Felicidades!

Listo Para Viajar

So, the new year has come in with twists and turns in Quisqueya!! It's only fitting as I found myself ringing in the new year in front of a bonfire and an amazing azopao!

What are the Christmas and New Year's traditions here? Much is the same as in the States: big dinners with friends and family that arrive from parts of the country and even the world. Ok, really from the States. Although I wasn't travelling luxury style, in a nice Jeepeta, I was one of those who was travelling back to visit on my first host families. When I arrived, my host brothers were thrilled. First question: So, how are things in your community? Second question (esp. from the host moms and aunts): So, did you find a girlfriend over there?

Christmas was actually spent over games of basketball, sancocho, and a trip to the rio. Note to travellers to the DR: Never think a trip to a river is an easy thing. Here I am, in rubber foam sandals on all fours trying to scale rocks on the side of the river. Meanwhile, my host brothers are definitely imitating cliff divers- with no shoes.

New Year's was a little more chill- back at my site outside listening to bachata and merengue. My youth decided to amanecer- stay up till 7 in the morning. I couldn't hang; I went to bed. The coolest part: when the clock struck twelve, we went to all the families and gave hugs. More than just your spend-it-with-someone-special New Year's, everyone hugged and shouted out to everyone...In everything, you definitely feel a strong sense of family. I could feel it in the hugs of my family during Christmas and in the amount of phone calls to family (Mami en el campo!) afterwards...

One tradition that doesn't exist in the States: Los Reyes Magos! January 6th is basically the day to give gifts to the kids. It's not combined like our Navidad...Kids receive cars, dolls, bikes, etc. But, the running joke seemed to be from the adults: Donde esta mis Reyes? OR Where's my gift? Some of Luis' classic responses:

1. I still have to get it. Wait 'till later on tonight. What would you like? Presidente, Bohemia?

2. Reyes? Yo no se donde estan...

3. Reyes? Hay un verdadero rey aqui....

You've probably been asking: when do you start working? After these vacations, things are almost up and running...