Hello friends and family, this is Viet-Hai Huynh and Alexa Sass writing to you from San Juan de la Maguana! Today we were lucky enough to be Leaders of the Day for our second Free Day, which was an exciting opportunity for all of us. We were all pretty juiced to go explore the city to its extent after a long week, which will soon culminate with the end of our trip.
After spending more time in the city and getting to know more about the atmosphere and people here, we finally had the opportunity to spend some time away from the structure of schedules and just have fun. Even more, because it was a free day, we had the ability to contact our loved ones and catch up with everyone’s lives back home (including the birth of Beyoncé’s twins). In the morning, we woke up at 8 o’clock, one of the latest wake up calls that we’ve had. After having an amazing breakfast at Onaney, we were free to explore the city in ways that we weren’t capable of before. While some of us went to the nearby cathedral, others decided to find souvenir shops to get gifts for our loved ones back home, visited a local milkshake shop called Rubia’s, and used some of our leftover pesos to stock up on snacks.
After lunch, we went out to go shopping specifically for our CAP (Community Action Project), gathering supplies to make the most out of our service tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be returning to the community of Arroyo Loro to provide service and fix the school where all of their children learn. For our CAP project, we’re fixing a roof, beautifying the school campus, and creating a safer environment for the kids by putting up a new fence and paving the basketball court. Our delegation hopes that with our assistance, the children can be in a better learning environment which would allow the students to receive the education they deserve to have. After shopping for the CAP, we returned to our English tutoring classes at a nearby campus and furthered the education of both ourselves, and those who attended. Because today was our last full day of English tutoring, we took a moment after our classes to appreciate the time and effort that our ambassadors have put in to make our tutoring sessions a success.
Overall, today was a great learning experience as we worked together to safely navigate our way through the city, make our visions a reality for the Arroyo Loro community’s school, and enjoy some of our last moments working with our ambassadors and English classes. At the end of the day, we’re hoping that the rest of our visit is just as exciting as the last ten days have been here in San Juan!
For Alexa’s family: Hi family! I miss you all very much!!!!!!! I’m excited to see you guys soon. Tell Nati that I miss her a ton por favor. Thank you for allowing me to be here and experience all these amazing things. I love you all *especially Nick ;)* and I’ll see you later. *purple heartssssss*
For anyone reading this blog for VH: don’t get too lit without me
Thank you Alexa and Viet-Hai for the daily blog. Another jam packed day but a bit more relaxing than your previous schedule. I’m sure everyone appreciated having a couple extra hours of sleep! Kaylyn, be sure to get before and after shots of your CAP project. Was bummed I missed your phone call (was working at the hotel tonight) 🙁 but at least you got to talk to Dad. We’re having a heat wave here in the Bay Area, Thursday is expected to be the warmest day of the week with temperatures around 102 degrees in Pleasanton where Dad works. We shouldn’t be complaining because even when it’s hot here, the humidity is probably worse in DR. Rest up because next couple of days will be busy for you (lots of manual labor with the CAP project).
Love you, Mom.
Hello Ari, Hope the CAP went well. Thank you to all the students for being of service to the school and community. It is still hot here but should cool off when you come home. We miss you so much and can’t wait to see you soon! Love you, Mom, Dad and Callum
Hello VH,
So glad to read Alexa’s and your posting for the Free Day. I was hoping to receive a call from you but my phone is still dead and have not able to purchase new one (it fell into the pond at Andrew’s home, the very pond that both of them patched right before Andrew’s Eagle Scout Honor Court!). QV is going to try to fix it for me, hopefully by this Friday so I can receive your call when you arrive at the airport. If not, you can try calling QV’s phone or Dad’s.
I’m so glad I was able to follow all of the blogs to find out how you are and hearing about all the adventures and exposures you have with the DR’s culture and its people. I’m particularly happy about your “live like a local” day and can’t wait to hear more about it. I look forward to reading the blog every morning but sometimes don’t get a chance to post a comment for you. I’m excited for you all on your CAP project -sounds like a lot of work so make sure to stay hydrated. Please don’t forget to take pictures -as I know you’re not much of a picture person. But maybe this would be a good time to record and make good use of your sport cam! Your friends and fellow GLimpser would appreciate having a record of it too!
Make the most of your remaining time there – only a few more days left! I can’t wait to see you and hear about your adventure but enjoy it while you’re there. Love you,
Mom
Hey Isabelle Lu – Glad you got a free day! Your schedule has been jam packed with amazing experiences. I love your CAP – it is such great work and close to my heart. Everyone was super excited that you called – Noni and Papa were glad to hear your voice 🙂
Can’t wait to catch up on Friday. Love, Momma
I MISS YOU ALL ALREADY!! So glad you all got to squeeze in some much needed and well deserved free time! Soak up every moment these last few days.. can’t WAIT to hear and see pictures of how your CAP project comes turns out! Y’all got this! 🙂 Big love from the Bay! <3
VH & Amy,
Oh my god! Sounds like so much fun. I’m totally having flashbacks of my trip. I definitely miss Onaney Gourmet and Rubia’s. Especially the sapote shake. If you guys haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend to try it before you leave SJ! Can’t wait to hear all about your CAP Project and other adventures. Love and miss you guys!
– Jess
Thanks to all of you that have kept your families updated – it sounds like a great trip!
Lucy – We’re really looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your adventures!
Love you much,
Dad & Mom
Korra wants me to tell you guys to take her with you next time! She is pretty good with obedience as long as you have treats and aren’t outside in real life–and 4 times out of 5 she doesn’t bite or growl at other dogs. Another plus- she can carry stuff on a little back pack! =) =)
Hugs*
Carol & Korra
P.S. Congrats on almost completing your CAP and English classes. Can’t wait to hear more about everything.
Hi Lovie!
What a great blog you & Viet-Hai wrote! Such wonderful adventures you get to experience … hope you’re taking lots of pictures ?….. I shared the blog pics with grandma/grandpa & Poppie…. we all ate @ Nic’s job for Father’s Day. Sooo excited to see u Friday! Nattie is doing very well standing while holding on to the outside of her saucer! She also loves to hold hands & walk around! I think she’ll pass the crawling stage & go straight to walking! I swear she’s getting chunkier everyday…Lol. A little chunky monkey!! I think I told u Nic got your hoodie from Disney… yay! As you’ve heard it’s been pretty warm here.. we gotta plan a day in Santa Cruz when u get home….we all miss u lovie & mama misses holding your hand?… can’t wait to see u! Sending lots of purple hearts ?!!! & I know you’re wondering- yes I contacted Ricardo?
Hey Rahul!!
It sounds like you are having a great time in the DR! I can´t wait to share stories when we both return home. My flight is tomorrow. I´m excited to bool with you soon.
Love,
A Money
Hi Sydney,
Missed your call again. I think time you called me at work, but I didn’t answer because I didn’t recognize the #. Can’t wait to hear your adventures in the city.
Be safe and love you lots:) Mom
Hi Sydney,
I missed your call again:( Can’t wait to hear about your city adventures.
Be safe and love you lots! Mom