Bright and early Saturday morning I caught a bola (free ride) down the mountain in a big truck. It had rained the night before so the mud was thick and slippery. At one point we were sliding down the mountain. I was clutching the side and thanking myself for choosing to sit inside the cab and not standing in the bed(an 80 year old woman stood instead). I had to stop in Bani before going to Santo Domingo to pick up the police report. From the capital I traveled North East to Samana and then to Las Galeras. Almost all of the kids from my training group made the trip. It was great to see everyone. We stayed at a hotel within walking distance to the beach. It rained a good amount while we were there, but we had a good time anyway. On the last day, we boated through some pretty big waves to a secluded island. There were huge cliffs, an abundance of palm trees and coconuts, and only one other group of people on the beach. I felt like we could've run into Tom Hanks from Castaway.
Obviously it was difficult to leave this amazing place, but I had to get back to my site. I spoke with my project partner and my host mom and they all missed me. Wednesay I went back to the capital and ended up hanging out too long. If I want to 'get up my mountain' I have to arrive early. So, on ThursdayI left early and I was greeted by the welcoming faces of my friends in Monte Bo (thats what the locals call it). It only took two guaguas, two hours waiting for a bola, and an expensive moto ride up the mountain.
It feels good to be 'home' though. The first day back I went to check out a house my neighbor owns. A Peace Corps volunteer that lived in this community 10 years ago rented the same house, how neat! It has two rooms and its own outhouse. There is already a bed there so I need to work on getting a stove, fridge and maybe a wash machine. I hope to be moved in within the next two weeks!
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