What’s up fellow glimpsers’ families and amigos,
Coming live from the beautiful Constanza, Dominican Republic, Soha and Angela are here to update you with the activities and lessons learned from the day, Politics Day! Today we went to the Binational Youth Forum to meet the mayor elect and discuss different topics in regards to politics and government with local youth from the community. We were very excited to meet the mayor but did not anticipate to wait nearly an hour – 45 minutes to be exact – for his arrival. We know of the Dominican time (fashionably 15-20 minutes late), however, it was upsetting that a local politician would care so little about a youth forum to better his community. Additionally, his scripted speech was only five minutes long and he rushed out without time for us to ask him any questions. His presence upset both us glimpsers and the local youth because it demonstrated how little politicians, like the mayor, care for the input of voices and opinions of the community. We then worked along with the local youth to talk about the issues that affect their lives in regards to education, health, security, and the environment and then presented in front of the forum members. We gained more experience of Dominican Politics by listening to our local youth and were able to connect politics here to politics back home. It was very obvious that the peoples’ needs are not being met, yet the mayor is doing little to nothing about it. It’s also very interesting to know and discuss common day politics and the limits of corrupt government – this does not exclude western nations like the United States.
Later we ventured out into the streets in small groups and visited boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. All in all it was a very great day and we learned a lot both as glimpsers and leaders of the day!
Blessings and goodnight to your families, take care. We love you all very much.
Signing off,
Soha and Angela
So lovely to hear all of you are doing well. Ivan, I bet you love all the eating Constanza has to offer but remember, only eat what is allowed by the staff. Knowing you, you’d probably eat anything that looks appetizing so be careful. I hope you dont get stuck in you’re room anymore because of the door? Let’s be real, that kind of stuff only happens to you , well and me but we all know I’m an accident waiting to happen. Be safe, enjoy the rest of the trip and please tell me how the weather is there. I’ve already started packing for my trip and I’d like to know how the weather is like. To everyone in the group, howdy! Hope you guys have a lovely night, or day depending on when you read this. Remember your bug spray, and to smile because you’re creating the change this world is in dire need of. Before I say goodbye, a joke to tickle you’re funny bone: why did the birdie visit the doctor?………. It needed tweetment….
Good evening Glimpsers, I hope you were not discouraged by the mayors short visit. He showed up and that has to count for something 🙂 its great how you were able to see that corruption is not reserved for one side of the globe it’s an unfortunate element found through out. I am glad to hear you were able to go and explore your surroundings. Does the ice cream flavors differ from what you have back home? Any odd flavors? I hope you had a good day. Brianna I hope your feeling better Hun sending you lots of love and hugs. Well wishes to the rest of the glimpsers.
How unfortunate that you guys had to wait that long for the mayor. It’s his loss at the end of the day since you guys are a great crowd to be around. I hate being late, as Angel knows. Its always better to arrive early than late. I am glad that you guys got to know more of the city and shop around. Have fun! Thanks for the great summaries I enjoy reading them before bed. Take care glimpsers
Hello Angela and Soha,
Thank you for the blog. It is very disappointing to hear about the Glimpser’s experience with the Mayor elect. The worst part of this was that he is not even in office and already acting in this manner. It seems that the local youth do understand the challenges and hopefully it would change over time.
Hope the rest of the day was better.
Bonjour Soha , cela m’a fait vraiment plaisir de pouvoir te voir , en France on a dicton qui dit que les voyages forment la jeunesse et en te voyant et en regardant ce que vous écrive cela montre que c est justifier (vrais )
Je pense que d’avoir eu cette opportunité va te changer la vie et le désir de voyager pour découvrir d’autres pays et culture
désolé d’avoir appris que ta réunion politique ne s’était pas passé comme tu le voulais , je pense surtout que le maire était pressé d’aller voir jouer l’Argentine contre les États-Unis pour la demi-finale de la Copa America
Profites-en au maximum car les jours vont passer vite maintenant
Tu me manque beaucoup
Je t’aime papa ?
Hola. Bienvenidos a Latinoamerica! Where the name of the game is survival of the fit and conscious. Perhaps your Alcalde(Mayor) had a busy schedule, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. — But you know life is such, specially in the politics field, here or there, so if any of you want to make yourselves a career in that field, at least allow this experience to inspire you to be innovative, truthful and what you said: sincerely care for the ones you are representing politically(Better the community). It is possible but soooo difficult specially when all around the political spectrum expect you to be part of their batch and look out for themselves only. There are some good examples of people out there who are living their civic call to really serve others with quality in mind.(The name in mind is Nayib Bukele. He is currently the Mayor of the capital of one Central American Nation).
When I read you went out and visited boutiques, ice cream parlors, makes me wonder how big is Constanza.
I hope your Wednesday will get much better for you guys. Take good care Bianey and I keep thinking of you and how are you doing. Love you Bianey. Dad.
And we LOVE you all!!! Big kudos to Soha and Angela for leading on Politics day! Not an easy one to tackle but sounds like it was a collaborative learning experience. I appreciate the comparison to US politics which seems to be entirely dominated by corporate money and greed and Not on the benefit of the people. Empowering our youth is the foundation for creating opportunity and long-lasting change for a more just and equitable world.
Keep up the good work! See you next week!
Xoxo
Hello, Glimpsers! I can’t believe it’s the 11th day of your adventure! In only one week you’ll all be able to tell your families about your trip in person.
Lila, I’m taking Dora and Rosalie out to Antioch for the day. I’m looking forward to swimming in a warm (90’s) place for the first time this summer. We’ll be thinking of you, as always.
Are you keeping a journal? I hope so. Writing is not only a way to remember the details of each day, but can also be a way to keep the feelings and events of the days in perspective.
We all miss and love you! Mom
Greetings Lila! I’m sorry the mayor was so rude! How annoying. That’s really cool how you got to help with such important matters of the community! Dora, my BFF, slept over last night. Now she gets to stay until 8:00 pm tonight! All is well at home but I am still missing you tons. Mommy gave me milk in your cup that I gave you, so I had to switch it out because I miss you so much. I hope you have a great day tomorrow! You’re the best!
LOTS O’ LOVE, Rosalie
P.S. Always remember that putting economic policy before fiscal responsilbity is like putting the cart before the horse. (That’s an inside joke between my sister and me.)
Hola. A todos Los estudiantes del viaje de Constanza. Que tiene la oportunidad de conoser la cultura y politica de otros paises. Aqui estamos ansiosos de saber como la estan pasando. Grasias por compartirnos sus inolvidables experiensias. Disfruten su viaje al Maximo ban a aprender muchisimo Los extañamos cuidense.
Te extraño mucho Jessica ?
Hi Lila, I am keeping up with all the activities and am getting exhausted! Interesting day dealing with politics. Too bad but it did give the group food for thought and discussion. We are having really hot weather. Today was 100.
From the pictures it appears to be on the cool side in Constanza. I am going by how you are dressed. Am still interested in the food. What is a fluffy turkey sandwich?? Wesley leaves tomorrow for North Carolina music camp. She will be back in August. She came by and we had a nice visit. I am doing a difficult puzzle of a brown pelican but I love the challenge. Brown pelicans are in abundance at the beach. You may remember seeing them fly in droves over the water. This is giving me a mind set for my trip to Edisto. Wish you were going also. It is getting late so I will sign off. I love you. E