Barahona, Dominican Republic

Over the long Memorial Day weekend we decided to embark on a journey. Us along with three other families from the Embassy decided to travel to the Dominican Republic for an adventure and some fun. Well, it was both for sure. To get to the Haiti/DR border from Port Au Prince is like 1.5-2 hours depending on the traffic/road. Well, it had rained a considerable amount before we left on Saturday. So, we had heard that the road to the border is really bad and often floods. So, we had some of the mobile patrol go check it out, they cautioned us against going but we really wanted to go so we forged ahead. They weren't kidding sometimes it floods. In reality we probably shouldn't have gone through what we did, but all in all we made it and it was an adventure. So, the road is literally right by a lake with hardly any barriers. So, it floods a lot but especially in rainy season. Here is what we did on the way there.

 See the road??or do you just mostly see water? Yeah Crazy Right and this was only the Beginning!

That Big Machine was trying to help but it really wasn't!

So, we arrived in Barahona, DR around 10 or 11 am, after 4 hours of driving. We were for sure ready to get out of the car and out to the beach! The area was beautiful. Actually the drive was just beautiful too. It was so interesting it was like once we got out of Port Au Prince aways it got more beautiful, but after we crossed the border there was drastic differences. The streets were cleaner. There were roads that were more driveable, and there were not as many people out on the streets. Granted it wasn't a big city but it was definitley more organized and had a  nice feel to it. The DR is still a developing country, but it is still much farther along than Haiti. It was also just a beautiful country. It kind of made me sad to see how beautiful Haiti could be everywhere if they just kept it up! So, anyway the hotel was simple but nice. We spent a lot of time eating, swimming, and being at the beach. The beach was really rocky but still its the ocean and I just enjoy sitting by the water listening to the waves and also exploring. My friend Laura and I just walked around the little beach area and took pictures and it was beautiful. It definitley felt a little "Pirates of The Caribbean" to me. It was cool. Here are some pictures of the hotel/beach we were at.

The View from the Pool

The View of the Hotel's Beach

Me with the View!

  I also got a massage for the first time here in the DR. It was wonderful although it was outside so people just walking by could see me. At one point there was like 5 guys and one of them stopped and talked with the maseuse.. Kind of Awkward for me! So, on Monday we left and apparently Monday is market day between Haiti and DR. So, there were a lot of people and the Market was really gross. I feel so bad that these people live this way. I mean there was just trash and gross water all around and people were walking in it and trading their food and goods in it. Just craziness!



Chickens anyone??

Truck loads of food/rice/and supplies!

This was right by where all the market was happening!

This is the border! We are in DR about to enter Haiti....it was Crazy!

A very full Tap Tap leaving the Market

 Part of our Caravan, under water

And Again...it was much higher and more scary on the way home!

Well, that is that for our DR trip.

I have a few more pictures I wanted to post from other random times.

My friends Reina-she just got married and Derdy-he just got back from a mini mission and will soon leave for his full time mission-he is a good kid!

Ok this little girl is beautiful! One Sunday she came up to me and just started going through my purse. She found these earrings that she is wearing. I was planning on giving them to another little girl but I just gave them to her. Then, her sister (in the blue) was so sad that her sister got some and she didn't. I had one other pair so I gave it to her and they matched her perfectly. The whole sacrament meeting this little girl was going through my purse wanting the lip gloss and all the other fun stuff in there. So, I appeased her. It was so cute. The next sunday she came and sat with me the whole sacrament just loving on me. It was sooo cute!

I went to Stanley's cousin's wedding with him. It was very interesting. I was the only white person there of course. But, no one seemed to be bothered or care about that! It was a good time. It rained though and was very humid so my hair is a little crazy!!!

One of Stanley's cousins(He says he will only date a white girl! haha) and one of the cute little boys at the wedding! It was a good time.

Well, other than that it has been a good time in Haiti. I can't believe it but I only have two more weeks here before I head back home to embark on another adventure. I'm really glad to have this experience and can't wait to see what the next two weeks will hold for me!!

