Paradise in Tarzan’s Treehouse

For as worried as I was about finding my way to Cabarete, it really wasn’t that difficult. I had to hand over $450 DP (about $12 USD) to the taxi driver to get me to the hotel, but by that point I wasn’t really feeling up to a bargaining match.

We stayed at a great place called Ali’s Surf Camp, buried in the tropical forest ten minutes from the beach. Our cabin was called “Tarzan’s Treehouse,” and it was the perfect place to spend the weekend. We went surfing on Saturday morning and spent the rest of the afternoon lounging by the pool.

After a stressful week of work, this weekend was just what I needed. I got to relax on a beautiful beach, speak in English, and catch up with the other interns. Everyone is having very different yet exciting experiences, and it was fun to hear their stories. We’ve all had our share of difficult encounters with Dominican culture (especially the dominicanismos that make Dominican Spanish so difficult to understand). My shining moment was when we went surfing on Saturday morning. I decided to take a lesson since I hadn’t surfed in a while. The instructor’s name was Ezekiel and after we got to talking, I found out he was from Barahona, the town I traveled to with National Presbyterian Church during high school.

[Pause Story]

There is a very important cultural connotation associated with being an American in the Dominican Republic. Besides the fact that I’m a “gringa,” I’m also an “Americana”—a critical distinction to make. In addition to “Ay gringa” or “Hey Blondie” (yeah you heard me right, I’d never get that one at home!) I also hear this one: “Ey mángame la visa!” It took me FOREVER to figure out what they were saying. It’s a reference to a popular YouTube video made last year about finding an Americana to get your visa into the US.  Getting an American visa is nearly impossible from the DR and thus is a relatively taboo topic, especially in the Christian community. Since I learned the phrase, Pa’ Manga la Visa, I’ve been asked for a visa at least twenty times.

[Resume Story]

Anyways, I was having this conversation with Ezekiel the surf instructor and I asked him if he’d ever been to the United States. I knew the answer was probably no, but it’s a good conversation starter. He said, “No but one day I’d like to.”  I turned around and there was a HUGE wave approaching. There was no way I was going to let it go.  I yelled, “Just tell me when!” (in reference to the wave) but he thought I meant just tell me when we can go to the US and answered, mañana (tomorrow)? WHOOPS. He quickly figured out what I was referring to and just laughed.

This week is a short work week, thank goodness! Esperanza International has our annual “Retiro Familiar” where everyone retreats to Punta Cana for the weekend. There are appreciation dinners where loan officers and managers are thanked for their service to the organization as well as food, food, and more food! At least that’s what they tell me! Be back Saturday!