Leña

Went to buscar leña for the first time the other day and it definitely showed me what a gringa I am. Now, I know that I am from the U.S. and I do not pretend to be Dominican. Yes, I do cook habituales for lunch, I have a pair of tight fitting jeans and a few t-shirts with sparkles, but that is as far as it goes. However, I have felt pretty integrated these last few weeks, going to church meetings Monday nights, watching the novela at night when there's luz and carrying agua from the street to my house. Feeling confident in my Dominican integration, I took on the hike to buscar leña thinking chopping down a few sticks can't be all that hard. I see girls going to the monte (woods) all the time in their little falditas (little skirts). After all, I am a tomboy and playing in the woods is what I do or what I used to do growing up anyway. Needless to say, I am still a gringa and being a tomboy does not bring me any closer to achieving campesina status. My friend Jose Luis blatantly said it; "tu no sirve" (you do not work). He is right. When it comes to leña anyway; I might as well stay in the kitchen. I came back with a sore shoulder, tons of ant bites, a rash and a few sticks. I am not sure how I would get on had I not bought a gas stove!