Our Second Week

We are beginning to settle into something of a routine now. We go to classes beginning at 8 A. M. each morning, mostly Spanish, but with some special sessions on health, security and development issues. We get there on public transportation, which is an experience in itself, particularly the "guaguas." They are a form of small bus with lots of people crowded in and the cobrador hanging off the side trying to encourage more people to get on. We are broken up into small groups of 5 or 6 for very personalized instruction. Elizabeth is in one of the "blue bird" groups and John is in one of the "others." We also have a lot of diversions. Today we learned how to dance merengue and bachata in the afternoon. Tomorrow we all go to the historic district downtown for a combination of practical Spanish and some sight-seeing. John has found a couple of places to run in the neighborhood now, so even though it is very hot and humid, he is enjoying that in the evenings.

This past weekend we had a nice free day with our host family. We went to church services with local flavored music and an energetic priest who spoke clearly enough for us to understand - you should be providing guidance to your children no matter how old they are. Then we went to a restuarant and to to visit other family members. John went to a pelea de gallos in the neighborhood, where he watched the scene, as it was too crowded to get very close to actual cockpit. Very loud and exciting.

All of the information that we are getting now indicates that we will probably be cleared to go to Honduras towards the end of July. Things are still not resolved in Honduras, but most of the country seems tranquilo outside of the capital. We continue to hope that they can find some compromise solution. All of this remains subject to change, but absent any other dramatic development, we may get something close to final plans next week.

Here´s a photo of the casitas that we study in under the fruit trees. Que chulo aqui.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

We arrived safely in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. We spent that night in a Catholic retreat center that was large, but also somewhat reminiscent of the fellowship halls of many Catholic churches we´ve known in the States. Early Thursday we were bussed to a Peace Corps training center where we´ve been spending our days since. The grounds are beautiful with many mango, banana, and papaya trees. The classrooms are all ramadas located out on the grounds. We´re now living in a home not far from there with a family. They have been extremely hospitable and our living arrangements are very comfortable.

We have had two days of orientation and Spanish classes. Our teachers are very energetic and experienced and we think we can already notice some improvement in our Spanish. We´ll have a shorter day of classes on Saturday and then Sunday will be free time.

Everything is going well and we will try to post pictures before too long.

Change of plans

Due to the unsettled situation in Honduras, we are now going to the Dominican Republic for the first part of our training. We will be flying to Santo Domingo Wednesday morning and going to a training center near there. On Thursday, we will move in with our host family and will begin our intensive Spanish classes. Assuming that things stabilize in Honduras, we may be headed on to Honduras by the last week in July.

Our group looks about like what we had expected -- a lot of bright, attractive young people and three of us with gray hair. Our first day of orientation was well organized and overall it seems like a group that we will feel proud to be a part of.

We'll give you an update from the Dominican as soon as we have a chance.