From Bucket Shower to Cup Shower

15 de enero 2014. Today I arose at 7am and headed to the school. I was so hoping for coffee but no one seemed to be awake haha. Definitely need to invest in my own Botellon of water cuz it doesn't seem like my Doña has a lot. And buy some coffee. And sugar. But anyways! I met the teachers again and then the director. He is a well dressed little man with a horrible comb over but seems energetic and kind. There were no classes today but just a meeting and planning day for the teachers (who are awesome and seem to have a great, fun relationship with each other). Incredible benefit from that? A few cooks made sancocho for us! My favorite Dominican dish on my second day here! Yesssss. I fought back yawns and drowsiness until noon as they just did their own work. I did however, meet the district director whom Ann knows well. He gave a speech and even I felt motivated afterwards! They all stayed but I decided to head out at noon. There really wasn't much for me to see or do at that point and I figured I could hang out in the community for the rest of the day.

Well. That turned into Máximo (son of my Doña and handy man) saying he'd fix my door (put locks on it) around 2 and that I should just rest for a little. Which gave me the go ahead to lay down...a little. Which turned into me passing out into a broken nap until almost 3. Oops? I hardly slept last night due to the fighting dogs and roosters (not sure how many but there's a hut full of them directly behind my house) starting their call around 1am haha so while I felt bad, I needed it. 

When I arose, Francheska brought me to her mom's house, who is Nena, the daughter of my Doña who cooks for me. I learned that all the little ones around my house (6 total-though should have been 8...) were all hers. And sleep in separate houses; some with her, some with my Doña, and some in another house. I played Casino with Francheska, Luisa, Gabriela, and a few others who's names I haven't gotten down yet haha. Nena fed me and then we headed back so I could change and we could play baseball! Apparently they have a women's and men's team here too! I played horribly and despite the kids being super competitive, it was a lot of fun :D. Afterwards, I went behind my house and hung out with my Doña while she juiced oranges to make some sort of vinaigrette. We chatted, some of her grandsons joined, and I spent the rest of the night with the entire family in the back area (which is beautiful by the way), drinking coffee, freezing a little (I put a sweater on!), watching the little ones dance, and cheering when the luz came around 8pm. Perfection. And I already feel somewhat close to them. I'm so in love and feel much better today :). 

To end the night, I learned that there's hardly any water left. So a 3/4 full milk jug heated up became my shower in my house. I used a big(ish), shallow bucket to stand in and my bucket shower upgraded to a cup shower. Woo! That's when you learn to accept only washing the necessary body bits ;) but hey. It was a quick shower, that's for sure! Haha on that note, off to bed I go!

Buenas noches.

(Ah! And I'm hoping to get on taking pictures for y'all tomorrow!)