tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62516269659329279582024-03-05T01:23:08.820-04:00Barrio KidzTracy Mullins, living and working in the Dominican RepublicTracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-66161627656983583672012-09-07T18:35:00.001-04:002012-09-07T18:35:22.768-04:00Goodbye D.R.<p>Yesterday was my last day in the Dominican Republic. I spent most of the morning packing up my bags and my house (one of my least favorite things to do). I went to visit with a few people in the afternoon and gave out a bunch of random stuff (toys, aprons, pictures, etc.). In the evening I had planned on going to Minerva’s cell group, eating dinner with her and then some friends were going to come over to see me off. Those plans got canceled due to two hours of heavy rain. Instead I finished packing in candle light and had a late dinner at Minerva’s. Around 11:30pm Bau and Idekel and some of Bau’s college friends drove me to the airport and we said our goodbyes. Those last few days were sad days for me but I am thankful for all the good times I had this summer.  <br />(I didn’t take many pictures of people I saw today, I forgot a few times and some of the ladies didn’t want their pictures taken because they had curlers in their hair, but here’s a few). <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AMNUyp2cLMk/UEp2kyEYNJI/AAAAAAAACXs/Raek277NALs/s1600-h/DSC_02755.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0275" border="0" alt="DSC_0275" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYuWYfiruM4/UEp2lDownmI/AAAAAAAACX0/nm2HWVR1eDs/DSC_0275_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="332" /></a> <br />Fey in his new hat. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nhk2x5UDtsI/UEp2lyA7ACI/AAAAAAAACX8/Eh5mgb5FV_s/s1600-h/DSC_02803.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0280" border="0" alt="DSC_0280" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vCLgc84KZEg/UEp2mV4x5TI/AAAAAAAACYE/U9EzA6E3NkQ/DSC_0280_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="198" /></a> <br />Rosa and family.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y_hbyFOhyfo/UEp2nR9HtAI/AAAAAAAACYM/s0F5O4O322M/s1600-h/DSC_02816.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0281" border="0" alt="DSC_0281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qtW2Yi-QQ9w/UEp2n9gn_YI/AAAAAAAACYU/yAXgP-xwClk/DSC_0281_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="381" /></a> <br />Yuneris and her baby girl, Anisha.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kJNMl65Rxvg/UEp2otn9PLI/AAAAAAAACYc/Vx7D3uut8_0/s1600-h/DSC_02865.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0286" border="0" alt="DSC_0286" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KIGRN9CB8us/UEp2pIC6yRI/AAAAAAAACYk/xT-osUs4pJA/DSC_0286_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="213" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7DYOP3KHmwU/UEp2p--IYPI/AAAAAAAACYs/kHMQjxhtaXA/s1600-h/DSC_02893.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0289" border="0" alt="DSC_0289" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jzgLRUleALg/UEp2qQGl57I/AAAAAAAACY0/8_FpgjvpNus/DSC_0289_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="195" /></a>  <br />Me and the boys at the airport. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-11934657577198485062012-09-03T15:21:00.001-04:002012-09-03T16:39:42.048-04:00Last Travesia Trip of the Year<p>With only about a week left in the country I made a quick trip up to the Travesia all by myself. One of my Travesia friends had their nephew, Edward, meet me at the bottom of the hill with a <em>bestia</em> (female mule). (He laughed at me when I called it a <em>mulo, a </em>male mule). Once at the top I had a great meal, took a nap and then visited about 6 homes, drinking coffee in most of them. As always it was great to get away from the city for a little bit and enjoy the calm of the mountain life as well as some quality friend time. Here’s a few pictures!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjkrhCCQpBH8lhMf2Lz6wS3T27JnfsCs_uefX6uDfQ1XZpAcjubAY8bGix7JHWztlIH-cLxwoMJYwbEFEHV83qvx3WwZ31GKY-LcBNu1OPsU4PdyjpW95QzzjLCd8dSMEUe23DCk_0O19/s1600-h/DSC_0011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0011" border="0" alt="DSC_0011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tOASy3h2bhY/UEUCmnIQw2I/AAAAAAAACRY/5xIBJOK2NkY/DSC_0011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="196" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xbR21Hxwiz4/UEUCo1taEdI/AAAAAAAACRg/dSsMg9wvr-M/s1600-h/DSC_0014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0014" border="0" alt="DSC_0014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vwjdQx3hEIM/UEUCq5cpWfI/AAAAAAAACRo/USDPqEWn_gs/DSC_0014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="359" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v-MHby2Gn9c/UEUCuFN2xvI/AAAAAAAACRw/TJ9DggtlMi0/s1600-h/DSC_0038%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0038" border="0" alt="DSC_0038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kjlwTrOqoPk/UEUCu5ZBf2I/AAAAAAAACR4/Gy_7_DaGr5g/DSC_0038_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="216" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1bossMshA3c/UEUCwno9eTI/AAAAAAAACSA/nHQ3nXpQitE/s1600-h/DSC_0034%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0034" border="0" alt="DSC_0034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-isPPObW-_Zs/UEUCxNIonvI/AAAAAAAACSI/hixcfzjX2mI/DSC_0034_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="344" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3kRA9Wigpes/UEUC4cCzQXI/AAAAAAAACSQ/kL49hUEfwl4/s1600-h/DSC_0044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0044" border="0" alt="DSC_0044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6brczxvqH88/UEUC7JDmyvI/AAAAAAAACSY/cv5Qse7ELlw/DSC_0044_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="226" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VBRrTXbtFOc/UEUC-rXskkI/AAAAAAAACSg/-KFlfE-cZyA/s1600-h/DSC_0057%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0057" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C93fNEl1rzc/UEUDAduI2lI/AAAAAAAACSo/K_eQNosW-vI/DSC_0057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="247" height="371" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1eChV3CO9zU/UEUDD7fOKnI/AAAAAAAACSw/OCwgoEO6lpM/s1600-h/DSC_0093%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0093" border="0" alt="DSC_0093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xOAoVuFVwxA/UEUDE182hkI/AAAAAAAACS4/adpMo_Mxn0o/DSC_0093_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="218" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8J8qmPIE0qo/UEUDJYCGeNI/AAAAAAAACTA/miDVDZjcvzE/s1600-h/DSC_0118%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0118" border="0" alt="DSC_0118" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NTPOUecLyZo/UEUDLC6ofTI/AAAAAAAACTI/snsrO2rxmiE/DSC_0118_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="216" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CT6DIVOJRQs/UEUDNsC1gcI/AAAAAAAACTQ/7LwtyZTVWYg/s1600-h/DSC_0122%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0122" border="0" alt="DSC_0122" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mrXg6lmKlaA/UEUDObtbToI/AAAAAAAACTY/sS1cj2xSpe4/DSC_0122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="364" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-41377853985762854392012-09-02T16:04:00.000-04:002012-09-03T16:09:03.562-04:00A Bike Ride to Moca<p align="left">I’ll start this off by saying that the longest bike ride I’ve ever been on is about 10 miles. Usually I just ride my bike to get from point A to point B and that’s rarely more than 5 miles in each direction. So when I heard that most of the avid bike riders here in La Vega go to Moca and back a few times a week, roughly 30 miles, I thought they were crazy. I was a little intrigued by the challenge, so when I found out that a father and son from my barrio regularly made that bike ride to Moca I made plans to join them. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EJZn37quj0c/UEUNYo3M_xI/AAAAAAAACUE/GWdmPLtrXm8/s1600-h/DSC_0158%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0158" border="0" alt="DSC_0158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3Bn5YI0-sK7jU-owCIjGYPJaSkqfDYwvVXHz4PmsbeV8489K6npI606Cf07MwFWoxZkEWQH29vSmmbfxa9V8rbQx9f_hdQFTle_vvxrB19H-opH5MNCeAySk1d7-WxdTqSOsPsFFgun8/?imgmax=800" width="334" height="247" /></a>Just before 6am I met up with Miguel and his 12 year old son, Luis Miguel, at their house. From there we headed through La Vega and then on a nicely paved country rode. I rode in the middle because they had lights on their bikes and I didn’t. At first they were going at a leisurely pace and I felt confident that I could keep up. Little did I know that they were waiting to hit the hills before they went full speed. Luis Miguel left me in the dust, but his dad patiently rode with me. The scenery that early in the morning was amazing! I took lots of mental pictures but didn’t want to slow everyone down even more by stopping to use my camera. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-82226kYNLtw/UEUNegM9HtI/AAAAAAAACUU/k1pcO5mEFU4/s1600-h/DSC_0165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0165" border="0" alt="DSC_0165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-44i_1aLbT-Y/UEUOAoo_jZI/AAAAAAAACUc/seipn-quD4M/DSC_0165_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="358" /></a>It took us a little over an hour but we made it to Moca! I really couldn’t believe it. Moca used to seem like such a far away town…. but not anymore!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vSCFyCcok40/UEUOIx67ZVI/AAAAAAAACUk/muKoULynsDc/s1600-h/DSC_0178%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0178" border="0" alt="DSC_0178" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mmKWUHCQBNk/UEUOKjudgpI/AAAAAAAACUs/jTtrg5CBZwg/DSC_0178_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="237" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-chr1AXH2TVU/UEUOOGL3wUI/AAAAAAAACU0/8Z3phmFrhHY/s1600-h/DSC_0174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0174" border="0" alt="DSC_0174" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f7AlUjohuD0/UEUOQlmXmkI/AAAAAAAACU8/CSNA3zV9kgs/DSC_0174_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="373" /></a>On the way back to La Vega my foot started to go to sleep and almost all my leg muscles ached.When we got to Santo Cerro I was happy that the boys decided to go on a four kilometer loop up a very big hill while I rested at the bottom. I took advantage of that little break: stretching, drinking water, and buying donuts for the boys. The last five miles back went smoothly and once back in the barrio I quickly <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ttzhHKeH_0o/UEUOUizrI6I/AAAAAAAACVE/hkNI6Yvm3ko/s1600-h/DSC_0181%25255B8%25255D.jpg">started bragging to all my friends about what I’d done that morning. <br /><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0181" border="0" alt="DSC_0181" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1l7ZiGL9TeY/UEUOXPNpL7I/AAAAAAAACVM/RQYXcKWIyKs/DSC_0181_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="383" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-4827825351689895292012-09-01T16:42:00.000-04:002012-09-03T16:42:13.800-04:00The Waiting Room<p>My friend Maria moved to the capital a few weeks ago, just weeks before she was supposed to have her third baby. She asked me if I could be there with her at the hospital when she got her C-section because she didn’t have anyone else who could come and look after her. I was honored that she’d asked me and made the 3 hour trek to Santo Domingo. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s_uFD5KCXbc/UEF9AAvbuxI/AAAAAAAACM8/XdDSn8p37Tk/s1600-h/DSC_0163.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0163" border="0" alt="DSC_0163" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OISFKzwgHtQ/UEF9BJHnerI/AAAAAAAACNE/WjBVRL801b8/DSC_0163_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="148" /></a>  <br /> <br />I arrived after 5pm and ate the lunch they’d saved for me, then they took me around town. We went to China town and the historical district. <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M1NSc8RLWHE/UEF-E9pxTnI/AAAAAAAACNM/C0vNi-BDELA/s1600-h/DSC_0166.