Body Here ,Heart There

This picture is what it looked like out the front of my parents home this morning. It's beautiful to see but I truly wish I was only looking at this foto instead of seeing it in real life. But I'm still in USA so I have to make the best of it.

Yesterday was Independence Day in Dominican Republic. I kept feeling like it was holiday here in USA and had to keep reminding myself that the mail was coming and there were no parades on the TV.

I remember my first Military parade I saw in DR. I really didn't understand that it was their Independence Day, Doesn't everyone in the world all celebrate Independence Day on July 4th (this is I guess what I thought because the problem was I never really thought about it before)? Well, I came out of my little world and discovered that every country had their own Independence Day, imagine that!

My Friend Leandro took me to the Malecon to see the parade. It was interesting. There were all these men, looking very proper and handsome in their respective military uniforms. Have to admit, a man in uniform always looks good. There were so many different uniforms. I remember thinking (and I still do) "Why does such a small island need so many army guys?" But I guess for that day every military man that could be at the parade was. So it looked like there were tons. It seemed to me that half the island was military!

All these brand new turquoise/off blue cars and motorcycles were blowing their sirens and riding around (I found out later that they were showing off all the new police vehicles). All around was an electric feeling in the crowd. Everyone was so excited. People were cheering and laughing and it was so festive. I was taken up by the moment and felt that this was MY country and that all these people were MY military people. It was a feeling like I felt like I was home. Hard to explain. It was a bit emotional. I don't know why but it was. I can be silly in this way sometimes.

The second Independence Day parade I went to was when I was living in Colonial Zone. Me and Sniffy (the blind wonder dog) went to see the parade. She loved to be in the center of things. And she thought she was the princess. She loved all the attention a cute dog gets, with her bandana around her neck we were off to face the crowds.

I had my camera that year and got a lot of good pictures that can be seen on my World is Round Tourist Pictures page. I remember there was some sergeant looking guy. He was marching on the outside of the other marchers so he was some higher up guy. He was yelling at the crowd and everyone was laughing and yelling back at him. I had no idea what anyone was saying buy I knew what ever it was it was funny.

There were so many different colors and types of uniforms. I really have no idea who was who but they were all pretty to look at.

The best part of the parade was the people watching. There was these 3 men dressed as women, butt ugly women too! jejej They were dancing around acting all fagot like. They were so funny. Malcons on the Malecon! I took a picture of them and they loved that. Sniffy liked them also. Who knows if she would have felt the same about them if she had eyes to see them. They were very hard on the eyes!

I love to meet new people and I started talking to a group of people. Me and this guy ended up going to a colmado to have a few beers. He was a nice young guy. I took a picture of him and Sniffy. They were eating Chicharones together sitting in the Colmado. They both had hugh smiles on their faces! Teeth showing! Sniffy was having a good time eating her Chicherones, drinking a funda de auga out of a plastic glass and being the center of attention.

We finally made it home after dark. Tired and happy. I talked to so many people. Sniffy got so much attention and she talked to people too! It was a good day.

My Big First Job

I needed to find a job and start being responsible again. I really wasn't sure how to go about looking for work here in Dominican Republic so I did what I heard was a good thing and started asking people. They say its not what you know but who you know so I started asking around.

Alex had a friend who knew a guy that had a business and needed a secretary that knew English. I was no secretary and thought it would be so boring because I'm so used to being around people, talking and having fun while I work. But I decided to go see the man anyhow. So I made an appointment for the next day and found out where the place was.

I didn't have any secretary-type clothes so I just put on a pair of white pants and shirt and started walking. It wasn't that far from where I lived so this was a good thing. But a bad thing happened. It started raining! It came down hard. Dirt from the road splashing up on my white pants. I did have a little folding umbrella which didn't do much in the Dominican downpour. So by the time I got there, about a 15 minute walk, I wasn't looking my best.

I walked up to the door and there was a man getting in his car. He asked me who I wanted and I told him. This was the guy I was looking for! He was leaving and I was 5 minutes early. He told me to get in the car and he would take me home and we could talk. So I did as told and it ended up he was a really nice man and he gave me the job even though I had never been a secretary, had never used Microsoft Word, didn't have the right clothes and couldn't speak Spanish well.

