i just realized i never shared episode 38 with you! here's your sunday sillies a little late
After a few days of grieving heavily for the loss of our little baby-dog, Harley, my time got very busy to help me move on from the sadness and get shit done.
We had to prepare for the village.
It's been an intense week and I have had no time to tell you about everything.
We started off with playing Santa to the children in the village.
But first, we had to drive almost an hour to Puerto Plate to buy the toys. It was a store Housemaid told us about where the toys are inexpensive and we can get a discount.
That was of course, after the boss finished his chicken. No talking until his chicken was done.
On the day of giving, we walked out of our yard door to see the entire village of children jumping up and down, arms to the air with tight little fists pumping upon every bounce off the ground.
Of course, Papi and I had Housemaid to help us with wrangling the kids. As we approached the excited horde of short people, she yelled, "You don't get your presents unless you are at your house!"
Immediately, they ran home to wait eagerly for our arrival.
Later that same day, we were going to give out rum to the adults. The adults were very insistent about us giving them presents as well.
We also realized we couldn't just give to a few people, that we needed to give a lot more to the rest of the village.
Off we went, credit card in hand and bought a box full of bottles of rum. Let me tell you, the kids were easy to get back to their houses to wait for their gifts, but the adults? It was a very insane time.
Grabbing, yelling, frantically wanting their share and trying to get more than we had allotted for for everyone.
Next year, we will be giving out food and care packages instead.
That night, there was quite the party in the village, as we listened to sounds of gunshots.
Well, we thought they were gunshots.
It wasn't until being invited to the party last night that I realized what it was.
Housemaid and Dominican Daddy invited to me the Fiesta de Navidad.
My DR Family fed me a meal, in which they were so generous as to buy special Dominican chicken and rice.
I brought a huge salad, which we topped with the Dominican dressing.
I also brought the grapes, which are like a tradition for the dinner.
Oh, and a few bottles of red wine.
Another tradition is lots of apples.
People are lucky to be able to eat healthy, local, organic produce here, whereas in Canada, these foods are the more expensive of the choices.
Not here. Instead, junk food is expensive.
Anyway, back to the 'gunshots' I heard.
They have what looks like a bazooka, that is filled with some kind of explosives and they put all kinds of chemicals in and "BOOM!!!" it goes, as I startled with every firing.
Last night, people danced and drank, ate apples and grapes, while sharing their beer with children.
Yes.
Children.
It seems normal to everyone here, but when I saw a father giving beer to his 8 month old baby, it really disturbed me.
What can I do though? I'm not here to preach about anyone's culture and it seems this is what everyone does with their children.
The party then moved up to the street, where we found the village bar. Lovely woman serving, who's house is below the establishment.
She invited me in to see her house and while she walked I spoke to her about playing and singing at her bar, reminding her that it would be for free.
It'll be my practise gig when I'm ready in a few months.
Anyway, that has been my week, and rest assured that it was all on video!
Today I settle in for a quiet day, while I wait eagerly to hear from Papi who is somewhere in Vancouver.
And it's a silent day in the village.
The dogs have had nothing to bark at.
After a few days of grieving heavily for the loss of our little baby-dog, Harley, my time got very busy to help me move on from the sadness and get shit done.
We had to prepare for the village.
It's been an intense week and I have had no time to tell you about everything.
We started off with playing Santa to the children in the village.
But first, we had to drive almost an hour to Puerto Plate to buy the toys. It was a store Housemaid told us about where the toys are inexpensive and we can get a discount.
That was of course, after the boss finished his chicken. No talking until his chicken was done.
On the day of giving, we walked out of our yard door to see the entire village of children jumping up and down, arms to the air with tight little fists pumping upon every bounce off the ground.
Of course, Papi and I had Housemaid to help us with wrangling the kids. As we approached the excited horde of short people, she yelled, "You don't get your presents unless you are at your house!"
Immediately, they ran home to wait eagerly for our arrival.
Later that same day, we were going to give out rum to the adults. The adults were very insistent about us giving them presents as well.
We also realized we couldn't just give to a few people, that we needed to give a lot more to the rest of the village.
Off we went, credit card in hand and bought a box full of bottles of rum. Let me tell you, the kids were easy to get back to their houses to wait for their gifts, but the adults? It was a very insane time.
Grabbing, yelling, frantically wanting their share and trying to get more than we had allotted for for everyone.
Next year, we will be giving out food and care packages instead.
That night, there was quite the party in the village, as we listened to sounds of gunshots.
Well, we thought they were gunshots.
It wasn't until being invited to the party last night that I realized what it was.
Housemaid and Dominican Daddy invited to me the Fiesta de Navidad.
My DR Family fed me a meal, in which they were so generous as to buy special Dominican chicken and rice.
I brought a huge salad, which we topped with the Dominican dressing.
I also brought the grapes, which are like a tradition for the dinner.
Oh, and a few bottles of red wine.
Another tradition is lots of apples.
People are lucky to be able to eat healthy, local, organic produce here, whereas in Canada, these foods are the more expensive of the choices.
Not here. Instead, junk food is expensive.
Anyway, back to the 'gunshots' I heard.
They have what looks like a bazooka, that is filled with some kind of explosives and they put all kinds of chemicals in and "BOOM!!!" it goes, as I startled with every firing.
Last night, people danced and drank, ate apples and grapes, while sharing their beer with children.
Yes.
Children.
It seems normal to everyone here, but when I saw a father giving beer to his 8 month old baby, it really disturbed me.
What can I do though? I'm not here to preach about anyone's culture and it seems this is what everyone does with their children.
The party then moved up to the street, where we found the village bar. Lovely woman serving, who's house is below the establishment.
She invited me in to see her house and while she walked I spoke to her about playing and singing at her bar, reminding her that it would be for free.
It'll be my practise gig when I'm ready in a few months.
Anyway, that has been my week, and rest assured that it was all on video!
Today I settle in for a quiet day, while I wait eagerly to hear from Papi who is somewhere in Vancouver.
And it's a silent day in the village.
The dogs have had nothing to bark at.
i am grateful for the time shared with those who have left to be with angels
Sorry to hear about Harley. I hope the holiday celebrations help ease your grieving. Merry Christmas Andrea :)
ReplyDeletethank you gwenneth ... most definitely, this is a distracting time ... and it definitely is keeping my mind off the sadness.
ReplyDeletealso, i'm pretty sure she's here already, so feeling like she's around is helping my heart as well.