Sweat, Guagua and Yucca

First off, it´s hotter than hades here. The only time I´m not sweating is when i´m bathing. Luckily, I haven´t mastered the art of bucket baths so this usually lasts about 30 mins. hmm...1 whole hour a day of no sweat.

moving on
This week in training we´ve been using the transportation system. I officially take back anything bad I´ve ever said about the 27 on Blossom Hill. That is first-class compared to the guaguas we have to ride in the DR. They´re basically REALLY overcrowded busses (I´m talking like 3.5 people per seat). We also have carros publicos . These are usually like 1992 corrolla-ish cars with 6-7 passengers (i know, right?). The part that really sucks about this is that they don´t always have specific routes or times-you have to stop them and ask. AND you have to be really careful about which ones you take and who is riding in it with you. BART, anyone?
Next week I´m going to the Northwest part of the DR to visit a current PCV. I´m looking forward to picking her brain about her last 2 years here and her project. To get to her site, i have to travel 5 hours in a very luxurious bus (think Greyhound). Hooray for the AC!!!! Downside, I have to ride 20 minutes on a motoconcho.....pray for me.
A few things...
I´ve been here 1 week and it feels like 1 month. Things are getting frustrating and tedious. We haven´t had much time outside of our training center/barrio. This will change in about 3 weeks when we move to our training communities. Lucky me- I´ll be in the Bani area.
There was a huge thunderstorm last night. I really thought the roof was going to fly off and I would be struck by lightening. I prayed that my princess fort (mosquito net) would protect me.
The food is good but definitely starting to taste bland. I don´t know how much more yucca I´ll be able to eat before I go crazy. Please go and have a fish taco from Rubio´s for me. While you´re at it, drink a bottle of Tapatio. There are no spicy foods here. Wait, my dona (host mom) sait that the chicken from KFC is spicy and tasted really good (SERIOUSLY?!). I´m ending this.....I hope you enjoy your AC.

I´m in the DR!!!!!!

I´m here! I don´t have much time here and because it´s a spur of the moment trip to the internet cafe, i don´t have my thoughts organized. Yesterday was adoption day for the trainees from the center. my family consists of a don, dona, brother-7, sister 2. so far everything is really overwhelming and intense, but totally how i expected it to be. i haven´t had a chance to really sit down and take in the feeling, but that´s just my american way. man, as i type this the sweat is dripping down my face. the biz casz attire isn´t working out in this environment. we´ve taken a few pics and i´ll post them as soon as i get the chance. be sure to laugh at my hair as it has taken a very different shape overnight.

I survived my first bucket bath last night. it´s really not that difficult (way better than my bucket baths during surgery recovery), but i´m going to definitely miss regular showers real soon.

ok, time to go. i think i´ll be back later this week.

love you all


p.s. a couple of us are determined to bring the hyphy movement to the DR (hahahaha jk)
p.p.s. my first meal in my home was an omelet and plantains....yummy

Last night in the U.S.!

We leave for the D.R. in a few hours! I took advantage of our free evening by exploring Georgetown a bit. Derrick (fellow PCT) is from here so he was the official tour-guide. He showed Maryam and me the university Red Square, Healy Hall (sorry if that's off), the famous steps where former U.S. Presidents have spoken (including Abe Lincoln), and the staircase where THE EXORCIST was filmed. This was super exciting for me and I plan to post a few pictures at a later time.

Anyway, I should call my mom so she isn't a "Sad Monkey". Thank You so much for your interest in my adventure. I am counting on your continued support and motivation throughout the PCT and PCV process.

I'll post as soon as I am able to from the D.R.

Staging

HOLA! I'm in Washington D.C. at the moment. I arrived safely (but very late!) on Monday night. Staging officially began yesterday afternoon. Basically, it's filled with ice-breakers and brief information sessions. I feel as if they are really general almost as if they are avoiding the difficult and serious topics. Maybe they are waiting for us to be in the D.R. to keep us from wanting to stay in the U.S.
Anyway, here's a few facts. There are 54 trainees in my class. Most are from California (what can I say, we have big hearts). 15 males, 1 married couple. I'm not sure how many were in my specific program, but I think about 15. We are all really nervous/anxious about our service, but are excited to live up to (for lack of better terms) the Peace Corps Mission.

Sorry this has to be brief...I am on lunch break and on Maryam's (she's from Berkeley and in my program!) computadora. I'll try to add more later as this is my final day in the U.S. for a few years.
Muchos Besos!