Student Trip Blog Instructions
Student Trip Blog
Hey, it’s Rachel and Fernanda here with your daily blog!
We had a jump start to today with a 6:00 AM wakeup call before heading off to Sonido Del Yaque, a community located in the mountains of Jarabacoa. When we arrived, we had a lovely 15-minute hike down a steep, rocky, and bumpy terrain to meet Esperanza, the community representative along with some families from the community. They welcomed us with open arms and invited us into their homes. We were separated into five groups, each with about 3-4 people, corresponding to five different homes. We assisted with different house chores such as mopping, sweeping, dishes and even cleaning the surrounding property. With loud music, dance breaks, and great conversation, the 2 hours flew by. We learned about a stream nearby, and how it’s put through bio-digestion (a filtration system) and used as drinking water.
At noon we headed to lunch and had rice with corn, chicken, concon (A classic Dominican dish), salad, rice and beans, fried eggplant pasta salad, and Coca-Cola. We ate with the community including the energetic and talkative children. Friendships were made and even arguments broke out about who’s friend was whose.
After lunch, we had a tour from Esperanza where we learned about the bioengineering technique for converting waste into energy, we saw a fish farm and tried fresh cacao. From seeing them being picked and broken open on a rock to enjoying the sweet beans inside was an enriching experience.
We finished off our adventure by swimming in the river and fighting against the strong current. Many of us fought for our lives, and many laid afloat. Today was full of laughter and learning, as we immersed ourselves into a new community.
Your FAVORITE Leaders of the Day signing out!
P.S.
(Rachel): Mom, you’ve only commented once… please give me something more to work with and share the blog link with family!
(Fernanda): Motha, yap sesh gunna go crazy when I get back.
Comments (25)
Letisha (Courtney mom)
It so great to see everyone helping out with the locals. What a great experience these couple of days has been. Everyone is doing a wonderful job, I am so proud of y’all. ?
Richy & Ellie (Isa’s Parents)
We hope you had your mountain gear when you scaled down the steep mountain! We remember jumping in rivers in D.R. and P.R. and how cold and refreshing the waters were. We’re glad you guys experienced another exciting adventure. Lunch sound delicious, you had us at concon with beans.
Isa, you basically lived our childhood today. Even doing chores while dancing Merengue, which we still do! LOL! Our day was quiet, not as exciting as yours. You hiked down a steep mountain while we hit ghe gym and then just casually walked in the park. “We love you Infidimiest and Beyond!”
Aprille Gordon
Y’all look like are having so much fun. Graycie, this is life changing work that you all are doing. You make your families proud.
~Auntie Aprille
Deijha
Hii Graycie it’s your favorite cousins
Wow today sounds like it was loads of fun along with a lot of physical activity.
I’ve had fresh cacao before and it’s actually really tasty and sweet.
It’s so cool you guys get to fully immerse into the culture and have an understanding of their everyday life.
Keep the photos coming I am living vicariously through you guys!
Continue to have fun and create great memories that’ll last a lifetime!
XOXO
-Deijha
Jo's mom Aury
What a amazing day you guys had, helping the comunity, eating locals food, I love concon with bean. That Jarabacoa river is amazing and cold. I’m glad you guys had fun.
Naydene (xavier’s mom)
You guys help with house chores hmm so I guess us parents are going to get some help around the house then lol
Chloe
Fernanda, can’t wait to hear all your stories!
Also, Leaders of the Day with a 6am start! Well done you two. (Good to know you can get up at 6am Fernanda! ;))
The day sounded so rewarding and joyful.
I am getting jealous of the food. Have fun!
Alice Benedetto
Chaya, big hugs, and enjoy every moment of this experience! There is not much going on at home, all is quiet here. I take Babe for walks in the woods on the horse trail at Jess’s when Grandpa lets me, and she loves it! She is a great trail walker. I love you and talk soon!
Andre Ware
How are y’all so hilarious with your personal messages. I can’t believe it has almost been a week since you’ve been in the DR. Time is flying!
Great job to the Leaders of the Day so far, Graycie, Johanna, David, Xavier, Fernanda, and Rachel.
Your P.S messages to your parents have me rolling.
Fernanda and Rachel, I had to share what you wrote to my partner so she could laugh too: “Yap sesh gunna go crazy when I get back” and “please give me something more to work”, is wicked funny.
Xavier and Davis with the straight forward messages to their parents. Love to read it.
Graycie and Johanna living their best lives without a cell phone.
This is all awesome, and I’m proud of each one of you. Keep up the great work!!!!! I’ll continue to read your blogs everyone.
Auntie Tammy
Hi Gray Gray,
This looks like it is very fun. I know this was a wonderful experience. Continue to enjoy you guys experience.
Julia (Katherine’s mom)
It was so nice to hear your voice Katherine. Can’t wait to see all those pictures you took! Proud of you helping locals with chores. Some chores will be waiting for you when you come back home ?. We miss you.
Susan Mckinnon
Hi Rachel I am so proud of you for taking this journey. It looks so beautiful and untamed nothing compared to here. I hope you are enjoying the chores without a dishwasher lol. I know you’re surprised I haven’t sent a message on this to often but I saved them for your phone when you return. lol. But seriously I have been checking daily to see your picture . I Love and miss you. Muffin misses you.
Ron Mckinnon
Wow Rachael! That looks awesome! Cherish this time as you explore a new culture and country!
Susan Mckinnon
Hi Rachel I submitted a comment but I can’t see it. Oh well you will have two. Just letting you know how proud I am of you. It looks absolute beautiful and untamed. Unlike here lol. I hope you are enjoying this experience . Miss you lots. Your chores are being taken care of but can’t wait to give them back.
Dom Washington
Ayyeee my sister’s international or whatevaaa, love and miss you Rachel!
kay mangan
hey rachel ! this looks like such a great experience can’t wait to hear more ? also were u one of the people fighting for their lives in the river ? stay safe xo
Nicole
Hi everyone.
I love it that you all get to live like the locals and immerse yourselves in their culture.
This sounds like being with family . Cooking and cleaning and doing dishes. I love it.
Grayson, your kitten misses you. When i lay down, she keeps sleeping on my head for some reason. Lol
Can’t wait to hear what exciting things you all do tomorrow.
Love Mom
tesia stanisclaus( keziah's mom)
I’m so happy t see everyone helping and do a vrray job
Keziah I can’t believe you’re actually waking up early (I’m my British voice)
Continue to ha phenomenal time
Xoxso
tesia stanisclaus
Ps,,, I hope you didn’t go swimming
Angelina Jo's little sister
Hi Hanna I miss. You so much how are you doing
Cindy Warner
Hi Rachel,
Sounds like you are have a great experience. Looking forward to seeing you when you get home and you can tell us all about the trip!
Love you,
Aunt Cindy
Charles H. Washington, Jr.
Hi Rachel!
Fish farm and bioengineering waste to energy wow, interesting stuff! and the country side views look amazing…. rolling hills
Stay safe out there ! I Love you!
Charles H. Washington, Jr.
Hi Rachel!
Fish farm and bioengineering waste to energy wow, interesting stuff! and the country side views look amazing…. rolling hills
Love you
Denise Biernat
What an adventure my dear! So proud of your spirit through this! Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear all your stories! So proud of you dear!
Denise Biernat
Hello beautiful girl! Can’t believe the adventure you are having? Up at 6:30! Good to know miracles do happen! Can’t wait to hear about your experience and all the people you met. The landscape looks amazing! Love you dear!