Hola!!! I am finally home. We have all arrived safely in the
Dominican Republic, as of yesterday afternoon. It’s been really awesome to
watch people on this trip experience the sights and sounds of the Dominican for
the first time as we arrived and went to church last night. So much dancing,
hugging, and smiles were given as the best gifts we could ever receive. We were
welcomed warmly. We are all very excited to see what tomorrow and Tuesday bring
as we teach our classes to teachers and students alike. I am the only American
translator on our trip, so it will certainly be an adventure for everyone…
(translating is like being the unwanted, but necessary, third wheel). I will be
teaching English classes all day on Tuesday for grades 1-8.
Haiti was wonderful, and so different than what I have
experienced here in the DR. Since I didn't have a specific job or subject to
teach, I was the assistant…pretty big stuff;) Everyone that talked to me in
Creole, my automatic response was Spanish, which is an issue since most don’t
speak Spanish there. My favorite part of the whole trip was riding in the
cattle truck- I stood the whole time, absorbing as much of the beautiful terrain
as I could. The kids were adorable, and my favorite school that I visited was
Chardene. Driving up a dried river bed with trees hitting me was adventurous,
as well as the sun burn..all worth it, for sure.
I got the best night’s
sleep of my life last night. Amidst the sunburn and swollen ankles, I am happy
as a clam to be home.
With love,
Mackenzie Lyon
