Adios Santo Domingo!

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Well, that's that then. Today is my last day in Santo Domingo. After so much planning and anticipation I can't believe this part of my trip is already over. How come 7 weeks at work doesn’t fly past so quickly?! It's been really hard work and I can’t say I’ve enjoyed every minute but it’s been a great experience and lots of fun. I’m surprised how attached I’ve become to the school and it was sad saying goodbye on Friday. Marisol, the school’s director, got all the kids into the playground and they gave us a big send-off with songs and speeches and presents. Some of the children made me cards, which I can’t understand because they’re all written in Spanish but I’m assured say nice things, and then I got mobbed to take photos of everybody. They’re such little posers!

It’s going to be pretty sad to leave the guest-house too. After so long being used to my own space, I thought it would be really hard living with so many other people and sharing a room with 3 others but it’s amazing how quickly you adapt to these things. On the whole we all get along very well and there’s a lovely feeling of “we’re in this together.” It’s strange to think that if it hadn’t been for this project, I would never have got to know any of the people who have become such good friends over the past seven weeks. I’m beginning to realise that while seeing the world is a wonderful experience, the main benefit of what I’m doing is meeting people whose paths I would never cross in my ‘real life’ back home.

Apart from goodbyes it’s been a pretty quiet last two weeks which is why I skipped a week on the blog. The main reason is because everybody has seriously over-spent their budgets going away at weekends, so we’ve been making our own fun at the house. This has mainly involved drinking lots of rum and coke - which are about the only things apart from public transport that are cheap here - and sitting around talking rubbish for hours on end. We had one big splurge last week though and treated ourselves to a slap-up meal at a ‘French’ restaurant called Café de Paris, as a goodbye meal for Jess and me who both leave this week. CdP has become a bit of a guest-house favourite because it’s one of the few places in Santo Domingo we can afford where the food is really good. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the service, which is pure Fawlty Towers. Still, the chocolate soufflé dessert (which is the real reason we go!) didn’t disappoint and it was a lovely way for everybody at the guesthouse to spend time together before we go our separate ways.

Well, I guess that’s basically it for Santo Domingo. By this time tomorrow I’ll be in Panama trying to find my way from the airport to my hotel and on Wednesday I begin my journey up through Central America. I’m assuming there will be lots of internet cafes along the way so I’ll try and keep the blog up-to-date, and I’ll be checking my e-mails regularly so there’s no excuses not to keep me up-to-date with all your news and gossip!

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Photos

Last day at school
Saying goodbye to the sixth grade

Last day at school
The kids at Cafe con Leche just love to pose for photos!

The original 20th March gang!
Toyin, Jess and yours truly.

Dancing in the streets
Impromptu merengue outside Bachus

Cuba libra!
Ron y coke at Bachus

All the housemates
Toyin's surprise birthday party.

Comments

[Jo Flo, Sam and Emily]

Good Luck
Kit Thanks for your blogs it is good to keep up with what you are doing you lucky sod. Sounds like you are having a great time and meeting lots of new friends along the way. Keep us up to date with the next stage of your travels and hope you have a great time, take care of yourself. Lots of love Jo Flo, Sam and Em' XXX

[Ray and Chris]

Great Diary!!
Hi, We have both very much enjoyed reading 'all about it'!! The photos are great and it is unbeleivable that you have been on your travels seven weeks already!! As you said 'doesn't time fly when you are having a good time'!! We await your next report with anticipation; take care and enjoy!! xx