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0166" border="0" alt="DSC_0166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK672LE90ad9bdyZ04Jl8P-MyTcZbvEC-4IAnLjCrDOJr5g8XiXGAGbQErP_1DOfaLqzrQLcZZv7HvZiOPMhyHvCkuzaiStOh_IOQD4EJi-HZOjmc6IYrKwAI79HpcyJH0i-_DAhJTnb9Z/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="192" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PQhC3XhkhYw/UET2q6wZoOI/AAAAAAAACOA/VBT5GwyglCo/s1600-h/DSC_01778.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0177" border="0" alt="DSC_0177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZNwRasZoI3s/UET2uKzL3GI/AAAAAAAACOI/zjG6l3R3FBc/DSC_0177_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="370" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3UdVNkDTwFo/UET2xTjX5JI/AAAAAAAACOQ/xPaqrd34RVM/s1600-h/DSC_0185.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0185" border="0" alt="DSC_0185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4w0J71DLTak/UET2y3ickvI/AAAAAAAACOY/Vin6USP3JI4/DSC_0185_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="260" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q8bt3ElbeGc/UET23zxNBQI/AAAAAAAACOg/BYKCeZc3TCo/s1600-h/DSC_018716.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0187" border="0" alt="DSC_0187" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9KmjEz2i7bQ/UET27TxfhwI/AAAAAAAACOo/lifPtK4IelY/DSC_0187_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="367" /></a></p> <p>The next morning Maria, her oldest kid, her husband and I all went to the hospital early in the morning. The doctor she had consulted with twice told her to go to the emergency room of the hospital on that Wednesday at 8:30 am. That’s what we did but the doctors in the emergency room told her there wasn’t enough surgical gowns to operate on her. By 1pm Maria got one of the doctors to sign her name on a list so she could get a C-section the following day. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PjacvG--R9I/UET29St8vKI/AAAAAAAACOw/fgiVDXowKxk/s1600-h/DSC_0203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0203" border="0" alt="DSC_0203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5eEhxsD5zhg/UET2_rouSoI/AAAAAAAACO4/E6WrjeQ6GTM/DSC_0203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="223" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mQ6IqZJOJzs/UET3DrDT4VI/AAAAAAAACPA/2TpflD-s4j0/s1600-h/DSC_02108.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0210" border="0" alt="DSC_0210" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q2d9QgfVApI/UET3GtdWfjI/AAAAAAAACPI/IMVgep7PSR4/DSC_0210_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="367" /></a></p> <p>So once again, early in the morning, Maria and I went to the hospital. This time we went at 7am. When we arrived at the emergency room the main doctor told her that there wasn’t enough surgical equipment to give her a c-section and that the doctor who’d signed her up on the list didn’t have any real authority. While Maria complained and made some phone calls, I sat in the waiting room. They wouldn’t let me go where Maria was so all I could do was wait. At noon I saw her get rolled out in a wheel chair. The nurse made her give all her belongings to me. And then I waited some more. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QxHbSm68n4Y/UET3RPJR_JI/AAAAAAAACPQ/jQA24GaT7pk/s1600-h/DSC_0214.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0214" border="0" alt="DSC_0214" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V5GqlfYDu2Q/UET3S972guI/AAAAAAAACPY/8m0Ig95hkPg/DSC_0214_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="231" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-olh6gcg6lRA/UET3XgyILbI/AAAAAAAACPg/mYqd5UqKnIw/s1600-h/DSC_0215.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0215" border="0" alt="DSC_0215" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-av4WgrZDfj8/UET3anNPrzI/AAAAAAAACPo/tH28frY4hR8/DSC_0215_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="219" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_MwPFPbjgM4/UET3ehQKB1I/AAAAAAAACPw/jebiaZYE-i8/s1600-h/DSC_0217.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0217" border="0" alt="DSC_0217" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SLMHi6FOjmg/UET3gEzuFhI/AAAAAAAACP4/KJcvcZXterA/DSC_0217_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="219" /></a>By 5:30pm I was starting to get worried because I hadn’t heard anything. I started to ask around to find out when they were going to let me see my friend. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to and that in the capital they don’t let people stay the night to look after patients. (Maria had invited me to the capital because she thought she needed someone to stay the night in the hospital like they do in La Vega). That’s when a nurses aids did me a favor and went and found out that Maria had gotten her C-section. Then he took me back to see her even though visiting hours were over. (He later asked for a small amount of money because of the favor he’d done for me). <br />It was good to see her but I was only allowed to visit for 30 minutes before I got kicked out. Not exactly how I pictured the night going. </p> <p>The next morning I hung out with Maria’s mom, kids, and husband. Visiting hours are only from 1 to 3 so we got there right at 1pm. Unfortunately they don’t let kids under 13 into the hospital to visit, so I spent most of the visiting hours outside with Maria’s son. Again, not really what I’d expected but it was fine because Jesus Adrian and I played lot of games and met a lot of people. Then finally I got to hang out with Maria and her new baby Greisy Angelina!  <br />  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9kVKpjLsRks/UET3iYfph2I/AAAAAAAACQA/V-sI2JakDbg/s1600-h/DSC_02836.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0283" border="0" alt="DSC_0283" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fJSgDvlzFX4/UET3lZDxqxI/AAAAAAAACQI/V8u6H8h2ozk/DSC_0283_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="345" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uafI-LWgMJ8/UET3rn5uQeI/AAAAAAAACQQ/xS0YbTIumHg/s1600-h/DSC_0298.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0298" border="0" alt="DSC_0298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vZLqA2F1stI/UET3tsHBfqI/AAAAAAAACQY/WI3QpvKQKnQ/DSC_0298_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="218" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWWxbhMlq8bFlFFXu_TlYfumyl1J4pHfA5_j-XdWHMS94tkwX-JyQKwEDrIZZjjmveC5Rks06nUfJow4fiIWCERk9o3SD7V-Of-pVf9EvXdeZutdGm-dfZ0z2H-NKk9Q2ITAhIKntQvDi/s1600-h/DSC_03079.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0307" border="0" alt="DSC_0307" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jNgfFFCNsw8/UET3xmwL_VI/AAAAAAAACQo/zJr88KwQ-y4/DSC_0307_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="370" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-58423979678433422292012-08-28T10:53:00.001-04:002012-08-28T10:53:38.440-04:00A Birthday Party<p>My buddy Ydekel turned 18 this month so we decided to celebrate by going to a movie in Santiago. We started the party by covering the birthday boy with silly string. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GZ1MoE1w6g4/UDzbM-Bz0xI/AAAAAAAACKg/6JE59mrjzDE/s1600-h/DSC_0019%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0019" border="0" alt="DSC_0019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EozJ6h1MG-c/UDzbNuxNP6I/AAAAAAAACKo/JZ-IBZJ-Z98/DSC_0019_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="399" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nAf-x0Arkxs/UDzbQMxSTeI/AAAAAAAACKw/ZZ0fYMIvpI0/s1600-h/DSC_0022%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0022" border="0" alt="DSC_0022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s8VCXhdm5Zw/UDzbQ52qFII/AAAAAAAACK4/iGnMDRWjN2c/DSC_0022_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="198" /></a></p> <p>Then we went and got Papa Murphy’s Pizza. (Santiago is getting more and more American restaurants…. Including Tony Roma’s, Friday’s, and now Papa Murphy’s). <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T0kAYBxvVLk/UDzbSbUEH0I/AAAAAAAACLA/TfirTOx2vaM/s1600-h/DSC_0025%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0025" border="0" alt="DSC_0025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QnbIGvxqE78/UDzbS3viWWI/AAAAAAAACLI/0XNFXkmg5mc/DSC_0025_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="198" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wvGab5IKnDo/UDzbUjiFVzI/AAAAAAAACLQ/u7qxG7A0u_s/s1600-h/DSC_0026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0026" border="0" alt="DSC_0026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oxx6mC2vviU/UDzbVGa41HI/AAAAAAAACLY/eCMQFPKbI-M/DSC_0026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="200" /></a></p> <p>We watched a 3D movie about space travel and aliens. It was Ydekel’s first time ever watching something in 3D. He loved it!!! <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NWupR4mCZuU/UDzbWDb7BtI/AAAAAAAACLg/-vdk7xGiuE0/s1600-h/DSC_0030%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0030" border="0" alt="DSC_0030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gli2oT2TW9g/UDzbWm4oHJI/AAAAAAAACLo/vm4O5nSNZjk/DSC_0030_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="185" /></a> <br /> <br />After the movie we tried on some mustaches and went home the long way. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdoedvEfJbLgo2HWHosAzX_nRUkFJ9p-MKhQZgFeJsFGCyW600AlgW8kDUeWjxHOo9CyP3W7ECLpEDAY4mPFQ39W3Q4cxXhzGRGi9jbtFAxcZtwrNzzEPGnJrPOfr3Q-0E7tQxDX0d3_o/s1600-h/DSC_0032%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0032" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cz0Fv_WMLro/UDzbY_ffElI/AAAAAAAACL4/qtCFJ96JRJw/DSC_0032_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="215" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UapXdKvN66Q/UDzbZxajRxI/AAAAAAAACMA/6b7d3VV2Ns4/s1600-h/DSC_0037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0037" border="0" alt="DSC_0037" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wgpZcSE3PII/UDzbaYZ180I/AAAAAAAACMI/Ylx-ihSuEE8/DSC_0037_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="206" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aRD6z1j_GPQ/UDzbbrly-nI/AAAAAAAACMQ/pCr0ldA7Kog/s1600-h/DSC_0040%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0040" border="0" alt="DSC_0040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k3ERx8XMea4/UDzbcRw_ONI/AAAAAAAACMY/alB6hTA8zEE/DSC_0040_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="480" /></a></p> <p>It was a fun night with lots of laughs. I still can’t believe my little buddy is 18, and is about to go to college!!! It’s been fun watching him grow-up. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-45912062916864877942012-08-18T16:06:00.001-04:002012-08-18T16:06:52.375-04:00The Hill<p>I’ve walked up “The Hill” many times. Last year a group of friends and I would get up early in the morning to make the 90 minute trek there and back about three times a week. Yet it never crossed my mind to bike up it until now. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hs719E7mQKs/UC_xC3gqnOI/AAAAAAAACHE/YNKJfT0kDtQ/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--65.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (6)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (6)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hI-oGE52zSc/UC_xDYA_hPI/AAAAAAAACHM/PekCYg3l1fY/biking-up-the-hill--6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="230" /></a></p> <p>The difference this year is that I have a buddy to go biking with, Brent. (He was an intern last year and this year he’s the TEARS School English teacher). Brent bought a bike right about the time I decided I needed to do at least 20 minutes of cardio exercise a day. Why did I decide I needed to do some exercise? Well, besides that fact that I know I should, I got inspired by my friend Ben who ran at least a mile a day while he was here visiting. (Even when it was super inconvenient).  