Just an update

"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito."

- Betty Reese

I stole this quote from Tim Brown, who is a RPCV-DR (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer- Dominican Republic). I think it sums up so much of my Peace Corps experience, and it also serves as a reminder that no matter how big or small you feel, somehow, someway there is always a way to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.

Right now it is Patronales in La Caya. Basically, every town in the DR has a time of year when they celebrate the patron saint of the town. For La Caya, it is Nuestra Señora Altagracia, and for over two weeks every January, the people of La Caya celebrate the fact that La Caya exists. The town sort of transforms into a carnival, state-fair type atmosphere during these two weeks, complete with carnival type rides (that would make any person from the 1^st world run away scared), street food and vendors selling toys, jewelry and other random knickknacks.

The point of Patronales is religious, and is meant to be a modest holiday where people take two weeks or so to pay homage to the patron saint of where they live. However, I feel like whenever more than two Dominicans gather together, it is always an excuse for a party. Or at least an excuse to open a beer or rum, pull up the neighbors car with a decent sound system and blast merengue. So yes, as you can imagine, there has been A LOT of that happening these last few weeks. I really am going to miss this country, seriously.

There are, however, some people practicing the religious part, and I know this better than anyone because I live next door to the church and the services starting at 5:30 a.m. are honestly not something I am going to miss. 

Nevertheless, there is definitely a buzz around town and all the kids, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, creepy old men are dressing their best, getting their hair done and taking pride in this normally quiet, but great Dominican country town of La Caya. 

On a completely different note: fellow PCV and my good friend Cameron is marrying her Dominican boyfriend in her site this weekend. A few of us are going to help them celebrate. I will update next week on all the happenings of the festivities.

On another completely different note: It’s literally DAYS now until my brother and his lovely wife have their baby! Every time my phone makes any kind of a noise I snatch it up in record speed in hopes it’s my parents calling to say our newest family member has arrived.