headed to Playa Juan Dolio.  We played in the water and found a sea urchin and had a generally good time.  Tomorrow we're headed to Playa Caribe in the morning and a meet and greet with the students and parents in the afternoon.  Should be good.

apartment

We're staying at a place called torrestudio, which has a bunch of studio type apartments and is owned by the bishop here.

Kitchen

the view from the hallway

from kitchen to the bedroom

bedroom

6/26/2014

Well, here I am, sitting in my apartment room in Santo Domingo.  It's been a ridiculously long day, but a good one.  I'm feeling a little nervous, but I'm happy with my traveling companions and I feel like we will make this a very fun and fulfilling trip.

Our flight left at 1 am.  I slept on the plane for about 2 hours, then was awake for the rest of the flight to Atlanta.  Then we had a 4 hour layover and then another 4 hour flight to Santo Domingo.  It was probably the quickest I have ever gotten here before. Usually it takes at least 18 hours to get to Santo Domingo.  Anyways, it was pretty uneventful flying.  

After we went through customs we went out to the runway on our way to get out of the airport.  Our ride wasn't there.  Our professor didn't have her phone number, so we just sat there helplessly, just hoping that she would show up so we wouldn't have to hire one of those taxi guys that wait at airports.  Thankfully, about half an hour later, she showed up with two vans and we all piled in.  

We went to the apartments, dropped our stuff off, and changed.  We all agreed that we would try to stay up to a reasonable hour tonight so we could try to get used to the time change, so we went down to the colonial zone.  There is this place that I had never been to that was the most beautiful street.  It was totally meant for tourists, but it was beautiful.  It was made for walking on, and had lovely street lamps running down the middle of it.  Merchants surround you on all sides, shouting at you to buy their wares.  

We ate at a restaurant in the old city (I had rice and beans, if you were wondering), and then went back to the apartments.  I have my apartment to myself, which is nice.  It was funny, though, how it happened. 

We are all sleeping on full size beds, and a few people are sharing them.  I was supposed to be sharing an apartment with another girl, but the lady who owns the apartment, the bishop's wife, was talking to our program director when they were making room arrangements.  She said to her, "She is too fat, she needs her own bed!"  I gave her a face and she quickly realized that I understood her Spanish.  She started laughing, and asked if I understood.  I nodded, and she defended herself.  It was quite funny.  Anyways, that's how I am here with my own little apartment to myself.  I'll post pictures tomorrow.