Day 3 Mission: Experience Dominican Life

Saturday, February 18

We slept at Eddy's sister's again on Friday night.  Eddy's nieces are getting used to us and it is fun to see their little faces peak in at us in the morning. Saturday was shopping day for us so Shelley and Sarah picked us up. Mark and eddy hung out and did boy things while Guille went to his class.  We went to Santiago and stopped at a number of places to price out our file cabinet and storage bins.  Since most things are imported we found the prices to be very high but we did manage to get what we set out  for. We then had a girls lunch  at McDonald's.  That was considered a treat for our hosts so we were happy to go. Eddy and Mark showed up and I asked Shelley how to say 'handsome boys' as they walked up. Apparently I said "hungry beautiful" instead, which made everyone laugh. We spent the afternoon relaxing at Carrie's. From her balcony you can get a wonderful glimpse into Dominican life. There is always a variety of interesting people passing by.  Women with baskets on their heads filled with colorful fruit,  mopeds and motorcycles with three sometimes four people plus whatever they need to transport.  You can smell amazing  aromas coming from the food being sold from the colmado next door.  There are small colmados on every block, each selling their own specialties.  From the balcony you hear the the voices of the men playing cards on the patio beneath us.  The many mopeds that pass by, the loud Latin music playing and the constant beeping of car horns all adds to the chorus of sound.  Life is constantly moving in the DR.     

We have been invited to Eddy's parent's house for dinner. We walk the short distance and are welcomed with the warmth that the Dominican culture is known for.  Everyone is greeted with a hug and kiss and Eddy's mom's eyes dance with excitement because we are there.  It is the custom that the host doesn't sit with their guests for dinner so Eddy, Carrie, Karen and I sit at a table that has been set with their nicest dishes. Food is brought out and our hosts retreat to the kitchen so we can enjoy our meal. We have chicken that has been seasoned and slow cooked, wonderful rice with corn, salad and fresh sliced avocado.    Eddy's parents do not have a refrigerator so the chicken was purchased from a colmado and probably butchered that morning. There can be no leftovers, but that was not a problem. After dinner we visited on the front porch for a while and Carrie and Eddy translated.  It is obvious that they love Carrie very much and are glad she is part of their family.  Carrie has given up a lot of the creature comforts of her home in the U.S. to serve the Lord in this special place. Along the way she and Eddy found their way into each others hearts and  their commitment to each other and God is truly an inspiration. - Ruth

Day 3 Mission: Accomplished

Ruth realizing that the app on her phone is useless if you can't explain to the person how to use it.

Ruth carrying her suitcase down the street to Carrie and Eddy's house.

Almost there!  Remember this suitcase weighs 52 lbs!

Sam's Club? No Price Smart in the DR.  We felt at home.

Office supply store.  We bought a new file cabinet.

There are many of these along the road.

To end our USA morning... McDonald's!

A grandma's love- international.

Garden center

Eating at Eddy's parent's house.

This is Eddy's sister Guille and her husband Adriano and daughters Adriani and Adriana.  Adriano has been home for about a month.  On Monday, he goes back to New York. 

 

They won't be seeing him again until next February, the Lord willing.