10 things I've learned in the Dominican Republic

Greetings! I cannot believe I've been here for 3 weeks. Sometimes when I'm walking into town I look around and it hits me all over again...I actually live here! Here are 10 things I've learned from my first  days here.

1. Motos are about as numerous as the ants here...Walking around the city you cannot go anywhere without seeing people riding "motos" (scooters) everywhere. Some Dominicans have even mastered wheelies with people on the back. Also instead of taxi services there are conchos where you can get a ride on a moto to your destination, these are ubiquitous everywhere and they get your attention by hissing at you and pointing to their moto.

2. Traffic laws are merely suggestions- Babies are held on motos, people on roller blades cling to trucks are they roll down the streets and forget about traffic lanes.

3. Eggs, Milk, Peanut Butter, Pasta and Bread are staple foods.  Creativity is a key for people without microwaves or stoves, so my goal for this year is to learn every possible way to cook an egg  I'm looking forward to experimenting with skillet meals as well. If someone were to write a skillet meal recipe book, I'd bet they'd be a millionaire down here.

3. Canyoning is an amazing experience- Repealing down waterfalls and cannon balling into rivers...what else is there in life? I felt a little like Pocahontas as we waded through the rivers, crawled under waterfalls and skipped over rocks.

4. Planning ahead doesn't exist-Making plans more than a couple of hours in advance is ludicrous. Most days you don't know where you will be in an hour or so. Sometimes it can be frustrating, but there is an amazing freedom in it as well. Not having your day planned to the minute gives you  time to actually be present with the people you are with and not worry about what is coming next.

5. It is possible to trip over everything-I think anyone who knows me, knows this was coming.  Sometimes I feel like the princess and the pea, but except for feeling a pea through a mattress, I find every bump that exists and trip over it.

6. Power goes out is a daily occurrence- "La luz se fue" is one of the most common phrases I've used here and it means the power went out. It usually goes out 2 times a day, but luckily it doesn't affect me as much as it would in the States. The air conditioning isn't affected because there isn't any and some of the lights were already out to begin with. It also forces you to converse instead of hide behind a computer screen. Perhaps everyone should turn their power off at least once a week to look up and notice the world around them.

7. Students are the same-Sometimes you think that being 1776 miles away, the students would be completely different, but my 14 students remind me so much of the ones I left behind in the states. They want to love and be loved. They greet you in the morning with a hug and when you notice them, a sly smile crosses their faces. They also say what they think and some of their honesty makes you laugh out loud. Students everywhere have a way to sneak into your heart and stay there.

8.  Sleepovers are the best-One of the best part of being in the Dominican Republic are the sleepovers. Pulling all the beds into the living room and watching movies is one of the best parts of the day. We are all so different, but we have become a family. Dipping animal cookies in nutella and cake batter while watching movies could bond anyone.

9. People legitimately care about others- It is amazing how kind the Dominicans are here. They will go out of the way to help you. I love how they take the time to speak Spanish slowly and help out in any way they can. The parents of my students have been very welcoming as well as the other Dominicans I have had the opportunity to meet.

10. God is everywhere- This is my favorite one. I think traveling to a new country and a new place, makes you realize how great and far reaching God's reign is. It is so beautiful to attend church services in Spanish and see how even though I cannot understand every word that has been spoken, these people have relationships with the same God that I do. The God I cry out to in English answers prayers in every language and is worshiped all over the world.

" I know you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, " Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."- Job 42:2-3

I love this verse, because it reminds me that even though I don't have a set plan everyday, God does and that is no place safer than in the center of God's will.