Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!
Hello family and friends! Today was Free Day #2 and I, Lorenzo Gonzalez III, was Leader of the Day. Before I get into this blog post, I would just like to say thank you for your kids, friends, or however you are related to them, for making this my favorite non-family trip to date; and thank you for being such open-hearted and easy-to-talk-to people. These people, that I now call close friends, made me being Lider del Día really simple and smooth, and they are continuing to make every day a memorable one.
Now for the day’s events: Wake Up Call was 8:30 a.m. for the budget team (Marvin, Jishnu, Richard, Mathieu, and me); this team had to wake up earlier than the rest to eat breakfast and then leave with our man Nelson in a taxi to the hardware store to purchase the materials and tools needed for the CAP project. And yes, to anyone wondering, we got everything! During the time the budget team was doing all that, everyone else was either eating breakfast or making their phone calls home. Their Wake Up Call was 9:00 a.m., the time in which I used my sound skills to wake everyone up by creating a loud alarm sound.
Eventually it reached 12:00 p.m., and it was lunch time; budget team pranked everyone by calling for an announcement and saying that we did not have enough money for the necessities of the CAP Project. Our chefs Juliana and Antonia made us salad, rice/beans, and chicken. As usual, the food was great and we all grubbed. After lunch, we all hurriedly freshened up for the day ahead of us. Our bus arrived, and we headed for the Festival de las Flores. On the way there we saw people completing their beautiful flower floats and people on their horses. We arrived, got dropped off, purchased our wristbands, and to keep it short, we loved it! There were beautiful flower arches, flower models, baskets, and it was basically a good ol’ American Fair (except the surroundings were the huge, green trees of the Dominican Republic). Many bought souvenirs from those who were selling jewelry, handmaded crafts, and other knickknacks. A lot of us also bought the delicious virgin piña colada drinks from the pineapple man: a pineapple as the cup filled with fresh, blended pineapple and coconut milk, topped with the spiky part of the pineapple and a cherry as decor. The time went on as we were all running around and listening to music, and we sadly had to leave…
Leave to the city! We bused back to our beloved city center and walked around in our groups of four or more. We already know this city like our own homes and made sure to complete the necessities: get snacks from the supermarket, get Nelson’s family ice cream, chill by the big tree at the center of the city, and for Alfredo, get his much-wanted haircut. We all headed back to our accommodations on foot before dinner time. We ended the day with our usual Nightly Meeting where I summarized the day, like this, received and gave feedback, and passed the Leader Torch to my boys Marrrrviinnnn and Alfreedoooooooo. As I’m finishing my blog task, everyone is either playing charades with Hannah and Emma, in our lovely common area, or losing to Christian or Ava in Slaps (it is a card game… it gets heated).
Goodnight and *monkey sounds*!
Flowers from the Festival de las Flores.
Group picture taken at the festival entrance.
GG Leaders Emma (left) and Hannah (right) sitting on benches.
Image of the Pineapple Man.
Jishnu (left) and Anjali (right) with their fresh coconut juice.
One of the floats in the town parade.
Alfredo getting his haircut in one of the local barbershops.
A woman statue decorated with flowers that was inside the festival.
Picture taken of the group on the bus with all of their souvenirs from the festival.
Jessica we’re so glad you got to be part of the Festival de Las Flores, looks like a great time. We hope you have a great week and all goes well. We miss you lots, love Mom, Dad and Julia
hey there jessica ! it’s julia, aidan, and victoria. hope you’re having fun, because we having fun without you kskskskks. also hope you’re doing well and learning lots. love ya (uwu)
Hi glimpsers! we are counting the days, and looking forward to hearing your stories.
Today’s phone call was way too short 🙁 I forgot to tell you that I was the one who fed Ozzie. So… that happened…
Ceci, learn the new card game well, and be ready to teach me when you get back, we need to “slap” Giacomo!
From the blogs it looks you are a group of really amazing kids, and you are having a blast!
Thank you Emma and Hannah!
Muchos besos!!!
mamma Chiara
Great blog Lj! I felt like I was there experiencing the days events with you bro! The pics were the cherry on top😎
Lorenzo
Hi kuya, I must say you did an amazing job on your blog! I felt your excitement, I felt your joy, I felt your happiness. I can also picture you doing the monkey sounds that you do at home and drinking one of your favorite drinks; a virgin pina colada. And, Though I may miss you so much and wish you were home. I am so glad you’re having a blast! Making memories that will last forever. And making friends that I know you now call your family.
Kudos to those that are taking these pictures. You have a way of making me feel as I am in Jarabacoa. And appreciate how you make sure everyone is included.
Glimpsers, I know you will do well tomorrow on your project. Have fun, be safe and I am so proud of you all.
Kuya, Alexa also had a fun and free day today in Constanza. They played baseball. And, dad and I took Isabella and Alex to Six Flags for her birthday.
We love you very much. And, so proud of you. Mom, dad, Isabella, Jack and Princess. Hugs and kisses
Ava-so happy to hear your voice and see your shopping day. The flowers looks amazing. Love you!
Mom
Great pic Emma and Hannah, that Piña Colada looks delicious! Hope our kids are being good for you, thank you for all you do!
Mathieu, the flower festival looks amazing. I am sure you loved the pina colada.
I waited for your phone call. We were at a swim meet with Julie. I was looking forward to hearing your voice. Hope you get a chance to call….
Love you, Mom , Dad and Julie