I’m not much of a runner but I figured I could ride my bike instead. </p> <p>Being that Brent lives right next to base of The Hill (La Loma), it seemed like a good challenge for the two of us. It took us seven attempts to make it up to the top, which happens to be less time than either of us thought. Since then we’ve made it up to the top two more times and gone on a number of other adventures on the outskirts of town. We’ve made friends with a few local cyclists and I’m hoping to go on a biking adventure to another town with some of them before I leave. </p> <p>Not only was “the hill” a big challenge for me physically, but also mentally. It took me a while to actually convince myself that I wanted to be challenged; sometimes it just easier to stay in the comfort of my home instead of getting on my bike. However, in the end I’m so glad I kept getting on my bike and hope I can make a habit of challenging myself more often. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DlLg8TZhrrk/UC_xEsobu4I/AAAAAAAACHU/a6tEuVEoKn8/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--48.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (4)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oPOiJ6t2U0U/UC_xFMydtCI/AAAAAAAACHc/h30FB8r0Okc/biking-up-the-hill--4_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--nQVWQhQDMw/UC_xGJqUybI/AAAAAAAACHk/7lL5zQR8hXA/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--128.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (12)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (12)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mt0RV4NfK5g/UC_xGgXJ6RI/AAAAAAAACHs/-R2cK5K_jA0/biking-up-the-hill--12_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a> <br />At the base of the hill and at the first viewpoint. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dTwOucwT3to/UC_xHqUZmZI/AAAAAAAACH0/bbyPmhFe1-Q/s1600-h/biking%252520up%252520the%252520hill%252520%252520%25252862%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (62)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (62)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CnfEAh0e6qg/UC_xIRG_oKI/AAAAAAAACH8/by-rovlNYjo/biking%252520up%252520the%252520hill%252520%252520%25252862%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="229" /></a> <br />Our tired red faces. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xRxjgtE9XBg/UC_xKBOGn5I/AAAAAAAACIE/Yh8aWa-Lz18/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--1813.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (18)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (18)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jzD2g263amE/UC_xKkXRipI/AAAAAAAACIM/Zx-zJKH5l1A/biking-up-the-hill--18_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="172" /></a> <br />Finally at the top!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeNKj-c9DNhSuDIInRxmCEO2DT62RCk7xaqlQBmvKc1kwG1n24P_IHjxRVzgvmPZAIp_0rtgskY8YeC4GJwpbxULbLGZDP84TQyE2b4RAXmM1tfitdhtfy0IZ8AmLX-ZEt-XLowxDaJHa/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--249.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (24)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (24)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi433TzHjrJXyov5VUgnvGBnigZRWL3BEpz4r8lG9wsGQqniIsmYjkpHD2uwHwPk85R8vUwivhFsS0Y6ksC4Z9KMbkj4RTu6xl1VjnXHyMQYGt6yeCXAdsdhEM7Unnd89CG4IHmH1a8w-iT/?imgmax=800" width="334" height="232" /></a> <br />The little store at the top of the hill…. lots of bikers stop there to buy a bottle of water. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zvJvx4tSlZE/UC_1taFRfGI/AAAAAAAACJE/mAexh6GvsaY/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--256.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (25)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (25)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yi-uMM11ABI/UC_1uAv-RHI/AAAAAAAACJM/ViUvBbIK4EY/biking-up-the-hill--25_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="226" /></a> <br />Some of the other cyclists. (Brent and I are still working on getting spandex shorts and matching shirts). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D-n8w3e1sEw/UC_1xPVv9GI/AAAAAAAACJU/BW5K0SkH5us/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--4713.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (47)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (47)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u6qqP8RvR7I/UC_1yA7CaZI/AAAAAAAACJc/EFOlCixFws8/biking-up-the-hill--47_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="232" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoOAtnLph2zXR6eEzbyZCkgOUe0jU-6q9jfALHQLAkuBUq48dT2px9RMSA4QHd1vwdTeKpOowHkAAHCDh4DtWAMMD5p81W012Yl6ytI_q8BXJAjxsmuJMtZIrsjxxofi8d9g52rUWCYw2/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--5321.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (53)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (53)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KvVzUZJ6Mfg/UC_10FlrJ3I/AAAAAAAACJs/gHvpOYCXMIA/biking-up-the-hill--53_thumb25.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="220" /></a>The view on the way down (back at the first view point). </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2zA9a8J82c/UC_11nOo85I/AAAAAAAACJ0/m_zpWtgPgqM/s1600-h/biking-up-the-hill--704.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="biking up the hill (70)" border="0" alt="biking up the hill (70)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r1TqeIcKhSE/UC_12t2huYI/AAAAAAAACJ8/eLEuiIwotZc/biking-up-the-hill--70_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="499" /></a> <br />Back at the TEARS Center just before the sun went down. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-76476525630670544782012-08-07T17:07:00.001-04:002012-08-07T17:07:34.678-04:00Something to cheer about!<p>I heard a lot of cheering coming from my neighbor’s house last night but didn’t know what all the noise was about. Bau later proudly announced that Dominicans had won a gold medal in the Olympics as well as a silver medal. Lots of people are very, very excited about this! <br />Here’s an article from a local newspaper…..</p> <p><b>DR1 Daily News -- Tuesday, 07 August 2012 <br /><a href="http://www.dr1.com">http://www.dr1.com</a></b></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ayrbgTs-Pcg/UCGDapH0aII/AAAAAAAAB3g/ITm3WLUeazw/s1600-h/image%25255B11%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GLWVgNtAWSE/UCGDbuVrFwI/AAAAAAAAB3o/vlf_TryI-6Y/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="185" height="246" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ukwe-uALYs0/UCGDeo5rHJI/AAAAAAAAB3w/ooaPgUQIkGw/s1600-h/image%25255B14%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fE2_Hq9R4Ao/UCGDf5YCT4I/AAAAAAAAB34/n47Mk3jYCrM/image_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="166" height="246" /></a></p> <p><b>Felix Sanchez again wins gold</b> <br />It is the Dominican Republic's third gold medal in an Olympic Games. <br /> <br />Felix Sanchez, a 34-year old athlete who was born to Dominican parents in New York City and lived most of his life in California, chose to represent the Dominican Republic at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but failed to qualify for the 400m hurdle finals. Four years later, he dominated his event, the 400-meter hurdles, and brought incredible joy to the country, winning gold at the Athens Games. <br /> <br />The nation was so grateful that the National Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo was named after him. <br /> <br />Then came a series of injuries and personal losses that led to a poor showing at Beijing in 2008. Many said that his career was over, but Sanchez continued to train hard and compete on the international track scene. The Diamond League and other track meets were a series of ups and downs but he worked hard. <br /> <br />Yesterday, Monday 6 August in London, Felix Sanchez became a sporting immortal: He won the 400-meter hurdles at the XXX Olympic Games in London. He made the best time in the qualifying heat at 47.76. In the final, he led the field - including United States runner Angelo Taylor who won gold in the Olympics in 2000 and 2008 - to the finishing line in an emotional run, clocking up the exact same time he ran in Athens: 47.63 seconds. <br /> <br />To top off this victory, Sanchez became the oldest athlete to win a speed event in Olympic history at 34 years of age. He will be 35 on 30 August 2012. <br /> <br />The entire Dominican Republic shook with the shouts and cries of joy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QX7YdAvoDfY/UCGDhDTDc-I/AAAAAAAAB4A/7zmc1C3pcKA/s1600-h/image%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3c0cnXsIlxY/UCGDiEN-K2I/AAAAAAAAB4I/jik4IgXiIg0/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="246" height="188" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X5SDNk2ZwQQ/UCGDjSYkhXI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/pVaEgsert9g/s1600-h/image%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xvn-3DvpqpI/UCGDkHZf9YI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/t36SqXInSIg/image_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="106" height="189" /></a> <br />Less than an hour later, Luguelin Santos, on the other end of the age spectrum at 18, brought more precious metal to the Dominican Republic, coming in second in the 400-meter event. Luguelin, a homegrown athlete from Bayaguana in Monte Plata province, represents the future of Dominican track. <br /> <br />With these two medals, the Dominican Republic climbs to the 33rd place in the medal standings among the 204 countries taking part in the London Olympic Games.</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-5995985255762610102012-08-04T00:42:00.001-04:002012-08-05T14:58:59.778-04:00Fun with Family and Friends<p>As I already mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I had the privilege of having my nephew, Forest, visit me this summer (together with my friend Julie). His dad and I had been talking about how cool it would be to have him come down here for years, and we finally made it happen! I also finally got my friend Ben to come down and visit me just a week after Forest and Julie left. I’d tried to convince him to visit for twelve years without any luck, so I was a little surprised when he actually got his ticket to come down this summer!  I had such a good time with all three of them and even got to see and do new things with them. Here’s a few pictures!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I7UcaIMRm74/UBynsMNshTI/AAAAAAAABoY/Pc3Wot-DB1w/s1600-h/DSC_0065%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0065" border="0" alt="DSC_0065" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lTR987jcJ8Ar5pO5eDGOd9juS2ZjwGm9H71ejD6qGw-4b8njMbKCKabjapJmHP3aVgzFf3G8Lzae32dlDIYFnyvh6bdyr3ywhpznbKr2t1g0fKp4Cmuf4gB3SGK0Aogozi9Q9uqyuzFS/?imgmax=800" width="390" height="270" /></a> <br />Dominican Pizza with corn on it served by my buddy Ydekel. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sCKXbqStt6I/UBynuo9_KOI/AAAAAAAABoo/KhGR3CK0Fb0/s1600-h/DSC_0076%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0076" border="0" alt="DSC_0076" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Km6-4PSz9Tk/UBynvY_LlrI/AAAAAAAABow/Qno_Xs4P7hM/DSC_0076_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="271" /></a> <br />Hike up the hill above the barrio. <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDrwEunqRqXYTJrs3mE4ML4Q9ZQ6hjC9U7y5WxnX_CDnApYeLGOOVEMLI1A1G2YMIiaFJVpM3dK2GItGXBfhAh7ZqCjpTcSfQlyevXGTW64C3mIHAbjoZT8o5k18Znh8q6USfKNPkY4-u/s1600-h/DSC_0107%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0107" border="0" alt="DSC_0107" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PIvjUoI7-eY/UBynyNFwtZI/AAAAAAAABpA/Qq9M3acayKQ/DSC_0107_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="272" /></a> <br />The two of us crammed into the front passenger seat of a public car. Forest acted like he’d done that before. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wj2o2lwtPHI/UBynzO-3vfI/AAAAAAAABpI/9bT9bbYhNAc/s1600-h/DSC_0118%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0118" border="0" alt="DSC_0118" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJEL4C1LsZ0/UBynz-fcuJI/AAAAAAAABpQ/GXDlLMUwHJI/DSC_0118_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="441" /></a> <br />Hanging with the cute barrio kids.