So ,of course, I had to celebrate. I got Sniffy and went to the Colmado and we celebrated my new job. I really didn't want the job but I needed it. Oh well, this is life

I went there the next day. I found out the business was called Grant Thorton. I didn't know what they did until about a month later. They are an accounting firm. Mainly what I did was play on the computer. Practice with Word. Get the Faxes out of the machine and put them in a bin. Check the emails and answer them if they were in English ( maybe 1 to 2 emails a day). I was very busy (sic). I was really BORED. I couldn't even answer the phones. I couldn't understand what the people were saying. I'd puck up the phone and then yell to Martha of Jennifer to help me.

I told the boss that if I didn't think I could do the job or didn't like it to let him know. They would give me 3 months to try it out. When the 3 month time was up I was waiting until he wasn't busy to go and talk to him when I was called into a meeting. They all had these sad looks on their faces. I hurried and said I had to quit and they looked so much better. They said they felt bad. I didn't feel bad at all. I was so bored there. The people were great but I just wasn't the secretary type.

My First Carnival

Colonial Zone Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Carnival in Santo Domingo
My friend Tony and his gang invited me to go to the carnival in La Vega. I really had no idea what to expect but I went anyhow. I really didn't want to leave Sniffy alone the whole day but I did it, worrying about her the entire day. This was my first time to leave her alone for a long time since she turned blind. She was getting around better so I went.
They came and got me and we took a public car to get a Guagua. There were so many cars and people everywhere. I had no idea where I was. Of course we went to the Colmado on the corner and got a few beers. I also got a little bag of some snack (can't remember exactly what it was). The bag had a little plastic toy to put together. I couldn't figure out how to get it together but I'm sure a kid could have done it immediately. I played with this toy while we sat around drinking. I entertained myself a lot, especially when I couldn't understand what anyone was talking about. I'd just go into my own little world until I understood something or until someone spoke directly to me slowly.
I had no idea why we were just sitting around. We got up early. It was about 10AM and we were just sitting. I found out that we were waiting for others of the group to show up. As usual people were late.
Finally it seemed that people were there. They were getting up and returning. Giving me the hand signal to sit and stay. Just like a dog. I sat and stayed and kept my little plastic glass full of beer waiting for the call to move somewhere else.
Finally I was called to get on the bus. We got a few beers for the road and all loaded onto the Guagua. It was a nice Guagua, it even had air conditioning.
We were on our way. I had no idea how far we were going but I was enjoying the music and everyone laughing and talking. It was for sure a party even thought I really didn't understand much. I knew this for sure.
We stopped at some road stop place. There was a lot of people everywhere. I remember stopping there before when some friends took me to Jarabacoa once when I was on vacation. We got a sandwich and more beer then we were off again.
We pulled into the town of La Vega. There were people and busses everywhere. I had no idea what was going on. I just followed the leader to another Colmado. We all sat down. Got more beer. Some of the group disappeared and some stayed. Some came back and others left. We were there for a few hours. I finally got someone to listen to me and I asked when the Carnival was to start. Tony told me it started a long time ago but it was in the other street. Why didn't anyone tell me!? I came to see the Carnival, I could sit around and drink at home.
I finally got Tony to take me to the next street to see what was going on. He said he didn't like the Carnival. So why was he there? I never did understand that one. But he did take me to the next street.
I couldn't believe the change. Where we were sitting there were many people but this was unreal. There were people everywhere. All mashed in. It was difficult to even move. There was so much excitement in the air. Everyone was loud and moving around like they were frantic.
then I saw it. I was in shock.
There were monster faces. Big ugly masks. Really they were beautifully done but were of the most viscous and toothy demons one could imagine. All larger than life. They were painted brightly and the clothes were all shiny and bright. They were in the center of the street with people running in every direction seeming to want to get away from them.
Then I saw it. Well, I didn't see it until it was too late. One of those masked demons hit me! They hit me hard! I didn't expect it. I heard about getting hit but I had no idea it was like this. The demon had a balloon type thingy in his hand (later I found out it was a dried animal bladder or rubber made into a ball) and he was swinging it around and hitting people on the butt! That thing hurt too. I turned around shocked and saw Tony close behind me laughing. I guess the look of shock on my face was pretty funny told me to stay out of the street. Now why didn't he tell me this before? One can only guess. He liked to see me get my first whack!
Now I understood. You had to watch all around you. Stay off the street and away from the dressed up people. It wasn't as easy as it seemed. With all the humans sandwiched in escape wasn't always easy. There was loud music. Humans everywhere. People yelling. Humans everywhere. Bladders butt-wapping. Humans everywhere. Everyone having a good time. And did I mention humans EVERYWHERE!!??
After about a half hour I gave up fighting the crowd and just let them move me along until I came out the other side and was free. All the while holding on to Tony for dear life and laughing hard. It was great fun. Good thing I wasn't claustrophobic and that I had had a few beers to relax me. I made it our of the crowd and we went back to the Colmado to our seats and another bien fria(beer)to cool off with. This is when they explained to me what this Carnival was about, in English. They must have waited to see my reaction and to get a good laugh (which I did to my family a year later when they got their first Carnival experience also).
It was time to get back onto the Guagua. I had no idea how they knew where ours was but we got there. Got on and situated. The ride home was a little quieter because everyone was tired and maybe a bit sore. All in all I had a great time.
Another new experience to add to my many here in Dominican Republic. I love this country!

