DR: Day 1 (and part of 2) - en route

We are already on the plane from Omaha to Chicago, then Chicago to Miami. We will spend the night in Miami, then head to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

I had time to connect and chat with the group – we went over the slang that I printed and had quite a good time. In my group are: Caleb Schnipke, Larissa Ulmer, Ethan Brush, Kailey and Troy Thornton, Meredith Johnston, Jim White and Keelia Trively. What a great group! This morning, I woke up early unintentionally but no matter. I had time to relax a bit with Jeff. By the way, my rash isn’t as bad today – thanks to the antihistamines! This morning I wanted to print Psalm 23 in the version I memorized before but I forgot. Here it is in the Spanish NIV:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Those beautiful words – promises – comfort me, calm me a lot.

 

By the way, we should get to Miami a little before 7pm, and I'm just dying to check out Miami! Jim was not as crazy about the idea, and I can’t blame him, but even if it’s just a matter of taking a little walk, that would be nice, don’t you think? Well, more later!

I never would have thought that so much would have happened in such a small amount of time! We got to Miami at 7pm and by the time we got to the hotel, it was 8pm. The driver of the complimentary hotel van, Junior, is Dominican and super nice. He was also really easy to understand. Even the teens understood our conversation! Junior offered to take us anywhere- how nice! We felt like Cuban food, I mean, we’re in Miami! He suggested “La Rosa” and the food and service were… so-so. Our waiter was polite but some of the others who brought us food not so much. They were rude if what they brought us wasn’t what we ordered, as if it were our fault. Furthermore, the menú had too many dishes since they were out of practically everything. I ordered 4 or 5 times before I finally got something they had. The white asparagus was disgusting – like something out of a jar – but I forgive it all for their black beans and rice. So yummy! We all agreed. After eating way too much, we jumped in the pool at the hotel. Well, Troy came down to the pool and Meredith and I just hopped in and out. Keelia, Kailey, Ethan and Larissa played in the water a long time and we didn’t head back to the room until midnight or so. They played Marco Polo and chased a lizard on the wall. We didn’t fall asleep until after 1am. We talked a while- mostly Meredith and I, but I hope that the teens feel more comfortable to be able to open up with us later on.

 

On another note, I finally got a hold of Hannah J She left me a sweet message (I had left my cell phone in the room since the battery was dead) and she was there when I called back. She loved the Reptile Garden J I want to hug her – I already miss her so much, but I’m glad she’s having so much fun on her vacation with Aunt Laurie. She was sorry she had left her bathing suit at home since their hotel has a pool. I promised her to take her to the pool a bunch when she gets home again :)

Our hotel is really nice – our room is really big. I slept on the sofa, which was comfortable, but I was cold with only the tiny, thin blanket I brought. On the way back, whoever sleeps on the couch will have to ask for a blanket at the front desk. Breakfast was the best I’ve had at a hotel (free) – they had it all – sausage, scrambled eggs, muffins, waffles (cinnamon and regular), prepared oatmeal with craisins, walnuts and brown sugar, 4 kinds of juice, bagels, you name it.

We arrived at the airport without a problem and I even bought the café cubano that I was so craving from a place called “Café Versailles,” conveniently near our gate. I even had two! It was exactly like Loli made it! By the way, she recommends we go to “La Carreta” next time for dinner.

I'll pick up tomorrow when we land in the Dominican Republic - and where the journey truly begins!