They made it back...they have blisters, sore muscles and are really tired, but are HOME!! There are a ton of pictures and hopefully they will be able to post soon.
Bob has a decent puncture wound on his hand where he stabbed himself with a knife, he is healing well, but did provide some adventure for the group. Other than that, they have nothing but amazing stories to share with us.
The best news is, they made it to the top of the mountain for a sunrise moment. They are all proud of themselves and say they would do it again!
Just to finish off with the moments leading up to their return.... Pedro the mechanic attempted to fix our jeep, and charged me nothing!! Stating that when Bob's not here, I should phone him. It feels good to know that I have help when I need it.
Saturday morning, I happened to look out the window and saw two Dominican men staring out our house. I was very confused and asked them what they wanted. With way too much Spanish for me, they tried to explain. I asked them if they had English, the one man nodded and said, "Cut". They were going to cut my power lines!!! They said that I hadn't paid my bill, which I knew wasn't true, but how could I convince them!
I ran next door to my neighbours that speak English and asked for him to explain it to them. They left with my power in tact, one more adventure diverted for now!
May I state again, I'm so glad that the guys are home.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Missing our men....
This has been the longest week EVER, and it's only Thursday. Just to let you know, the purpose of this post is not to complain, but rather to explain what living in the DR can be like.
So Terry, Bob, Brodie, Drew and the some staff and students are climbing Pico Duarte for the week. Jill, Hazel, Ethan and I were planning on fun, relaxation and 'good times' while the guys were away!!
Actually, we are surviving well, but partying?!?....not so much! :)
Jill's power and water are non-existent, so she is busy working with an electrician and some other guy to fix it. (in Spanish!) What do we know about generators etc...nothing, but with no husbands around, we must do it! Jill's vehicle dies and gets stuck, no problem, use mine! Well, mine dies, the ground dries up and hers is good to go. With some help from Sara (a Dominican lady in our office) we call the mechanic (Pedro) and ask him if he will fix it. Jill and I swing by the mechanics and I try to explain in the poorest Spanish ever and grand gestures what I think is wrong with the truck. Eventually he phones his wife, explains to her what he wants me to know, and she talks to me in English. :) He willingly hops into Jill's van with us and off we go to find the broken truck. Of course when he gets there, it starts. Don'tcha hate that! I wouldn't take it home with me, because I KNOW it will do it again. So its at his shop. I think he thinks I'm crazy because to him, there isn't a problem, what's there to fix??
The great news is, that Jill and I have each other. I can help bath Hazel and she can take a shift with helping with Ethan. At the end of each day, we can laugh about each adventure. We are not bored. We haven't had the grand adventures and fun that we had planned, but we are not without stories to tell. We had several 'bust your gut' laughs today alone. Hopefully tomorrow will be perfectly dull. :)
Carrie
So Terry, Bob, Brodie, Drew and the some staff and students are climbing Pico Duarte for the week. Jill, Hazel, Ethan and I were planning on fun, relaxation and 'good times' while the guys were away!!
Actually, we are surviving well, but partying?!?....not so much! :)
Jill's power and water are non-existent, so she is busy working with an electrician and some other guy to fix it. (in Spanish!) What do we know about generators etc...nothing, but with no husbands around, we must do it! Jill's vehicle dies and gets stuck, no problem, use mine! Well, mine dies, the ground dries up and hers is good to go. With some help from Sara (a Dominican lady in our office) we call the mechanic (Pedro) and ask him if he will fix it. Jill and I swing by the mechanics and I try to explain in the poorest Spanish ever and grand gestures what I think is wrong with the truck. Eventually he phones his wife, explains to her what he wants me to know, and she talks to me in English. :) He willingly hops into Jill's van with us and off we go to find the broken truck. Of course when he gets there, it starts. Don'tcha hate that! I wouldn't take it home with me, because I KNOW it will do it again. So its at his shop. I think he thinks I'm crazy because to him, there isn't a problem, what's there to fix??
The great news is, that Jill and I have each other. I can help bath Hazel and she can take a shift with helping with Ethan. At the end of each day, we can laugh about each adventure. We are not bored. We haven't had the grand adventures and fun that we had planned, but we are not without stories to tell. We had several 'bust your gut' laughs today alone. Hopefully tomorrow will be perfectly dull. :)
Carrie
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Still Raining
As the guys continue to hike up Pico Duarte, I was reminded that they call today, "Black Tuesday". They call it this because it is the toughest and longest part of the climb. The only part that would make this trip even worse was if it would rain.....
Torrential rain last night and much of today. So, as Ethan and I were discouraged about the lack of hydro power, the guys are hiking through the muck. Ethan and I solved our part of our dilemma by having a nap. I'm not sure how the guys are solving their part, but I'm guessing they didn't nap.
Keep thinking of our guys and students as the rain doesn't seem to want to let up...and Ethan as he is stuck having to spend much of his day at work with me. (Kinda boring)
Torrential rain last night and much of today. So, as Ethan and I were discouraged about the lack of hydro power, the guys are hiking through the muck. Ethan and I solved our part of our dilemma by having a nap. I'm not sure how the guys are solving their part, but I'm guessing they didn't nap.
Keep thinking of our guys and students as the rain doesn't seem to want to let up...and Ethan as he is stuck having to spend much of his day at work with me. (Kinda boring)
Monday, June 23, 2008
It's been a while.....
I realize that it has been a long time since we posted last. I'd like to get the 'grumpy' post archived so that it's not so obvious!!
I was going to let you know that Bob and Terry, Brodie and Drew and every female student on campus (as well as other staff members) are in the process of climbing Pico Duarte. It is the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean. So, I am hoping to have some great posts from them sometime after the weekend. They left this afternoon and should be arriving back for supper on Saturday.
Jill and I are planning to work (a little), swim at the pool and probably go shopping in Santiago with our friend Rachel. Ethan is planning on not having to share the computer, mom's attention or any money I might have for unexpected treats.
As I type this, it is pouring rain. So, please think of our soggy hikers. It will be a long trip if the rain doesn't let up. God can use this trip for His benefit regardless of the weather, BUT if we got to pick, we would choose partly cloudy, a slight breeze and NO rain.
Stay tuned!!
Carrie
I was going to let you know that Bob and Terry, Brodie and Drew and every female student on campus (as well as other staff members) are in the process of climbing Pico Duarte. It is the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean. So, I am hoping to have some great posts from them sometime after the weekend. They left this afternoon and should be arriving back for supper on Saturday.
Jill and I are planning to work (a little), swim at the pool and probably go shopping in Santiago with our friend Rachel. Ethan is planning on not having to share the computer, mom's attention or any money I might have for unexpected treats.
As I type this, it is pouring rain. So, please think of our soggy hikers. It will be a long trip if the rain doesn't let up. God can use this trip for His benefit regardless of the weather, BUT if we got to pick, we would choose partly cloudy, a slight breeze and NO rain.
Stay tuned!!
Carrie
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