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wQ9mT7-noQc/UByn08BHjXI/AAAAAAAABpY/TeJiwG2npPY/s1600-h/DSC_0265%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0265" border="0" alt="DSC_0265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JAw9oe-zCbs/UByn1icURoI/AAAAAAAABpg/D_Xo1WIk1ao/DSC_0265_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="280" /></a> <br />A typical Travesia meal at my friend Mari’s house; stewed salmi, boiled green bananas and fresh picked tomatoes. I don’t think either of them were as excited about the meal as I was. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cyk1pUwRK2E/UByn2jJ5IpI/AAAAAAAABpo/tKZsEnP7Xqg/s1600-h/DSC_0324%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0324" border="0" alt="DSC_0324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BYkK3ekftYs/UByn3Vd8qdI/AAAAAAAABpw/SbhKdQagdvk/DSC_0324_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="440" /></a> <br />Exploring mountain trails and digging up sweet potatoes with Moreno. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J99vNfmrOIs/UByn4VNVxQI/AAAAAAAABp4/kmoMs_g0IyI/s1600-h/DSC_0768%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0768" border="0" alt="DSC_0768" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WnqxEtSu56s/UByn5HzDJ4I/AAAAAAAABqA/noQ4fKN9RPc/DSC_0768_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="131" height="181" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LR3HnYv3OQ8/UByn6VFo8oI/AAAAAAAABqI/czlbgmUjFzI/s1600-h/DSC_0770%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0770" border="0" alt="DSC_0770" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lvWOq2DDVQI/UByn62NCC3I/AAAAAAAABqM/GYe0WuO3tjg/DSC_0770_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="180" /></a> <br />Forest showed off his dance moves; Julie and I got out of dancing despite all the peer pressure. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOkEOCo2oXY/UByn7vVSQDI/AAAAAAAABqY/rPVzNUFvBlw/s1600-h/DSC_0004%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0004" border="0" alt="DSC_0004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XXWsYDk0xp8/UByn8aM89xI/AAAAAAAABqg/BMgS4iOL9js/DSC_0004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2Xrn-GLhZI/UByn9PksDTI/AAAAAAAABqo/_6oiauWpQSw/s1600-h/DSC_0014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0014" border="0" alt="DSC_0014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IUlGUNu5PC0/UByn910LJHI/AAAAAAAABqw/8hq-c5_rxmk/DSC_0014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a> <br />We made a quick stop at the Monument in Santiago. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eQkIVIEUdS8/UByn_lgjFzI/AAAAAAAABq4/XIj6QrYHFRQ/s1600-h/DSC_0053%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0053" border="0" alt="DSC_0053" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y6rfTQvT6z8/UByoAkwdXAI/AAAAAAAABrA/AqQtBrQFZJI/DSC_0053_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="264" /></a> <br />Then finished up our time with a few days at the beach!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oXX6rlqBy-s/UB7CXazsNVI/AAAAAAAABt8/klWFc-0nTmM/s1600-h/IMG_1266.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1266" border="0" alt="IMG_1266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqwtBUZjmJ3Dh89DykQQtlakqunJctpwaHCnGEebpEFj349oSRwVGB5pwBmxMNwHo6WOjXTNY-DdTwF53vobH0zjVzMX0zo3GNp4nujHeZDdUF9QxW2m6VeEh3WNd1jA-rCxk0qX6dWlL/?imgmax=800" width="235" height="172" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hkPUeDEwdA8/UByoEepSU-I/AAAAAAAABrY/_Euz5RaUKJ4/s1600-h/3%252520w%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3 w" border="0" alt="3 w" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DyvhdDPi6XM/UByoFZbGFVI/AAAAAAAABrg/df-KwPjoO2o/3%252520w_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="153" height="176" /></a> <br />Just a few days after Ben arrived we went on a very long journey to the mountain village my friend Dilenia grew up in. Roughly 1 hour in a van, about 2 hours waiting for the next bus, over 3 hours in the bus, and then roughly 30 minutes on mules. (my last post talks more about this village).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-96mcTnBnyNM/UByoGKXf3BI/AAAAAAAABro/U1Yd3awy-IQ/s1600-h/ben%252520and%252520lunch%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ben and lunch" border="0" alt="ben and lunch" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g4Z1gAClhtA/UByoGiHVbqI/AAAAAAAABrw/Hxm8qZBmUos/ben%252520and%252520lunch_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="205" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6SXJU7oTgLk/UByoHtRUK1I/AAAAAAAABuI/gHo5-_f9vC8/s1600-h/ben%252520and%252520a%252520napkin.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ben and a napkin" border="0" alt="ben and a napkin" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GNhk8pOcSH8/UByoId9zCjI/AAAAAAAABuM/UATrz5Y6HkI/ben%252520and%252520a%252520napkin_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="206" /></a> <br />Ben helped with the El Camino youth camp and even showed off his talents at eating napkins. No one even came close to beating him!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpuSvsXZi9Yrc4DfA7FaGFldL50EDsJumF1KQVeKAxI4UT1vqJ69KubhxSNDAG84l20Vzkq-1vM36q7b_As7-u7rCQOvxQX25T2avJRiyWUI2lhfjuyMmeFTBUYd871uyrehv_8QD0Tbc/s1600-h/9%252520c%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="9 c" border="0" alt="9 c" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KfmF1JQKgNI/UByoKs-ti6I/AAAAAAAABsQ/oGGwyxtYvXA/9%252520c_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="198" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZSVXJjpbgkQ/UByoM1xvS2I/AAAAAAAABsY/p3ApJQsYB-8/s1600-h/DSC_0382%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0382" border="0" alt="DSC_0382" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PxFn_QiI9RU/UByoNkCxoHI/AAAAAAAABsk/phoJDWIKSSg/DSC_0382_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="113" height="199" /></a> <br />After the youth camp we hiked up to the Travesia and hiked down with 29 pounds of coffee for the team from South Carolina (they had to cancel their trip up the mountain but still wanted coffee).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_54qxMyRAWU/UByoPAvI2HI/AAAAAAAABss/FJLhPBAv6CU/s1600-h/DSC_0082%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0082" border="0" alt="DSC_0082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lejTDiDC6t8/UByoP7pGSmI/AAAAAAAABs0/8hgWHBaqKC0/DSC_0082_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="260" /></a> <br />We went to a Monkey Jungle. It was amazing…. the monkey’s crawled all over us and ate from our hands. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mbB3eB1jnhA/UByoRMYaShI/AAAAAAAABs8/VbNaFdHmnSA/s1600-h/DSC_0123%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0123" border="0" alt="DSC_0123" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QirpWIhOO1E/UByoRv8EI6I/AAAAAAAABtE/LeA24P52WEc/DSC_0123_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="255" /></a> <br />Ben convinced me and everyone at Minerva’s house to put on mustaches. Minerva’s neighbor came over right after she put hers on, she was so embarrassed and started laughing hysterically. I’ve never seen her laugh so much! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C2ufnTr55OE/UByoSgLTmnI/AAAAAAAABtM/KUcbdCldLkk/s1600-h/Ben%252520and%252520Tracy%252520on%252520pink%252520pasola%252520-%252520Copy%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ben and Tracy on pink pasola - Copy" border="0" alt="Ben and Tracy on pink pasola - Copy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-to1bFKL1t_k/UByoTQZp4WI/AAAAAAAABtU/PWQfn6kCXII/Ben%252520and%252520Tracy%252520on%252520pink%252520pasola%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="341" /></a> <br />Ben and I went all over the place in Ydekel’s pink scooter! Ben’s a good driver but I was still a little bit terrified to ride with him (all three motorcycle accidents I’ve been in have been with Americans). </p> <p>Overall I’m really grateful to God that I was able to share a bit of my life in the D.R. with Forest, Julie and Ben. I’m also really thankful that He kept them healthy and helped them have many good experiences!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-89068327045770192042012-07-26T10:35:00.001-04:002012-07-26T10:35:41.779-04:00A Far Away Village<p>Just after six in the morning my friend and I went to town with Dilenia and her son Uvardi. We took a bus to Santiago, waited for nearly two hours and then took a bus for nearly four hours to a small town called La Laguna. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3KVg1dJMPEgisIeN6Ay6wp5eaYhk24QxFlHgOerHxff68IVtsrmbg6TF8SJfgT-cknSC2kCMEw4T0D5ETavv6qTQR13UoQ5kOT191zxxHcrZBZMS7Vbm4cSyr6STLiTe7Pm1CxKCR4zg/s1600-h/DSC_00015.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0001" border="0" alt="DSC_0001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uFsQcx1gKbg/UBFVFIj0MBI/AAAAAAAABho/awAob73fUGs/DSC_0001_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="212" /></a></p> <p>In La Laguna we were greeted by Dilenia’s mute brother, her cousin, and four mules. We bought some food at one of the four local stores and then headed off. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sgioZ9pyZ7g/UBFVGX1DF4I/AAAAAAAABhw/qxAuqrAKP7c/s1600-h/DSC_00165.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0016" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LRGkDocF4C0/UBFVG1X-V-I/AAAAAAAABh4/hw25avl1K_Q/DSC_0016_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="209" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WlklxIOKUIE/UBFVIfE4EdI/AAAAAAAABiA/9mBxzk3NK7s/s1600-h/DSC_00325.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0032" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qbq1BhqQr68/UBFVI9GFmhI/AAAAAAAABiI/COcev3wBw00/DSC_0032_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZxpbMN9Z6_q130cnlL8vE6EattfAeLeqkzu-3e_bE89jIQWsRK4sp1kck8kPhTDm3BqTX0jy789o_8HxcN1FCbWd6v1oQ3LD5V6Z-5jkmvY1UKx0v54SQCQXqGIDT88LfjQyB-Iwgk4S/s1600-h/DSC_00395.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0039" border="0" alt="DSC_0039" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y_TUx1pomOo/UBFVLNFS5XI/AAAAAAAABiY/E08eq72bSms/DSC_0039_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="450" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWov8SwjY-ifc8pqbemMpWqu69lJKglEmWq_2I10tlsFub9SRMdkYVt3CtC2uqa1zLpifnfP9fCKASX23q1OCl4K3tAp3QMD0tRdh6_ieqo2XHM7PLKG6yEpnsA7zNrnHvClqJn_uezMGV/s1600-h/DSC_00457.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0045" border="0" alt="DSC_0045" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cv40BXhSu70/UBFVNYZkBAI/AAAAAAAABio/ktHKIH_hQt0/DSC_0045_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="207" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2miyklG0wls/UBFVPlCduNI/AAAAAAAABiw/1f1Zuk38xFE/s1600-h/DSC_02809.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0280" border="0" alt="DSC_0280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eXjWAVWphHg/UBFVQBcNkVI/AAAAAAAABi4/7jyo6P9fMG8/DSC_0280_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="209" /></a></p> <p>After the forty minute mule ride we were greeted by Dilenia’s brothers and sisters (about 8 of them), some of her nieces and nephews, her parents and a large meal. After a cup of hot coffee we explored the village and then it was already time for dinner (a special stew called Sancocho). <br /> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DsAoS49estQ/UBFVTOh2FAI/AAAAAAAABjA/A3t1x27jxJI/s1600-h/DSC_00677.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0067" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMoESExvsjI/UBFVUOS-L1I/AAAAAAAABjI/bmY8BaEkr7E/DSC_0067_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="208" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A9T5cyLunm4/UBFVWHx4PrI/AAAAAAAABjQ/dEKJaOkFS28/s1600-h/DSC_00916.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0091" border="0" alt="DSC_0091" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PxyslyWtL3U/UBFVXQxszUI/AAAAAAAABjY/0vr4cu9DLH8/DSC_0091_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="456" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CdxgCBFf40w/UBFVYR4jn1I/AAAAAAAABjg/_zB7lQdNNBs/s1600-h/DSC_00995.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0099" border="0" alt="DSC_0099" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zsF3brXFEiw/UBFVaNwr0vI/AAAAAAAABjo/MWwjpbFv5Cc/DSC_0099_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6sknBOGOyUs/UBFVblbmMaI/AAAAAAAABjw/eODtT0kphsI/s1600-h/DSC_01006.