Two adventures, one a lot more pleasent than the other.

There are two Dominican experiences to report. It has been a while since I’ve written an update.

Primero Samana!

An all inclusive group trip to an incredible 5 star resort! Includes two privet beaches three pools, all you can eat buffet and drink menu, its own dance club and work out center. It may not be exactly Dominican life, but a dream luxury vacation, complete with picture perfect palm trees and beaches.

Two highlights- A boat tour to el Parque Nacional de Haitices. We went into some isolated caves and man groves on accessible to by boat. I loved learning about the formation of the islands and the intricately carved caves. There were so many amazing views and images that couldn’t be captured on camera.

The second highlight for me was Sunday morning I walked into town with a couple of other girls from the group. The contrast of the town verses up on the hill is crazy. I just hope that even half of the people at that resort make it into the town to spend a little money and really see part of the Dominican Republic. We went to a little market area. A photographer’s paradise. There was this open market where everyone would bring whatever goods they had to sell, whether it be fish or chicken or rice or vegetables. There were so many people there selling and buying. After that we walked around in a little neighborhood. People started coming up to us asking if we would take their picture. It felt so good to just be with the people. It felt so much more like home than in that resort.

Segundo Dengue Fever!

First featuring, head aches, fevers, body pain, exhaustion. At this point there is little anyone can really do for you. Unfortunately this is the most painful and when the frustration of being in another country with another language and not at home in your mom’s arms (no I’m not ashamed that at 21 years old and this is all I wanted) sets in, all you want to do is break down and cry. Don’t worry there is an overbearing caring family to make sure that you feel really stupid because they think you are crying not cause you want your mommy but because you think you are going to die here. Don’t cry, everyone gets sick, don’t cry it’s not that bad you won’t die. NO YOU DON’T GET IT. I just hurt all over and want my mom to hold me…

Next is an all inclusive stay at a Dominican hospital. 4 nights with an IV lots of drugs and visitors. You will barely move except to go to the bathroom. All of your muscle and the body you worked so hard for will sadly get left at this hospital.

Ok so it wasn’t that bad. Yeah I got Dengue Fever. It wouldn’t be like me to miss out on the opportunity to learn first hand about Dominican healthcare. I survived and am now trying to cope with the idea that my body won’t let me do what I want. I’m sick of being stuck at home because I can’t walk 200 steps without getting light headed and tired. But everyone has been really great. My host family defiantly went out of their way to take care of me and still is. As frustrated as I was that they weren’t my real family they did the best job they could taking care of me. I have to say they have a lot of faith in magical juices. There always is a type of juice that my host mom can make that will fix anything wrong with me. I believe that eating nutritious foods can help your health but they talk it up like it has super powers.