Day 17: A Packed Sunday

We woke at 6 and left early to visit a Haitian village and sit in on their church mass. We all sat on bench pews in their cramped church and observed the songs, sung by all and played by a guy on drums and another on an electric guitar - this church was awesome. Everyone had dressed up nicely for the service, the men in shirt and tie attire, the women in long skirts and a nice top, the children in suits or adorable Easter dresses. Half way through, we left and sat outside with the children, letting them borrow our cameras and buying them waters and iceys. We got a tour afterwards of part of the village, a housing area. We had a crowd of children following us, begging for piggy back rides or just to hold our hand. When we'd stand still, listening to the preacher tour guide, they'd wrap their arms around us and bury their faces in our shirts, as if soaking up the affection, like they didn't get it otherwise.

Dogs outside the church, most bone skinny
and one missing an eye. Sad to see but
they loved to be pet

Hunter with his new amigo

Abby pouring out her fresh water to the eager children

The plastic pouches of fresh water they'd drink
- 2 pesos a pouch or as much free water as they
needed from the local (dirty and polluted) stream.
Which do you think they choose?

One of the most beautiful girls I've seen.
She was such a sweetie!

Here's a video of part of their mass

- it was a wonderful atmosphere and I'm

so glad I got to experience it

Hunter & I
(Those are the scrumptious candy
coconuts I was telling you about)

Then off to Cabarete! We ate sandwiches and fresh juice by the beach before going shopping once again and practically buying out the store between us (it was our last time!). We relaxed in the water, talking to some locals and then dried off in the sun eating delicious candy covered coconut macaroons from a street vendor. Before we left, I got a banana strawberry smoothie for the road. So much food, so much goodness.

Sitting pretty!

We played our team building activities after, which consisted of a balloon picking up and passing game, our geography game (which we won, what a surprise!), a land version of I-T, and  4 corners - tree style. Everyone dispersed afterwards, hurrying back to the cabins to dress up for the gas station dance we were going to. It was the first time we'd worn make up and made any effort to look nice in over 2 weeks, and we all cheered each other on as we walked on the bus - the girls in dresses, the guys in nice shirts. The dance was in a little bar area, but there were dozens of restaurant tables set out around it. The gas station was just after that. We all had a blast, dancing with Dominican guys and the GLA guys, and we somewhat learned the salsa.

Nehemie doing her moves!

The dancing scene

Emma getting her dance on

After dancing, a few of us slipped over to Bon (amazing ice cream place) and enjoyed some frozen goodness before returning back to the group - where we found a dance off taking place. Jayvee versus one of the Dominican guys. It was crazy and everyone was laughing, but both the guys were fantastic! Dave was a bundle of nerves though, because it seemed that the diesel guys had diluted the gasoline with water, and the bus wouldn't work. So all the girls had to squish into a van and go back, leaving Dave, Jane, Fergie and Sydney to figure the situation out. When we returned to our empty home, we were all hot and sweaty from dancing and had the fantastic idea to go skinny dipping - after all, no boys around. So we all stripped and ran into the pool, figuring we had at least 20 minutes til any others arrive. However, five minutes in we hear someone yell "BOYS!" and we could see their shadows nearing the gate. A chorus of screams rang out and we all grabbed someones clothing and booked it for the cabins. We returned ten minutes later attired in proper swimming wear, and chowed on fresh cut watermelon as we laughed about what just happened. Then a few of us went to the rooftop to stargaze, and how magnificent it was. It was a whole stretch of sky, sprinkled with glittering stars, not a plane or skyscraper or city light in sight besides the dazzling suns. Then we heard a car making its way up the drive, and figured Dave and Jane must be coming home, so we booked it back downstairs and ate some more watermelon before going to the cabins.

Cornbread + friends = recipe for fun times

After showering, we broke open a 6 pack of cornbread I'd bought at the bottle school the other day, and some Tostidos that Sophia had bought at Cabarete and together we all feasted and chatted until we were falling asleep with our newly formed food babies, and we decided to hit the hay.