Thanksgiving in the DR
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2005
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15
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Trip End
Nov 07, 2007
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Well, I am now officially a Peace Corps Volunteer! I have fought the good fight and made it through.
The ceremony was very nice and our "families" attended. Afterwards, we all went into the city and ended up at TGI Fridays. Yes, they have that here. It felt strange. And was very expensive for a PCVs salary, but we didn't seem to care. The waiters even had more "flair" than the TGIFs in the states. QUite the scene. The restaurant was in a plaza that resembled something you would see in Vegas or New York. It doesn't really seem like PC LIving. Of course, I am not going to be living anywhere near a TGIFs for the next two years, so I don't feel too bad.
Thanksgiving was a blast and much more spectacular than I expected. PCDR rented out a country club in the nice part of Santo Domingo for all of us and most of the volunteers from around the Country attended. there were all sorts of activities; There were basketball tournaments, a pool, and of course, Thanksgiving dinner with Turkey and pie. That night, they had a dance competition and a talent show, and I was roped into singing for the Talent show. It was a blast! Everyone was complimenting me on my singing, and it made my spirits rise for not being able to spend Thanksgiving with family. I suppose that now, the other PCVs are my surrogate family in a way. I couldn't beleive how much fun we all had and how much comraderie was contained in the celebration. It was as if we all knew what the other was going through.
The next day was our all-volunteer conference and that night everyone went to a posh club in Santo Domingo which is located underground in a cave. That was a very interesting experience, but also a disheartening one when I realized how much drinks were. But nonetheless, I was able to shake my booty all night.
Tomorrow I leave for my site, and it has been a hectic day of trying to get things done. I cannot believe that I am finally going to my site and that Training is over. For the next three months, I will be doing a community diagnostic to find out the needs of the community. I am very nervous to go to my site, but I have realized that positivity is a very powerful tool.
Just to let you all know, that if you send packages, I will be going into the Capital once a month or less, so if you send them, it might take me a while to get them. But I still appreciate them very much! Thank you to all of you that have sent your well wishes and packages. You all mean the world to me!