The Washing Experience

I did buy the machine. Heres the story I wrote soon after my first laundry experience. Hope you get a good laugh reading it as I did when I worte and experienced it.


Dominican Wash Machine!

Well, I did it! I bought a Dominican wash machine. I never used a semiautomatic before...wash machine that is. For those of you who don't know what this Dominican wash machine looks like...its plastic, light weight, has a place to wash on one side and the other side is a spinner to extract the water out of the clothes. I never saw anything like it in USA!

Getting this thing delivered to my house was not as bad as I thought it would be. Using the machine was another story indeed, it was much worse than I ever could have imagined. Lucky for me the instructions were in English or I may still be trying to interpret them. I had so many dirty clothes I couldn't wait to use my new machine.

I proceeded to unpack this fine, what I thought would be, a great and helpful purchase. Since my place was so small I figured I'd just slide it over to the sink to fill and drain it from there. I slid that baby right over to the sink. It was very light. I pulled out the hose, attached it to the back of the machine then went to hook it onto the spigot. Dumb thing didn't fit. Now I had to think for a minute and come up with a new plan. Ah Ha! I attached the garden hose to the outside facet and drug it into the house, stuck it in the machine and commenced filling my fine plastic dream machine.

As I stood back, content, waiting for it to fill, the hose got a life of its own. It flipped right out of the tank. I was right on it! I got the floor a little wet. But hey! No Problema! The floor needed a washing anyhow. I put that wild, whipping hose right back in the tank. I wasn't going to let it get the best of me.

With the tank filled and the soiled clothes agitating wildly in the tank, I was content. All seemed to be going well. The soap was bubbling nicely. The clothes were going to be happy clothes for being washed properly once again.

The first cycle complete I get the supplied drain hose ready so it can do its job. The hose is connected to the bottom of the machine without problems. Then I put that expandable hose in the sink. This made me have to face the next problem. Water doesn't flow up hill. Imagine that! I always thought I was pretty smart but at that moment I knew it was not so. I set the hose down on the floor to think of what to do and to my surprise all the water started running out onto the floor. Now I was feeling really feeling stupid as the soapy water was flowing, quite rapidly I must say, out onto the floor! It took me a few seconds to think of what to do. Then it came to me, run outside and shut the water off, big dummy!

You could never imagine how much water can drain out of a hose in a few seconds! I had a small pool in my home by this time. I got my trusty bucket, that because of some strange enlightment I had the brains to buy. I put the hose inside. The bucket filled up faster than I had anticipated. I had to think fast, how to empty it, hold the hose up, and get it back into position without adding to the flooded floor. Well, let me say, I didn't succeed in my attempt. The small pool was growing rapidly and becoming quite a large pool rapidly. As I lifted the bucket to the sink the water would spill out on the floor. I decided it was futile and just let the water flow onto the floor as it desired. Maybe this is why I see the Dominican women sweeping water out of their houses into the street all the time.

Now the water was emptied from the tank. I got out the directions and read again. They said to remove the clothes from the big tank and put them in the smaller tank. This is the water extractor or centrificar (I think that is how to spell it). I turned it on and it was spinning fast. Then water started pouring out of the machine onto the floor again. So that is what the spinny thing did. It removed the excess water. It did make the clothes quite dry. I was impressed. Much dryer than the hand wringing they were used to receiving. I was really gaining some intellegence this day for sure.

