We had a tour of the Zona Colonial at 9am on Sunday, which I think was as much a test of our proficiency in using public transit as it was an opportunity to learn more about the DR’s place in American (the two continents) history. This touristy area, of course, is very far away from the barrios where trainees live. I met one of my trainee friends on the street at 7am, and we caught a guagua into the city. We were supposed to stop along the way and pick up one of the language teachers, who knew how to get where we were going, but we didn’t see him on the side of the street, and the guagua didn’t stop. So, I managed to get us to the Peace Corps office, and we walked for about a half hour to the colonial district.
The tour was actually pretty interesting. The guide described how seemingly small players based in Santo Domingo influenced huge events in the region and the world, and it was sort of eerie to stand in the gateway where all the conquistadores disembarked.
There were parts that were preserved very well, but I never got the sensation of the city fading away. The grime and noise—and heat—were overpowering.
We got back to the barrio after a long stop at the frozen yogurt shop, and played a few rounds of Bananagrams and cards with the little girl that is somehow related to my doña. Later in the evening, my doña put out a fleet of little plates piled with food, covered with bigger plates to keep the bugs off. The portion was significantly smaller than usual (but still huuuge), and I managed to eat almost all of it. Upon seeing this, she laughed, clapped her hands, and shouted “aplauso para Eedin, comio toda la cena!” (applause for Aidan, he finished his dinner!)
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