An Apology and Love/Loathe List

Well first off, to anyone who promised me they would religiously read my blog if I promised to update it…I apologize. But if its any consolation, June was a blur: learning a new job, adjusting to a new culture, and being out of the office 50% of the month, left me little time to reflect on life here, much less write coherent sentences about it and type it up on the failing “la lenta” (my nickname for my aging laptop who, right before coming to a caribbean island with a summer median temperature of 95 degrees, blew her little fan…and wouldn’t you know it, the external fan I bought before leaving busted 2 weeks in. So “blogging” has turned into somewhat of a chore as I roast my wrists.) :)

And July & August...well I have no excuse for not blogging.

“So what is life like in the Dominican Republic!?!?!” everyone keeps asking… Its pretty normal. I spend a good chunk of time in the office at my computer, talking on skype, answering e-mails, making calls out to DR hotels, etc. Probably one of the biggest blessings being is feeling generally capable and able to handle tough tasks that come across my desk. I feel my entrance into HOPE was a little “trial through fire” but its encouraging to see how decently I faired, considering I spent most of my formal college education “reading” Spanish literature – not making budgets and staring at spreadsheets.

What I am most thankful for here in the Dominican has been the team of HOPE & Esperanza staff that have been amazing resources, patience & understanding with me as I learn A LOT!

To all that told me it was hard to write a blog and I shot down saying “what are you talking about?!?” I apologize. Blogging has been difficulut for me because I haven’t quite figured out how to talk about the DR. Sometimes I’m head-over-heels with it and other times I want to hop the next flight out.


Things I love:
1. Dominicans love to laugh. If I have to generalize, they are probably the most “fun-loving” nation I’ve ever had the good fortune of being in. I love starting off every conversation with a warm smile, a “¿como tu e’ta?” (how are you?) a short chat about nothing, and then getting into business. Dominicans are mostly extremely accomodating and are thrilled that you funny looking red-cheeked gringa, are enjoying their country.

2. I love the mountains. Wait, can I say that again, maybe it will make more sense in spanish, ¡estoy enamorada de las montañas! I live in the city, and I know all the hype is on the “white sand beaches” and “swaying palm trees” but give me green, patchwork quilt rolling mountains and coffee growers anyday over the beach. Much of the interior of the country is left untouched by tourists and all-inclusives, which makes it all the more enjoyable.

3. Tropical fruit. I can buy bananas, mangos and chinola (passionfruit) without having to worry about the petroleum costs that went into producing them! The abundance and affordability are unbeatable.

4. Doña Esperanza. Ironically, Esperanza central offices in Santo Domingo employs one of my favorite persons in this country, who’s name is also Esperanza. Among other things, Esperanza’s job is to keep us constantly topped off with fresh Dominican coffee, naturally we are a match made in heaven.

5. Dominican sense of time. I have often joked with friends and family that I am latin at heart and that one thing I most resonate with about Dominican culture is their lack of awareness of the clock. Ok, yes, I'll admit, it makes my job hard at times - but overall I enjoy the slower pace of life and the lack of preocupation with "work" and the at times obsessive preocupation with "how's your family?" etc. The dominican clock has also helped me learn how to enjoy the moment I am in, right now. Making the most of it and learning how to chilax. (chilax= chill out & relax)


Things I’m less fond of:

1. People Lie. In the dominican nature of being extremely accomodating and not wanting to disappoint you, people will often tell you what they THINK you want to hear, which in an American’s mind, translates to lying. Now, while this doesn't happen everyday, its still pretty hard to get over for me, especially when it comes from friends.

2. The obsession with the rubia. Something I’ve struggled with from day one in latin countries, they fact that men openly and forcfully “complement” my appearance in public. Unfortunetly if dominican men are proud of one think, its their sexuality, and mistake this rubia for a mono-lingual chica and proceed to mutter a myriad of degrading comments under their breath as I walk by, sit in a cab, or attempted to pick out spaghetti sauce on aisle 12. (rubia=blonde=me)

3. Lack of open-mindedness. Let me be honest, this is an island, an island that has seen little diversity since they exterminated the Tainos a few centuries after Colombus arrived.(I know that sounds extremely harsh) I frequently encounter disbelief at how rosy my face can be with the less than polite “what wrong with your face?” comment – sharply pointing out how different I am.

But lets look at the bright side, there are more things I love than loathe...thats positive!