Dominican Republic Spring Break: Day 8
Friday 3/11/16 - Off to the Capital
Our last morning was spent packing up and soaking in some of last DR sunbeams. We left the house around 11 for the sisters of charity.
Our time at the Sisters was spent hugging and holding adorable babies. It was hard to put the kids down, as they often cried when we did. It was such an amazing place though, as it is where the severely malnourished kids go to regain health and strength. We were also able to see the impact of the two organizations we were working with at our clinics in that none of the kids we encountered were severe. Most were normal, moderate, or low. Kids who were a little lower than normal were given rice packets. All of the children got vitamin A and anti-parasite pill, along with a bag of multivitamins.
Once we left the Sisters, we ate lunch in the car and continued our trek to Santo Domingo. Out driver pointed out the sights as we drove through the capital, including a memorial to a past president of the country. We then went to the market, where we were able to buy souvenirs and coffee. I got two shot glasses, a DR flag, earrings, 2 bags of coffee, and a bottle of vanilla.
After we were done in the market, we drove to Dr. Angel's apartment where we unloaded our bags and took a shower. The shower was cold, but much appreciated, as it was our first shower in a week.
After showering, we ate dinner and had reflection led by Nick on the roof of the apartment building. It was such a beautiful and heartfelt reflection and the perfect way to end our last night in the Dominican Republic, enjoying our last moments of breathing DR air together.
During reflection, we discussed differences in expectations and what lessons we are taking home with us. Nick also mentioned how we may feel guilty as we return to the states, but that to remember to be constructive with our emotions. I am so grateful to have been surrounded by such loving hearts on this trip. I realized that my heartbreak over leaving is more complex than I thought. Is it the memories and experiences with Dominican culture or is it my heartbreak over not living under the same roof with these 10 saints again that makes leaving the DR so hard. I never though I would start to miss the thought of flushing toilets with a bucket, cramming into cars to bounce up mountains, brushing my teeth outside, or washing my hair with a water pump. But I have. Call me crazy, but the people I have been surrounded with on this trip have made it so much more powerful and amazing than I would have thought possible.
And with that, it's 11pm, and we are Las Américas International Airport bound...
Our last morning was spent packing up and soaking in some of last DR sunbeams. We left the house around 11 for the sisters of charity.
Our time at the Sisters was spent hugging and holding adorable babies. It was hard to put the kids down, as they often cried when we did. It was such an amazing place though, as it is where the severely malnourished kids go to regain health and strength. We were also able to see the impact of the two organizations we were working with at our clinics in that none of the kids we encountered were severe. Most were normal, moderate, or low. Kids who were a little lower than normal were given rice packets. All of the children got vitamin A and anti-parasite pill, along with a bag of multivitamins.
Once we left the Sisters, we ate lunch in the car and continued our trek to Santo Domingo. Out driver pointed out the sights as we drove through the capital, including a memorial to a past president of the country. We then went to the market, where we were able to buy souvenirs and coffee. I got two shot glasses, a DR flag, earrings, 2 bags of coffee, and a bottle of vanilla.
After we were done in the market, we drove to Dr. Angel's apartment where we unloaded our bags and took a shower. The shower was cold, but much appreciated, as it was our first shower in a week.
After showering, we ate dinner and had reflection led by Nick on the roof of the apartment building. It was such a beautiful and heartfelt reflection and the perfect way to end our last night in the Dominican Republic, enjoying our last moments of breathing DR air together.
During reflection, we discussed differences in expectations and what lessons we are taking home with us. Nick also mentioned how we may feel guilty as we return to the states, but that to remember to be constructive with our emotions. I am so grateful to have been surrounded by such loving hearts on this trip. I realized that my heartbreak over leaving is more complex than I thought. Is it the memories and experiences with Dominican culture or is it my heartbreak over not living under the same roof with these 10 saints again that makes leaving the DR so hard. I never though I would start to miss the thought of flushing toilets with a bucket, cramming into cars to bounce up mountains, brushing my teeth outside, or washing my hair with a water pump. But I have. Call me crazy, but the people I have been surrounded with on this trip have made it so much more powerful and amazing than I would have thought possible.
And with that, it's 11pm, and we are Las Américas International Airport bound...
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