Despedidas

Hello all,

Well, here we are! We have just arrived in el capital, Santo Domingo, where this adventure began four weeks ago. Time has gone by so quickly!

We have been on the road since Monday when we left La Guazara for Santiago. It was a tearful farewell for many of us. The community of La Guazara will hold a special place in all of our hearts. We are humbled by the kindness and love we were shown by our many friends in the community.

After leaving the village on Monday, we traveled to Santiago, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic. The land surrounding the city yields many cash crops-- most importantly tobacco and sugarcane are grown here (which are turned into rum and cigars). All of this industry makes the city a very important and lucrative place for the Republic. It is quite modern. Our students had a lot of fun shopping at Mercado Modelo, a market that sells knicknacks, souvenirs, Haitian paintings, and other gifts. We're pretty sure that you would have been proud of their haggling skills!

After Santiago, we headed to the coastal town of Cabarete where we stayed at a surf camp for two nights. This once-small fishing town is now filled with adventure sport enthusists. It is known worldwide for its surfing and windsurfing. We even woke up Wednesday morning at 6:30 am for surf lessons! It was lots of fun!

It is hard to believe it but we fly back home tomorrow where we will say goodbye to new friends and to an incredible journey. Your children have provided us with many lasting memories and a great trip. Thanks so much for sharing them. Signing off...

Abrazos,
Scarlett and Daniel