Gottesmans in the D.R.

My two favorite ladies came to visit! I have not seen my family in 10 months or so and this trip was much needed for reasons far beyond good U.S. "product", Trader Joe's snacks and a few new favorite t-shirts. I only have one mother and one sister and it is good to check in with who and what I know when just about everything else is constantly evolving, changing, rearranging, and all in a different language. On top of being my own blood, these two just happen to be the most outstanding women I have ever met. Now, I have never met Gloria Steinem or Mother Teresa, but I doubt either would even hold a candle to my mom and sister.
We didn't cover all the bases as far as Dominican culture goes, but I think we did hit on some biggies.... my girls group welcomed my mom and sis with galletas (cookies) and jugo (juice), which is a pretty standard afternoon snack for local social occasions! This was one of my favorite parts of their visit because they got to meet a lot of the girls I work with and I have never been more impressed with my Club de Chicas. First of all, it meant a lot that they gave this visit such importance. Usually I schedule the reuniones (meetings) and snacks to accompany them and I usually have to go look for half the girls who tell the other half there is a meeting and wait for about an hour before anyone really shows up. This time around, my girls were on time, dressed and ready to bring in my fam.! Within minutes my sister was learning how to dance Bachata and my mom was telling a three year old to take a balloon out of her mouth! I don't think cookies and juice has brought me such happiness since my fifth birthday!
The next hint of the Caribbean mom and sis got to experience was the old mosquitero. Three in the bed and the little one said roll over, roll over. We all snuggled in like every good Dominican family does! And of course we woke up to my neighbors' kids in the house! My sister oh so discretely whispered over to me... "Rach, there is a little girl here!" Chicha (5), Meluda (3) and Papolla (8) are usually checkin' in on me come sunrise! (they always forget the wheat pancakes, VT maple syrup and eggs!)
We welcomed the next day in the Caribbean Sea (woke up and went to the beach first thing) and spent the afternoon at Rancho Campeche so they could see another side of my project. They got away without taking a bucket bath and riding on a motorcycle! (two trade mark customs for any peace corps volunteer).
After a taste of my life and a little cultural immersion, we hit the highway north to Las Galeras. I encountered a little culture shock there because of the French imperialism that was going on in this little tourist town, but a Piña Colada took care of that in a New York minute. We literally drove to the end of the earth (when the road ends the sand begins) or what seemed like it to get to Las Galeras, but vale la pena (worth it) hands down. We got our beach time in, swam where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic and hungout Gottesman girl style..... (a sheet, a book, the beach and constant back and forth banter). To top it all off we ate some of the best tasting fish I have ever put to my lips. Playa Rincon is one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. The water has every shade of blue Crayola could even think of putting in their box and the forest of cocoa trees makes for a pretty remarkable backdrop. The place is totally undeveloped too. There were about 5 other tourists there and three little shacks serving fish and rice on picnic tables. Rincon is what some might call a beach lover's paradise. It was a great day to say the least and a perfect way to be with my two my favorite girls.