Dream Job

15 October 2009
Dream job.

I am actually doing the very work I studied to do in college. Who can say that less than a year after graduation? I just finished a day of driving around the city in my Chevy Tracker, which is now officially pop-eyed. I visited other areas of the city, “vision tripping” for a good barrio to make my home. Sharon and I found an incredible Photo exhibition on the rejas of a local park in Ozama, which is in Santo Domingo Este. The exhibit focused on the projects of the local Senator, who has had a very successful social progress program. This is unique for the Dominican Republic: INDIGENOUS Social movement, motivated by civic participation and community development goals, not by outside funds or American service teams. I was encouraged and inspired to research further. As far as I can tell, the capitol of the DR has a participatory population.

Quick facts:
The city has roughly 4.5 million people, and is growing every day with high rates of immigration from Haiti and local rural-urban migration.

Sirena has a wonderful bookstore. Sirena is like Sanbourn’s, for those of you who know my favorite Mexican bookstore.

Dominican drivers do not pay attention to the drivers behind them, only the drivers in front. This explains traffic patterns.

“Mofongo” is a treat for Dominicans. It is mashed platanos with chicharon (also mixed in) and other interesting things. Delicious. Served luke-warm in a wooden bowlish thing.

“Zapote” is a fruit that makes a reddish-orange thickish drink. Very good.

The photo is from my team: it is of a typical Clase Popular neighborhood, Barrio 800. We have a small church plant in this neighborhood. It is near Herrera, on the near West side.

Love you all!
allison