Life is good

This week has been feeling a little like living in North America, and I have to admit I wasn't loving it. Carrie's job description and hours were changed, I fought with technical issues for 3 days straight, and in between all this we had to get the kids off to school on Tuesday. We didn't have the right uniforms, we didn't have the correct supplies (which cost a ridiculous amount over here by the way), and we were both supposed to be at work. It's not supposed to be like that in the D.R.! As schedules start to click I'm sure we will find our pace, but on days like these it's hard to believe. I thought this picture would remind me that life really is good, and sometimes all you need is a quiet stroll to set your head straight.

The days seem to be going by extremely quick! Today marks three weeks in the DR. Our house is officially becoming a home, complete with plants, furniture and a dog! Let's just say if you mention that you might want a dog...10 will show up on your doorstep. Chiquita belonged to a staff member that was leaving, and the kids felt that it really was our duty to take care of her ( and in doing so..help out a fellow missionary!). Nice guilt trip. Regardless, Kita is now a part of our Dominican family. We are really starting to find our groove here, and although our Spanish is pathetic, we still manage to get the meat, cheese and milk we need. Our learning curve feels painfully slow, but in retrospect we probably aren't doing so bad. Some days if feels as though your head is going to pop trying to remember everything you learned that day!

First Impressions

It's pretty hard to sum up all of what we have seen (and heard...the DR is loud!), but we have had a great first week. Terry and Jill have been playing the role of host and hostess and have showed us around their town. It is quite an adventure learning to drive and find your way around the many twisting streets. Part of the adventure is not having a phone and internet yet, so I am posting this from Terry and Jill's apartment. The pictures are just what happens to be on my camera! I thought I'd just give you a little shot of the streets and a little Sunday afternoon hanging about at the "Confluencia"(kind of like our "Forks", but with nothing to do but to stand around, play loud music and drink. I don't know whether you can hear the thump of the subwoofers or the revving of approximately 100 or so scooters, mopeds, and dirt bikes, but it was definately an assault on the senses. Noise pollution is a term that is foreign to the Dominicans. I have a lot more pictures of the city and I will post up a photo album soon.

Exit

Friday marked our final day in our Winkler house. Leaving really didn't seem so hard when there was nowhere left to sit, eat or sleep! The endless week of goodbyes was difficult for some in our family though, and I think we were all looking forward to getting this show on the road. A relaxing day in Niverville with Carrie's folks (chinese food, steak, and a few other "Last time in Canada" things), and then up at 3:00 a.m. to catch our flight on Sunday morning. We should have know everything had gone too smooth up until this point. The word was that our plane had suffered "damage" (enemy fire perhaps?), and we would have to try again Monday morning! At least this time we can sleep in until 4:00 a.m.! Something tells me that we may be a bit tired by the time we arrive in the D.R.

Trading up?

Last week it was final... I sold our Chevy lumina van and bought our new Dominican ride. A well-loved 1988 isuzu trooper complete with a history full of dents and dings, and a wooden turtle glued to it's hood. Truth be told, I'm more excited about this crazy propane-fueled, dent-filled box riding on a smorgasbord of tires, than I have been about any other vehicle I have ever purchased. I've already got some really big tires bookmarked on Ebay!! Did any one ever mention I like adventure?

Cutting the Ties

The day has come....we no longer have a house! We wanted this, but it is still a little strange to say that we have no home and no job. Oh yeah...and no camper, and no road bike, and no kitchen table, and possibly soon no vehicle. We are definately experiencing the term "lightening the load"!