And so I left this:
And wanted to cry.
Loser, I know. But I've lived with Dulce for three months. And other host families for three months before that. Looking out onto this...
But I had a ton of help. Which was good and bad. Lots of "JULIE! JULIE!" and putting my things everywhere I didn't want them. Haha but! I got everything nearly organized except for my Sala de Tarea. Cuz I have far too many papers and books to sort through.
Here is my bedroom:
That beautiful curtain (Dominican door) was given to me by Dulce along with bed sheets and pillow cases. I was ready to sleep in my sleeping bag but she would have none of that :)
The view out my bedroom window :D
I have an extra bed! Yoba said I could use it! It's gross and uncomfortable but I figure it's better than the floor if I have more than a few guests :D
Look at that beautiful shower curtain (hung by strings and not shower hooks :P)! Ugh so in love. And for those of you who send me prayers? Pray that that huge tank doesn't get taken from me?? I just don't want to have to fetch my water at the river despite wanting to learn how to carry buckets on my head like the Dominicans do... Also:
The notes from my momma that were all in my suitcases when I got to the DR. And:
Those from my papa to enjoy while I DON'T SQUAT OVER A HOLE CUZ I HAVE AN ACTUAL TOILET! :D
Kitchen.
Oh yes I am a Master Cooker! Or at least... I'm trying to convince myself that. At least my silverware and plateware will make me happy with all those colors while I'm eating gross food!
Living room. All that you see here will eventually get taken away from me. I will be sure to have an awesome dance party though cuz it'll be spacious enough!
I also have a Hammock spot in the back which I forgot to take a picture of. After everything I was so ready to cook myself an amazing dinner of pancakes. Buuuuut.... I found out I was missing stuff to hook up my stove and the gas tank. So! I went to Dulce's and asked her if I could eat there one more time. She laughed at me and fed me yucca :)
I returned home and the water se fue so I had to bucket shower my first night. But I used the WHOLE BUCKET (no, no not the big tank) just cuz I could since I was all by myself. So good with it :)
I then partied by myself with chocolate milk and soda, FaceTimed with lots of family and passed out around 2:30. Alone. In my own bed that I bought. In my own place that will be my home for two years :D
I woke up the next morning around 7:30am not remembering where I was haha. but I laid in bed soaking in the privacy for an hour or so. I eventually got up, hung my hammock outside and ate a delicious granola bar for breakfast while swinging. For whatever reason I felt that I needed to do something so I migrated into my Sala de Tarea to try and get organized. A few girls came by so I had them make some wall art for the room which they loved. Fredito then came to take me abajo to buy a big jug of water, the connector for my stove and yucca, platanos, rice, beans, eggs, salami, corn, candles, etc. It was very overwhelming since I had never bought these things before I didn't know how. Like how many pounds if yucca or rice I wanted. Or beans. They laughed at me and while I was defeated, I had to laugh too.
I then got stopped by a woman who wants her daughter to take English classes with me. I told her once a week for an hour starting in October. She was not happy with that. We proceeded to argue for a few minutes about how she thinks I need to have it at least twice a week for two hours. After all, I'm free nights and weekends, right? Wrong. I told her I'm at this school in the morning, El Batey in the afternoon. And I plan for the next day in the nighttime. El Puerto Fridays (not set in stone yet but she doesn't need to know that). And Quisqueya Aprende Contigo classes Saturday and Sunday. And can I have at least a half day to rest? AND the class is free! It's something extra, outside of the PC! I think she understood but still wasn't happy about it.. Lol I was very frustrated but happy I stood my ground.
Fredito and I got back and I was so ready to just make coffee! Until he told me my gas tank was empty... I thought I bought it full. Nope. I just sat on the floor and started crying. Hahaha he was so good about it and told me all about when he was first learning how to fix motos. He made mistake after mistake after mistake until he learned. But once he learned, he never forgot. Which is what I'll do, he said. So he then took me to fill my tank and wouldn't let me pay him for the trip. We got back and I made coffee. And it was awful. Way too strong and we had to add a TON of sugar to make it drinkable hahaha. I'm learning! Then a Haitian came by and sat with us. It was fascinating because he speaks Creole and despite living here for 16 years, hardly knows Spanish. I was able to catch his mistakes and had a hard time understanding at times. But then we started talking about his language. I busted out my notes and started learning Creole! I really want to learn since there are so many Haitians in my community and tons of my kids know Creole but with the racism that exists here, they're ashamed of it. So I want to learn so they know I care... A little boy who lives next to me (and is 10 and in first grade...and his sister is in third and is 13. Do the math...) came by and I asked if he would help me learn. With the biggest and brightest smile I've ever seen here, he said yes!
At 2:30 I headed to the birthday party of Samuel's little sister. She turned 2. I stopped by to see Dulce first who asked me what I ate for lunch. I answered honestly... She laughed so hard, shook her head and disappeared. Seconds later she yells, "Julie! Come!" I emerged from her room to a bowl of rice and beans and pork on the table.... hahaha God I love her.
At the party, nearly the entire campo showed up :). But all I wanted to do was leave... I just don't know if I'll ever get accustomed to seeing little girls (like 5, 6, 7 years old) gyrate in ways I have seen only at bars in the states... And the parents watch with pride... But I'll leave it at that. I hung out with niño and Dulce and Lili, got cake, and made it to the end. Afterwards I headed to the teacher that substituted for me all last week. I thought there were talleres this week but the date got moved (thank goodness!) She greeted me with the biggest hug and a Choco Rica which is the best chocolate milk EVER. And yes, fellow readers, I actually mean chocolate milk this time ;). We chatted a bit and then I had to go talk to Manuela to make sure I was good to go to start in El Batey this week. She and I also chatted for a while and it felt so great. I then passed by Dulce on her moto and she goes, "Come to my house! I'm cooking dinner for you!" I tried to argue but she just yelled louder, "COME!" She made me pasta and tostones :D I guess telling her I had an egg for lunch was an awesome idea despite having to admit a weakness. After all, I got a second lunch and dinner out of it!
And despite being on my own and feeling like I'm starting all over again learning new things, I more than survived my first day on my own! No, I didn't cook well. I spent nearly all my money (gotta wait till October for more!). I suck at making coffee. I didn't know the tank wasn't already full. I cried in front of a Dominican. And I missed Dulce.
But I have a place I can call my home. I didn't wake up at 5:30 to Moreno showering or throwing up. I laid in my hammock in the cool breeze of the morning overlooking the rice field. I eventually bought all my necessities (I think all!). I stood my ground about the English classes/my sanity. I started learning Creole (and that little boy bragged to all his friends the next day about How I was learning his language :D). I got to cook an egg cuz I wanted to. I went to a birthday party and ate cake. I visited Mavel and felt so welcome in her home. I visited Manuela who made me feel wonderful also and confirmed that I can start working in El Batey! I got dinner made for me. And I got to go to MY home at the end of the night.
It was a beautiful disaster.
Buenas noches.
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