It seems like just yesterday I arrived in Santo Domingo with the shock of realizing that I was going to be in a completely different country for four months. Now the time has come to say "Adios". I am definitely ready to see my friends and family, but I can't say that I am ready to leave this amazing country with the most incredible sights and beautiful people. These are just things that I am going to miss...

Big lunches
Carros publicos
Crowded Guaguas
Piropos (Catcalls)
Beaches
Being able to travel to any part of the country for $10 or less!
Bargaining in the streets
Skim-Ice (5 peso popsicles)
Wearing summer clothing (even in November)
Fresh fruit
Sunsets on the Malecon
Apogones (Blackouts that occur several times a day)
Cheap accessories
Festivals in the Plaza Espana
El Conde
Weekend excursions
An endless amount of plantains
Dulce con Leche
Fresh juices (watermelon, mango, passion fruit, orange)

and of course Dominicans....(enough said)

This list could go on and on, but you would probably be here all night. What an incredible experience! Thanks to each everyone of you for following my journey. Each day spent in Santo Domingo, I learned more about the world, more about the people who live in it, more about myself as an individual. A study abroad experience teaches many great lessons. For me, the power of one person to implement change around them. The strength of a dream.

I have become tremendously proud of the history of my people and any other people of color who have endured great strife. Although life at times may be difficult. With an ounce of hope, you have the power to move mountains!

Thanks to everyone who has continued to follow my journey, but this is only the beginning!

Posted by Erica at 10:33 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I have mentioned this before, but I don’t think I expanded on it enough. The people you meet while studying abroad tremendously shape your experience. I have met some amazing people that probably don’t quite understand the magnitude of how much they have affected my life. The first couple of weeks away from home, all you can think about is how much you miss your family and friends, but as the weeks go by you begin to build relationships, forming your own special family of friends. Traveling provides the opportunity to meet people from many places of the world. Some are places that we can only dream of going or seeing. Despite the differences, you find that you all have one thing in common. The desire to want more out of life than what some say or feel is enough. Not materialistically of course, but the fact that there is an entire world of different cultures, languages, and people that I have yet to see. Sometimes I wish I could just be a world traveler for the rest of my life, but I don’t know if that would work out too well. I guess we’ll have to wait and see....

Posted by Erica at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

It is very difficult to go throughout the day without noticing the amount of children working in the streets of Santo Domingo. This was one of the things that shocked me the most when I arrived. The first thing you think to yourself is that these children should be in school, playing, or doing things that children should be doing to enjoy their childhood. Let me first make it clear that this is not the state of all children here, but there are enough of them working the street to make this issue apparent. Most of the young boys make their money by shining shoes and cleaning windshields, while others just result to asking tourists for money. I have had many conversations with some of these children, and many times I receive the answer that they are working to support their poor families. I can´t help, but wonder if there are other means to do so. Why is it that the children are taking on the roles of the adults? These children are forced to grow up very quickly and already obtain an instinct of survival. People walk by them everyday without an inch of curiosity to know their story. So that just leaves me to do so, because if I dont tell their story, who will?

Posted by Erica at 05:23 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)