DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Beachside Service Adventure – July 2 – July 11, 2015

Leaving our homes for a busy week at the Dominican Republic, we woke up very early to catch our flight. We were feeling a rush of emotions from nervousness to absolute excitement. However, once we arrived at the gate our nerves settled down as we saw other people wearing the same blue GLA T-shirt. We began to feel more comfortable around each other during the flight when we took our seats next to each other. During that journey, we were all feeling exhausted and tried to take a nap, but couldn’t get ourselves to fall asleep. Finally, we arrived at the destination, Puerta Plata, and found a huge group of kids our age meeting outside. We were so excited to be in this island paradise and made our way to the hotel. It was extremely hot and as soon as we got off of the bus, everyone headed for the beach. The water felt refreshing after the long plane ride. We got to meet the cutest dogs, owned and loved by our awesome mentors. Everyone poured into the dining hall to enjoy a great dinner, and afterward had several icebreakers to help everyone get to know each other. We can’t wait to discover what these next 9 days bring!

~Soha Mikdachi and Cailin Callahan

Today we woke up to the rare sound of an unhappy rooster and synchronized alarms!  Hustling to pack our day packs, and dress appropriately, we rushed to breakfast.  Where displayed before us were eggs, toast with a golden brown tint, ham delicately rolled, cheese, and local fruit.  With full bellies and hearts we strolled  to our busses, and daily adventure began.  With a fast and furious-esk bus ride, we arrived at our destination, Arroyo Blanco.  Packs on backs, and canteens in hand we started our pilgrimage to our work site.  Rolling hills and tiny creeks lead us to our first work cite. Straight off the bat, Cameron separated us into two groups; dirt baggers, and rock throwers.  Dirt baggers were lead up the hill to a small green house where their work began.   They circled up around a pile of rich soil, where they switched into alternating shifts of scooping the soil into small plastic bags, and carrying those bags into the green houses. “They were like an arch, and the outside had black canvas”, said Juliana Ryan about the green houses on the hill. “I got a sweet sunburn, and I actually accomplished something that was important to the Dominicans,” commented Jennifer Huang, a fellow dirt bagger.  While the baggers were getting sunburns, the rock throws were getting jacked muscles.  Our goal was to create a steady flow in the river so that fish could continue to descend down the river for local food consumption.  Heaving rocks to the bank, we spoke broken Spanish to local kids, who also helped out with our project.  After only a couple hours we got a steady flow on both sides of the bridge, and established friendships with the kids.  Next stop was lunch!  A local woman named Dalia kindly welcomed all 41 of us into her home and front yard where we dined on chicken, rice, and more fruit.  We talked to local kids, who knew a little bit of English from school.  After lunch, we hiked down to the water fall!  Since all 41 of us in one place wasn’t enough, all the local kids and some parents joined us.  They showed us their impressive acrobatic skills while flipping off the rocks, and on land! Some of us, more anxious than others, jumped off the 15 foot cliff.  Even more sunburned, we hiked back to the busses and back to home base we went. Finally kicking off our soaked shoes, we relaxed with some free time before dinner.  Some went to the beach, and others laid out by the pool.  Dinner consisted of pasta, delicious chicken, enchiladas, this cool cousin of a potatoe but tasted just like one, and even more fruit.  After dinner was leadership, where we were given 30 values in life, and had to choose our top 4 most important to each one of us.  The most common value was love, how sweet.  More free time, then Georgio gave us a lecture about the 7 elements of life, and what human security means.  “It made me very culturally aware.  It educated really privileged kids about unprivileged kids in the world.” said Hallie Perlman about Georgio’s moving lecture.  Again, more free time, more relaxing, and finally time for bed.

Olivia Hansel and Juliana Ryan

7/6/2015

After several days of hard work in Haitian bateys, we were able to get an extra hour of sleep to begin day five. We woke up at 8 o’clock, and ate breakfast at 8:20. We were given fried cheese, fresh fruit, eggs, and toast. After that, we gathered our backpacks and headed to the buses at 9. At 10:30, we arrived at Laguna Dudu, where we were able to zip line into the lagoon 40 feet below us and jump off of cliffs into the water from even higher up. After a couple hours in the water, we played games of soccer and volleyball; truly bringing out the competitor in all of us. Lunch was eaten in the lagoon’s restaurant and consisted of chicken, rice, beans, and salad. After lunch, we ventured through the complex and found a smaller lagoon in a cave filled with crystal clear water and an abundance of fish. Even though the water was cold and the weather wasn’t the best, everyone had an amazing time taking advantage of the country’s natural treasures.  We returned to the GLA home base around 5:15, leaving us time to swim in the pool before dinner. After dinner at around 7, we were inspired by a Ted Talk and discussed the contagiousness of passion. Later, we listened to a human security lecture and talked about the way that economic, community, and environmental security work together.

Olivia Siegel & Taylor Phillips

7/7/2015

To start an absolutely amazing day a group of us got up extra early to go experience the magnificence of the Dominican sunrise. Even though the clouds impeded our view quite a bit the beauty of it was outstanding. After the sunrise we headed back to home base to enjoy yet another great meal. The Dominican style of cooking never ceases to impress. After breakfast all of us loaded onto the bus for riveting ride back to our second day of building a bottle school for the children of La Grua. Everyone played a major role in the construction of the school for these very underprivileged children. Half way through the process a group of us left to tour the community itself and see the lifestyle of these people. The absolutely horrendous conditions of the town almost brought many of us to tears. Just seeing the quality of their water and the land left the majority of us in awe. Little can we say there was trash everywhere; and when we say everywhere we mean everywhere. Yet the children were not phased. Still smiling and frolicking through broken glass, empty bags, dirty diapers, and even the remnants of a cows skull. This tour was the most eye opening experience of our young lives. Through all of this horror these people still manage to find the joy in life. Sharing their local music with us and inviting us to dance along with them was incredibly inspiring. The power of these people was something out of this world. To wrap up the day we headed back to our temporary home to enjoy yet another delicious meal and hang with our new founded friends and enjoy the absolutely stunning beauty of the Dominican Republic.

By: Theo, and Maddie

7/8/2015