I've arrived!!! (+ mailing address)

I'm sitting at the training center in Santo Domingo looking out at the mango trees and tropical flowers.  This is a beautiful place.  We just finished our second day of Peace Corps training, during which I digested more information than I have in a LONG time.  I met my host family yesterday and will be living with them for the next 3 weeks here in the outskirts of Santo Domingo.  Running water comes sometimes, and electricity is intermittent, although my family uses a "car battery" (as they explained it) to light the house when the neighborhood loses electricity.  So, in that sense, I am very lucky.  I took my first bucket bath this morning.  It was really refreshing and saves a LOT of water!  Pouring a bucket of cold water over your head when you've been sweating in the 90 degree humidity is wonderful.

After the three weeks, I will be traveling to the interior of the country to a town called Constanza for our rural community based training, which lasts 5 weeks.  It's supposed to be beautiful, so I'm looking forward to that!

In case anyone wants to send me mail, I'm going to write my address below.  Snailmail letters and/or photos will be SO appreciated!  They discourage receiving big packages, because they usually get caught up in Dominican Post Office and you have to pay a bunch of fees.  However, large-ish padded envelopes shouldn't have a problem getting through.  Thanks!!

Address:

Natalie Ferrell, PCT (Peace Corps Trainee, starting in November this will be PCV-Peace Corps Vol)
Cuerpo de Paz
Avendia Bolivar 451, Gazcue
Apartado 1412
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic