Roseau, Trafalgar Falls, and Talent Extravaganza

We are in our last week here in Dominica, it's sad to say.

This past weekend was spent in Roseau, the capital of this tiny island nation. Students had the opportunity to go out to dinner on Friday night and then walk around town on Saturday morning. We checked out the outdoor market where vendors from all over Dominica come to sell many different types of produce. We also had the opportunity to go to the part of the market that sells souvenirs, so many students loaded up on things to bring back for friends and family.

On Saturday we headed over to Trafalgar Falls. It was quite the adventure for many of us to figure out how to scale the large boulders in order to arrive at the base of the waterfall for a swim. Eventually, everyone made it to the top and definitely felt a sense of accomplishment for finding the way. The water was freezing, but refreshing! After swimming in the cold water, it was a delight to hike back and sit in the hot sulfur pools nearby. Locals say that the water has healing capabilities, and it felt great to relax our bodies in the natural hot tubs.

Saturday night brought us to the Bense Youth Group "Talent Extravaganza" down in Anse Sol Dat. What an AWESOME cultural event! One musically talented student, Sev, got up and played two of his own songs. All the Putney students sang along while the crowd cheered him on. Everyone especially enjoyed the performance by the band that our local friends, Karel, Speedy, and KJB, are in. Later in the night, we even got a chance to have some dance challenges against locals, including our cook, Glenda! It was a late night, but everyone went to bed in a great mood.

We've all been working hard to finish our projects. At the suggestion of the students, we even had Sunday morning as a work day! It's been wonderful to see that our group is motivated to continue with the community service. This week we are finishing the mural on the water tank and putting up the signs throughout the community to show key places. Everything is looking FANTASTIC and community members are commenting on the great job that we've been doing!

We look forward to our final beautiful days here in Bense. Everyone continues to enjoy the projects we're finishing up, the trips to beaches and rivers, and most of all, the local culture and the warmth which we experience on a daily basis.

- Aryn and Michael

Greetings from Paradise!!

Everyone agrees it's sad to think that we are about to hit the midway point on our trip. Our work has picked up a bit with the recent completion of our first road here in Bense and the start of power washing, cleaning, and painting the HUGE water tank at the primary school (about a 10 x 10 x 10 ft. concrete 'tank'). The painting of the nursery school looks amazing with our friends Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger and Piglet as the main attractions, along with beautiful Dominican scenery.

Running water has continued to be an issue since last week - it's basically on from 11pm until 6am, which is mostly when we sleep - but our students have been real troopers in responding to the situation (having to retrieve water from the river or use rain water to flush toilets, etc.) and have also come to really appreciate the tremendous value and pleasure of running water...when it is on, of course.

A highlight from the week was an adventurous and spontaneous hike literally along the coast at Batibou Beach. The kids helped one another along the way, as there was quite a bit of rock climbing involved. At the end, we were able to watch the waves come in and crash up against the rocks, resulting in a nice warm salt water shower enjoyed by everyone.

This weekend we are heading to Boiling Lake - we hear it is the best viewpoint on the island - and Scott's Head, known for its breathtaking white sand beaches, snorkeling, and picturesque Domincan scenery.

Next week's projects include constructing and posting signs for public places throughout Bense, building a circular bench around the shady tree at the nursery school, and painting a mural in town.

Cheers!
-Aryn and Michael, Dominica B Leaders

Hello from Bense

**Internet access in and around Bense is limited. Today we received two separate updates from the group leaders, which are posted below.**

Friday, July 4th

What a busy first week we've had here in Bense! The weather has been hot and humid, with short rain showers nearly every day. The nights are warm, but we usually get a good breeze coming through the windows.

We spend our mornings doing various community service projects around the village -- paving Backyard Road, beach clean-up at Anse Sol Dat and Anse De Mai and painting the local nursery school, to name a few. Everyone is doing their part and really working hard! The local villagers have been working along side our students on these projects, so we've made some great connections throughout the week.

After lunch, our afternoons are dedicated to exploring the local beaches and rivers. Dominica is said to have 365 rivers -- one for each day! Batibou Beach and Chaudiere Falls are definite favorites. Our closest river is Hampstead, so we try to get there nearly every day for both bathing and laundry. Although many of us agree that it would be nice to have a shower, taking a bath outdoors is certainly a unique adventure!

On Wednesday, we were invited to travel with the local primary school to visit some sites down in the southern part of the country -- Freshwater Lake and Titou Gorge. Unfortunately, the clouds made the lake difficult to see, so instead our students engaged in a rousing game of Simon Says and Red Light/Green Light. The sun came out just in time and the gorge provided some fantastic swimming and a short hike!

Things are definitely off to a great start and we're looking forward to the excellent weeks ahead!

-Aryn and Michael, Dominica B Leaders

Monday, July 7th

We've had a relaxing weekend, and everyone is rejuvinated for the week ahead!

Saturday, we had a late morning, with yummy chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Mid-day, we took a trip over to Portsmouth to meet up with Rudolph, a local guide, who took us on a trip down the Indian River. We saw some of the locations where Pirates of the Caribbean (2 & 3) were filmed... sadly, Johnny Depp could not be located!

Sunday started with a visit to the local Catholic church, where two local children were baptised. It was a good way to learn about an important part of Dominican culture! Later in the afternoon, some of us visited #1 beach, while others relaxed back in the village. The evening was spent in Calibishe, having a scrumptious meal prepared by Russ and Nigel at Kokonuts. Everyone enjoyed being right on the beach and playing in the hammocks!

Back in Bense, our projects this week continue to be painting the nursery school, paving Backyard Road, and the reading program at the primary school for 1st and 2nd graders.

We're working hard and enjoying the Dominican lifestyle!

-Aryn and Michael

The group has arrived

We've received word from the leaders that the group has (at long last!) arrived in Dominica. Despite an exhausting series of travels, everyone is in good spirits and excited to get settled into their village and home for the month, Bense.

An unexpected night in San Juan

Due to American Airlines flight delays, the group missed their connecting flight from San Juan to Dominica and will stay the night in the Best Western Airport Hotel (tel: 787 791-1700).

The group has been ticketed on the next flight to Dominica, leaving tomorrow, June 29th, at 12:35 PM, American Airlines flight #5062.

Michael, the leader who is with the group, reports that the group is in good spirits and has rolled very well with this airline punch. They are all looking forward to meeting Aryn in Dominica tomorrow!