¡Bienvenidos a la Republica Dominicana!

Sorry for the lack of writing, but with the start of school comes the start of another hectic schedule. But since I have arrived here several weeks ago (yes, it has been going by way too fast!) I have experienced so much!

My first trip into Santiago was interesting, to say the least. I can talk all day about many things I experienced there, but i find it appropriate to start out by talking about my experience getting there. In Santiago and throughout the country they have a form of public transportation called a gua-gua, which, to say the least is a fifteen passenger van that seats 25. Need-less to say it is a very comfortable ride! haha But, I must admit, i do love taking them. Traffic here is also lovely, in all honesty I am surprised I have yet to see a crash. People here drive with a lot of belief in themselves and thus they weave in and out of traffic, blair their horns like it's their job, and, in the end it just adds a new piece to the soundtrack of Santiago (along with roosters crowing and dogs barking at all hours, especially at night). But the trip there was fun! We had a scavenger hunt that took us around town, sometimes leading to areas we had no idea existed in Santiago. But in the end we went to the Monument of the Heros of the Restauracion and had a delicious dinner with conversation at a restaurant next door.

The rest of orientation week saw us taking trips to possible service sites throughout Santiago, which included a hospice, a feeding program for children, a school in Cien Fuegos (which is one of the poorest towns in Santiago, and something that is really troubling to see. But if you want more information about Cien Fuegos email [email protected] i'll tell you about it). We also went to a place called Hogar Luby which is an orphanage that is for children with developmental problems. After much thinking I decided on Hogar Luby. For those of you who don't know, one of my classes is a service learning course which requires 4 hours of service a week, hence my time at Hogar Luby. But I have just finished my second week there and I am loving it! The kids there are kids that just need a lot of love and attention, and you can see that as you enter a room and are greeted by child after child. But, thanks to the students from last semester and the Creighton PT group that came down, we have a book that lists all their names, their pictures, and what we can do to help them, be it by stretching out their arms and legs or just doing activities with them that make them focus on one particular item. I love it there, I love the kids there, and I cannot wait to keep getting to know them!

But in keeping with the theme of academic requirements I will talk about my classes. Right now I am taking two classes (after fall break I will take a psychology course) a 6 credit course on the history, culture, theology, economy, and social justice of the Dominican Republic and the island of Santo Domingo (the D.R. and Haiti). This is one of the most interesting classes I may have ever had. It, for one, makes us focus on these issues and makes us try to understand the present state of the country and the island. Right now we are on the history and sociology of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, so we have been looking at everything from the Taínos to the arrival of Columbus (Zafa!-there is a belief that Columbus put a fúco, curse, on the island and thus whenever any aspect of Columbus (zafa!) is mentioned people say "zafa!") to the forming economically of the two countries, the colonization, revolutions here and how the last century or two has shaped the two countries today. It is really interesting and we all hang on to every word said through the 2-2 1/2 hours there. It does help that Kyle (our profe) is great! I am also taking 6 hours of spanish, which is great because, one, Edwin Paniagua (our profe) is awesome, two, we learn a lot about the culture and the language of the common Dominican (so we can use it in town!). But, although demanding, I am enjoying my classes!

I also love the people here. That goes to the people who work at ILAC, the people i encounter traveling, and, of course, everyone in communidad ocho! A great group of people to spend 4 amazing months with!

But tomorrow we are going on a weekend trip to Santo Domingo, where we will look at the economic areas there (a common issue discussed in class) while also looking at how this company has began to focus on corporate social responsibility. We will also go through the colonial zone and later spend time at la Playa Caribbean. I am excited and I cannot wait to add onto the experience here.

As always, please let me know how everything is going! Send emails with updates, or anything! But for now, adios!

¡paz y amor!

~Miguel