DR: Day 9 - Adios

I’m now in the airport in Puerto Plata, charging my phone. My heart is full and at the same time, I feel tired, drained from so much emotion, so many tough goodbyes to the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. Even though I never cry at goodbyes, I cried after every single one. I will miss all the interns and missionaries and their children. This day was so difficult because to start off we had to say goodbye to the kids at the children’s home.

It was very difficult for Kylie, who couldn’t let Niña go. I know it was very hard for Kailey too, and I’m proud of how hard she tried to keep it together for the kids’ sake. 

 

For me, the hardest part was with the teens. We always joke around and jack around playing volleyball but it was very evident on their faces that they were sad to see us go.

 

We have the opportunity to “adopt,” that is, to sponsor a child for the school. Jeremy’s parents, who are coming as part of the next group, are Carlos’sponsors and will finally get to meet him face to face. How exciting! We are sponsoring the girl on the left above. I remember her from when we were there and she is so sweet! I can't wait to correspond with her :) If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please contact Cassey Gibson at cassey@mannaglobalministries.org

Before leaving, we did our piece of cement. The cement was still very wet, but we did it. I made a rough copy of the SWCoC logo and everyone signed in the rays of the sun. I think it turned out pretty well, although it’s still wet. It’s in front of the school we helped to paint.

 After taking a few pix in front of the famous Daihatsu, there was no time to think about how it was perhaps the last time we’d see each thing we’d become so accustomed to: the school, our dorms, the pad, all the roosters, the cahuy tree, the volleyball court, the children’s home, the bridge we helped build, the building with Franklin’s name on it that we never got a picture of, the Bobita School, that crazy bumpy road, all of it. Like always, we waved to everyone we saw as we passed by, but this time it seemed like we were saying goodbye instead of hello. All the interns came with us, so at least we didn’t have to say goodbye to them yet. 

 

We got to Cabarete and they showed us where the restaurant was first so we’d know how to get back. We went through a hotel to get there – that was *air-conditioned*- and the restaurant itself was right in front of the beach. Beautiful! By the way, as we were walking by some men were painting and said to us “Bendiciones”(blessings), not your typical comment, then I realized we all had our Manna shirts on and I’m pretty sure they go to that restaurant with each group on the way to the airport (once a week). Still, it was sweet!

We shopped a little. I think generally throughout the week, the teens and adults have done just fine without my help, but when it came to shopping, I felt my skills really came in handy – especially my math skills! It didn’t hurt that I made a little table on my hand beforehand to more easily calculate how many pesos per dollar (40 pesos=$1 USD). Vendors generally use the “I don’t have change” to their advantage, but since I was there for other transactions of our group, I knew what change the vendor for sure had. I don’t feel like she was trying to take advantage necessarily, but it didn’t hurt to help things out a bit!

We ate what everyone says is the best pizza on the whole island, and even though I haven’t tried any other pizza there, I don't doubt it's true. It had fresh pineapple, bacon and chicken with a crispy yet fluffy and airy crust. Franklin was pleasantly surprised that Coca Cola light is better than Diet Coke. I prefer Diet Coke, but like Light too – it reminds me of Mexico!

 After eating, in about five seconds we all hugged and said goodbye to all the interns we’ve grown to love so much. Only Jeff went with us to the airport. We really had to hurry since the Newark group had to leave pretty soon. After checking our bags but before going through security, Meredith and I did a bit of last minute shopping and both got playing cards from different shops!

Everything was pretty peachy until we went through security and it got a little ugly. Larissa was really upset because it seemed the guy told her she wouldn't be able to get on the airplane because she had batteries. After talking with him, it was clear she could go, but he was taking her batteries. Apparently he also took Troy's. I argued and had him get his supervisor over there, but it was no use. Despite the airline policy that batteries could not be in checked baggage and must be in carry-ons, these guys all insisted otherwise. I was furious that they were clearly just stealing people's batteries, but poor Larissa was just glad she was getting to go home!