Day 2

Sunday, September 4

Here is our team in the Colonial City, Santo Domingo.

Top row, left to right: Tim, Lisa, Iris (team leader!), Tor

Staggered bottom row: Chris, Emmi, Chelsie, Kristina, Anne, Bryan

Our first full day in the Dominican Republic was today. We woke up and had a delicious buffet breakfast at Hotel Mercure before heading out for a walking tour of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. Our tour guide, Evelyn, told us all sorts of interesting facts and information about the history of the country and the city. From the indigenous Taino people to Christopher Columbus and early settlers, to kings and queens and all the way to the current President. She told us about the symbolic architecture, like the balls that represented the favorite pearl necklace of the queen and the ropes around the doorway that represent the ropes from the belt of priests. Balconies are only on newer buildings because years ago they  would never dream of putting themselves in harms way, such as a poisonous arrow. Many of the buildings were made of coral, showing fossils of shells from many years ago. The city is currently being revitalized by the government to restore the history and beauty.  

  

  

After our tour of the city, we said goodbye to Evelyn and had lunch at Hotel Mercure. After another great meal, we piled into our comfortable bus for the 3 hour trip out to San Juan de la Maguana! On the bus, our Global Village Coordinator, Natalie, introduced us to the two engineers who would accompany us for the week- Alex and Roberto. They are so friendly and we are excited to have them on our team for the week.

We made one quick stop at a supermarket (very similar to a Walmart), named Bani, where we stocked up on snacks, used the atm, and Natalie bought us delicious corn pudding and dolce de leche fruit snacks.

We arrived in San Juan de la Maguana around 5:30pm and checked into Hotel El Libano, our home away from home for the next week!

After settling in, a few of us went on walks to check out the town before we all found our way back to the upstairs dining room for dinner and orientation with Natalie, Roberto, and Alex. After orientation, we realized we had a full week ahead so off to bed for a good nights sleep. Work begins tomorrow! Buenos noches!!