[MaineGirl]

Thanks HB...


June 21

Hillbilly scrambles eggs and gives us the best coffee in the country, Cafe Melo, as well as some directions around the city. Ali is delighted by the dogs at HB's hovel and also Tania, the large surly parrot.

So we start...first a brief walk two blocks to the New Horizons School. It is a secured building, two stories, with a basketball court and children's play area in the front.

We are admitted and given a tour by the sweetly shy Lizbeth, who speaks excellent English. We are shown the classrooms and the computer lab (which had a Smart Board!) Also we see the library. The school is clean and the classrooms organized. There are several staff members around getting things organized for the next event at school which I believe is a summer program. There are lots of pictures of the students doing their activities which we enjoy looking at.

It is an accredited school--New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The parent school is in Santo Domingo, goes to high school, and has an excellent reputation. The Santiago extension is growing. Currently the classes go up to sixth but they are adding a grade each year. They are also looking to expand the facility and anticipate a move in the next two years.

Lizbeth asked about our plans and I said that we were thinking of coming in two years. She asked what I would do for work and when I told her my priority was to stay with the children (aka stay at home mom!) she said, "Well, you could work here!"

I decided after we left that I could definitely work in the school based on the environment I had just seen. The bulletin boards showcasing student work were very well done and the bilingual atmosphere was apparent.

We trotted down the block to the Abba school. This school was smaller and less formal--no sign in at the gate and guest pass clipped to me, but two very friendly and busy administrators welcomed us warmly and called for an English speaker. The lady who came to see us, Cesarina, was very friendly. Her English was adequate as she explained a few things about the school. She asked me how to say some things and did not take offense as I corrected her occasionally.

We went into her small classroom and we introduced ourselves to the seven silly students. I say silly but they were your typical seven year olds...smiling, giggling. Alison introduced herself to each one and I spoke with them in Spanish and English. Alison remarked that their handwriting was exemplary for their age!

One thing to know about Abba school is that it is a Christian school. It uses Abeka and Saxon curricula which is exactly what I used for three years when I worked at a Christian school. I was never a huge fan of Abeka but Saxon is very good.

We did not get as extensive a tour of the facility because Cesarina had those seven year olds to teach. However, I always plan on coming back so next trip. I also plan on looking at Santiago Christian School.

Of the two schools Alison liked New Horizons better.

We then took a taxi to Centro Leon. It is a beautiful museum of Dominican Culture. The first exhibit was amazing--a multimedia showcase of the African and indigenous influence on the culture, the flora and fauna and the impact of the conquista on the island. There were fabulous artifacts and well-documented displays.

The second exhibit was Dominican art. It was also impressive. I think the first exhibit was more exciting, however. The gift shop had some lovely Carnaval figures which I purchased for display in my classroom.

Outside the grounds are beautifully kept and we were able to go into La Aurora which is the cigar-making factory. It had such an intense smell that we could not stay too long. I enjoyed watching the masters at work.

There is also a small aviary on the grounds and we stopped and watched the pigeons and ducks for a while.

Then we decided to go to Plaza Centro Internacional. We took a publico for 20 pesos. We wanted to see what movies were playing. I bought some earrings and a belt and inquired after a cell phone. We decided to come back in the evening to watch a movie.

Back home in a taxi (80 pesos). Siesta time!

At 7 we leave for Tu Pizza, a food stand recommendby HB. The pizza is delicious! We stroll down the avenue for several blocks, headed to Plaza Centro again.

I vaguely remember how to get there and flag down a publico. He says we are too close for him to charge us, and drops us off a few blocks from the mall.

We buy tickets to see "Mi amiga es una sirena" or "Aquamarine". It is a movie for junior high kids and Alison loves it. It is in English with titles. The cost is 300 pesos for two tickets.

Midnight and we come home again. Tomorrow: Caribe Tours to Sosua. Not my favorite place by any means but we have some business there and it will be Alison's first real road trip in the country.