Key:
Book
Link
Countries and Cultures--Dominican Republic
by Susan E. Haberle
© 2004 by Capstone Press
Passport on a Plate -- Round the World Cookbook for Kids
Diane Simone Vezza
© 1997 by Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers
People and Places -- The World Book Ecyclopedia
© 2007 World Book, Inc.
http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/info/
http://dr1.com/articles/food.shtml
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_in_the_Dominican_Republic
http://www.1uptravel.com/international/caribbean/dominican-republic/recreation.html
http://mlbreports.com/2011/07/14/mlb-global/
http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=59196&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
http://placestovisitindr.blogspot.com/2008/10/alcazar-de-colon.html
http://biggestmenu.com/rdr/CA/Los-Angeles/LA-Tofu-Festival-1593510/Pineapple-Snow-Cone-32632
http://toptraveldealz.com/dominicanrepublic/clothing-in-the-dominican-republic.html
http://www.archivex-ht.com/dominicanrepublic/historical_famous_sites_in_dominican_republic.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_in_the_Dominican_Republic
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Education and family life
I just thought I might add a little more about school and family life here. In case you were wondering, it is the same date, time and place as last post. Anyway, wealthy families send their children to school through high school, and some go to college. The poorer families will find it hard to get education, but there are many schools these days that can support the poorer families. These children quit school earlier than the wealthy.
As for family life, it is very important to the people of the Dominican Republic. Many families live with extended family, and loyalty to the family comes before anything else. To Dominicans, family is the core of stability.
As for family life, it is very important to the people of the Dominican Republic. Many families live with extended family, and loyalty to the family comes before anything else. To Dominicans, family is the core of stability.
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| Some kids in the Dominican Republic |
Holidays and Culture
4.24.12
Midday siesta
Bedroom
(sorry I haven't written in a while.)
I have been wanting to write and entry on Culture and festivals. Here in the Dominican Republic, there are many fiestas and holidays. Many are celebrated with singing and dancing and eating food. There are traditional dances for different occasions. When there are celebrations, there is always good spirit in the air and even the tiniest children participate. I will below post a list of a few of the holidays celebrated here in the Dominican Republic:
-January 1 - New Year's Day
-January 6 - Epiphany
-January21 - Our Lady of Altagracia (celebrated with all night festivals, services, and dancing to music)
-January 26 - Duarte's Birthday (Juan Pablo Duarte, founding father of Dominican Republic)
-February 27 - Independence Day
-Late March/Early April - Good Friday/Easter
-November 6 - Dominican Constitution Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
-December 25 - Christmas Day
-January 6 - Epiphany
-January21 - Our Lady of Altagracia (celebrated with all night festivals, services, and dancing to music)
-January 26 - Duarte's Birthday (Juan Pablo Duarte, founding father of Dominican Republic)
-February 27 - Independence Day
-Late March/Early April - Good Friday/Easter
-November 6 - Dominican Constitution Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
-December 25 - Christmas Day
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Religion
4.14.12
10:00
Bed, very tired.
I realized that tomorrow is Sunday! Last Sunday I didn't do and informational post about the religion around here. There isn't too much to write about, but what there is I will talk about. About 95% of the people here are Roman Catholic. Parts of this heritage have been adapted in a more African way.
The remaining 5% are most likely Protestant, Mormon, Baptist, or Jewish.
Not all people attend churches, although many do. My family is going to take me tomorrow morning, just to get a feel for what it is like, although they say they usually don't go. Wildlife––amazing!
4.14.12
4:45
Very tired, lying on bed
Today I was woken early. When I walked into the kitchen for breakfast, one of the children was jumping around yelling, "Cocodrilos! Pajaritos!" This means Crocodiles! Birdies! in Spanish. At the time I was confused, but after an explanation from the dad I realized that they were going to take me on a trip to a reserve for wildlife today! They wanted me to see the animals and birds there. I was amazed at what I saw! Crocodiles, crabs, and eels and snappers in the shallows. Turtles, tortoises, and iguanas. And oh the flamingos! Not the typical bright pink, but still spectacular. The wildlife in the Dominican Republic is really something to see!
4:45
Very tired, lying on bed
Today I was woken early. When I walked into the kitchen for breakfast, one of the children was jumping around yelling, "Cocodrilos! Pajaritos!" This means Crocodiles! Birdies! in Spanish. At the time I was confused, but after an explanation from the dad I realized that they were going to take me on a trip to a reserve for wildlife today! They wanted me to see the animals and birds there. I was amazed at what I saw! Crocodiles, crabs, and eels and snappers in the shallows. Turtles, tortoises, and iguanas. And oh the flamingos! Not the typical bright pink, but still spectacular. The wildlife in the Dominican Republic is really something to see!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Dominican Republic
Right: The Dominican Republic on a smaller scale.
Bottom: The Dominican Republic flag.
ZIP LINING!
4.11.12
11:00
Breakfast café with wireless internet
Today we are going zip lining! I am so excited! Here in the Dominican Republic, ziplining is popular but really only available to the wealthy.
We are going to a relatively popular zip lining spot in the forest. It is not really near any roads or city, and so I've heard there is good wildlife sightings there. I'll add to this blog when I get back, saying what I saw and didn't see. Zip lining is going to be so fun!