The first load was done.I made clothes clean and created a pond all at the same time. I was doing great! I swept some of the water out the door and I was ready to give it another try. Now that I was a seasoned pro and had the technique down I was ready. I had this thing all figured out, I thought. I decided not to sweep out anymore water just incase it happened again. I had to save my strength just in case there were any more mishaps.

I got the hose in the machine went out to turn on the water. The hose popped out again, but oh well, the floor was already a pond! The machine did its job again and as before it was my turn. The drain hose popped off again.

This time the neighbor was walking by my open door. She saw me on my knees in the flooded kitchen with water shooting out of the machine. I was laughing out loud to myself. She stopped and had a look of shock and amazement blended together on her face. I'm sure she was thinking what is that crazy Gringa doing. She said something, I have no clue what it was because it was all Spanish to me. She started laughing also. Then, of course, she went and got two other people to come see the Americana kneeling in a pool of bubbly water in the middle of her kitchen. They were laughing at me. I was laughing at me. Everybody laughed!

What was Sniffy doing? She heard the laughter and she always loved a good laugh. Her tail would wag and she'd get in what we called her horse shoe position. Her back end curving around almost touching her face. She really had no clue what was going on but she wanted to be involved. She came out of the back of the apartment, stopped at the edge of the pool looking very confused yet happy (she did smile). I don't know how she knew it was the edge of the pond when she was blind. Many times she amazed me, She then decided to enter the water, slipped and fell right in. My poor blind wonder dog Sniffy. Now there is a wet dog and a wet human. People laughing at us from outside the door, and water everywhere. What a site it was.

I was feeling good. I had my first load of wash done. It was hanging on the line on the roof happily soaking up the sun and swaying in the gentile Caribbean breeze. I had a good laugh. Entertained the neighbors. Sniffy and I both had a swim in our own little pool. Sniffy got a bath since she was wet already. The water was swept out of the house, floor and patio clean.

I called the Colmado to bring me a few beers. I had to sit back and reflect on my new experience. I was proud and content. My first Dominican laundry experience and I survived. I just never realized how much water a little plastic wash machine held! I hope this doesn't happen every time I wash or I'm going back to hand washing...it takes less time

Copyright © 2002

Colonial Zone Dominican Republic Casandra Award Nominees

Colonial Zone Dominican Republic Casandra Award Nominees
Just saw the Casandra Awards Nominees. It's good to see my close friend, Juan Cuevas on the list for best classical vocals. You go Uncle Juan!!

My first Christmas in Dominican Republic was very interesting. I really didn't have a boyfriend to hang out with his family. Many of my friends came through and included me in their celebrations.
A lawyer friend of mine (who was helping me to get my residencia) took me with him to his families home. They were really nice people and had some great food.
Juan Antonio (the man I was with when Sniffy got hit) came and took me to the park and we had a great time. People kept thinking we were tourists, when hex 100% Dominican. In a Colmado they even tried to charge him tourist prices for a beer. Then when he swore at them in typical Dominican Spanish the price suddenly went down. I learned a lot that day along with some new words to add to my vocabulary..jejee.
Many of the people I met on the computer came and took me out also. All in all it was good and I really didn't miss my old home at all.
I even got to meet the DR1 people at our Christmas party. That was fun meeting some of the people that told me not to move to the country. They told me I'd never last more than 3 months. They thought I was an old lady with my little dog. So I had to wow them a bit. I wore my little black dress and then I was much thinner. This was before I had to have at least a presidente beer a day. We discusses all the important things for example, what was a raccoon pecker (they are always hard by the way), where exactly was the town of Mars, and many more things very important to life as one knows it. I enjoyed meeting these people much.
I did have my computer hooked up by this time so on those boring nights I was on line talking. I liked to go out and walk at night instead of sitting at home but in Julietta it just didn't feel safe. They who lived here all stayed inside their gates and didn't hang out in the streets like in the areas I was used to. The streets were dark and people-less so I couldn't go out far from home. I hated paying for a taxi unless it was necessary. Have to set your priorities when it comes to spending money.
But it was all good. I did have a lot of company and my neightbors were really nice people. My one neighbor was from Trinidad-Tobago and she was a very interesting human for sure.
One thing I didn't understand was there were no Christmas carols. Later I did find out that they just don't sound like the ones we have in USA. So much to learn.
I learned how to do all my laundry by hand also. I thought my hands were going to fall off. Especially trying to wring out bed sheets. That was really tough. But I did it until I decided it was time to go out and buy my first Dominican wash machine.