Decision Made

I have decided against cementing my house.  After I wrote my post about the pros and cons I had initially decided to go for it.  I went over to tell my landlord my plan, and ask for a discount on my rent.  [Note: my landlord is blind and had a stroke years ago, so he doesn't see, walk, or speak].  He is a little intense, so I just blurted it out.  He shook his head violently and told me through his wife that the house is fine as is.  I quietly explained that the wood is full of holes and is falling off the house.  Then he agreed to replace the wood, free of charge.  What a deal!  With all the money I am saving, I think I am going to paint the new wood once it is up.

Anonymous, want to come help me paint?

The only downfall to this is the Dominican sense of time.  I would not be surprised if it took 6 months to start the project.  I will keep you updated on the progress.

lack of pictures

I would like to apologize for my lack of posts lately.  I have been feeling a bit uninspired.  Maybe it is the absence of pictures to post.

My camera, along with the computer I initially brought with me were stolen back in June.  I have a little netbook now, which had some issues, but it is in better working order after a fellow volunteer did a little work.   My lovely parents sent me a package with a camera and a jacket back in August, but it still has not arrived.

In the process of trying to track down this lost package, there was a bit of a situation the other day.  The DR postal service confirmed that my package was at their office and just needed to be picked up and paid for,  but it didn't end up being that simple.  After some failed communication, and a lot of frustration, I still do not have this darn package.  Maybe next week.  I did receive a wonderful care package from my Auntie Shelly, so all was not lost.

I will be at language training all week starting tomorrow.  Before heading back to my site Friday I will hopefully pick up my camera.  Send good vibes my way to make this possible.

Chilly weather and failed meetings

The mornings here have always been crisp, but as summer winds down and we move into fall the mornings and nights are down right chilly.  Along with cooler weather I was hoping for less rain...hasn't happened yet.

There have been two literacy meetings now, yesterday and the Friday before.  The first meeting was a complete failure.  One person showed up.  After the disappointment I decided I needed to rally.  So, last week I went around to every neighborhood advising people about the meeting.

That Friday after, the rain clouds clung to the mountains.  At three o'clock I watch a curtain of rain come towards my house.  I sighed deeply knowing attendance at the meeting in two hours would be slim.  When five rolled around, I walked the short distance to the school only to find it empty.  I had expected late arrivals, but as a half an hour rolled past I was still alone, disappointment once again.

By six, there were five students, and my two facilitators.

I am planning on trying again.  This next time I am going to try an attendance raffle and refreshments.

Two pictures and a dilemma

Literacy

This picture was taken in the school during a graduation ceremony for literacy students.  The program lasted 3 of the 6 required months because the wrong workbooks were received.  Most of the students write their name and two of them can read simple sentences.  There is definitely room for improvement, and I am happy to report that most of these women will be taking the course again starting in January.  

The man gesturing towards me is my project partner, Robert.  I call him Ayendi.  This was one of the first days in my community and he is introducing me to everyone and telling them all they need to take care of me. 

Next summer, I hope there will be a graduation ceremony for my literacy program.  I want all of the students to be able to read multiple word sentences and know basic mathematics.   

pancakes

This is a picture of me, eating pancakes, in the dark, at my new table, in my house.  My dilemma has nothing to do with pancakes.  Look behind the syrup and chocolate milk carton at my wall.  You see a crude slab of cement and some of the wood poking out.  You can kind of see where the slab ends and the wood begins.  I have been debating whether I should cement my whole house.  

Here are some reasons to go ahead with the project:

• Lack of privacy because there are many holes in the wood.
• No protection from the elements, because water and wind enter these holes.
• Aesthetics: The walls are just plain ugly.
• I will leave a cozy, private, and good looking house for someone to live in when I leave.

Reasons I should leave the walls as they are:

• Cost: 5,000 pesos 
• Time: I will only be here for 20 more months (I have been here 7 months already!)
• Inconvenience of living somewhere else while the work is completed, even though many people have offered to have me stay with them
• Where do I draw the line?  After the cement I would have an uncontrollable urge to paint.

There are alternatives.  My parents suggested I put cardboard up over the wood.  It would act as an insulator and cover the holes for privacy and protection from the elements.  I am not sure what this does for aesthetics, but this is Peace Corps.   

The other option, suggested by my Dominican neighbors, is curtains, because no good Dominican home is complete with out them.  Curtains on the doorways, curtains on the windows, curtains on the walls, curtains covering the tables, one can never have enough curtains.  The problem with this is, I am just not a curtain person; they are expensive and ugly.  (I can't wait to show you the curtain my neighbor put up in the doorway to my room.  It is teal with flowers and glitter.)

I may end up with cardboard covered by curtains.  I am welcoming any suggestions you may have.