About a week has passed since I last posted a blog, and everything seems to be going relatively well. With Semana Santa, school is closed and youth seem to be distracted by the relaxing week ahead, but I still had a great turnout in my Escojo Mi Vida group. I only had about six of the twenty-two participants from last week come to this week’s group, a number to be expected during the holiday. But, strangely enough, I had about 9 new members come today as well! That puts my number at 32 for potential Escojo members in El Mani -- way too high for just one group. I’ll have to wait and see how many members consistently come to the group, but I might have to form two groups from the 32 youth who have showed interest. Very exciting!

I just got back to Bani yesterday after spending a few days at my boyfriend’s site in Los Rios, near Lago Enriquillo. He just moved into his own house so I helped him clean, purchase, and organize everything that will fit into his new home. Eric’s site is very different than mine; it’s isolated, a small town, close to the Haitian border, etc… but most of all, his new house provides the quintessential Dominican experience. The house is a traditional wooden structure, painted bright blue and pink with a nice latrine. But the interesting part of the house can be found in the back yard. Eric’s patio opens up to about four other backyards. This semi-communal land has become an intersection for hungry streetdogs, practicing grounds for cockfights, playspace for mostly naked children (I even saw two kids with bloated parasite-stomaches, very sad), and general viewing area for gossip. The sharing that goes on in these five backyards that touch, the sharing between animals, conversation, observation and food, is what makes Eric’s house the most Dominican living experience you could ask for. And for this reason, I loved visiting. Bella loved the visit as well because she got to chase chicks and hens, play with other dogs, and run after birds. She got a true feel for life in the country and she loved it.

Now I am back to “city” life, which still isn’t that urban but feels a world away from Los Rios. It should be a low key week with just a little work to do each day. I hope everyone back in the States is enjoying the Spring! The weather never really changes here but it is becoming steadily warmer...