A few months ago, I started running to "be healthier" (lose weight). Whilst running, I encountered the most formidable opponent I have encountered in the Dominican Republic.
What was it? It must have been pretty bad, to be worse than poverty, a broken educational system, blatant political corruption, machismo, and loose bowels.
It was a mosquito. The little sucker bit me, and left me with a gift to remember him by: the gift of Dengue Fever. Awesome.
It was a gift because friends come out of the woodwork when one is really sick. The priest, Fr. Ron, paid his driver to take me to the capital AND visited me as I was clutching a bed pan waiting to vomit. It takes a good friend to do that. The art teacher came in from the school and told me about the fun things we’re going to do when I get better (most involve dancing and Presidente). My neighbor called several times and offered to take care of the love of my life (my cat Denny), and more called me and told me they wanted to clean my house. Which, of course, made me think “Why in the heck didn’t I get sick sooner? People are lining up to clean my house for me!” The principle of the school came by and told me all of the students were praying for me.
Pretty much every volunteer in (and out) of the vicinity came by to visit, bringing clothes, flowers, magazines, and positive energy. My supervisor made several visits, and the Peace Corps doctors got together a team of medical miracle workers. Plus, I had no less than 2 aunts and uncles come visit, and both of my parents flew in to see me.
Finally when I had been poked, prodded, drained and re-filled, x-rayed and bruised and iced and scanned and really everything you can think of, they let me out.
And so here is what I got: a 3-week, all expenses paid recovery vacation at home. A new appreciation for freedom (no IV, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure machines anchoring me down). A new appreciation for everything I can eat and drink. Realization of how nice people often are (and of how many wonderful people there are in the world).
And, of course, due to the Dengue Diet, I did lose some weight…guess the running worked after all. Ha ha. hem. (Of course, my family did ply me with food nonstop once I could eat again…and it was good.)
So now, friends, I am back in Santo Domingo. Tomorrow I head for Don Juan, and I am going to try to make the most out of the time I have left here. Due to medical complications, I can only stay until mid-January instead of the summer, so I am going to use the next 60 days to do all of the stuff I have talked about doing, but never have done yet.
Some examples (feel free to add your own suggestions):
Taking some children who have never been to the capital to see a movie in a theatre!
Going dancing in the city of Monte Plata!
Horseback riding!
Making the reading manual better than ever!
Training teachers to use the manual!
Teaching some youth a business course!
Baking lots of things with lots of different kids!
Teaching my neighbors to play Chinese Checkers!
Eating free beans and rice every day for lunch!
Drinking Presidente when and where I feel like it- no need to project a perfect picture of myself anymore!
As always, visitors are welcome until I leave. I cannot wait to go see my goddaughter, friends, neighbors, and cat (mostly the cat, I must say). Hope you all are healthy, well, and full of energy!
-Alicia
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Alicia, so sorry to hear this happened..I had heard through Pat that you were sick. Happy for you that you are able to get back to Don Juan, but sad that you are leaving in mid-January. God bless you for all that you have done for the community of Don Juan - we at Sacred Heart in Auburn will never forget you!
ReplyDelete