The Playa

Writing my blog!

Playa Esmeralda

Playa Esmeralda

Playa Esmeralda

The vista on our way to Playa Esmeralda (this picture really does not do it justice... The views in this country are extraordinarily breathtaking!)

Hello Everyone!

This past week was rather hectic. I had my first technical presentation in Spanish. I think it was rather successful. I had to some interviews with some IT workers in town and I observed a computer class in session. My presentation was about some factors that may negatively influence computer classes.

Then on Saturday, we went out to the discotec (we had some merengue lessons earlier in the week). Was rather fun!

And then Sunday... well, Sunday was amazing. We went to Playa Esmeralda, a completely natural, undeveloped beach. I felt like I was in a post card. (You see what I mean from the photos above.) It was such a relaxing day.

Anyway, more to come... My internet time is running out!

Cheers!

Photos!

At the beach!

Rainbow in the Barrio

Touring Santo Domingo

Street in Santo Domingo

Old Church in Santo Domingo, ca. 1500´s

La Primada Catedral, Santo Domingo, ca. mid-1500´s

Old Hospital, Santo Domingo

More Updates!

So I have started adding photos, one by one. So each time you check this blog, scroll down for photos. Also, I posted a blog about my Volunteer site visit. Because it is something I´ve been working on a for a few days, you will find it amidst older postings.

As you can see, I´ve been a little busy updating this blog. Hope you enjoy! Cheers.

Little Children, Part 2

March 30, 2009

Yesterday I spent time with more “jovénes” (youth… but “jovenes” sounds better to me).
I went to a “primer cumpleaños” (first birthday) celebration yesterday… It was a huge and very expensive party. The primer cumpleaños” is a very important event in the Dominican culture. There were lots of children, very loud music, and some rather flambouyant clowns. I was rather mesmerized by the clowns because they were just so silly! The music was silly and the games were silly! The poor baby didn’t know what was going on, and when his parents gave him the stick to hit the Mickey piñata, he just cried and cried. And he was too young to enjoy his own cake… However, all the attendees were very excited and showered the baby with attention.

Later that evening back at my house, I looked through some children’s books with my Doña and my 11-year-old hermano for a book fair my Doña is organizing. Finally, some books I could read and understand (and the pictures help too)! My hermano and his friends read me some of the books and quizzed me on some new Spanish words I had learned. It was rather fun, and I felt comfortable enough to converse with them. They shared with me some of the English phrases they know. It was cute listening to them try to pronounce the words, but I’m sure I must sound funny to them too!