¿Que lo que?

"¿Que lo que?" is a greeting used by the Dominicans, and is similar to the South African "Howzit?". It's normally followed by "tranquilo" - "it's calm", "chilled", or "no worries", kind of like "hakuna matata".  I learnt this and other Dominican peculiarities, during the last few days of community service in Manabao, when we were working side by side with the locals (see my post). 

Our worksite in Manabao 

Although my Spanish is coming along in leaps and bounds, it's sometimes quite difficult to understand what people are saying here, because Dominicans like to drop the "s" from certain words. So, they say "¿cómo tu ta?", for how are you, instead of "¿cómo estas tu?" And, depending on where you live on the island, random i's, l's or r's can also be added in.

One afternoon, near the end of our service session, it started raining. An elderly woman started scolding a boy from our group, who continued to work, instead of taking cover. She was worried that he would get sick, going from hot to cold temperatures so quickly. (So, our cold showers the last 10 days would have been a big no-no!) I've heard that in other Latin American countries, like Nicaragua, they believe you must avoid the cold, even water and ice, if you are hot. If you're cooking, you cannot fetch anything in the fridge or freezer. You have to ask someone else to get it for you. And don't even think about walking around barefoot!

Samo seeds: if you have diabetes and keep them
in your back pocket, they'll  keep your blood sugar low. 

Another thing that is very important here, is showing respect by dressing conservatively. Even when it is 1000°C outside and you're sweating out of all of your pores, us girls have to wear long pants and T-shirts to community service. But otherwise, all is "tranquilo".

Mountain views on the way down

Sorry for the big gap in posts - we haven't had Wi-Fi. More soon, I promise!

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!