Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it's off to work we go!

After driving for one hour up the mountain, on an open-top truck, the clouds which threatened to burst at every turn, did so when we got to Manabao on our first day of community service. Soaking wet, we managed to take a quick tour of our work-site for the next few days. Our job is to dig trenches and lay down pipes to give fresh water to the village of Manabao. However, thunder and lightning drove us back down the mountain!

On the way down from the mountain

When we got back to the ranch, naturally, there was a long line for the girls' showers and people calling dibs for shower number two (apparently, the one with the best pressure). As I said in my last blog, you're lucky if you can get hot water.

Manabao

The next day, we were welcomed by the mayor and a few members of the community. At first, we were a bit confused about where to go and how to help the locals we would be working with, but we soon slotted into place, side by side, like Snow White's seven dwarfs.

After day one, followed by white water rafting, I can feel muscles popping up where I forgot I had any! Got to go...more later!

Who needs hot water when you have Wi-Fi?

I'm currently in la Republica Dominica doing community service and Spanish immersion (see my last blog post).

The streets of Santa Domingo

On arrival in the DR, we were told two things: we cannot drink the tap water and our toilet paper goes in the bin, and not in the toilet bowel, so that we don't clog the toilets. This last one has been quite an adjustment.

Rooftop view of Santo Domingo

Other changes for me have included sharing a room with 12 girls and sleeping on a bunk bed. There are only 4 showers, so, we have to fight over hot water, but at least we have Wi-Fi! In fact, I think that having internet access, while everything else around us has changed, has helped us to ease into things.

Here are a few pictures of our home, Rancho Baiguate, for the next week.

There are horses, cows, Shetland 
ponies and a butterfly house.

My view on the way to Spanish class.

Spot the horse!

Trading in my Purple Carry-on

So, today I traded in my purple pull-along for a pair of purple sneakers, and my matte red lipstick is tucked away in my backpack. I won't be having much use for them where I'm going.

I am about to embark on a three-month-long adventure to Central and South America (Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru), where I will be teaching English in schools, learning about sustainable farming, how to surf, and building toilets - to name a few of the many activities.

Thailand 2010

If you've read my previous blog, Saving the World Two Tanks at a Time, you'll know that I spent a month in the north of Thailand, when I was 17 years old, mixing concrete and building water storage tanks... generally roughing it. Well, after reading this programme itinerary, I think this trip is going to be like Thailand on steroids! 

I am doing this trip through, Rustic Pathways, an organisation which specialises in gap year programmes. You choose the countries you want to go to and the type of activities you want to do there, and they do the rest. My programme is aimed at young people who are interested in community service and Spanish immersion. I am excited and looking forward to getting fit, strong, tanned, useful... and, of course, dirty! I also hope to come back home speaking Spanish like a native.

The Rustic Pathways Starter-Kit

Hasta pronto!