Hasta Un Dia: Until One Day

Yesterday (7/19) was my last full day in the Dominican Republic. I spent the morning at Accion Callejera’s (AC) Juvenile Center.  What I like about volunteering here is that not every day is the same; sometimes they have school work, sometimes they are free to play on the cancha (court), and sometimes they have special events. Yesterday, los Joe’s (two AC volunteers both named Joe) led an English lesson for some of the boys. Los Joe’s teach at other AC centers and while the Juvenile Center does have a classroom, English isn't one of the lessons. The English lesson los Joe's were teaching was open to any of the boys at the center who wanted to learn. If enough of the boys were interested, they were thinking about making it a weekly lesson. At first only about four boys were there, but by the end of the lesson there were at least twelve. They learned some basic greeting questions and responses such as 'How are you?', 'I am fine', 'What is your name?'. I was surprised by how quickly the kids picked up everything. It probably helps to have a lot of English-speaking volunteers walk through the doors of AC. 

This whole week, many of the boys asked when I was leaving and it was definitely hard to say this Saturday. Saying goodbye to the kids is always the hardest. However, with the possibility of coming back with my university in March, I didn’t feel like it was goodbye. I have enjoyed this week playing, laughing, and learning from the children at Centro Juvenil. I am truly at my happiest when I am working with these children. Over the past two years, I have seen many of them grow up and in turn, they have seen me grow up. I went from a girl who had dreams of traveling the world to a girl who was making those dreams a reality. While being in the Dominican Republic, I didn't know what was going to happen, the friendship that would be created, the places I would go, and the new goals I would set for myself. However, I took a chance and stayed for a month. What a great month it has been!

Elena and I

Coming back to the centro communitario, the goodbyes didn't stop. Elena--one of the sweetest AC workers--invited Maria, Joan, Ariel (AC volunteer), and I over to her house the day before. We had juice from sour oranges (all the sugar that was added helped mask the sourness) and a delicious cake that tasted similar to pumpkin pie (although no pumpkins were used in the making of this cake). Although Elena is taking her vacation time, she stopped by the centro yesterday to wish us a safe trip back home. We promised each other to keep in touch and I know we will. It is amazing how quickly we can make meaningful connections with people. And at times, you can't predict who those connections will be with. One of the other workers who (at first) I thought didn't like me and was quite intimidating to speak Spanish with--by the end of the trip--was one of the people I became the closest with. Of the many experiences I have had while being here in the Dominican Republic, my experiences at this community center definitely hold a special place in my heart.  

At lunch time (almuerzo), I came back to the centro communitario for what was my ‘last supper’ meal. The meal consisted of rice, habichuela (beans), chicken, and aguacate (avocado); the same delicious dishes we had about every day, but this time it tasted…different. It was just Maria, Pao, Dionny, Joan, and I. Five out of the usual twelve that we share the table with. It seemed quiet and slightly empty without everyone there. *While writing these emotional parts, it doesn't help (or does it?) that “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” just started playing from my iTunes Library. 

After leaving the quiteness of the centro, I was excited for Maria and I's ‘hasta luego fiesta’. We invited some of the friends we had made during this trip over for karaoke, dancing, and tacos! Having my favorite people around me was just how I wanted to spend my last night. I am so thankful to have crossed paths with them. It's hard to think about never seeing them again. Therefore, instead of saying goodbye, I am saying 'nos vemos' (we'll see each other). 

Today, Maria and I went to the centro communitario for the last time. Walking through la Yaguita along the same path I had taken for the last month, it felt different. This place has been a great home for me. I am forever grateful to Joan and Katie (our host parents) for a roof over my head, their love, friendship, and support. Gracias por todos (thank you for everything). However, I feel like I am in this limbo state because although I do not want to leave, I think I am ready to come home. I have a lot to look forward to back in the States...plus I'm sort of down to my last pesos.

"Este no es adiós, estoy diciendo 'hasta un día' porque yo se que nos vemos."