Well first let me say, sorry it has been so long since I last updated my blog I have been very busy with the holidays, visitors, and work. Also I am sad to report that my computer crashed during all this as well. But things are getting back on track, I have a new computer (!!!) and I am slowly getting back into my normal routine here. So here goes trying to put into words what my last month has been like AMAZING!
I have to say that while it was a little hard not to be home for Christmas, being here in Dominica for the holidays was a really amazing experience. And I just have to say that it probably wouldnt have been as great if my sister wasnt here with me to celebrate. With her company and comfort I was truly able to enjoy a Dominican Christmas. Kristen and I had a really great time together, we explored the island and I got to show her some of my favorite sights Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, the Indian River and the list goes on and on. We spent time with some of the other PCVs, made lots of new Dominican friends, and had ourselves a very Merry Caribbean Christmas.
So here is the breakdown of our Dominican style Christmas We spent Christmas Eve day on the beach, with the other PCVs that stayed on island, relaxing and enjoying the Caribbean sun rather than the Colorado snow! Christmas Eve isnt really a beach day here in Dominica, so we were really the only ones there so later that night we decided to do what the locals do and head to town (Roseau) to participate in the traditional Dominican Christmas Eve. You know how in the States everyone goes shopping before Christmas and wraps the presents and puts them under the tree? Well not many people do that here, instead the whole family goes down to Roseau on Christmas Eve and picks out their gifts from the shops that stay open extra late. Then they hang out in town enjoying their purchases, listen to music, eating and drinking, and just hang out with everyone else that is down there. We ended up staying till about midnight or so and by that time it was getting a little crazy lots of partying and firecrackers going off in the middle of the streets, so it was a good time to head back home. Most Dominicans would have gone to midnight mass about this time then after it ended party till the sun came up.
Christmas morning Kristen and I woke up and made ourselves a Christmas breakfast! We even found Corned Beef Hash for me (one of my favorites!) You will notice the day pretty much revolved around food! Then we skyped home (pre computer crash) and opened our gifts the family had sent down!!! At this time most Dominicans were probably at home resting from the long night before and getting ready to do it all again that night. Kristen and I were then invited to a friends house (one of the teachers I work with at the primary school) for lunch, not just any lunch but a huge feast of local Dominican foods. There was beef, pork, and goat stews, rice, salad, mac and cheese, coleslaw, veggies, local juice, tons of alcohol, and much more. Kristen and I were stuffed! It was really great to spend part of the day with good friends and got us out of my tiny apartment for a while.
When we got home we skyped some more :) and then made ourselves a tradition (American) Christmas dinner! And man did we do a good job or what! I was so proud of us. We made a 10 pound turkey (which I am still eating today) stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans! We even had some local Christmas juice called sorrel from my landlords. We pretty much used every dish I own to make dinner. We were so proud of our little Christmas meal! After that we just spent time together chatting and probably watched a movie before falling asleep. It was a great Christmas to be sure. And I am so glad Kristen was here to experience a Dominican Christmas with me. And we made some really great memories that will last a lifetime. Kristen has a future being an island girl that is for sure!
After Kristen left (sad sad day) it was time to celebrate New Years Eve only problem is Dominicans dont celebrate New Years Eve the night is spent in church and the celebration is on New Years Day a beach day. So what did we PCVs do, well the only thing there was to do (other than church) we went to the American school here and partied with the ROSS students. It was a typical NYE party very fun though. Lets just say we spent the rest of the weekend doing nothing but sleeping and laying low. :)
And then a few days after that I had another visitor one of my best friends from high school, Nate, came to visit me. We had a great time, I always love when people come to visit cause I get to play tourist while they are here. Nate and I had a great time and we even did some new things that I had never done before. One new thing was we hiked to Boiling lake, it is a 8 mile gorgeous hike to 1 of only 2 boiling lakes in the world. It was a really challenging hike, but so worth it, and it was something that has been on my to-do list since I got here.
Now that Nate is gone, and the holidays are over it is time for me to get back to my normal life. Only problem is I am having a little bit of a hard time doing so so well see all I can do right now is put one foot in front of the other and be grateful for the amazing holiday season I had and the priceless memories made.
