¿Que lo que?
Or as many of our readers at home will recognize, WHATS UP?! It’s your favorite Glimpers here, Isabella and Nakita!! We know you’ve all been anxiously waiting for the Living Like A Local Day blog because today we’ve gotten to experience what it’s really like living in a rural community. Day 13 started off a bit differently with the use of bucket showers, manual toilets, and simple meals. We headed to the amazingly sweet community of Los Francos where we were exposed to very different living conditions from ours back in the States.
After a quick check in with the leader of the community, Maria, we separated into our four self-reflection groups and went to go help different community members and accompany the younger children. I, Isabella, had an interesting time with my community members because they insisted on having us relax and not do any chores. Following much persistence she allowed us to help sweep and wash dishes. We then invited the children, adults, and elders for a lunch meal at Maria’s house. The food prepared for us was again simple (moro con abichuela, salami y aguacate), but intriguing in the sense that it was made on a wooden fire. Mmmm, how delicious!!
Words can’t explain the joy we felt when being swarmed with love from over 30 children. Zelie, Elizabeth, Jihan, and myself (Isabella) all thoroughly appreciated the pampering of our hair by the little girls. I, Nakita, felt extremely special when one of the girls brought me to her house to showcase her pack of crayons. I can’t describe what I felt at that moment, but it symbolized all the humble and caring Dominicans we’ve encountered. Rosa and Kareem in particular, made the rest of the Glimpsers extremely jealous when they were able to withhold the attention of two of the most stubborn children there. Kyle, Max, and I (Nakita) kept ourselves busy by becoming the Picassos of facepainting. The others entertained the children with bubbles, and a baseball, which was a gift from the one and only Sophie Commer. However, this blog wouldn’t be close to complete if I (Isabella) didn’t mention how two of the children fell fast asleep on mine and Natalia’s lap. Who knew soft humming lullabies truly worked.
Not too long after, Maria talked to the Glimpsers about her life. It began in Santo Domingo and led her to the small town of Los Francos. This amazing woman has been the only resource the community has had for things like education, and basic necessities. She is the loud and hopeful voice for these people. This being said, Nakita and I felt very honored to present her with gifts from our Global Glimpse familia. I, Nakita, challenged myself to translate Isabella’s words of gratitude into Spanish so they could understand. I was a little bit nervous, but I used one of our 3 C’s, courage, to take on this bold task.
When it was time to head back home we were all heartbroken, and as Jatnna would say, it was time to leave our children for their real parents. However, being the fun Lideres Del Dia that we are, we made sure everyone felt better by playing my Today’s playlist thanks to Giovanni’s amazing new sound system in the bus. We were very proud of ourselves, and peers, for embracing the typical Dominican day. Nakita and I are quite the dynamic duo, and I think everyone can agree to that. Although everyday has been filled with joy we can conclude that the memories made today have definitely been the best for us.
Buenas noches amigos y familia!
P.S. Hey mom and dad! It makes me so sad knowing that Annliese isn’t home to read this, but I’m sure you two are doing fine without out having two teenage girls around. I hope you haven’t been constantly watching AGT and have left a couple episodes to watch with me. Thank you so much for commenting Mommom, I miss you soo much and can’t wait to see you soon. One more thing! Mom, please tell Kieran and Ryan to stop growing as I’m sure they’ve mastered 2 more inches in height since I’ve last seen them. Love and miss you all, Isabella.
P.P.S. LOL so I forgot to tell you guys about the blog, but I miss you all so much mom especially Leo and Ludy. I can’t wait to be back even though I’m having mad fun. Love you all, and I’ll show you this when I get back home. Bu kode femia krebu txeu.
Oh my, hard to write when I’m tearing up. What a beautiful day all of you had. Your hearts are so full of love. The children must have hated for you to leave, as you hated to leave them. All of you are such beautiful young adults. Not meaning to rush anything, because I know you guys don’t want it to end, BUT I can’t wait to see/meet some of you for the first time, upon your return. Wish I could meet Kareem and Nakita. We’ll have to get you guys out here to Cali one day! Isabella, Annaliese was disappointed about not getting to read your reporting. I will try to email it for them to give her a copy at mail call. Wish me luck (lol), as I need to create a gmail account for them to receive it. Dad and I are managing without the 2 of you, but we are counting down the days when we’ll all be together again. We only watched one AGT! Its a family thing, so just couldn’t watch more without you. I mean, we have to let you hear Dad’s funny(not sure if that’s the best adjective, lol) comments! You are right, Kieran and Ryan are growing like weeds. I will let them know they made it in this very special blog! They will like that! Please, please give my love and gratitude to Conamuca for nourishing all of you on a daily basis. Such beautiful people they are. I can tell they put great love into their cooking. Also huge thanks and respect to all of the Global Glimpse staff for making this a trip of a lifetime. So excited for your CAP projects! I know you guys are doing wonderful work! I love you Isabella! Peace and love to ALL!
Isabella honestly didn’t read the whole blog yet because its so long lol I mean knowing you I knew it was going to be long (you in maggi’s class *rolling eye emoji) will do so later when I’m not with yazz by the way he’s back in the bay for another week! thats besides the point… I miss you! Isiaiah said he misses you too his exact words were “COUSSSINNNNN OMFG I MISS HER SO MUCH” he added some inappropriate content that I shouldn’t leave on the comments aha. Im glad you are having fun in the DR once you get back we must go hiking or do something adventurous and ill fill you in on EVERYTHING. Think I found a dude for you @ the wedding I know you love your Habesha guys *rolling eye emoji again. gosh I miss you and I love you so much <3
Max
Today’s blog was so heart warming and I am so proud if you that you shard your God given gift with the children and made them feel so special as they are. We miss you so much but sonorous of this once in a lifetime experience and knowing how you can make a difference in our world . I know all of you feel so special to give back . Live you Mom and Dad
Such a humbling experience, especially when working with children. Reminds me of when I took a trip to the Philippines at your age (I was around 17) and this little boy told me (in a thick Filipino accent) “I want to come with you to America”. It was so cute, and sad at the same time. I’m sure Jihan enjoyed getting her hair did, it’s one of her favorite things (wink). Jihans I know my comments have slowed down a bit (every other day vs every day, haha) but I’ve just been busy deep cleaning the house, rearranging, getting ready for your baby brother’s arrival just a few months away! Today I turn 24 weeks (entering my 6th month). I can’t wait til you get back to start taking my bump pics again! We miss you dearly and can’t wait to see you Friday! Enjoy your last few days there and I hope you’ll be ready for Tahoe Saturday morning! Love you! Xo, mom.
It seems that your last few days in the DR are just as busy or even busier than the last one. I hope you still have enough time to finish you project.
It’s great how you are connecting with the children. I wonder if you can keep the connections from home. You’ll never know if one or a handful of them you have touched and inspired will be great leaders for the DR.
I hope you have the recipes ready to travel with you all back home.
Take care everyone, Zelie too. We can’t wait to see you all back home.
Hi Isabella, I was so hoping we would hear from you & here you are. Everyone is doing such a fantastic job blogging. We almost feel like we are there with you. You all are having so many interesting experiences. Of course once again we do want some of those delicious recipes. Washing your clothes by hand should be an interesting story. I’m sure you all will come home with a greater appreciation of how fortunate we are to live n USA. Can’t wait to see you. Enjoy your last couple days. Love you so much Mom mom