Wooing the Inlaws

Andy’s parents visited us in February.  It was wonderful to have them here.  They got to experience more of the Dominican Republic than they might have wanted.  Torrential rain meant water through most of our windows and through the ceiling in at least two spots.  The electricity went out for hours.  I served them rice with weevils (usually they float to the top when you add water and can be skimmed off, but I wasn’t checking very carefully).  Then they bravely conceded to a beach excursion that involved public transportation.  

The way to Las Terrenas went fairly smoothly until we exited the Greyhound-comparable bus in the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Sanchez.  I knew ahead of time that we’d have to negotiate our travel across the mountain to Las Terrenas, but we weren’t prepared for the feeding frenzy of taxi drivers who accosted us and had our suitcases, pack-n-play and children inside a van before you could say “gringo.”  Next they started (literally) stuffing Andy’s mom (Freddy) and dad (Terry) inside.  They misjudged the van opening and banged poor Freddy’s head.  Thankfully our stay in Las Terrenas went fairly smoothly.  Andy joined us the next morning after taking a motorcycle-taxi across the mountain in the pouring rain.  Hello.

For the trek home, we decided to try the gua-gua (bus) that went directly to Santo Domingo (hoping to avoid further stuffing incidents - ha!).  Air conditioned, leather seats, reasonably priced - it all looked so good.  After we were seated, they started loading the bus Dominican-style.  Out popped the padded boards that go across each aisle to make an extra seat.  They squished us in until all personal space was officially infiltrated.  Actually, by Dominican standards it wasn’t bad, but for Americans unaccustomed to 3rd world transport, it was a shock.  Andy’s parents were great sports, but quite glad to be off the gua gua after 3+ hours.  At least they didn’t blare the merengue too loudly. 

"Bank of Hope" Meeting

This gathering is of a “Bank of Hope” near Santiago in the DR.  The group consists of 15 associates or loan recipients who receive anywhere from $150 to $500 loans.  Some of the women are in their 5th loan cycle - more than two years of gathering together to encourage one another in business and life.  These meetings consist of devotions, prayer, worship and sharing of ideas and concerns...oh, and of course, loan payments.  The woman standing is the loan officer who leads the bi-weekly meetings.

This group had businesses ranging from selling clothes, spices, laundry supplies, lunch food, and small convenience stands. 

School Days

Hannah began Montessori School in January.  Her school, Abriendo Camino, is run by our church and located next door to our apartment.  After our visitors left in January, I frantically procured the requisite school uniform, sport uniform, lunchbox (in pink of course), 2x2 pictures, etc.  Hannah’s first day of school was easier for her than me.  Our little girl is growing up!  

School is 100% in Spanish.  Every morning she pledges allegiance to the Dominican flag.  Her teacher says she works hard but barely talks (very unlike our daughter).  Sometimes when the teacher addresses her (in Spanish), Hannah just shakes her head and waves her away.  When she arrives home from school, all of her pent-up frustration spills out as she runs around the house, talking (often yelling) inappropriately loud.  She’s been in school barely 2 months and it will take time to adjust.  

However, each morning she is excited about going to school - minus the uniform.  If the world were hers to command, she’d wear only cute dresses and change at least 4 times a day.  Khaki uniform pants are for boys.  We now refer to them as “gold” pants which for some reason makes them more tolerable in her 2-year old mind - and this way they match her cute gold shoes.  

The New Commute

Our former apartment was conveniently located on the subway line (which is shockingly modern, clean, and functional - best subway I’ve ridden).  Thus, we spent little time taking Santo Domingo’s more common modes of public transportation:  the carro público (public cars) and the gua gua (public vans and buses).  

Our new apartment requires 2 public cars to the office and at least 1 to return home.  While they’re nothing to look at and the comfort factor is low, I am a fan of public transport here.  It’s incredibly easy and cheap.  Once you figure out the routes (discerned only by talking with the drivers or locals in-the-know), wow.  You wave your hand and voila, cars (or gua guas) stop to pick you up.  They likewise drop you off wherever requested.  All for 25 pesos (70 cents).

The downsides include no windows, doors that usually only open from the outside (thus having no windows is quite handy), and the fact that they stuff 7 people into an old Toyota Corolla:  4 in back and 2 in front plus the driver.    The picture above is the carro público line-up where we hop a car to get to work each morning.  A line-manager (note the guy holding the umbrella) loads car after car with 6 passengers and then off you go.  Cool!

Cute Little Critter

This is the smallest lizard we’ve ever seen.  He was crawling around our dinner table when dextrous Andy commenced chasing him down.  On the list of critters and bugs that inhabit our environs this little guy ranks at the top of the cuteness scale - but, that ain’t saying much!

Shock and Awe!

Shock and awe, which is actually a military doctrine from 1996 (technically known as “rapid dominance”), is our approach to battling an awe-somely indefatigable yet tiny enemy:  the mosquito.  With Dengue Fever an actual, but fairly rare, threat in Santo Domingo we are trying to best these little pests.  Among our arsenal of weaponry is the highly entertaining “mosquito bat” - the racket pictured above.  It electrocutes mosquitoes, flies, etc. in mid-air with a satisfying zap.  Shockingly fun!   

Lizards, Bugs, and Ants, Oh My!

Interesting animals and insects abound here.  As Joselyn (our nana) told me, “Bienvenido a el tercer mundo.  Welcome to the third world.”  The lizards are quite cute and the spiders don’t bother me either (anything that eats insects is A-ok).  However, I’m less keen on the ants, mosquitos, cockroaches, mice, and little bugs that invade your rice.


Our old apartment had a regular flow of tiny little ants all over the kitchen counter and in the living room.  They’re particularly partial to egg yolk.  Anyhow, no matter how many I squished, more materialized from somewhere - even smack in the middle of a marble living room floor.  Where oh where do they come from?

Hannah likes to sprinkle her food crumbs on the floor, “I’m feeding the ants.”  Great.  She thinks they’re pets.

Thankfully the ants don’t bite, and the little bugs in my rice float when you add water.  Perhaps God designed them light-weight for easy skimming.