WOW!!! Where has the time gone??? I don’t remember the last time I blogged, what I said, or where I left off. I think I told about my trip to Santiago. Did I talk about the great hike to the mountain? …I think so, but I can’t find it in my notes. Anyway, that was Saturday and on Sunday Jan 31st we went horseback riding for about 3 hours. It was fabulous. I felt like 16 again because that’s when I had a horse. We went up and down some small mountain roads, saw where they filmed the scenery for Jurassic Park, and then followed a river back to the ranch crossing it many times. We even stopped and had a swim in our clothes because we didn’t know that was part of the ride. It was a great adventure and thanks to all the walking, etc. these days, I suffered no ill affects from an afternoon in the saddle…and what memories I take away with me.
Speaking of memories, I now have lots more time to gather them as I have changed my ticket to return mid-June instead of the original end of February. Classes are going well. I have 9 new students in English class Level I and 4 returning students for Level II. We have abandoned the sewing class plans for the time being as we don’t have any of the machines, equipment, etc. coming from Canada and I really don’t have enough time right now.
This Saturday (Feb. 6th) Rosemary and I did a walking tour of Puerto Plata and Sosua. We took a ‘guagua’ to Puerto Plata (about an hour away) and roamed around till early afternoon and then rode back to Sosua and wandered around there. She wanted to see a synagogue that was there since Jews came during the Second World War. Dominican Republic was the only country that would accept Jews who were fleeing from Europe, so a large group settled there. We had the accidental privilege of speaking with the son of the first man to come and the only survivor from the original immigrants. He is 101 yr. old. We were looking for the synagogue and after several wrong tries we stumbled upon it. If not for that timing we would not have been at the right spot when the son just happened to walk by on his way to town. He saw us looking at the gate (it closed at 1:00) and asked if he could help us. When we told him we’d come too late he said he’d be happy to give us information if we wanted to take the time. He was so interesting and humorous and knew so much because, of course, he had lived with it and heard about it all his life. His father left Germany before the trouble started because he had heard Hitler speak and whatever he’d heard caused him concern. He moved to Spain and then somewhere else before he went to DR. He had his German citizenship taken away and was declared an enemy of the state. In later years, he was restored and received the second highest honour of the country. He married a Dominican woman and she converted to Judaism. When the son was grown he went back to Germany for his education and met and married a German lady and still lives there. His father could never understand why he went back but now accepts that it is OK. There is so much more of a very fascinating story. I would love to have hours to listen to him. The son, of course, doesn’t expect the father to last much longer.
Just finished a visit with some of the guys, who stopped by to practice English. It’s great fun to converse with them and try to get them to find words to say what they want to tell me. They throw in French or Spanish or Kreol words when they’re stuck and we figure it out. They are amazed when I understand their Kreol but it’s usually because it’s close to some French word I know. I encourage them to try any language because often a word is close to the same in English. For example: I say, “en Français” and they say, “orange” and I say, “in English, orange”. Then we have a good laugh about that and go on from there. They’re so much fun and so keen to learn, it’s a joy to watch/hear their progress. They all tell me they are very happy that I’m staying and that makes me feel GREAT!!!
HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY
Speaking of memories, I now have lots more time to gather them as I have changed my ticket to return mid-June instead of the original end of February. Classes are going well. I have 9 new students in English class Level I and 4 returning students for Level II. We have abandoned the sewing class plans for the time being as we don’t have any of the machines, equipment, etc. coming from Canada and I really don’t have enough time right now.
This Saturday (Feb. 6th) Rosemary and I did a walking tour of Puerto Plata and Sosua. We took a ‘guagua’ to Puerto Plata (about an hour away) and roamed around till early afternoon and then rode back to Sosua and wandered around there. She wanted to see a synagogue that was there since Jews came during the Second World War. Dominican Republic was the only country that would accept Jews who were fleeing from Europe, so a large group settled there. We had the accidental privilege of speaking with the son of the first man to come and the only survivor from the original immigrants. He is 101 yr. old. We were looking for the synagogue and after several wrong tries we stumbled upon it. If not for that timing we would not have been at the right spot when the son just happened to walk by on his way to town. He saw us looking at the gate (it closed at 1:00) and asked if he could help us. When we told him we’d come too late he said he’d be happy to give us information if we wanted to take the time. He was so interesting and humorous and knew so much because, of course, he had lived with it and heard about it all his life. His father left Germany before the trouble started because he had heard Hitler speak and whatever he’d heard caused him concern. He moved to Spain and then somewhere else before he went to DR. He had his German citizenship taken away and was declared an enemy of the state. In later years, he was restored and received the second highest honour of the country. He married a Dominican woman and she converted to Judaism. When the son was grown he went back to Germany for his education and met and married a German lady and still lives there. His father could never understand why he went back but now accepts that it is OK. There is so much more of a very fascinating story. I would love to have hours to listen to him. The son, of course, doesn’t expect the father to last much longer.
Just finished a visit with some of the guys, who stopped by to practice English. It’s great fun to converse with them and try to get them to find words to say what they want to tell me. They throw in French or Spanish or Kreol words when they’re stuck and we figure it out. They are amazed when I understand their Kreol but it’s usually because it’s close to some French word I know. I encourage them to try any language because often a word is close to the same in English. For example: I say, “en Français” and they say, “orange” and I say, “in English, orange”. Then we have a good laugh about that and go on from there. They’re so much fun and so keen to learn, it’s a joy to watch/hear their progress. They all tell me they are very happy that I’m staying and that makes me feel GREAT!!!
HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY
You sound like you're having such a good time. You sound happy. I would love to have been with you when you talked to that guy. What a rich experience to tap into. I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteSo, June huh? I guess our loss is their gain. I continue to pray for your protection and provision. Take care, Dianne