As for highlights of the past few weeks, I have to say the birthday of my neighbor's sister was a really wonderful occasion. I really do wish I had photos of that evening. We all just sat in front of the colmado, which is how Dominicans often like to celebrate. Everyone was drinking rum and dancing. And Dominicans are exquisite dancers. The dancing alone was memorable. The best part for me was that my neighbor kept hugging me and kissing me and dancing with me. So did her sister! Since my neighbor (indeed both of these sisters) have helped me out so much their affection meant a lot to me.
My neighbor is an important reason I stay in this neighborhood, even though I am surrounded with much that one might consider depressing (garbage in the streets, badly treated barking dogs, and children playing amidst everything since they have no real playground). Come to think about it, I like other aspects of the neighborhood, including the grandmothers I've formed relationships with and the motorcyclists who provide rides to the metro station when needed.
The birthday celebration took a turn south when my neighbor fell and broke an arm so had to go to the hospital and have a cast put on her arm. She said she didn't get home from the hospital until 5 am in the morning. She is taking the broken arm in stride, however, saying that the arm will heal in a few months and that it doesn't rate as anything near the worst of the experiences she's had in life. She is getting a much needed rest from all of the care taking she gives her husband (paralyzed with a stroke) and her elderly mother (who is losing her eyesight) because her sister is doing more care taking.
Below is a photo of Elpidia helping me put linoleum on my bathroom floor (which has made all of the difference). And after that is a picture of Blausita, Elpidia's sister (this and the next two photos have been posted in this blog previously). Once again I am posting a photo of the group of musicians Batista, Elpidia's husband, played trumpet with before his stroke. The couple has traveled throughout Europe and South America with these musicians. Included is a photo of Batista with one of the woman singers in his group, because I love this picture:
While I connect well with my neighbor on a one to one basis, I generally do not associate with her when she is with her adult daughters and other family members. They all talk so fast and generally exclude me, anyway. Lately Elpidia has been encouraging me to sit down with them and will slow down on occasion, explaining to me what they are discussing in Spanish I understand. Just socializing a little more often with my neighbors is delightful.
Below are photos of Elpedia's mother with her nephew, and Elpidia dancing with her nephew. A portrait of Batista in his younger years can be seen in the photo of Elpidia's mother dancing with her grandson. Also, Elpidia's cast is apparent in the photo of her dancing.
Another good thing that has happened this past month has been my participation in International Women's Club events. These gatherings are held in English, which helps a lot, and I am enjoying the perspectives of women who come from throughout Latin America as well as Europe.
I've tended to hold back from these gatherings because the women are generally young and married to Corporate Executives and Embassy Personnel. Meetings are held at the very exclusive Santo Domingo Country Club, which is the opposite side of town from my house. The attitudes of the women can be very elitist. Yet I have also realized that some of the women are very kindly and have enjoyed positive relationships with them. I've valued visiting with different women in their homes.
Also, I've learned that I can take the Metro and carrito to the Santo Domingo Country Club, and can walk down the hill afterward and take a carrito back to the metro station. In the past I've asked for rides from the club to the metro station, and sometimes it's difficult to find someone who could help (although I've received terrific rides). I don't know if it is that the metro station is so far from their home or that public transportation has no place in their awareness, but sometimes it is painful for me to ask so many of these relatively sheltered women for help. I feel much better knowing that I can leave easily on my own. The last times I've been on carritos to the Country Club the driver and passengers have been very helpful. The trip to the Country Club and home has been just as enjoyable as the meeting.
I continue to help the children in my neighborhood school with their reading three mornings a week and they are a great help with my Spanish pronunciation, too. Tuesdays I have a class of high school students who are learning English. I also tutor several adult English students.
I haven't traveled anywhere this month and the Bird Walk this past month was canceled. Too bad! At least I've been saving money and I still hope to visit South America sometime in the coming year.
Thank you for taking the time to view my photos and read my blog update. I look forward to posting more photos and writing more at the beginning of March.
