My ABC's of My First Year in the DR

 
I'm officially finished with my first year in the Dominican Republic!! I want to remember everything about my year, but I also know that that is impossible. So I decided to write out an alphabetized list of 26 things that in some how or some way are a part of my life here this year. Then, as I began to think about it, I realized that this little project of mine could have a dual purpose. Not only do you get a glimpse into everyday life in the DR, you can also use it to pray for me! Pick your favorite letter and pray for me in that area. Now, not all areas below are really "pray-able" seeing as I had to stretch for some of them (as you will soon find out!), but use your imagination or just pick a different letter! :)

In order to keep these posts to a reasonable length, I'll just post a few letters at a time.

Here we go!!!

A-Amazing Race~ Every Wednesday six of us would gather around our table to eat dinner together. We’d rotate who’d cook for everyone and so we all got to know each other’s regular fare. For example, Jenn cooks a mean vodka pasta, Melissa was always surprising us with delicious “first tries”, and Becky’s amazing guac was addicting!!  Then after dinner, we'd move into the TV room to watch the Amazing Race participants make their way around the world to win fame and fortune.  We have ached to join them in some of their adventures and others adventures, we are thankful we can’t experience (cup massages, anyone?)   So many laughs and good times came from these nights, not to mention the friendships. How grateful I am for this group and how lucky I am that I got to join in this tradition. 

B-botellones ~ Botellones are just the big jugs of water that we use for our drinking water. (Think water cooler jugs of water.) Because we can't drink the water in the DR, we have to get our drinking water in a different way. First, you call the colmado (more about that in the letter C, but think a grocery delivery service) and tell them how many botellones you need (which if you aren’t confident with the language could be a very frustrating experience even though it’s only a few sentences), and then they come deliver the water to your door. The water is super cheap (around a $1/botellon). While this isn’t a big “thing” and it doesn’t really affect me that much, it’s a small, somewhat interesting tidbit into life in the DR. 

C- colmado~ Remember how I mentioned calling the colmado for water? Let me explain in more detail the wonderfulness of colmados! Basically, a colmado is a small corner grocery store that will deliver whatever you need (if they have it.) Let’s say you go to the store and when you get home you realize you forgot the flour. Instead of going through the hassle of calling a taxi, going back out and then getting the taxi back home, just call the colmado! Tell them you need some flour and a few minutes later, he’s standing at your door with your flour! So very convenient! Don’t you wish you had colmados where you live?

D- Deysi~ Deysi is only the most fantastic maid you will ever know! She does so much for our house! She cleans, dusts (because EVERYTHING gets dusty in the DR), does the laundry and oh, so much more. It’s such a nice feeling to walk into our house after she has been there and everything is fresh and clean.  But she is so much more than a “maid”. Her sweet heart and cheerful attitude are smile-inducing for sure! Sometimes, when I've come home from school and she's still there, I can hear her singing Spanish hymns. Such joy! And, when I’ve been home sick, not only will she clean quietly letting me rest, she’ll insist on making chicken soup for lunch and make enough for my dinner too. She is quite the gift and I’m so grateful for her!