4.11.12
3:00
Back at the house after zip lining
Best experience ever! Zip lining was fun, exciting, and I even saw a lot of animals and all that good stuff. I remember zooming by a lot of small rodents I couldn't recognize in the nature books they had there. I saw a lot of birds too, and I'd say modestly the forest is full of animals. We're going to the beach tomorrow, and I think there will be even more wildlife there. I had a great day, and I am excited for tomorrow!
11:00
Breakfast café with wireless internet
Today we are going zip lining! I am so excited! Here in the Dominican Republic, ziplining is popular but really only available to the wealthy.
We are going to a relatively popular zip lining spot in the forest. It is not really near any roads or city, and so I've heard there is good wildlife sightings there. I'll add to this blog when I get back, saying what I saw and didn't see. Zip lining is going to be so fun!
4.11.12
3:00
Back at the house after zip lining
Best experience ever! Zip lining was fun, exciting, and I even saw a lot of animals and all that good stuff. I remember zooming by a lot of small rodents I couldn't recognize in the nature books they had there. I saw a lot of birds too, and I'd say modestly the forest is full of animals. We're going to the beach tomorrow, and I think there will be even more wildlife there. I had a great day, and I am excited for tomorrow!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Baseball game, research!
4.9.12
Siesta
House of people I am staying with
I am very excited because in a couple hours, we are going to a baseball game! We are watching the Sandino play––the Sandino are a pretty dominant team from Santo Domingo. This is one of the first games of the season, and the family I am staying with is really excited they could get tickets. I played baseball in middle school and high school. In the MLB in America, there are a lot of Dominican-born players, which is really cool as well. Some of them come back to the Dominican Republic to play winter baseball as well.
I've also been doing some research on the economy and jobs around here. You wouldn't be able to tell it very well if all you had seen of the Dominican Republic was downtown Santo Domingo, but out in the country, people are very poor. Education can be hard, and many people are hungry or starving. The only really wealthy people here are shopowners or people who work in town. Most other country folk work on the sugar cane farms or selling little trinkets. Besides shop owning or farming, a few other people work in offices. Overall, the Dominican Republic is a pretty poor country, and I think I am lucky to be living with a well economized family. The father owns a shop in town.
Siesta
House of people I am staying with
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| Some Dominican Republic players in the MLB |
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| Pesos come in bills and coins |
I've also been doing some research on the economy and jobs around here. You wouldn't be able to tell it very well if all you had seen of the Dominican Republic was downtown Santo Domingo, but out in the country, people are very poor. Education can be hard, and many people are hungry or starving. The only really wealthy people here are shopowners or people who work in town. Most other country folk work on the sugar cane farms or selling little trinkets. Besides shop owning or farming, a few other people work in offices. Overall, the Dominican Republic is a pretty poor country, and I think I am lucky to be living with a well economized family. The father owns a shop in town.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Sight-seeing day
4.5.12
10:40am
House of people I am staying with
After The family is teaching me some more Spanish, which I am picking up pretty well, and they even wanted me to teach them some basic English. We are making out quite well communication-wise.
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| Alcázar de Colon |
5.15.12
3:15pm
House of people I am staying with
Alcázar de Colon was really something to see! All the arches and outdoors and paths... it is really quite neat. It really has a historical feeling around it too, and it is the largest and most visited place in all the Dominican Republic. Another thing I noticed today at Alcázar de Colon was there were a lot of people wearing clothing that I realize is quite traditional. It is very colorful, and flowey.
Above is a picture I took of some street dancers. But most people will wear a t-shirt and jeans or shorts, or if they have a good job, a collared shirt and nice pants and shoes. For wandering the streets, I am just wearing sunglasses and shorts and a t-shirt.
Alcázar de Colon was really something to see! All the arches and outdoors and paths... it is really quite neat. It really has a historical feeling around it too, and it is the largest and most visited place in all the Dominican Republic. Another thing I noticed today at Alcázar de Colon was there were a lot of people wearing clothing that I realize is quite traditional. It is very colorful, and flowey.
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| Some traditional Dominican Republic clothing |
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Arrived
4.3.12
5:30pm
In my hotel room in Santo Domingo
I arrived at one of the two Dominican Republic airports called La Isabela International Airport today. One of the first things I noticed about the Dominican Republic is the tropical climate. Here on the coast it can get up to 100º during the summer, but elsewhere it averages 75ºF in the winter months and 82ºF during the summer. It is the wet season, and currently it is pouring and 87ºF. It is always warmer on the coast than inland. The wet season ends in November, and is about half the year. Also, I am hoping that I will not encounter any hurricanes or tropical storms in my stay here, because those are also common during the wet season.
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| This is a picture of Dominican Republic forest. |
Tomorrow, I will meet the family I am going to stay with during my time here. There is a Dad, a Mom, and three kids, which is pretty typical of the Dominican Republic.
8:00pm
I just got back from a fabulous supper at a restaurant down the street. Most families will eat about the same time folks in the US do (circa 6:00 7:30). I had a very pleasant meal of Callaloo soup, a soup with crab and and spinach. I am going to look up the recipe.
8:20
Callaloo Soup - Recipe5 slices bacon
1 medium sized onion
6 cups coarsely chopped spinach
3 cups canned chicken broth
6 ounce can of cooked crab meat
I think I am going to try and make this at home. Pretty darn yummy.
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