Pues mis amigos, we’ve arrived. The atmosphere is muggy, and drizzling rain is replenishing the water supply here in San Juan, Dominican Republic. We are currently staying in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in San Juan; how you might ask on $4.50 USD per person a night? There are 40 people staying in a 4 bedroom house!! Its Adventures in Mission’s missionary house, and they are renting it from a Supreme Court Judge here in San Juan. Can you say God’s favor is on us? We have a kitchen, 4 bathrooms, and water and electricity :). Weird things to suddenly be appreciative of, you know? Its a fun guessing game as to when the city is going to turn off the city water and electricity, however. There were a few times when I would be especially sweaty and grimy from the day, looking forward to a cold shower, only to find out that the cleanest I would be that night was at the mercy of my ‘Wet Ones’. Mmmm, nothing like a sweat bath…in my sheets…
Training has been, hmmm, how should I phrase this? A reflection on how the Race will actually be? Yes, that pretty much sums it up. We were a little spoiled this week with electricity, beds, and a ‘Supertienda’ (supermarket) that sold pretty much anything you would find in a Publix. For the months to come, however, I foresee myself hanging up curtains in my trusty tent. As far as food goes, my little tum tum has been holding down the fort pretty well this week! Today’s the only day I’ve felt a little queasy, do to the massive amount of delicious, though acidic, fresh fruit I’ve been eating. Mangos, apples, coconuts, and the best pineapples I’ve ever had. Its ok; you can be jealous about this month’s food. You’ll be smackin’ your chops over your Chick-fil-A original sandwich in gratitude when I’m eating sardine soup in China in a few months.
The rest of our training camp officially ended Friday. Since our squad of crazy World Racers is so big, they’ve had to split us up for these two months. Fours teams are spending their first month in Haiti, and the other 7 teams, (mine included) are staying in the Dominican Republic for the first month. Which is going to be stellar! Our first month will be spent in the center of the island, San Juan. Its about 3 hours inland, and we will be working with a local church organizing bible studies, sports camps, block parties, teaching English, and creating a pretty tubular community. (If the teenage mutant ninja turtles will let be borrow their word)