Accidents Happen

So, one of the little kids I take care of always says Accidents Happen, in like it's ok that I did that because sometimes accidents just happen. You know kids they say some funny things. Well, today I used that very good motto...Hey Accidents Happen. So, today I was driving and was making a left hand turn outside of the Embassy. A car stopped for me so I could go. So, I preceded to turn out of the Embassy and slam the next thing I knew a motorcyclist was hitting into my car. It was scary. The guy was on the ground. He got up and was fine, but he caused a big ole dent in our car and a lot of damage. Funny in one of those weird twisted ways, that just on Monday our driver rear ended someone so our bumper was already slightly hanging off and this accident just unloosened and so it fell off. We just recently got this car back after it was destroyed from our first accident. Talk about some bad luck! So, after it happened all the guards from the embassy came running out. I was so glad it happened right there, because everyone was able to quickly come to our rescue. So, ultimatley it all got taken care of except we now have a broken car again and I feel horrible, even though it was not my fault. Apparently, the motorcyclist didn't have a license or insurance and it wasn't even his motorcycle so he got taken away by the police. Who knows what they do here in these situations.

On a different note, things have been well here, besides a lot of drama happening with  my degree at ISU.  I have been hanging out with a Haitian boy here which means I get to see a side of Haiti  I wouldn't have otherwise seen. I have gotten to go to some restaurants and hang outs in the mountains that overlook Port Au Prince and its been awesome. I've also gotten to be amongst the Haitian people in their communities as I went to his house and his friends home. It has been quite an interesting experience. I am continually amazed to see how people live. It shows me that people can survive and be happy on a little to none income. So, hey my life isn't going exactly as I planned and yes I might be poorer than I hoped at this point. And no I haven't traveled the world. But, I have money to meet my needs. I have a home. I have my health. I have a family. I have peopel who love me and care for me. So, I have all the most important things and for that Im grateful.

This leads me to my next comments. My friend Stanley came with me last Saturday when we went to visit the Street Kids. I love them so much. They really just bring me so much happiness. They maul me like everytime and they just love on me and its awesome. This time one of my favorite little boys, he has 12 fingers. It was classic. One of the other little boys came over and started counting his fingers. He was like see he has 12...kinda like isn't that crazy. But, this sweet little boy was like yeah isn't that awesome. It didn't seem to phase him that he was a little different. He embraced his differences and was happy about them and even seemed to think yeah I'm awesome because I have two more fingers to do stuff with. So, I was just loving it....This is a picture with me and the boys and the little girl who was obsessed with me today for some reason!

Ok so that was one of the little kids. But there is this other little boy there that is just really cute. He has some severe disabilities. His legs are highly deformed. He walks like on his knees. Its kind of hard to explain his condition.  Well when we were there I told Stevenson to come sit with me. So, he gladly did. With him he brought a string. So, I tried to show him Cat's Cradle. It wasn't until after i was done showing him that I realized his hands were also deformed. On his left hand he had all five fingers but some were short. On his right hand he had his thumb, but it was kind of short and then the rest of his hand was like a little nub. It broke my heart and I felt so bad. I was feeling so sorry for him and feeling so bad I showed him something he couldn't do. So, as I sat there watching this sweet little soul I was so touched. You know he just persisted and tried to do what I showed him. He never gave up and he tried other alternatives to ge the same result. So, I tried to show him some other cool things using the strings that he'd be more able to do. He was determined and he didn't give up. It was such a good example to me. He has been dealt tremendous trials. I mean he was living in the streets and now lives in this home with about 69 other street kids, he has severed disabilities, but he continues trying and pushing through. He is just as sweet as can be. So, Stevenson you are a Blessed Child of God and I know that sometimes the people of Haiti may forget you but God will never Forget you and one day you will be with him and you will recieve your reward! I love you little Stevenson.

Sranley was really touched by this experience with Stevenson. He got really emotional and afterwards i asked him if he had never seen the kids in his country in this condition. He said he had seen them on the streets but never like that. He said it just made him realize how blessed he is to have a strong body and to have the ability to provide for himself. It was interesting talking with him about it and Im glad he had that experience. 

Here is some other pictures from our day with the steet kids.

 Me and Stanley-Not really a great picture of Either of us!

My Bony..Love him soo much!

 I love this picture..I think it just captures the sweetest expression!

These two wanted my undivided attention today! It was classic!

Attempted Piggy Back Ride

Love Getting pictures taken??? I think YES! Maybe a little obsessed!

Kind of Sad, but seriously Cute!

I love that he is making a little heart with his hands...he did that ll by himself.....Can you all tell yet that i love these kids???