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0100" border="0" alt="DSC_0100" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VeoB2sHBb2k/UBFVceLEsnI/AAAAAAAABj4/gDefLHX-WVA/DSC_0100_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="276" /></a></p> <p>That night before bed we hung out at Dilenia’s parents house playing dominos and joking around with the family (even more family members came by to see Dilenia and the two American visitors).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VCuRj4Pk1a0/UBFVdUF_srI/AAAAAAAABkA/35SoHu6Sksc/s1600-h/DSC_01224.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0122" border="0" alt="DSC_0122" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dTUSNC47EOk/UBFVeG_Sb-I/AAAAAAAABkI/oLleQa2VK-4/DSC_0122_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="461" /></a></p> <p>The following morning (Saturday) Dilenias’s mom, Carmen, got up early to to make  up coffee, feed the farm animals and got busy making us a big breakfast. We ate so much that day it felt like we never stopped eating. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MLjTz-02JzQ/UBFVgCwV6II/AAAAAAAABkQ/5MlsxcIYNzI/s1600-h/DSC_01498.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0149" border="0" alt="DSC_0149" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JFgYpR2jNdI/UBFVhPU8B-I/AAAAAAAABkY/BT3777xbmfQ/DSC_0149_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="206" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-esAoeaKFGOk/UBFVihxwbrI/AAAAAAAABkg/CuJnoS03sFE/s1600-h/DSC_01476.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0147" border="0" alt="DSC_0147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K2KBh5GTNVo/UBFVjSJV6_I/AAAAAAAABko/RURgzSa3J2A/DSC_0147_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="204" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J8XeW2d9mFw/UBFVm9YkfBI/AAAAAAAABkw/OFWVDxEHsHY/s1600-h/DSC_02126.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0212" border="0" alt="DSC_0212" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mzhb7URpxFY/UBFVnuBHvBI/AAAAAAAABk4/VFAkVjUqUrc/DSC_0212_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="220" /></a></p> <p>That afternoon I went with Dilenia to a village hair salon to get my hair straightened, hung out with my new 8 year old buddy Lauri and went to a number of Dilenia’s relatives home and drank coffee in most of them. Then we went to a village dance party of which I did my best to avoid dancing without offending anyone. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sMEdoNz034A/UBFVou8laxI/AAAAAAAABlA/CJjzSeYutx4/s1600-h/DSC_02214.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0221" border="0" alt="DSC_0221" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tEh_C4YAOHU/UBFVqHWWcGI/AAAAAAAABlI/EAPnuhUbbnM/DSC_0221_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="220" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LTGd1MoDVHI/UBFVrzALjLI/AAAAAAAABlQ/XOTnR31jVOU/s1600-h/DSC_02435.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0243" border="0" alt="DSC_0243" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sf8QCGvn75k/UBFVsnoIXpI/AAAAAAAABlY/BFtbRNRZrFo/DSC_0243_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="221" /></a></p> <p>Then on Sunday morning we got up just before six and took a few mules back to La Laguna, got on a bus for four hours to Santiago, then we got into a public van that took it’s time getting us to La Vega, then for the final stretch we took motor cycles to the barrio. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bWytILYiyBA/UBFVuVMib1I/AAAAAAAABlg/ml3q9R0fuws/s1600-h/DSC_028318.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0283" border="0" alt="DSC_0283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JyAEc1R4KdQ/UBFVvMLDiGI/AAAAAAAABlo/LIX8uZCKtzA/DSC_0283_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="223" /></a></p> <p>That village was the furthest one I’ve ever traveled to in the Dominican Republic and well forth the trip. The scenery was amazing, the coffee was excellent, and the hospitality was almost overwhelming!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-58923638521459208472012-07-25T17:53:00.001-04:002012-07-25T17:53:01.546-04:00Travesia Trips 201-203<p>I’ve now been up to the Travesia about 200 times. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration but I’m probably not too far off. I’ve already made it up there three times in just one months time. As always, I love going up there. The hike is exhausting but I love the scenery, the coffee, and my mountain friends. Here’s a few new pictures!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wVmfgyGZDFY/UBBqGCPidfI/AAAAAAAABfc/3qTbKsN6lfM/s1600-h/DSC_0522%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0522" border="0" alt="DSC_0522" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mPEEl1Iq1ao/UBBqITyyceI/AAAAAAAABfk/iUTweyMZBr4/DSC_0522_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="436" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kqv18rF7NTU/UBBqN2WFRuI/AAAAAAAABfs/U35KjRKkaRw/s1600-h/DSC_0279%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0279" border="0" alt="DSC_0279" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b5SroGJkVQw/UBBqQgBaIGI/AAAAAAAABf0/icm1TbQx-G4/DSC_0279_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="287" height="302" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qNf8ICNua_8/UBBqUR8oHMI/AAAAAAAABf8/gthWP0EqzsA/s1600-h/DSC_0309%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0309" border="0" alt="DSC_0309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eIYJzvbTTVU/UBBqWXdbTwI/AAAAAAAABgE/76HrQr9yvjA/DSC_0309_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="200" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Imywd1oRSuQ/UBBqYmA5h3I/AAAAAAAABgM/1DcsKX6k2ik/s1600-h/DSC_0352%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0352" border="0" alt="DSC_0352" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MFk5rFZakaM/UBBqbJx5HWI/AAAAAAAABgU/L1XJD_iIL1o/DSC_0352_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="449" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eP6E4z4bgaY/UBBqeIGuCSI/AAAAAAAABgc/Fq64eMsEugc/s1600-h/DSC_0426%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0426" border="0" alt="DSC_0426" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2KezgfL9QAk/UBBqgMJKKbI/AAAAAAAABgk/i5Yl1C6qpdo/DSC_0426_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="271" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JjDV8A7DBxY/UBBqh8rYtEI/AAAAAAAABgs/qFJkIi_Pj3I/s1600-h/DSC_0431%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0431" border="0" alt="DSC_0431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m3T_rfWlk00/UBBqjPN8uSI/AAAAAAAABg0/ctAJ852152I/DSC_0431_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="271" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jNIfOFL3RC8/UBBqmsSFk_I/AAAAAAAABg8/asRstjl6EME/s1600-h/DSC_0482%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0482" border="0" alt="DSC_0482" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h5zoJ5VTgEI/UBBqpMyphqI/AAAAAAAABhE/6VRVpfVM-uc/DSC_0482_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="436" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cblL1v5LIq8/UBBqsyf8VXI/AAAAAAAABhM/XM33hdXkGfg/s1600-h/DSC_0365%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0365" border="0" alt="DSC_0365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cuSf4hxg4n8/UBBqup6RSWI/AAAAAAAABhU/evtf_R5YK3U/DSC_0365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="441" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-49328443177263053862012-06-25T23:09:00.000-04:002012-06-25T23:11:38.751-04:00A Dominican Graduation<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g1EBqMC58fY/T-knZ4dLySI/AAAAAAAABbA/kaJS8f2xurA/s1600-h/DSC_01283.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0128" border="0" alt="DSC_0128" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3eeN5bTBdq0/T-knbjYFzCI/AAAAAAAABbI/qhhbG-LleOY/DSC_0128_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ws8n1iw1vwA/T-kneyVDW0I/AAAAAAAABbQ/tufsdHg0noQ/s1600-h/DSC_01473.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0147" border="0" alt="DSC_0147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q5ujLoPl9ho/T-knf0XLdSI/AAAAAAAABbY/URIR6IYy56s/DSC_0147_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a></p> <p>I had the honor of walking  Idekel up to get his high school diploma. That’s right, my little buddy just graduated high school! We’ve been friends since he was six and now he’s all grown up!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFnQUTW5iB8FP-MCxHElkn6Xwh3Kocv9rUTNZyovP0PkFcgj8j83MYC0kN-Anw4wOkj58FBawPnDczcgdlk0D49AUizYJyJnc2jtK2_6B__BtkSfoVmSJl7QN8CgyqN91SS0LCSB7A-q3/s1600-h/DSC_0178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0178" border="0" alt="DSC_0178" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CQz2S69tLiw/T-knjdsAP8I/AAAAAAAABbo/HzjU0j5JYXk/DSC_0178_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="140" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wylc51JT_-Y/T-knvwvUY3I/AAAAAAAABbw/ifnz6FZyToM/s1600-h/DSC_0219%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0219" border="0" alt="DSC_0219" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vc846csqgdY/T-knw4BY-CI/AAAAAAAABb4/zK4OJwB9xa4/DSC_0219_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="141" /></a></p> <p>The graduation party was unlike any school party I’ve ever been to or ever heard of. The ticket said the formal dinner for students and their parents started at 8pm. Idekel decided we should arrive at 10pm. Only half of the people were there when we got there but there was a very loud live band and lots of alcohol that parents and their graduates were enjoying together. At 11pm there was some sign of food but they didn’t allow anyone to go through the buffet until 11:35. By that time I was very hungry and tired so as soon as the buffet line started to form I jumped in the line and left Idekel talking to a girl. When he came to join me in line an old man behind me yelled at him for cutting and being disrespectful so I ended up getting my plate of food and eating all by myself. I left the party at 1am just after most people had eaten and were starting to really party. Over all it was an interesting cultural experience!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-81612812956009127592012-06-20T07:58:00.001-04:002012-06-20T07:58:18.765-04:00In the Barrio and Beyond<p>This is just a quick note to say that I’m back in the DR for the summer. My nephew and my friend Julie are joining me for the first two weeks so I’ve been busy showing them around the barrio, town, and even the capital. I’ll be putting a lot of photos on this blog while I’m here so please make a point to check it out from time to time. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1PfbKQdsdfE/T-G6wpEeiUI/AAAAAAAABaM/ujVb8E2sp7E/s1600-h/DSC_0006%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0006" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lA9rX7A5xHE/T-G6xd4QFQI/AAAAAAAABaU/qfBQ93xqEmU/DSC_0006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="167" /></a></p> <p>It took 3 airplanes to get us to the DR. This is a picture of us in Salt Lake City eating frozen yogurt.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AQroaI2nLeY/T-G6yZYzqFI/AAAAAAAABac/PvTWjRi-8Y0/s1600-h/DSC_0012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0012" border="0" alt="DSC_0012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_CUUyo0iDek/T-G6y6bdwWI/AAAAAAAABak/3aF021DZhBE/DSC_0012_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="103" /></a></p> <p>Walk to Rod’s house past all the cows, country homes, and hair sheep.…. about a mile from the barrio.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tfbJfCLEvjY/T-G60Ps9MFI/AAAAAAAABas/HfwElQizcOQ/s1600-h/DSC_0018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0018" border="0" alt="DSC_0018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wChjeJHotDA/T-G61t3aozI/AAAAAAAABa0/vaf0pupueXY/DSC_0018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="246" /></a></p> <p>A trip to town on a moto concho (motorcycle taxi). </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-76362298832650406652011-03-09T21:55:00.001-04:002011-03-09T21:55:39.260-04:00Some of My Favorite Pictures of the Dominican Republic!