Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Sonia and family

It can be difficult to explain who people are here and I know them.  I just end up say that everyone is my neighbor.  Sonia is my landlady and sudo Mom.  Her husband owns half of the land in my community and have about 50 cows.  They have 10 people working for them daily.  Her husband went blind and had a stroke, so he is pretty immobile and barely speaks, so Sonia takes care of their home and the business.

She is a pretty awesome cook.  Her fried chicken is delicious.  She makes breakfast and lunch daily for the  workers and her family. She has two sons, Daniel is 20, George Luis is 24, and her daughter, Rosa is almost 15.  I eat at their house at least once a day. Sergio, her husband grumbles to for them to send me home with limes, bananas, and avocados from their farm.

If I am not at my house I am probably chillin at Sonia's house.  They have an inversor = 24/7 electricity,  comfy chairs, and occasional milkshakes.  If I don't pop in to say hi before noon, she will send someone over.  The other day, her nephew was sent to ask what was wrong with me, was I sick, because I hadn't been to visit that morning.  She sent her daughter another day,  to inform me she made soup and I needed to go eat mine.

The last time I went to the pueblo, I went with her and her youngest son.  That's when I attended the surprise funeral.  When she talks it sounds very bossy, but in a motherly way.  "Take this. Sit down. Come, we are leaving. Get in the truck."   It makes me smile.

I was informed the other night while we were watching our soap opera, 'Los Herederos del Monte', that when my parents come visit, they are going to butcher a pig for the occasion.

I feel lucky to have found this great family.  I look forward to many more delicious meals and relaxing hours spent in their rocker.

School

The state of the education system here is, to be blunt, disgusting. Classes were set to begin last Monday.  Due to the hurricane, the President canceled classes.  This Monday, the school was going to open, but no, the teachers canceled class to have a meeting.  The government recently gave them a pay raise, and then cut their insurance.  Today, Tuesday, all of the children should be headed to school.  There were10-15 children who showed up.  My neighbor's children didn't go, she stated that today is Tuesday, the week is almost over, she'll send her girls on Monday, and plus they don't have new hair ribbons.

So, two weeks will have past before the teachers can start instructing the whole class.  If it rains (we are in the midst of hurricane season) nobody attends class.  If it's a holiday, they take the day before and the day after off too.

I am set to have an after school program to help those kids whose parents are illiterate with their homework.  Hopefully I can make a small difference.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Hurricane Irene

Monte Bo was saved from the wrath of Irene.  It has been overcast and a gentle breeze blows, which has been a  pleasant change from our hot, sunny afternoons.  The worst of the storm hit last night when we had heavy rain combined with wind.

I made arroz con leche (rice pudding) yesterday afternoon.  It is the one Dominican dessert I can't get enough of.  There was lots of sharing, and I finished the rest of it off this morning for breakfast.

My neighbor ladies just discussed another approaching storm while we had morning coffee; they think I'm fancy because I have powdered creamer.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Campo Smoothie

I have been dreaming of whipping up a smoothie ever since I got to this fresh fruit filled country.  Today, my dream was fulfilled!  It was no easy feat to put it together.

First, I spotted the nearest colmado owner enjoying strawberries.  My mouth was watering as I asked him where he found them.  Turns out he brought them from Santo Domnigo.  He gifted me four.  The little neighbor girl saw me carting them home and asked for one, and another one for her sister.  Ugh, I'm down to two strawberries 

I went on to look for bananas at another colmado.  They were out.  Maybe tomorrow they told me.  I then saw a little friend of mine eating grapes.  I asked her which way the grape lady (a Haitian woman who walks around with a huge bucket of grapes balanced on her head) went.  I didn't end up finding her, but I did score some bananas while visiting Celia (where I paint my nails).

While walking back to my house, bananas in hand, my landlord, Sonya, handed me a sack of limes.  I borrowed Maciel's blender.  Combined my strawberries, a banana, lime juice, milk, and dry oatmeal (if you have never put dry oats in your smoothie you must try it.).  I drank my smoothie with great satisfaction.  


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Cornbread and Tutoring


While in the capital last week I bought a dutch oven or olla horno.  This special little device allows me to bake on the stove top.  Yesterday I decided to christen my olla horno with a loaf of corn bread.  I used to have a serious obsession with corn bread, so I am pretty good at making it.  There isn't a stick of butter to be found in this country, so I will have to be a creative baker.  I'm sure there will be many less than fabulous baked goods.

The first loaf was a little dry and didn't rise.  The Dominicans didn't seem to mind though; it was gone in minutes.  My neighbor Maciel loved it so much, she asked if we could bake another loaf.  The second attempt was better than the first.  It was more moist, but still did not rise properly.  Here is the recipe I used, I tweaked it a bit to better suite the available ingredients.


