This past week has been a sprint without sitting on the bench for a water break because we have been on such a HIGH since Hannah arrived. Pause, before I get into all of the fun, let me give you an explanation of the title- Tim would NOT approve- well, my Dad, Tim, is a protector of his ladies, understandably, and actually, awesome to have a Dad like Tim, however, on our adventures, there are a couple of things that Tim wouldn’t approve of, which is what Hannah and I would say to one another during the event, with an emphasis on the NOT. Obviously. Now that you know, let’s start from the beginning.
Wednesday, Hannah gets here. Avriel and I as well as a pequeña, Marileen (friend of Hannah’s) went to go get her and she was so surprised to see the visitors I brought. We got back to the home and Hannah quickly got reaquainted with the kids, playing, laughing, lots of hugs and smiles. After, we went out for dinner for a fellow volunteer’s birthday, Milena, we went to a local favorite, Paco Taco, Mexican, naturally, and it was SO good. We then go dancing in a nearby Batey MonteCristi which NPH does a lot for the community, so it is safe, we are well respected, and vice versa. Where we went dancing isn’t some fancy shmancy disco with air conditioning, waitresses and waiters, rather, it’s basically the inside of a garage, loud music (and if you have teenagers that like to blast the music, that doesn’t even get remotely close to how loud this music gets) locals coming to dance, and it is just pure culture, pure Dominican. Hannah had a blast, it was approaching 1am and of course, me, the one who loves her sleep, was ready for bedtime, when Hannah only had 2 hours of sleep the night before and had traveled all day, wanted to stay and dance because she absoLUTELY loved it. Tim would NOT approve.
Wednesday, Hannah gets here. Avriel and I as well as a pequeña, Marileen (friend of Hannah’s) went to go get her and she was so surprised to see the visitors I brought. We got back to the home and Hannah quickly got reaquainted with the kids, playing, laughing, lots of hugs and smiles. After, we went out for dinner for a fellow volunteer’s birthday, Milena, we went to a local favorite, Paco Taco, Mexican, naturally, and it was SO good. We then go dancing in a nearby Batey MonteCristi which NPH does a lot for the community, so it is safe, we are well respected, and vice versa. Where we went dancing isn’t some fancy shmancy disco with air conditioning, waitresses and waiters, rather, it’s basically the inside of a garage, loud music (and if you have teenagers that like to blast the music, that doesn’t even get remotely close to how loud this music gets) locals coming to dance, and it is just pure culture, pure Dominican. Hannah had a blast, it was approaching 1am and of course, me, the one who loves her sleep, was ready for bedtime, when Hannah only had 2 hours of sleep the night before and had traveled all day, wanted to stay and dance because she absoLUTELY loved it. Tim would NOT approve.
Marileen & Hannah
Cheese!
Batey Dancing
Clare- Brewer's training camp is right by NPH
Thursday, at 4pm, our travels to Santiago began. We traveled to visit the stomping grounds where my Dominican adventure began with Regis. We left at 4pm and got up to Santiago at 9pm. Get to our hotel and we were so fortunate to get the penthouse suite, rooftop to ourselves, incredible views, and pure bliss. Okay, not so much a penthouse suite, we stayed in the cheapest room, aka, old maid quarters, costed $2.50 per person for the night, hi. volunteer stipend, and instead of having the luxury of an automatic locking door, we got to padlock ourselves into the room! Tim would NOT approve. We then meet up with a couple of friends, Antonio and Rafael, to go out, dance, and just hang. It was so fun!
reading stories
Best $2.50 I have spent in my life
Friday, we head to Antonio and Rafael’s Batey. (I have been to this community a number of times with Regis and the word nice, doesn’t even begin to describe the people in the community). We only stay for an hour, say hi, show everyone around, and then have to head out. Avriel, Kristen, and I are going back in a couple of weeks to do a day camp with the kids there.
Hannah in Batey Libertad
After the Batey, we start heading towards the campo, which is where my host family, again, Regis connection, The campo is tucked away in the mountains of the Dominican Republic, so, how did we get up there? Well, let me tell you. We take a public bus to the base of the mountain. Now the bus isn’t one like in the states, rather it’s a beat up old mini van, usually the steering wheel is crooked, no carpeting, holes in the metal, you know, normal. Anyway, a normal seat usually fits 3 people and that’s even squished, right? here, it’s 4 people to one bench. and there are 4 benches, 16 people, GROWN people, children on laps, Tim would NOT approve. We make it to the base of the mountain, so how did we get up? Motorcycles. a 40 minute ride to the campo.
Actually one of the MOST beautiful rides because it overlooks Santiago and the view is just unreal. Tim would NOT approve. We get to my host family, and my host mom, Miguelina, is filled with joy to see us. She has 6 kids and only 2 boys live at the house, so she was so excited to have girls and by the end of our stay, which was less than 24 hours, she started referring to us as her daughters. I have never met any one who could be more genuine.
What do you think Tim?
Actually one of the MOST beautiful rides because it overlooks Santiago and the view is just unreal. Tim would NOT approve. We get to my host family, and my host mom, Miguelina, is filled with joy to see us. She has 6 kids and only 2 boys live at the house, so she was so excited to have girls and by the end of our stay, which was less than 24 hours, she started referring to us as her daughters. I have never met any one who could be more genuine.
Host Brothers (Henry and Samuel) with the Sisters!
Campo
Host Mom's kitchen
There are 70 people in the community, it's small, quaint, and quiet. After a delicious meal on Friday night, we head over to my first host family's house to have a small prayer service, which was super cool to share and be apart of, and then celebrated the birthday of my host sister, Yolenney, who just turned 17, married, and has a 10 month old baby. Can you imagine?
Kristen with Jazmin
Before I continue with the adventures, I want to extend a HUGE thank you to all of the people who donated birthday supplies. They came in great use over the weekend and will be awesome to use over the next year, especially the sprinkles! Seriously, cannot find them here. I truly appreciate everything, as will the children. It is something that they will feel special and not just another kid at an orphanage. Rather, it is a day to celebrate them, their life, and their presence, which is a HUGE tribute to everyone who contributed to the birthday donations. Thank you!
On Saturday Morning, we woke up around 6am to watch the sun rise in the mountains- unreal. Around 8am, we walked about a mile to get to a HUGE cave, where we went inside, sunk into the mud, climbed up and down, Tim would NOT approve. It was pitch black, the kids who came with us made homemade torches and got a huge kick out of us because we kept falling. They are pros at this. They do it as a past time, so naturally they don't fall at all. It was muddy, we got dirty, and everyone was laughing to the point of tears. Memories for a lifetime.
Unreal
Daniel- Insurance smile goes international
We returned back to the home Saturday evening, wanting to stay longer, but had to work on Sunday because is was Family day. A day full of emotions and it was important we were there to support the children.
My high school, Benilde- St. Margaret's (BSM), is here. I am in charge of planning, making sure they are doing okay, and everything is under control. With that, I should probably go check on them. Next blog I will go into more detail about their time here.
Thanks for reading!
welllll what an adventure! I really want to come down and visit you! :) i will have to put that free flight to use! haha MISS YOU!
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