<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Here’s a few of my favorite photos from my time in the Dominican Republic. I took most of them but labeled the ones taken by other people. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvM9CrpfI/AAAAAAAABWY/IlPV3fja1K4/s1600-h/fDSC_0030%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fDSC_0030" border="0" alt="fDSC_0030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvNb8yNiI/AAAAAAAABWc/W_tDE9qUIhU/fDSC_0030_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a>The Dominican Presidential Palace. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvOMR5YhI/AAAAAAAABWg/FgRql5O4TxQ/s1600-h/537961437_dsc0625%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="537961437_dsc0625" border="0" alt="537961437_dsc0625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj82HvlfV_g9T5nOJnG6BHvv6yk7_hczs8iaCT_4_vYWQmUl62OLUHJjdq56wZ6ElhQrz6s-jFtelFut6uBnJI6vGiLP62bPEW32aQbVwwXLalL9itsfVB9FFqWgj7bauUDKWA8m3X81l/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />Plantains at the market, taken by Darin Dueck.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvO_TIWZI/AAAAAAAABWo/bkwlzjnN-0M/s1600-h/Young%20life%20camp%20spring%202010%20%2811%29%5B21%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Young life camp spring 2010 (11)" border="0" alt="Young life camp spring 2010 (11)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvPKPI6jI/AAAAAAAABWs/dBYY3rxbMJ8/Young%20life%20camp%20spring%202010%20%2811%29_thumb%5B16%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="281" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvPVikJTI/AAAAAAAABWw/OSjmvwoC55M/s1600-h/tDSC_0017%5B18%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="tDSC_0017" border="0" alt="tDSC_0017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvPk6TwFI/AAAAAAAABW0/5e7mgd8Heas/tDSC_0017_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a>   <br />The young and the elderly. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvQNt7N9I/AAAAAAAABW4/Dkajwa0Gz8M/s1600-h/_DSC0269%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="_DSC0269" border="0" alt="_DSC0269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j6jfMzucsaIdccEBiV30gk7JCziDIIqhcm2BlcvtMm7Hs01W2wJ1fC0QBUN6I0q6T1sgVMXJEOY37Y0IrJQdIx1uOFs2ckGMkAJPS9qxU2yk7gQuSHUsnri4FEs14TbhNBO5J1ihXkbb/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />A beautiful 15th birthday party, taken by Darin Dueck. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvRJB2R1I/AAAAAAAABXA/QcahR9tW2HE/s1600-h/Picture%20001%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Picture 001" border="0" alt="Picture 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvRefbT_I/AAAAAAAABXE/cGH29AP2yr0/Picture%20001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />Dominican’s love to laugh. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvRyy51UI/AAAAAAAABXI/mbmelK1E398/s1600-h/Picture%20003%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Picture 003" border="0" alt="Picture 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvSbaiC9I/AAAAAAAABXM/5Hd7F6xahe4/Picture%20003_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />On their way to church.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvSn22C4I/AAAAAAAABXQ/Gr4aDxVnsSM/s1600-h/_DSF0241%5B14%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="_DSF0241" border="0" alt="_DSF0241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8PO-c5LPqJpkbqIxmS9B7yne35bTMSyZKSJXFY2dSn6siow57Sb3tKo6hHNoBtlXk5O158CiOf4tfn5gXisLmB5DsF-spNtJz9zllGaeM6UprryO6U4ROmNrVsqa0I1NIGdBn-VTMpsg/?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvT2AxwHI/AAAAAAAABXY/KxsqRHmHdP4/s1600-h/6-1-07%20%20Avocados%20for%20sale%5B16%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="6-1-07 Avocados for sale" border="0" alt="6-1-07 Avocados for sale" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvUe6SonI/AAAAAAAABXc/DnTdu5b2rKw/6-1-07%20%20Avocados%20for%20sale_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="282" /></a> <br />My neighbor Maria, taken by Darin Dueck. Everybody’s dad, the avocado vendor. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvU4devFI/AAAAAAAABXg/LkFYKxp85OQ/s1600-h/_DSF0035%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="_DSF0035" border="0" alt="_DSF0035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvVBvqArI/AAAAAAAABXk/NIuBnSB00Kw/_DSF0035_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />A little bit of gambling taken by Darin Dueck. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZueDFecIL203DknEiCMUOT9uybA1Jf7ls7WqZeJPdQBIClSmlRX435pBUzGE94McgnVxKfbY6fATFRLJIB82YMiqw3oumPVmHR5jYeDF7NYTOjYR7iJtvKzER0sVMu7IdzDQ14RWLgQu/s1600-h/Picture%20004%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Picture 004" border="0" alt="Picture 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvWGqvSXI/AAAAAAAABXs/0StVRF4VI-c/Picture%20004_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />My favorite place to buy fruit. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvWs2FByI/AAAAAAAABXw/GGaMC_vTQmc/s1600-h/fDSC_0178%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fDSC_0178" border="0" alt="fDSC_0178" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvWzoXG5I/AAAAAAAABX0/Up3F-S-mN4Q/fDSC_0178_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />Guy time.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvXRGUWCI/AAAAAAAABX4/Fb3g8BTLKOs/s1600-h/minerva%205-25-08%20travesia%20NY%20team%20and%20more%20080%5B19%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="minerva 5-25-08 travesia NY team and more 080" border="0" alt="minerva 5-25-08 travesia NY team and more 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvXq3tPaI/AAAAAAAABX8/lrZiyqmjdeE/minerva%205-25-08%20travesia%20NY%20team%20and%20more%20080_thumb%5B16%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="270" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvYEMCGVI/AAAAAAAABYA/08nHnkkxSVA/s1600-h/fDSC_0402%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fDSC_0402" border="0" alt="fDSC_0402" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvYlIFOQI/AAAAAAAABYE/FTP9bC2spEI/fDSC_0402_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="270" /></a> <br />My best friend Minerva and another friend getting her nails done (very popular thing to do, and it’s cheap too).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvZBtiv9I/AAAAAAAABYI/XNryfZysshM/s1600-h/November%20photos%20533%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="November photos 533" border="0" alt="November photos 533" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvZi5AzZI/AAAAAAAABYM/2618omfazGM/November%20photos%20533_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />Girl time. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvaFUdnVI/AAAAAAAABYQ/r0uCt-7zpM0/s1600-h/fDSC_0111%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fDSC_0111" border="0" alt="fDSC_0111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAEM-HguZVpOkaz1TVZYwXAHpWMS8NV9DBsQHuoQAMSHLgk_b9KSfW_nSp2wm5WEv_9v0rQIQxRy_IIOfSui17kIDhg3bdWdDHFZMCC-29MF-UsRZnkte3fR6yF6r6LrdTwUBIhH607Hf/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br />They “helped” paint the blue building. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvbMyV2JI/AAAAAAAABYY/shbJ3htcMac/s1600-h/7-25-08%20205%5B14%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="7-25-08 205" border="0" alt="7-25-08 205" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvbq9vfOI/AAAAAAAABYc/DPr-xSS4sV8/7-25-08%20205_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvcDMMnBI/AAAAAAAABYg/WDhD-lf52dE/s1600-h/DSC_0059%5B17%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0059" border="0" alt="DSC_0059" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvctbWr4I/AAAAAAAABYk/VLZhFtrtnLI/DSC_0059_thumb%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <br /> <br /></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvdPy4BKI/AAAAAAAABYo/ZOOIX7v1xvc/s1600-h/DSC_0057%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0057" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvdW6JZEI/AAAAAAAABYs/XWZrTfSvn6o/DSC_0057_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="556" /> <p align="center"></p> The mountain village called El Travesia. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvd6wkKdI/AAAAAAAABYw/7kQNu8LA4IE/s1600-h/1DSCF0225%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1DSCF0225" border="0" alt="1DSCF0225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgveRTKGMI/AAAAAAAABY0/DLvhs9cNJjA/1DSCF0225_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgve7An7gI/AAAAAAAABY4/9qA7Mwiazt0/s1600-h/DSC_0050%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvfDHoQ1I/AAAAAAAABY8/RyC0JdP9e70/DSC_0050_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvfjGlWTI/AAAAAAAABZA/qy7L_LEFdFI/s1600-h/1DSCF0409%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1DSCF0409" border="0" alt="1DSCF0409" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvgGvVIkI/AAAAAAAABZE/TJGadrGmjcY/1DSCF0409_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a>  <br />Fresh coffee berries and dried ones too. <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="tracy 1DSCF0218" border="0" alt="tracy 1DSCF0218" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvgiB7A-I/AAAAAAAABZI/kxLWPWnmMEw/tracy%201DSCF0218_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /> <br /></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvg0jhHrI/AAAAAAAABZM/PjaoUgUwFSg/s1600-h/DSC_0419%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0419" border="0" alt="DSC_0419" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvhX49RbI/AAAAAAAABZQ/2zri_dfGUds/DSC_0419_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvi4SLIzI/AAAAAAAABZU/mB0WRYudKGM/s1600-h/DSC_0236%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0236" border="0" alt="DSC_0236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKeCNKQoq-UJkaOfvnjzBjgPtlGY_zPrlV4XqioPPScib9sWIYPUYSp39LUXy0FwYKdwvZ3j2Jwro3rHUkB_Pu1xPg5CR1Yw9igN0jvAA6NtUMWO4lI69i75uROeiJBg-Fbfoev7k6VEa/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="286" /></a> <br />Fresh roasted coffee mountain style. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvjyPTZsI/AAAAAAAABZc/j-dbav4F5bE/s1600-h/Tracy%201DSCF0341%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tracy 1DSCF0341" border="0" alt="Tracy 1DSCF0341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvkHi_06I/AAAAAAAABZg/osBycmx9KkU/Tracy%201DSCF0341_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="406" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvkrYKT0I/AAAAAAAABZk/Y-wxE3V1qGE/s1600-h/January%202009%20photos%20%284%29%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="January 2009 photos (4)" border="0" alt="January 2009 photos (4)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx_H1iYsAmiXjsnNmGQW-NsXYFdfypoJ5_Ab4Q4dv4hg3c_iM0lXGRBrnzAhinL6GZ0Z5zMqOUiNT8Co9D02Gaz5gTZ24j07SBcoQYi0EzXJNy8EUJTsm-RNDCxgrotvuo8diZd34Sum1/?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center">Haitian school in La Vega. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvlXyRYpI/AAAAAAAABZs/eZ35v1-u8gs/s1600-h/January%202009%20photos%20%28192%29%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="January 2009 photos (192)" border="0" alt="January 2009 photos (192)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvlhTD4sI/AAAAAAAABZw/FWB9ZRGgHLk/January%202009%20photos%20%28192%29_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvmODJanI/AAAAAAAABZ0/dxuo1NnviUA/s1600-h/DSC_0693%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0693" border="0" alt="DSC_0693" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TXgvmeE9KQI/AAAAAAAABZ4/dOLQpEthmlo/DSC_0693_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center">The lovely Ocean!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-76794433543485547432010-11-02T14:43:00.001-04:002010-11-02T14:57:07.732-04:00Who’s paying for electricity?<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TNBbv72huBI/AAAAAAAABS4/RjP8l9J0sB4/s1600-h/barrio%20sunrise%20fDSC_0006.