Isaac

The first days of training have been surprising.  Our diverse, accomplished 43 person group preceeded a trpocial storm that was possibly going to become a level 1 hurricane.  Barricaded in the luxurious Hotel Barcelò, enjoying amenities such as electricity, hot water and buffet meals, this has certainly been an unexpected beginning.  It has however served as a platform for increased interaction and bonding among the training group outside the training atmosphere.

We have seen only glimpses of the realities of life here, our only chances on bumpy bus rides through the chaotic streets of Santo Domingo.  While many think we make a great sacrifice to live in conditions less common than what we experience in the US (and it is quite different), being whisked away to an amazing hotel at the first inkling of a storm is a reminder of the privelages we enjoy.

Tomorrow we all meet our familias anfitrionas, host families, and will be spending our first weekend with them.  We will spend a our mornings and evenings there for a few weeks, the bulk of our days being spent at the training center, and then move in with another family during Community Based Training elsewhere on the island.

The PC training ground is a lush, green, gorgeous compound that could be straight out of Jurassic Park.  The following weeks will consist of intense language training, heat, water purification, bucket showers and the neverending battle against mosquitos and other jolly jungle insects.  Not to brag or anything, but I already have a killcount of 1 cockroach from noche numero uno.

Time to enjoy these luxuries, they will most certainly not be afforded to us in the future unless the situation is a bit more serious.  Afterall, there aren't any other volunteers here, which means they are buckled down in their communities - a place I can't wait to get to.