It's only been six days??

I am sitting in the computer lab at school, with kids gone for the day. I can't believe it's been six days already since my arrival in Santiago this past Wednesday. (Holy cow!) Each day has almost seemed like a week's time, with my body catching up to life and its rhythms here and simply acclimating myself to the culture.

History-
Believe it or not, it was a holiday when I got here, so today (Monday) was my first day of being at school with kids present. Dia de Duarte was being celebrated because Duarte was the man who led the revolution against Haitian rule in the 1870s. My history is not straight from the books, but from my memory of what I've read. So please take it with that knowledge! This goes back further, but who knew that Dominicans are actually not very fond of Christopher Columbus, who found the island first in the New World. Apparently, the native Tainos died out completely only within three decades under his -- and Spanish -- rule.

Moving on from the history lesson-
On Thursday, I jumped right in to activity, literally. Eric, a friend I went to Clemson with who teaches at Doulos, took me on a hike with another couple from school, Jonathan and Shelly, who is my boss. We went to Salto de Jimenoa, which for lack of my pictures being available, you can check out here. We pretty much spider-climbed up red, clay dirt and rocks since we could not initially find the right trail to take. I have to say, that's the first time I've ever done that. I have a feeling it was not their's, but I love "learning" something new! It was also the first time in a long time I have been on any rope or suspension bridges. No, it wasn't extremely high above the water, but what a rush regardless! The picture I linked you to is beautiful, but it's not the taller of the two waterfalls. All I can say in regards to God's beauty we saw that day, is "breathtaking."

Home life-
Chaotic. In a word. There is no established routine yet, and I am not sure there really will be. I live with a girl named Kymberlee, who is doing here student teaching here through Texas A&M. Soon, another will be joining us -- February 14. We live with Maria, una abuela (grandma) who could not be more precious, and her granddaughter, Deni. I believe Deni is five or six. Extended family is around often, and we live about a thirty minute walk away from school. Meals consist of variations of rice, beans and chicken -- usualmente. Music blasts loud into the night, roosters constantly crow in the distance with other birds joining in their calls, and laundry in the back of the house flaps outside my window.

Dominican life-
There's a "dicho" here, or saying, that goes "If you can get one thing done in a day, it's a good day." I would say that's a pretty accurate picture of Dominican lifestyle. Laidback, content and certainly not rushed. Life is at a different pace here all around, but that's not to say moto's (mopeds, motorcycles and the like) don't speed past you frequently -- making you think twice before stepping out into the streets. Lights go out often, along with water access. Ice cold would also be a great description for the latter, when it comes to showers. I don't drink the water and don't like to use much when I'm taking those ice cold showers either. Roads are trashy and dirt-filled, and I'm not writing that for a sob story. Simply to give you a picture of daily life here. Catching rides on those motos is the main means of transportation, if you don't have one yourself. It costs about 30 pesos to ride home - that's 83 cents! Someone told me when I first got here, don't be bothered by the guys whistling at you on motos -- they're just offering you a ride.

School life-
I think God has offered us a beautiful piece of paradise here at Doulos, with its campus centered arond a mango tree. Children learn in tree house like structures and run through a Japanese botanical garden. The open-air classrooms provide glimpses of the nature outside at arm's reach. Different backgrounds of Protestant and Catholic, wealthy and poor of all ages (pre-K through 12), come together to learn about Christ and essential studies. They are learning expeditionally, to become leaders and to know how to tangibly affect their surrounding community positively -- and one day, possibly the world. Eating at the cafe today, I thought the food was amazing; of course, the ensalada is grown on campus by the amphitheatre. The amphitheatre and visible campus spots were mostly expedition projects for the different grades, where they used everything from geometry to create an arbor to studying Japanese culture to create a botanical garden. Work teams helped to build many of these structures, and that's where I come in...

My "job"-
I will be working with work teams from the US, coordinating their trips and time here along with hosting them during their stay. My first group is a bunch of middle schoolers (Ay, Dios!). Who knows what to expect there; all I can say is I hope their leaders have a good handle on 'em! They are scheduled to arrive sometime early February, and this week I'll be jumping in and especially learning more about how I'll fit into this title or role.

Today, I also discovered I might really be jumping in by teaching high school English! They're actually doing a lot of reading -- 40 books each student! -- along with college applications. Now that's something I know something about, but without the international student perspective.

Adios-
That's all for now folks! I know I've "written" your ears off. I'm sending you amor (te amo) and peace. I'll try to add pictures soon! Hasta luego.