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="barrio sunrise fDSC_0006" border="0" alt="barrio sunrise fDSC_0006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TNBbwZ0z3eI/AAAAAAAABS8/HaMy0TvtSbU/barrio%20sunrise%20fDSC_0006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="167" height="246" /></a> <br />In an attempt to stay connected to life in the D.R. I have been checking in with my friends there whenever I have a little extra cash, listening to Spanish music all the time and  trying to stay up to date on D.R. news. Something that surprised me in one of the past news updates is that Dominicans pay taxes that go towards electricity. The paper reported that Dominicans are paying for electricity, which is calculated in the 16% ITBIS tax. "When people say they do not pay for electricity, it is only that they think they are not paying for it," as reported in Hoy. "But they pay for the service when they buy beer, milk or rice. A third of the tax that they pay everyday covers the electricity that they steal."  <br />So I guess I’ll no longer say that Dominicans living in barrios are “stealing” electricity. Actually, in the barrio where they seemingly pay a very minimal amount for electricity, they probably pay a lot in the taxes being that they consume a huge amount of rice, beer and milk. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-5040068977804857202010-11-01T15:55:00.000-04:002010-11-02T14:56:06.622-04:00Haitians in the D.R.<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TNBenXTwucI/AAAAAAAABSo/K02zBVa6_sM/s1600-h/x11-7-04%20Haiti%20Pics%202%20218%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="x11-7-04 Haiti Pics 2 218" border="0" alt="x11-7-04 Haiti Pics 2 218" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TNBen8ML1iI/AAAAAAAABSs/_tzuX1vs6sw/x11-7-04%20Haiti%20Pics%202%20218_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="162" /></a>  <br /><strong>DR1 Daily News -- Wednesday, 27 October 2010 <br /></strong><u><a href="http://www.dr1.com">http://www.dr1.com</a></u></p> <p><strong>57,000 more illegal Haitians</strong> <br />Statistics released by the Department of Migration show that after the 12 January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, some 57,119 Haitians who crossed the border to the DR on market days have stayed on in the country illegally. A spokesman for the department told Diario Libre that the figure probably does not even account for 50% of those who have entered illegally. The Migration Department says that 83 inspectors have been dismissed in the past 14 months for complicity with people smuggling, serious faults on the job, allowing the departure of people with legal exit restrictions, administrative corruption, forgery of documents or links to drug trafficking networks. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-22460477196890859372010-10-26T21:19:00.001-04:002010-10-26T21:19:42.457-04:00I even miss the lizards<p>Every once in a while I’ll see something on the floor or the wall which slightly resembles a lizard or a gecko. It’s strange, but each time I’ve taken a closer look I feel disappointed to find out that it was merely a fuzz ball or a smear. So basically what I want to say is that I miss everything about the D.R. I miss the people, the warm weather, the noise and even the lizards. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TMd-IBqxGWI/AAAAAAAABSQ/aKRuJJbDoX4/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TMd-LKL8-aI/AAAAAAAABSU/T7smWDB6Rds/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="406" height="161" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-54017433196286806412010-10-04T18:07:00.001-04:002010-10-04T18:07:48.536-04:00Hard Homework<p>I’m officially a student again! I didn’t really know what to expect but I am realizing that I expected it to be a little easier than it is. Being able to read all the information, come up with a view, and write about it is something that seems to come naturally for me concerning the bible and religious things, but incredibly hard on other subjects. I laughed the other day when I read Johann Herbart’s definition of “interest”: a person’s ability to focus on and retain an idea in consciousness. According to that definition I must not not interested in many things, because I’m having the hardest time focusing on and retaining anything right now. Thankfully though, I’m told that it get’s easier as time goes on. Eventually I should get used to all the reading and writing. But for now I am really missing the freedom I experienced in the D.R. of only studying things that applied to the present situation I was in. I’m also really missing my little neighbor friends. </p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-66455021559299531442010-09-20T11:53:00.001-04:002010-09-20T11:53:14.579-04:00Getting around in the D.R.<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TJeDYqrtrLI/AAAAAAAABNY/qBbd9D3DRM8/s1600-h/A%20Dominican%20Thing%5B28%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="A Dominican Thing" border="0" alt="A Dominican Thing" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TJeDaQ2Q7GI/AAAAAAAABNc/Isiyc0YyJc8/A%20Dominican%20Thing_thumb%5B30%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="320" /></a>It might surprise you, but lots of people returning from the mission field have trouble adjusting to their home culture. Feelings of loneliness, depression, and disorientation are all common. Thankfully I have a number of good resources, like a book called <em>Re-Entry</em> by Peter Jordan, and people I can talk to if things get difficult.  <br />One thing I have noticed is that I feel sad whenever I have to drive somewhere by myself. Though the picture above is not very common, it was common for me to travel around on the back of a motorcycle taxi while in the D.R.. Every time I went to town I had the driver to talk to. Or even if I walked to town I would never make it all the way there without being stopped by one or two friends who were also walking somewhere. So yes, getting around in the states is a bit lonely for me. Hopefully I’ll be able to find someone to carpool with soon!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-88596465248906962182010-09-15T00:32:00.001-04:002010-09-15T00:32:58.813-04:00Allergic Reactions<p>I went to visit my dad in the recovery area after his successful back surgery when I suddenly felt a bit dizzy. I tried to stay focused as the nurse gave me care instructions but when everything went fuzzy and black I interrupted her and found a place to sit down. After a few minutes I felt fine again yet I was a little disturbed as to why I got dizzy. <br />The nurse laughed at me when I told her I might have an allergic reaction to hospitals, and yes I know it sounds a bit bazaar. Yet the only times I can remember getting dizzy or sick like that during the past three years have been when I was with someone else in a hospital. Once I was with a team leader who had kidney stones, as the nurses were caring for her I suddenly felt sick and quickly occupied the other bed in the room. Another time, a few months ago, I was caring from my friend at the hospital, but about midnight I got sick and spent the night emptying out my stomach as well as trying to be a help to her. And then once again yesterday, while getting instructions on how to help my dad. Is there any connection here? Could I be allergic to hospitals???</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-33232357146209932562010-09-15T00:25:00.001-04:002010-09-15T00:25:38.156-04:00First Impressions<p>I’m back in the U.S.A. now, slowly getting rested up and attempting to transition into the American culture. Here’s a few of the the things that have stuck out to me so far……</p> <p><strong>So many paper towels: </strong>Lots of my friends who have returned from overseas get overwhelmed in grocery stores, by the vast variety, especially on the cereal isle. I’ve never really had this problem. However, during my first trip to the closest Fred Meyers I was a little shocked that half of a very long isle was full of paper towels options. Why would anyone need so many different paper towel choices!?!</p> <p><strong>Seat belts!?!:</strong>  My dad was speeding in a construction zone so it made since to me why the police officer pulled him over and asked for his license, but why did she ask for mine? She informed that I didn’t have my seatbelt on right and could give me a $200+ ticket. I couldn’t believe it! I didn’t realize there was a wrong way to wear a seatbelt. I thought as long as it was buckled in it was the right way. Well now I know, a new law was passed a few years ago and it’s highly against the law to put the seatbelt under you arm!</p> <p><strong>Bathrooms and faucet water:</strong> A little thing that makes me happy every time I leave the D.R. are the bathrooms. Even the bathrooms on airplanes are great; warm water to wash your hands with, clean water to brush you teeth with, and decent tubing which allows you to flush t.p.!  </p> <p><strong>Noise Please:</strong> The peace and quiet is almost annoying. I’ve been at my dad’s house for a few days now and haven’t seen any of his neighbors, their pets, or moving vehicles. It’s almost hard to sleep without dogs barking, music playing, or motorcycles buzzing by!</p> <p><strong>Good Eats:</strong> One thing that I definitely love about the states are all the great food options. I’ve already had Korean barbeque, fish and chips, an espresso milkshake, and some tasty salads. I look forward to Thai food, Indian, Moroccan, and so much more!</p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-89418951973180021712010-09-01T11:48:00.001-04:002010-09-01T11:52:34.030-04:00Quick Travesia Trip<p>Even though I’d already said goodbyes to all my friends in the Travesia a few weeks ago I couldn’t pass up getting a ride up there to say goodbyes one more time. Bau had to check on a work project up there, so nine of us headed up in the giant red ministry truck for a quick day trip. I visited as many people as I could, drank lots of coffee, ate lots of bananas, took some pictures, and enjoyed a great rice and beans lunch. It was a beautiful day up there (cloudy but no rain)…. so glad I got to go up there one more time. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51p5bLxgI/AAAAAAAABKc/PUKQV5Joa3E/s1600-h/DSC_0050%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0050" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51si0S0OI/AAAAAAAABKg/wtcg4S_-8TI/DSC_0050_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51tnncCiI/AAAAAAAABKk/Uo_19P0GX1E/s1600-h/DSC_0006%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0006" border="0" alt="DSC_0006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51uMTZQoI/AAAAAAAABKo/Y7AJV3zvutU/DSC_0006_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51u-B59wI/AAAAAAAABKs/kvdXRWyAHbQ/s1600-h/DSC_0018%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0018" border="0" alt="DSC_0018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51vYJ3vLI/AAAAAAAABKw/6O_0IK00sXk/DSC_0018_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52sqIehcI/AAAAAAAABK8/HZXhdornlM0/s1600-h/yDSC_0577%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="yDSC_0577" border="0" alt="yDSC_0577" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52tTyFVfI/AAAAAAAABLA/7MHDdyTc3w0/yDSC_0577_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52t-hnlQI/AAAAAAAABLE/WJkMF-u6wJQ/s1600-h/yDSC_0590%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="yDSC_0590" border="0" alt="yDSC_0590" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52uhtNttI/AAAAAAAABLI/Itgln6RXVB4/yDSC_0590_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0059" border="0" alt="DSC_0059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH51weD7MAI/AAAAAAAABK4/Xy7sCZ7lYxg/DSC_0059_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52u0hT4-I/AAAAAAAABLM/mnTDdZHRkfY/s1600-h/yDSC_0596%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="yDSC_0596" border="0" alt="yDSC_0596" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52vdWtGMI/AAAAAAAABLQ/tkcDCeQk8bY/yDSC_0596_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52vw6cWiI/AAAAAAAABLU/8wedyAtHDMA/s1600-h/yDSC_0613%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="yDSC_0613" border="0" alt="yDSC_0613" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH52wdi5g7I/AAAAAAAABLY/BdHNA52j-XI/yDSC_0613_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-71218950140497763472010-08-31T23:36:00.001-04:002010-08-31T23:36:57.581-04:00Stepping outside my comfort zone<p>I’ve been having trouble sleeping, crying at any mention of my departure, and feel very