Alright all you lovely GG family, friends, and readers, buckle down for this intense, fun-filled day of HOT HOT HOT HOT and great politics. We started our day off with our classic morning routine: a dreadful wake-up call at 7am, but then a delicious, fruity breakfast by our favorite Conamuca staff. We boarded the Gua-Gua (the bus led by our famous, lifesaving, and charismatic driver: Giovanni, whose name we always seem to pronounce with an Italian twang (talking to you Erik). After a quick trip to San Cristobal’s ayuntamiento (city hall for you monolingual folks), we ran a great mock government meeting, where we experienced a borderline movie-like government, which had handfuls of corruption and a dash of masochism. The mock government aided us in discovering the distinct aspects of politics, as well as illustrating the differences and similarities between U.S. politics and that of the DR.
The group then left to the DR’s “El Conde” in Santo Domingo, where we finally enjoyed a taste of DR’s version of our famous pizzas. We then explored Santo Domingo’s best tourist avenue, where everyone branched off and used their smarts, charms, and an occasional wink or hair-flip to bargain their way to some cheaper prices. The group managed to wrangle back up in time to come back to the lovely Conamuca where we had a meeting with the community members in order to reach a consensus about the group’s Community Action Project. Many of the students challenged themselves during the CAP meeting by taking on new languages and making pun filled anecdotes. As a whole the group came to an agreement that fits the community’s needs as well as overcoming their challenges successfully. After saying our farewells to our fellow friends from the community we came together in smaller groups to reflect about all the new things we learned and to juxtapose those concepts to the pre-established ideas. Our post-dinner free time featured the melodious voices of the C5 (conamuca 5): Malcolm, both Corinas, Fernando, and Erik, who sang along to “Amazing Grace” and other great classics. Finally, we ended the night with a scrumptious dinner provided by our fellow loving Conamuca staff and ending with our typical night routine. Keep those lovely comments coming folks!
Hey Amy,
How is everything there? Are you doing well? I’m so bored without you. All I do is homework and watch TV with mom. At Arizona I killed a black widow without knowing what kind of spider it was. Arizona was OK (I guess) there was a lot of drama and hard times because this time we didn’t have Pastor Dan going with us. Mom got sick and got a huge thingy on her lip. Dad is getting fatter each day, and Mom too. ? hey when you come back, we have a guest staying over until this month. I hope you have a great rest of the time there. When you come back home, can you do some thing fun with me? I’m so bored with mom. ? keep up the hard work and I will be praying for you ❤
-Claire Jung
Claudia, it’s so nice to be able to see you in the pictures? it makes me feel emotional, I’m very happy for you.
Your dad said he hopes you are able to take pictures with your camara and give them to the people you’re meeting, so they can remember you☺️
Ok, mi niña.
I love you!!!
Hi Ally!!
May the Lord always be with you and give you his constant guidance. What a busy week for you all. We all have been busy as well. Let me just give you a run down of our week. Ashy has been home all week and trying to keep your guys’ room clutter free. Jangli has been calm and keeps wanting to go out and relax in his chair. Cookie had visitors yesterday from the Make a Wish Foundation, she was mesmerized with the Elsa Balloon they brought and the bouquet of flowers. She was quiet while they reviewed the itinerary with Maasi, but after they left…..we couldn’t keep her quiet. She wanted to make sure everyone knew about her goodie bag they brought for her, filled with a notepad, pen, different buttons to wear as souvenirs, and a baseball cap. The minute papa came home, she told him as well, and he gave her the biggest hug. I kept calling out your name yesterday….to take something up…..and of course….Ashy let me. So Ashy is in the process of making a “Chore Board” with everyone’s name on it…..and what their chores will be….and yes….Nick also. Maasi and I told her….you will need to write his chore on a board and hang around his neck….so he’s constantly reminded. Mark has been busy with his work and the GYM…As I read all the blogs being posted by your team members…..I keep telling myself…..that these are all the reasons….why Ally wanted to go. So I’m very happy that you’re doing exactly what you set out to do. Mark and I will clear up the garage a bit….before you return and they leave. I miss you very much but I also know that this was a lifetime opportunity….and for that I’m grateful to our Lord. Ok Ally….I won’t bore you any longer….and give you a chance to rest.
Love you my little munchkin
Mummy, papa and the entire GANG
I see you Ella looking back over your shoulder! I so miss you. Is the food good? Are you not mentioning it to be polite? I would understand that. Love you. Miss you. Mama
Kyle, loved reading the post you and Fernando wrote. Nice to get a perspective on all the adventures you’re having as well as an insight on your daily routines. Oh by the way, Dylan, Clapton and McCartney are holding an impromptu concert at Miwok park this weekend, other than that not much else going on. Of course we miss you and think of you often. And although he likes having the room to himself, I think Zack might actually be missing you too. Looking forward to hearing of the great memories you are creating. Keep doing the right thing, have fun and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
Hola hijo como estas? Espero que practicando mucho tu Español. Todos aquí extrañandote mucho, pero contentos de que te estés divirtiendo y al mismo tiempo aprendiendo. Me da gusto verte en las fotos, seran un bonito recuerdo. Cuidate, no te olvides que te amamos y esperamos ansiosamente tu regreso. Saludos a Corina.
AMY ^..^<
Hi,Malc
How are you? Looks like it was a nice day today. I can see the sun was shining bright. Was it hot? Has it been extremely hot since you been there? I bet days are alot better without all the rain. When it rains is the temperature of the weather warm? Have you been able to collect souvenirs? I know how you love to collect memorabilia from places you visit. Lol. I can’t wait to see what you found and hear about your adventures in DR.
I love you.
I miss you.
Mom
dear Corrina ,
Idk if this has to be formal or whatever buuuut oh well. SUP BABE. I literally just saw the email you sent me 4 days ago! LOL. Words really cannot describe how much I miss you, I went from seeing you almost 6/7 days a week to not seeing or hearing from you at all for 3! I’m doing alright though! Just knowing that you’re out there with old friends or new ones, living your life to the fullest, and being happy yaknow that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you and I couldn’t be anymore proud of you. You’re a strong, caring, independent woman and I love that about you. You going on this trip just verifies that! Hopefully when you get back you won’t be too tired to exchange stories!! I’ll be looking forward to that, lmk as soon as you get off that plane! But as of right now, go enjoy yourself! go help others! go live! I’ll be right here waiting for your return
Kisses:**
Yours truly,
Matthew Huang
Hola mi mejor amiga !! Look at you slayin the business atire, stay slayin. I love and miss you bunches and hope you are having the most amazing time. I am so proud of you and the person you have blossomed into, you work so hard everyday and it’s truly amazing how much you juggle and accomplish. I can’t wait to tackle you in the airport with love and hashbrowns. I’m so excited to hear all the stories!!!
Love,
Your needy bf
P.S Squad misses you a lot too
Hess (Jesse)!! I know you had a lot of fun on Politics Day!! Each blog I read makes me excited to hear from you how your experience was. It all sounds so amazing. The way this program is opening the minds of our youth to the ways of the world is so important. I am thankful that Global Glimpse exists. And you are so blessed to be a part of it. I can’t wait to learn from you!!! I miss you like crazy!!!
Love you, Mama