How many people can YOU fit on a motorcycle? In the DR, 3 is nothing...

Hello everyone!

I hope it is going well! I'm finally here! I just arrived on Wednesday and I've already helped lead a training session for our Dominican volunteers. It was amazing/busy/crazy. I learned a lot about leading groups, especially in a different language. Although it was very wearing to be leading activities for 3 days straight in Spanish, it was also very rewarding. The kids that I worked with are so dedicated in helping the communities around them to develop improvement projects. I feel that a lot of people here are really dedicated to working as a group and this alone is an amazing asset!

I'm excited to walk around and learn more about San Juan de la Managua (the city where I will be residing this summer). It's a beautiful place surrounded by two gorgeous mountain ranges which I hope I will be able to climb at some point. It is mango season which automatically makes my summer 10 times more amazing. It is very interesting watching the people here. Everyone has been very kind and helpful and friendly. There is a strong sense of curiousity in knowing others and a tendency to be open and friendly to all the people you meet. It seems to be strange to others that I enjoy spending quite time alone, but I already do so many strange things that they seem to accept it as no big deal. From what I've observed, silence is nonexistant. There are always people talking, or motorcycles roaring, or music blazing (usually a combination of all three). However, my house is in a small residential area that is more or less quiet. I do love the joy that seems to be brimming over on every corner. Whenever there is music, someone will begin to dance. Whenever you meet someone on the street, big, genuine smiles and hugs are exchanged. There is always laughter!

Take care and I will try to write again soon!
Love,
Rachel