Week one

Language study

Students spent their first weekend in the DR speaking Spanish with their host families and encountering many new things. On Monday, host families helped them make their way to the language training institute, Entrena. Students were eager to share stories and speak some English again!

Entrena has moved to a new location since the last Goshen group. Students met their language instructors, and got oriented to the public transportation system by making their way to Casa Goshen and back.

On Tuesday morning regular language instruction got underway. For several mornings each week the students will study Spanish at Entrena in small groups of 5 or 6.

Lectures and Casa Goshen

Tuesday afternoon was our first lecture. We listened to the always interesting and active Puro Blanco speak on The Dominican Soul and Social Problems in the DR. This overview provided a good introduction to the variety of topics that will be covered in more depth by future speakers.

Wednesday was our first "Casa Goshen" day. The morning was spent in sharing, worship, and further orientation, followed by lunch. In the afternoon we talked about possible service assignments.

Thursday was another Entrena/lecture day. Joaquin Disla, a family therapist, talked about the variations in the Dominican family structures. Dr. Catherine Scheraldi (right), the physician for the SST unit here, gave an overview of the Dominican medical system and some of the common health issues in the DR, as well as specific advice for the students on how they can stay healthy.

Zona Colonial

On Friday afternoon the group explored the Colonial Zone, once the seat of Spain’s power in the new world. It contains many new world firsts, the first cathedral, the first military installation, the ruins of the first monastery and hospital, to name a few. We were reminded that Santo Domingo has already celebrated the 500th Anniversary of its founding.

• group picture at the top of the Fort Ozama's "Tower of Homage".
• in the Priest's Alley.
  

To Guayacanes

Saturday was another field trip, this time towards the coast. We explored the natural wonders of the Tres Ojos (Three Eyes), a series of actually four underground caves and lakes. We continued east to the beach at Guayacanes. Many of the pristine beaches in the Dominican Republic are natural wonders in themselves. This outing was a good time for the group to get to know each other better and remind themselves that the DR consists of more than the busy and crowded streets of Santo Domingo.

Next week’s scheduled activities include language study and lectures on Monday, a day off on Tuesday for the "Dia de la Virgin de la Altagracia", and Casa Goshen day on Wednesday. We’ll end the week with a field trip to the central "breadbasket" region of the Cibao. Look for more information and photos of these activities soon.