Today we experienced something most of us have never experienced before. Last night at 10:00 PM the electricity and water were shut down. We were each given a five gallon bucket of water to do tasks such: as brushing our teeth, showering, and going to the bathroom for a whole 24 hours. With no electricity we had no fan and no lights, making it hard to put on clothes, stay cool, and find our way in the dark. The wake up time was earlier than we had been used to this trip, adding on to the exhaustion of the heat. When we made it back to our rooms to change or go to the bathroom it was difficult to do while in the dark and without the ability to flush.
Throughout the day, we ate similar meals to many local families, consisting of bread, hot chocolate, eggs, vegetables, rice, and chicken. Snacks were discouraged to help us relate to the strict budget that many locals live on. The experience was very humbling for us to begin to understand how locals live every day.
We visited a community called Suarez where we spent time with the locals who lived there. The locals were warm, welcoming, and very united. While with them, we helped them with chores such as sweeping, dishes, cooking, folding clothes, and making beds. Although these chores were not tiring, doing them still held a lot of meaning. They were simple but doing them made me feel happy and warm inside because instead of being forced to do chores, I was doing them to help someone else. After finishing the chores, everyone began to talk with their host family about their life in the Suarez community. From these conversations we realized the difference of the drought they were facing compared to the drought that we were facing in California.
Later, we ate a delicious lunch of rice, chicken, and vegetables with the locals. After finishing lunch we asked the locals some questions for the CAP project. When we were done asking the questions, many of us went to play baseball with the locals. The locals were very good and our group lost badly, but it was a very fun experience. Overall, I believe it was a very eye-opening experience and an amazing trip for everyone.
Tutoring was something else we got to do today. The place we tutor at is called El Liceo, the local high school in San Juan de la Maguana. Depending on what the Glimpsers wanted to teach, preparing for the lessons was something different for everyone. With the lessons we created, we taught our classes of different age groups, from 10 year olds up to 60 year olds. These lessons are really fun and the people there are really dedicated to learning which can be different from the U.S. where almost everyone takes education for granted. We all teach two hour classes ranging from beginner to advanced. This improves our communication skills, our teamwork, and helps us get out of our comfort zones. We teach things from simple vocabulary to complicated grammar. The skills we learn from tutoring is definitely something that helps to brings out the leader in all of us.
I am so very proud of you Navi love you and miss you <3
Hey chloe d sorry for my last comment Mak and lex made me do it. I’m glad this was an eye-opening day for you, and I’m glad you were able to help people. I miss you! Love!
Twinners tu papa les manda saludos! Las extraneo y las quiero mucho. Hope living like a local was a true eye opener. Keep up the good work.
Love you guys!
Mommy, Big Papa,B
Ps- World Cup Soccer started Spain vs Portugal tied 3-3 great game!
Hi Brian,
We are glad you are learning new life experience everyday during the trip. Stay strong and be healthy. We miss you so much.
Mom, Dad, and Alex
Kailee,
What a challenging experience! Paw Paw and QQ miss you. We miss you, too. We’re so proud of your accomplishments. Tomorrow is the Smash Titan tourney. Plz wish unicorn girl, K-boy and & Didi lots of luck from the DR. I know you wish you were participating, I’m sure your winning spirit will be with them. Don’t worry, will keep you posted. Looks like the weather may be a bit challenging the next few days (lightning and rain…possibly). Btw, went to the mall to return something and saw the cutest golden Corgi Apparently Corgi Con is in SF TODAY! Maybe we’ll catch it next year. Another new adventure awaits you tomorrow…will tune in tomorrow. Take care and keep safe everyone and have a wonderful day tomorrow.
XOXO,
Mom, Dad, & Didi
Sounds like a full and amazing day. I hope your electricity returns. Have a great day and hope to see more pics!
Kelsey n crew…”Living like a local” sounds like it was a challenging day. In challenge there are rewards, I hope you each found your reward yesterday! Keep up the good work your trip sounds amazing!
Hey Sam, Grandma says Hi!
Hi Sam – what a meaningful experience for you and your fellow Glimpsers. We are enjoying keeping up with the daily blogs. Sophie misses her broever and Aviva has only escaped once, but she is back now sleeping in your room. We miss you. Take care.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Sophie
HEY! OMG I miss you Lani! Of course this would happen to you (the electricity and water shutting down). Everyone misses you ugly! I hope you’re having fun. I’ve been looking for how to post for SO long now. It’s a little embarrassing to admit but uhm its pretty hot in California. How is the weather over there? Do they read all of the messages out? Are you still being a vegan or are you gonna be fake. Yoooo me and tony are going to the parade were going all out apparently pray that it won’t be awkward. It was a little lame hanging out with the boi’s tbh. Am I picking you up? This is getting a little long I should probably stop but I’ll post again soon so don’t miss me to much ugly.
I forgot to say love you!
Too*