Integration.

Dear everybody,

I’m pretty much a Dominican now. Just wanted to let you know. Below are the reasons that lead me to this conclusion. I send my sympathy to all the other volunteers who are not yet COMPLETELY integrated. That must be hard.

1) Today I “enjoyed the bone”. That is what it is called when you eat all the meat off the bone (this was of a beef barbeque) and then proceed to chew on the bone and suck the marrow out of the middle and then spit the remains on the ground. (Emily Clanahan- I did not do this solely to prove to you that I’m an adventurous eater but that definitely came to mind as I was chewing up an enormous bone.)

2) I don’t stare when I see a pick-up truck full of 7 or 8 Chinese guys in neon orange vests driving down the road. (China donated a road improvement project to Dominica so all throughout the western side of the island there are huge groups of Chinese men doing construction which at first is disconcerting to see in a country that is 95.7% African descendents.)

3) No one asked me if I was enjoying my cruise today.

4) I found a bus driver that I like and I know when I need to stand by the side of the road to get in his bus (which is named “Only he can Judge- Take the Wheel!”)

5) I finally pronounce the name of my town, Salisbury, the local way, Salsbree.

6) I used the word “vex” in a sentence today without trying really hard. I was on the bus and told them woman next to me that I was vexed about the terrible smell.

7) I ironed my clothes everyday this week without being prompted by my host mom. Last night I even got home from school, picked my clothes out, ironed them and hung them in the closet to be prepared for the morning.

8) I pour hot cocoa tea (essentially hot chocolate) over my corn flakes for breakfast and pretty much enjoy it.

Bon apwe midi!

P.S. The bumper sticker of the week is “Invite Jesus; he’ll always show up”