Christmas time in the DR

It’s the holiday season, especially in the DR. This year, my town has taken “Christmas spirit,” to a whole new level. Francia and Rosa (my Doña and neighbor, respectively) decided a few weeks ago to paint all the tree trunks in front of their houses (the houses are across from each other) white and wrap red ribbon around them. Francia and Rosa painted about 10 trees together, and even sprayed the leaves of one tree white to make it look like snow. Which cracks me up, considering the other day I explained all the different types of snow to my co-workers at my center as they honestly have no concept of what it is… “Well, there’s icy snow, fluffy snow, wet snow, dry snow, snow you can make a snowball with, snow that melts right away etc.” Rosa and Francia’s zest for decorating inspired many of our other neighbors, and now almost 1/3 of my walk up to town is entirely lined with white tree trunks wrapped in some kind of festive ribbon. 

We won’t even get into the environmental problems associated with painting all the trees white. Why, you ask? Because I only have 5.5 months left in this country, and I’m learning that some battles you are never, ever going to win. And also, because everyone is so happy! Everyone really does have the Christmas spirit, and every day I find another house that has hung up Christmas lights on their door or front porch. 

(An aside, cultural note: Many Dominicans actually do have Christmas trees. They are fake trees, but they are same as you would envision in the states. Dominicans, however, keep their trees outside on the front porch for all the world to see. I asked Francia why, and she said it’s so that everyone can enjoy it not just us. I mean, they’re not putting Johnny’s brand new train set under the tree outside or anything, but it actually is really nice to walk by houses and see their Christmas trees with lights and ornaments right there in the front for everyone to enjoy. Maybe when I’m home next Christmas, I’ll get two trees: one for inside and one for the porch.)

Last night, Eddy, our beloved mayor, hosted an evening in the park. The one park in town, just got a fresh paint job and is decorated to the max with ribbons, lights, garlands, all the Christmas specialties. The same as we drink eggnog during the holidays, Dominicans make a ginger tea. It’s kind of spicy and has entirely too much sugar, but it really is pretty delicious. Eddy made a huge vat of it, and gave out mini-bread pieces and had a guy BLASTING merengue. People danced, drank, laughed and enjoyed the official start of the holiday season.

I sat there, drinking my ginger tea, enjoying the simplicity of Christmas lights illuminating the park, feeling a bit nostalgic for home, but overall very grateful to be apart of this community called La Caya. It hasn’t always been easy, but with only 5.5 months of service left I can only soak it in. Soak it all in: the white tree trunks, the outdoor Christmas trees, the ear shattering merengue and the graciousness and kindness of all the friends and family I have made here. 

 Here are some pictures from the night:

The nativity scene Francia put in front of our house, complete with a manger and "biblical" looking pots.

The park with lights!

This is Dominican culture: people sitting in plastic chairs and motorcycles.

The blueish lights are the swings with lights.

Ginger Tea

Angel and his girlfriend dancing merengue. They stole the show for the night.