¡We've arrived! | rachael

We have arrived! We met at the airport at 3am. By the time I got there at 3:01 there were already ten students and their families there; the Schoonhovens were the earliest birds followed by the Jungs.

As per usual, it was an adventure checking in and, this year, we had the bonus adventure of paying for both of our pieces of luggage. Thankfully Mr. Freeman, Mr. Groot, Mrs. Schuurman and our diligent TAs (Dylan Knibbe, Sierra Van Zeumeren and Greg Verkaik) were there to help with working through the checking in at machines, calming of nerves and working through bottlenecks. After very long customs lines and the joys of security, we all boarded our one hour flight to New York. We landed in New York at 8:15 and boarded our flight to the DR four hours later. Four. Hour. Layover. Wowsers, Batman! Thankfully this group is extremely keen on entertaining themselves. At one point when I walked by some of our crew there was a CLUE board game happening (one awesome person, Ashley, brought CLUE in their CARRY-ON!), shortly after there was Skip-Bo and other card games and consistently there were people sleeping. A long flight had us arrive in the DR at 5:15 local time (we are currently an hour ahead of Canadian time). We exited the airport with Max, Kina and Guido by our sides; they are our hosts for our time here. Max and Kina are a couple from Stratford, Ontario, who lived and worked in the DR for over fourteen years as they raised their family. Guido is a Haitian-Dominican who runs the Ministry Centre where we stay. Leaving the airport at that time was prime; as we pulled out of the airport on to the highway the sun was setting through palm trees while reflecting on the water. We drove along the coast, hit traffic and arrived at the base just before 7pm. We ate dinner, unpacked and hit the sack.

This morning students were allowed to sleep in to 8:30 (something they should not get used to). The boys managed to to sleep that late but many of the girls were up before that; it is hard to say what awoke them: roosters, people, the school kids in our yard...

I spent the morning talking and planning with Max and Kina while the students found children to play with, played a group game and spent much time on the roof. This afternoon we went over some rules/expectations, unpacked and re-organized our donations and had mandatory journal time. The crew had a Spanish lesson tonight and right now they are playing Four on a Couch. We’ll have Circle time next and then we’ll be done our organized activity for the night. Apparently some students are gearing up for a game of Risk and we’ll see where the wind takes the rest of them.

What does tomorrow bring? Adventures, learning and bonding for sure.

How are they faring? Well. There seemed to be a bit of homesickness last night but that is typical. They are enjoying the food, adjusting to the heat, getting to know each other and the chaperones, staring blankly at Spanish-speaking children and making their rooms homey.

Know that all is well.

Much thanks.
rachael

PS - attached are the 'classic' first dinner pictures. sorry about the dark one, but we ate way later than we usually do and i just snapped a pic quickly.
PPSSPS - it is now saturday morning but this was written last night