  • Olla Horno Corn Bread
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup azucar crema
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • *note: due to lack of measuring cups, just eyeball measurements

This is a sharing culture.  If someone comes over, you offer them coffee or juice, rice or boiled bananas.  My neighbors bring me bowls of rice and beans, tostones and fried chicken, and rice pudding.  In keeping with this theme, I need to give them whatever I make.  After I saw how quickly my corn bread disappeared, I decided that when I make something it has to be large amounts so I can share with half of Monte Bonito.  

Maciel and I are going to make brownies or a chocolate cake today.  We discussed baking in secret so we don't have to share.

I started tutoring my first literacy student, my friend and old neighbor Albania.  She is a mother of 2 who used to work at a hotel in Punta Cana.  She knows the alphabet and the basics of reading and writing.  We are using an old first grade workbook.  I am impressed by her motivation and work ethic.  We had a serious discussion about her wanting more out of life than just cooking and cleaning for her less than amazing husband.  

School starts next Monday.  The kids are all getting ready. I look forward to visiting the school and helping in anyway that I can.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Great Homecoming

I got back to my site today after almost a week in Santo Domingo where I attended a conference to present my diagnostic and work on my 1 year project plan.

My last night in the capital I went to see the new Harry Potter movie, and had pizza and beer for dinner.  It was a great end to my trip.

I brought a ton of goods back to my community.  I now have a dutch oven which I can use to make quick breads and brownies on the stove top.  I also have a sleeping bag, some wash tubs for dishes, a collection of children's stories, a stock of lactose free milk and a loaf of wheat bread.

The book caused quite a frenzy.  After I saw their excitement I decided I want to create a library here.

The toilet was installed yesterday in my latrine, it is amazing.  My neighbors and I all gathered around to awe at it's greatness.

A truck came around today selling chickens.  I couldn't help but get one.  It is staying in my neighbor's chicken coop until I construct one.  It is still pretty young.  I'll let you know when I have my first egg.

Needless to say it has been an exciting and exhausting day.  I am ready to relax tomorrow and bake some brownies to share with everyone.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Latrine

The shack in my yard that serves as my 'bathroom' has been stressing me out a bit.  I have forever had a dislike for port-a-potties, outhouses, and biffies.  My only stipulation for a house during my search was an indoor bathroom.  An actual room in your house to bathe and do your business is very convenient (please note how pleasant your experience is next time you enjoy your bathroom).  Note: Here it is rare to find a flushing toilet; you have to manually flush with a bucket of water.


Needless to say, with my luck, there were no available houses with indoor bathrooms.  I thought it wouldn't be too bad.  After all it was my own private latrine and in pretty good condition.  Let's just say, I am not as good at roughing it as others.  I trying adding a toilet seat, hoping that it would improve my experience, but no, I was still uncomfortable.

So, after a community wide discussion about my comfort level and 'bad aim' I purchased a second hand toilet  that is being installed in my latrine while I am away.

I can't wait to see my new and improved latrine!


Monday, August 8, 2011

Maciel

I have this awesome neighbor, Marciel.  She gifts me coffee, food, her kitchen utensils, borrows me her wash machine.  She is all around amazing.  Her two daughters are great as well.  We all play dominoes and chat on their porch.  Today we were talking about her back; she has some sort of back issue and needs surgery which she cannot afford.  I asked her how old she is and was shocked to find out she is 23, the same age as me!  Her motherly nature makes her seem older, and in some ways she seems wiser.  I then thought about our two lives, and how completely different they are.  She has been married 11 years, has 2 children, built her own home with her husband, and is attending night school to get her high school diploma in hopes of going to the university to become a teacher.  I am single, without children, and have my bachelors degree.  I think we bond over our love for cake.

This reminds me of the documentary Babies.  I have only seen the trailer but I would love to watch it.  It follows babies in their first year in various parts of the world.  Have any of you watched it?

I leave for to the capital tomorrow for our 3 Month In Service Training.  My project partner is going with me, and I can't wait to see him interact with the other volunteers and project partners.  It may be awkward at times as well, because I haven't spend such a prolonged period of time with him.

I want to post about my house, but it will be much more exciting with pictures.  I need to work on getting a camera, and then I can give you a glimpse of my fabulous life here.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Cyclone Emily

I am here in San Juan waiting in a hotel for the cyclone/tropical storm to pass.  I received a call yesterday from the PC telling me I needed to pack my things and get to San Juan right away.  The storm has yet to arrive and the weather is hot and sunny.  Hopefully it turns out to be a mild cyclone.

Update: The Southwest is expected to get heavy rain, 20-25 inches.  We will continue to wait out the storm in our hotel.

Update 2: Emily has passed and I will return to Monte Bonito this afternoon.  I hope the road up to my site is passable after the rain.