Spring Break(s) Report

I know you're all curious to know how my vacations went, so here's a quick run-down.

The Dominican Republic is paradise.
It has roads: roads with overpasses and underpasses; roads with bridges; roads that don't suddenly turn to gravel in the middle of the country's main highway; roads absent of potholes the size of the a VW bug; beautiful roads.

It has electricity: electricity that runs longer than 11pm - 4am 5 nights a week (that's if you're lucky in Haiti); electricity that allows for hot-water-heaters; electricity that enables constant refrigeration; wonderful electricity.

It has stores: stores where you go inside to try on clothing before you buy it, rather than trying to size yourself up with the second-hand jeans from the States sold on the side of the street.

It has green: green parks you can sit in; green plants growing healthily along the roads; green trees holding the mountains together.

It has Kreyol: if you happen to not speak Spanish, you can simply make friends with all of the Haitians and navigate your way around.

It's amazing.

I know what some of you are thinking; you've heard that the DR is poor. In fact, you probably have friends who have been to the DR on mission trips and come back with stories of just how horrible the poverty is. I am not disputing those stories. But trees on mountains and 5 minutes of hot water are luxuries for me now.

Oh, and I got to enjoy a week with two of my closest friends. It was wonderful.

Haiti with mom & dad was an adventure.
Mom had spring break this past week, so she & dad came down from Tuesday to Saturday after a quick trip to Grandma & Grandpa's in Florida. Mom, dad -- I hope you weren't wanting a restful vacation!

Given the short time they were here, I fit in everything I could: up the hill to the Baptist Mission, back down the hill to tour Port, off to the beach, back up the hill to Kenskoff, a quick stop at Fort Jacques... all of this zipping in and out of traffic, bumping over what we call roads here, in my little rental car.

The good thing is that now my parents will have a slightly better understanding of what I'm describing in my blogs, emails, and stories. The bad thing is that now my parents will have a slightly better understanding of what I'm describing in my blogs, emails, and stories. (I promise mom, I will try to find options other than riding on the top of a school bus when I go on trips. But yes, tap-taps are my primary means of transportation.)

Overall, both weeks were wonderful! Now it's back to work...

-L