overwhelmed with the idea of packing up my messy house. I’ve become very comfortable here. Despite the the loud barrio noises and all the other negative things I’ve complained about in the past, this is my home now. And I love it here. This is my comfort zone. The USA is no longer familiar and comfortable to me. Why then am I leaving? It’s hard to explain, but just like when I first moved down here, I feel like I’m doing what God wants me to do. I’m not excited at all right now about leaving, but somewhere deep inside, underneath all the sadness I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for my future. I will miss all my Dominican friends and family tremendously though. Here’s just a few of the people I’ll miss……</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KG81zCKI/AAAAAAAABI8/-HQFkf3IhrA/s1600-h/minerva%205-25-08%20travesia%20NY%20team%20and%20more%20080%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="minerva 5-25-08 travesia NY team and more 080" border="0" alt="minerva 5-25-08 travesia NY team and more 080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KHsIgTnI/AAAAAAAABJA/WBtQvlLfHdA/minerva%205-25-08%20travesia%20NY%20team%20and%20more%20080_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KIYEz5_I/AAAAAAAABJE/CykTYLjlBdY/s1600-h/Mota%20Family%20%286%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Mota Family (6)" border="0" alt="Mota Family (6)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KIxMJaiI/AAAAAAAABJI/seFb_u-YZ-g/Mota%20Family%20%286%29_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KJYyZ-fI/AAAAAAAABJM/MQeDc35XndU/s1600-h/Mota%20family-%20gabi%20%285%29%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Mota family- gabi (5)" border="0" alt="Mota family- gabi (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KKObDcfI/AAAAAAAABJQ/uRlJUK_JBnY/Mota%20family-%20gabi%20%285%29_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KKtP0iII/AAAAAAAABJU/istOPU3iqpI/s1600-h/Ramirez%20Family%20%281%29%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Ramirez Family (1)" border="0" alt="Ramirez Family (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KLYDpS5I/AAAAAAAABJY/EBLBoax21PI/Ramirez%20Family%20%281%29_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KMFL2xTI/AAAAAAAABJc/NWGHo7lTxRU/s1600-h/Valerio%20Family%20%2812%29%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Valerio Family (12)" border="0" alt="Valerio Family (12)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KMjKHp2I/AAAAAAAABJg/X81vm_AOR0E/Valerio%20Family%20%2812%29_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="176" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KNNzipMI/AAAAAAAABJk/hvc4-U6kSl4/s1600-h/Valerio%20Family%20%2819%29%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Valerio Family (19)" border="0" alt="Valerio Family (19)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KN5IO8VI/AAAAAAAABJo/Mr_5yXQFNc8/Valerio%20Family%20%2819%29_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="122" height="176" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KOhyt4iI/AAAAAAAABJs/6FEreZH_92g/s1600-h/Aneudy%206-26-05%20team%20events%20029%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aneudy 6-26-05 team events 029" border="0" alt="Aneudy 6-26-05 team events 029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KPStKuVI/AAAAAAAABJw/r6D7aqWqt6Q/Aneudy%206-26-05%20team%20events%20029_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="193" height="256" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KP3M4YwI/AAAAAAAABJ0/A5OqrxeebPg/s1600-h/ANeudy%20jiu%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ANeudy jiu" border="0" alt="ANeudy jiu" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KQQyktkI/AAAAAAAABJ4/oemMEOiLQaw/ANeudy%20jiu_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="256" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KRKZ1tgI/AAAAAAAABJ8/t_9cBemP4ZY/s1600-h/Maria%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Maria 2" border="0" alt="Maria 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KR-_HO0I/AAAAAAAABKA/MMbkqWHbC0w/Maria%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KSZ2gHfI/AAAAAAAABKE/q-1qdCAmRUc/s1600-h/DSC_0627%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0627" border="0" alt="DSC_0627" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KTJcrlpI/AAAAAAAABKI/dImemeCFEsY/DSC_0627_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KUFX-yvI/AAAAAAAABKM/zRDU5n507_w/s1600-h/Idekel%2012-8-04%20various%20006%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Idekel 12-8-04 various 006" border="0" alt="Idekel 12-8-04 various 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KUk2q2GI/AAAAAAAABKQ/d_lVRpdp4Sg/Idekel%2012-8-04%20various%20006_thumb%5B12%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KVkydmxI/AAAAAAAABKU/pMOyIKkTWmg/s1600-h/Idekel%208-1-08%20026%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Idekel 8-1-08 026" border="0" alt="Idekel 8-1-08 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TH3KWOxE3SI/AAAAAAAABKY/ORb65T2WtpQ/Idekel%208-1-08%20026_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="177" height="261" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-58436443878532499062010-08-26T11:25:00.001-04:002010-08-26T11:25:34.156-04:00The Most Beautiful Beach Ever<p>While Bau was working hard with the team from NY I got to join the TEARS school teachers on an overnight camping trip to northeast corner of the island. We hiked to beautiful waterfall –El Salto de Limon, camped on the beach, and spent the day at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world- Playa Rincon.  Our guides made the long hours on the road fun by teaching us what makes the provinces we were passing through unique, teaching us fun games and songs the teachers can do with their students, and by stopping to buy specialty foods in each city – breads, cheeses, and sweets. So much fun!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHPwJ6LdI/AAAAAAAABHw/B8rEjv_qrrI/s1600-h/zDSC_00016.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0001" border="0" alt="zDSC_0001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHQXc4j-I/AAAAAAAABH0/QNzPacVbpb4/zDSC_0001_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHReAYTOI/AAAAAAAABH4/LiheknrFhZE/s1600-h/zDSC_00106.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0010" border="0" alt="zDSC_0010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHSIkKyHI/AAAAAAAABH8/e9O62PI1gQA/zDSC_0010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHSp7o4fI/AAAAAAAABIA/QjZokFzOMX0/s1600-h/zDSC_00476.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0047" border="0" alt="zDSC_0047" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHTFbI3RI/AAAAAAAABIE/QESxu43_NIY/zDSC_0047_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHTlkRZ-I/AAAAAAAABIM/pnrCJeJP6UQ/s1600-h/zDSC_00876.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0087" border="0" alt="zDSC_0087" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHUYuSfrI/AAAAAAAABIQ/icVeR_ijlF8/zDSC_0087_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="282" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHVOQDLGI/AAAAAAAABIU/fPPejCwIKVU/s1600-h/zDSC_01348.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0134" border="0" alt="zDSC_0134" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHV3xhd6I/AAAAAAAABIY/kdAwqE9fblQ/zDSC_0134_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="386" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHWydK3PI/AAAAAAAABIc/cvbGCn6XOnw/s1600-h/zDSC_01906.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0190" border="0" alt="zDSC_0190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHXt7u-mI/AAAAAAAABIg/X8FWrvaluSc/zDSC_0190_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHYq3ZL-I/AAAAAAAABIk/ajqHs4urFLg/s1600-h/zDSC_02476.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0247" border="0" alt="zDSC_0247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo7ZEUyfGz8adOVaw_ALYlNQET579pwQ_T5TyxKnRaFBDjO1T1A7gWR3_wfxlW2fBDDw36bwkZUCOrWDn9DeFsvrkbdAftnkwNecUZkosoyhgNp_BdAQpAkMAErxE1v02oQ_VA4IxAFvA/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHapr2vMI/AAAAAAAABIs/YuC2BPH7w-c/s1600-h/zDSC_02876.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="zDSC_0287" border="0" alt="zDSC_0287" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/THaHbQAT0_I/AAAAAAAABIw/eRFPsU01rAw/zDSC_0287_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-43860002551037141982010-07-25T16:05:00.000-04:002010-07-28T16:07:20.872-04:00Coconuts<p>The other day I found out that the liquid within a young coconut is one of the richest sources of electrolytes known to man. That the water, or milk, as some call it, is nearly identical to blood plasma. And that when you drink fresh coconut water, it’s as if you’ve given yourself an instant blood transfusion. <br />So, after being in a country full of young coconuts for nearly ten years, I thought it might be good to buy one and try this miracle drink for the first time. I found a guy in the barrio who could get me any amount of coconuts I wanted, so I had him bring me ten. It literally took me an hour to get the liquid out of the first one. For most of the following nine coconuts I was fortunate to find people who know how to use a machete who helped me get the miracle liquid. It is so much work, yet I must say it’s well worth it! I’m giving credit to the young coconuts for my good health these past few weeks. And now I’ve learned that the coconut salesman can peel them a little bit so they’re easier for me to open. <br />If you haven’t tried a young coconut before I highly recommend it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCN9HO4-DI/AAAAAAAABG4/4HQ0lHWdKI8/s1600-h/DSC_0261%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0261" border="0" alt="DSC_0261" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCN9oHvHYI/AAAAAAAABG8/RvT0C_z-hOs/DSC_0261_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="274" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6251626965932927958.post-67442439855347356442010-07-24T16:22:00.000-04:002010-07-28T16:25:37.649-04:00garbage<p>The new Governor of La Vega will be taking office on August 16th, so as expected here, the present Governor has pretty much stopped doing his old responsibilities. For example, the garbage men only pick up garbage if they are given funds to do so, and supposedly he hasn’t been giving them the money. We went well over a month in the barrio without getting our garbage picked up. It was so bad that it was not uncommon to see up to thirty rice sacks full of garbage stacked up in front of a vacant house. Others even made a small business of carrying people’s garbage off to the nearest garbage bin in the city. <br />I’m looking forward to seeing if things get better when the new Governor takes office.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCRe2leGGI/AAAAAAAABHA/LGIo0VJNK2A/s1600-h/one%20month%20and%20no%20garbage%20pickup%20%284%29%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="one month and no garbage pickup (4)" border="0" alt="one month and no garbage pickup (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCRfgbIgbI/AAAAAAAABHE/KSbbeW8iUfc/one%20month%20and%20no%20garbage%20pickup%20%284%29_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="406" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCRhJOnB8I/AAAAAAAABHI/2hqmn9gMkOA/s1600-h/one%20month%20and%20no%20garbage%20pickup%20%282%29%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="one month and no garbage pickup (2)" border="0" alt="one month and no garbage pickup (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCRjPqkjmI/AAAAAAAABHM/bEeaOKDGf4s/one%20month%20and%20no%20garbage%20pickup%20%282%29_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="294" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF5dVmSGieU9jR0ZKns-GOCwL4zSjMnFmpVIR6XomHKt2YXRhjutudSUjDuuWjh6NaJNtbKGDchEcTlI3lkz_iFAGpNUlMUg27fJZSamWows9zGL2Dk3d1blF9TCHm8eqvgQ0AoxP6-mX/s1600-h/DSC_0443%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0443" border="0" alt="DSC_0443" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vq9XOuuYYQo/TFCRkji6ERI/AAAAAAAABHU/742U0mFdQGY/DSC_0443_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="406" /></a></p> Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01025147464074756466noreply@blogger.com0