Day 4: Community Day (No. 2)

Buen Día/Buenos Tardes Glimpser Families!

Today, we started nice and early at 5:50 am! Loud knocks on doors led to a swift wake-up and breakfast at 7 am. After breakfast, we did a mental warm-up called “screaming toes” and another called “zap” for some bonding time! Ava P won for the second day in a row. Then we loaded the bus and headed to Canada de las Palmas to meet some delightful and welcoming community members. Once there we split into groups led by student translators, (Felix, Ashley, Victoria, Lex, Cody, Tatiana, Cris, and Kaitlenn). Everyone was offered coffee as a welcome into the family homes. In the groups, we worked with the members of the community in their homes by helping them with their chores. Ava P, Ashley, and Jadalys helped to peel eggplants gifted to us yesterday and eggs that were a part of our community lunch. Felix, Xiaohan, and Madyson were guided around large gardens to discover hidden avocado and mango trees. After helping with the chores, many gathered under a tree in the shade to bond with some of the community while others played a quick game of basketball with some of the children. Next, everyone gathered in the community center to eat a scrumptious lunch of fried egglants, plantanos maduros fritos, locrio de pollo, and potato salad. After lunch, we found out that our project will be renovating the community center. We then asked our “Who, What, Why?” questions about how our project will benefit the community and be sustainable. Then, everyone gathered outside to play games and face-paint with the local children. One of our teen translators, Cristian, also sat down with two-year-old Esmeralda to feed her. After hours of play, we said our thank-yous and goodbyes, then headed back to Hotel Dilenia. Once back, we split into our self-reflection groups and reflected on our day by answering and talking about deep-thinking questions. This then led to some free time before our dinner of hot dogs and corn for some, along with plantains with salami. Before our nightly meeting, we had a short dance party with Awilda, who is the daughter of one of our cooks. We ended the night with Xiaohan and Ava P passing the torch to Serena, Ava M, and Kaitlenn, and bonding before bed.