The DR is not very different from the US in a lot of ways. There are grocery stores with much of the same foods we have, there is still ice cream readily available, there is free wi-fi at Pollo Rey (a fast food place). Many of the comforts I expected to be giving up I’ve not yet had to, like running water for example.
Some things I have let go of:
Hot water, but the weather is so hot I don’t even care
Air conditioning
Unlimited wardrobe and shoes
Showering every day (mainly because there are 46 people, only 3 showers and limited water supply)
Eating vegetables regularly
Toilets that flush without me filling up a bucket
Electricity and water that don’t randomly cease working (could be for minutes, could be for days)
Interesting differences:
Don’t flush the TP
The water turns off to the opposite direction
Brush your teeth with the water from your water bottle unless you want to get sick
There are giant holes in the streets that could swallow me whole, so watch where you walk
Cows and horses in the middle of the city is not uncommon
Annoyance:
Men that whistle or hiss or shout los Americanas at me and the rest of the women on the team.
This month I have been amazingly blessed. I wake up thinking about God every day and go to sleep thinking of Him every night. Most nights as I get into my hammock I ask myself “How did I get so lucky to be here, living this life?” As the end of my first month comes to a close I give thanks to God for all that he has allowed me to be a part of, all that he has taught me and I prepare my heart for what is coming in Haiti and around the world.
