Boca Chica, Carwash, all things Dominican

Going from having internet in my bedroom to not having it at all is crazy! So, that should explain why my last post didnt make any sense. I was so overwhlemed with having internet that I didnt know where to begin or what to say! Also, being in an internet cafe is hard. I feel like I am being tested and timed and like I have to rush. And I dont like to be rushed. But internet is internet and I love it!
The title of my last post, "se fue la luz"... i never explained it. Its probably one of the most common phrases here. I hear it at least once, maybe twice a day. It means "the lights went"... yes, the electricity often goes out 2 or 3 times a day, that I am aware of. Its not a big deal. Im already used to it. We just sit outside in the evening air and cool off waiting for the power to come back on and the women just talk. For those of you who thought that baseball was the DRs official sport, you are wrong. It is gossiping. It happens 24.7 Women do it all the time. I usually pick up every 10th word, so I have a vague idea, at least I think I do, of waht is being said. Im picking up "cada dia, un chin mas"... a bit more every day. Its definitely tiring though.
I had a very dominican weekend... at the carwash with presidente. What is a carwash you ask? its where you wash your car, BUT as soon as it gets dark it turns into the place to be. It has a DJ, dancing, tables and chairs, and a bar. Its hilarious and tons of fun. It really does turn into the local "bar". We were celebrating a volunteers bday. Presidente is the DR beer and its acutally pretty good. I am madly in love with Merengue and Bachata... 2 forms of dancing. Everyone, evey 3 year olds here know how to dance and move their hips in ways Ill never understand, but I must say that Im not too bad myself. I definetly love Bachata... its sooo much fun.
On sunday I went to Boca Chica, a beautiful beach filled with palm trees and clear blue water. Its filled with litter, not sure people here understand how damaging it is to the environment, but it was still beautiful! And yesterday I took a walking tour of the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo. It was beautiful and amazing. There is so much history here that I never knew. Its amazing. Google it.
I head out tomorrow to visit a volunteer who is a year into his service and he is another SpEd volunteer. Im really excited about this so I can ask all my questions and see a real, live, volunteer. I have to travel about 3 hours north to Pimentel on public transportation! It shall be an interesting adventure. For my SpEds out there... there is no such thing as people first language here and I cringe and want to cry every time I hear people talk about the "blind kid" or "special kid". People first language will definitely be worked into my program some how.

I think thats it for now. Im going to post some pics of my family, training site, and the beach soon, so look for them!

Thank you for al lthe comments... they make me so happy! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoy the cold weather. I miss you all!