Life is great in Boca Chica....and extremely busy.
Highlights in February:
Chicas Brillantes Regional Conference-- I took two girls and a co-facilitator to a conference outside of La Vega up on a mountain above the city the second weekend in February (see pic). "Chicas Brillantes" is an extension of a world-wide Peace Corps gender initiative, "Camp GLOW". It's purpose is to build self-esteem and an awareness of gender related issues among young women in the DR, and the specific purpose of the conference was to help us get our youth groups started. The girls (and I) had a blast--listened to some amazing charlas, pushed some personal boundaries and made new friends from around the country. Our Chicas Brillantes group is now 20 girls strong and two meetings in, so the momentum seemed to work!
First month in my own place-- So while living alone can be a bit daunting for a scaredy -cat like me (especially in the middle of the night [every night] when car alarms are going off in front of my house!), the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks. Having my own space to come home to at the end of a hectic day is wonderful and my apartment is cozy and perfect.
Nelle's visit-- My good friend from college came down as part of her Masters research and did a session with my organization on publicity to spark enthusiasm behind the website we (I) are working on getting up and running. We had a whirlwind week between hanging with the host family in the capital--Bachata concert, family beach day (14 people in 2 cars!) and work in Boca Chica. It was great catching up and Nelle helped me ease into my new apartment!
Becoming a godmother!-- A cousin of my host family asked me to be godmother to her daughter Nashla (see pic). This was not an official church baptism (which comes later apparently) but a neighborhood baptism performed by an old respected woman in the community. I had to hold the baby along with the godfather (me the body, he the feet) while water was sprinkled and prayers were said and ceremonially hand her off to her mother as a new Christian. The short ceremony was, of course, followed by a rowdy family celebration complete with Sancocho and Presidente.
Carnaval!!!- The Dominican Republic is apparently second only to Brazil in its Carnaval celebrations. I went to La Vega on Sunday, the the city with the largest and most cultural celebration. The revelry was, for me, a mix between Mardi Gras and what I understand to be traditional carnaval. Paraders wore colorful suits likened to the "Mardi Gras Indians" of New Orleans but had devilish scary masks covering their faces. Each "tribe" had their designated devils with giant rubber balls (filled with something heavy...felt like rocks!) on a string that would wind them up and hit anyone in shooting range on the backside. Whenever that group came through periodically the crowd desperately inched away. I thought I had escaped my lashing, but near the end one snuck up behind me. Even with a few beers in me, it still ached for almost an hour! Aside from that smarting tradition, the celebration was colorful and magical.
My family comes in less than two weeks. I can't wait to see them!
Phrase of the week (I guess I should change this to month;) )--
"Dime a ver"
Literally translates into "Tell me, Lets see" but this is a phrase of greeting used by many Dominicans similar to "What's up" or "What's goin on", especially when answering the telephone. No "hola como estas" but lets get down to business! For those of you from the Full House generation, it reminds me of Uncle Jesse's infamous telephone greeting "Taaaalk to me".
