December

Well, the lack of blog posting shows that December was very busy.  Here is a quick overview of December. 

School during December:

The 3^rd graders take midterms in December similar to a high schooler.  They have a cumulative exam in each subject.  This was a little stressful at times, but we all survived. 

The toddler through 2^nd grade classes performed una velada navidena (Christmas program) with lots of singing and dancing in costume.  It was adorable, of course.

Below are some pictures of students making Navajo Sand Paintings as part of our Social Studies unit on Native Americans.

Dec 2-4

Friday—I attended a Catholic church with a friend and then we had dinner at a cute Spanish sandwich restaurant.  I spent lots of time enjoying friends in the parque (park) that night.  Many weekend nights are spent in the parque.  The Dominican culture is much more inclined to be outside visiting with friends/family than inside their homes.  You can always see people sitting outside talking.  The parque is a town square with benches and a statue of Christopher Columbus in the middle.  The parque is the meeting point for everyone.  I love hanging out in the parque because you get to enjoy being outside while seeing your old friends and meeting new ones. 

Sat-I attended a professional Christmas play for children called Willy 3-D.  Willy is an elf that helps to reveal the true meaning of Christmas.  Even though we were in our 20s we still got the surprises that came with the ticket.

3-D glasses AND glow necklaces

coloring book and piggy bank....I guess you're only as old as you feel :)

Sun-We went to Hemingway beach.  It was beautiful day and an even better sunset.  One of the best parts of the day was something that happens to us quite often.  Another American teacher and I were invited to the beach day by a Dominican friend.  There was a big group of Dominicans that all knew each other.  Although we were the only newcomers, the group ensured that we felt welcomed and included.  But, it’s not merely that Dominicans are hospitable.  My observation is that Dominicans are genuinely hospitable; it’s never an act or forced.  I certainly will take back with me lessons on genuine hospitality.

Dec.9-11

I went to the final event for “Secret Santa” at work.  This is similar to work Secret Santa in the US (you draw names, secretly give/receive gifts, reveal your identify at the end) except that each teacher opens her gift from “Secret Santa” one by one in front of the group. 

I went to a friend’s birthday party Saturday night and a local concert at Cinema Café Sunday night.  Both were fun. :)

The city hosted an all day event called “Noche de los Museos”.  All of the museums in the city were opened to the public for free.  They also had many events/performances like concerts, dancers, etc.  

Gringas in a museum 

top of the fort in the Colonial Zone

 Christmas tree in the Plaza Espana 

Dec 16-18           

The work Christmas party was like no other work Christmas party I’ve ever attended.  The theme of the work party this year was “Dominican Traditions”.  This was a great theme for me because it allowed me to see/do many Dominicans things.  The entertainment included a band that played traditional music, dancers, and men on stilts.  The food included yaniqueques for appetizers, a dinner of pork with lime, baked chicken stuffed with mofongo, salad, sweet plantains with cheese casserole, rice and beans, bread, stuffed plantain leaves, and dessert (sweet potato bars, coconut candies, etc).  There was also a 3 carts that are commonly seen on the streets-sugar cane, frio frio, and coconut water. 

frio frio (snow cones)

Coconut Water: The guy uses a machete to cut open the coconut and then just pours the water into a cup.

Sugar Cane

My first time eating sugar cane...It was much better than I expected.

the band

traditional dancers

The Menu

My Plate

I went to a beach about 1.5 hours southwest of Santo Domingo for Saturday and Sunday.  I stayed at a house that was right on the water with mountains in the background.  The pictures explain it better than I can.

Palmar de Ocoa

gorgeous

I always love the sunsets.

You can't beat having the sea and the mountains in the same view.

The night before I left to return home for Christmas break I went to a baseball game-Licey Tigres vs Aguilas.  The baseball games are nonstop cheering, flag waving, horn blowing, and taunting the opposing fans.  Licey and Aguilas fans sit side by side and anytime a team does something positive their fans wave the flag, blow a horn or dance right in the face of an opposing team’s fan.  Surprisingly, they never get mad.  Dominicans are passionate about baseball and teasing other fans seems to be part of the fun.