Leila here - After finishing up our last day in the US packing bags, we woke bright and early (it was still dark outside - 3:45 a.m.) and drove our DATTCO bus to JFK! After dragging 2,900 lbs (58, 50 pound bags) of luggage through the airport (and getting plenty of stares) we all safely made it past the drug sniffing dogs, and into the terminal. We got NYC bagels, Starbucks, & sandwiches for the journey and met some birds flying around our gate. Finally, we all crammed into a very full plane (I personally was in the very back -my last name starts with a Z- and sitting next to a very cute and very well behaved baby) and took off for an easy, three hour plane ride.
(NYC is so pretty in the dark)
As our plane descended and we made it into Santo Domingo, we flew into a beautiful rainbow overlooking the luscious green terrain.
The landing was pleasantly smooth and we made it off the plane, to customs, and eventually to our 50+ bags! We hauled all of our luggage out of the airport, feeling the intense heat change (going from 20℉ to 87℉), and met our hosts who helped us load up the school bus and began our 2 hour drive to La Romana! We were incredibly hot and sweaty, however the sudden rainstorm cooled us down!
After our exciting drive, we officially made it to Casa Pastorale (where we will be staying)! We got settled, returning students reunited with our beloved translators and hosts, and we gathered for our first dinner!
We enjoyed homemade pasta, chicken, bread, and plantains, and for dessert we had a scrumptious tiramisu cake!
After our incredible meal, we gathered the medication we collected throughout the past few months, and began counting all of it into small, accessible bags to give out at our first med clinic tomorrow! It was so much fun!
After sorting, labeling, and counting thousands of different medications, we completed our goal and got ready for bed for our first night in the Dominican Republic! Overall, we had a very successful travel day, full of new sights and new memories! Tomorrow we will be heading out onto the bateys for our first official day of work! We are so excited!
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