Bella Compañera

Las Palmas de Playa Bayahibe

Home Sweet Home?

I still feel like an American girl in a foreign country and not like an immigrant who returned home. I hope that this feeling will change as time passes and I begin to find a little of myself in the faces of others, in the rhythm of the merengue and bachata, and in the taste of La Bandera Dominicana (the Dominican Flag: rice, beans, and meat). It’s only my third day here and I understand that my feelings will continue to evolve as the time goes by; but for now, I am blessed to be here and to have this opportunity to live, to learn, to love, and to really appreciate all that surrounds me, including the terrible smells of dead kittens and nasty trash.

Mi Primer Dia en La Republica Dominicana

First I would like to apologize for neglecting the blogger sphere for so long. I am still figuring out how I can have regular Internet connection without paying the $1,800 pesos (about $50 USD) of wireless every month, yes I am now thinking in pesos and not dollars because I have no choice!

My first official day at my new place was great. As I was walking towards the apartment, I noticed that there was a bright yellow Nissan SUV, exactly the same vehicle that my mother drives. Seeing this right before inserting the keys into my new lock, gave me a comforting feeling that I had arrived at the correct place. After inspecting the apartment and getting acclimated with my surroundings, I started up my laptop and attempted to borrow Internet connection from a neighbor. What did I see? The first and only name that pops up on the list of available networks has the last name Contreras. Weird. Unfortunately, her server was blocked, so I was unable to log on.

There are things that I will definitely have to get use to like the cold showers and the aggravating mosquitoes and ants. However, my apartment is amazing in its own unique ways. I can’t really compare it to an apartment in the US because I guess it just doesn’t compare. Things here are different and undoubtedly special, so instead of comparing them to what I had before, I simply embrace all of the particularities that I enjoy. It is a small place with a small kitchen, a living room, dinning space, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. I have decorated the walls with some of my pictures from my travels and some of the pictures I took of the Santo Domingo the last time I was here. Pasito a pasito...step by step.

Fabia Oliveira

A great friend, Fabia Oliveira just joined the blogger community!

"I'm starting to Write about what it's like to chase after your dreams when things in your life may make it harder to reach them. And hoping there are others out there that feel the same but are still chasing them regardless, and sharing what experiences and opportunities are heading my way because I refuse to stop listening to my heart." ~Fabia

Check her out at www.mrslivingthenewdream.blogspot.com

A New Transition

I am back in Boston, I've been back for about two weeks now. No internet at my mother's house, so I've been very disconnected from world wide web. I am relocating to the Dominican Republic in a about a week and look forward to taking all of you on my journey there.