All morning I had been seeing on line that the expat community was totally organised and ready for the storm, if it ever arrived. Many were sitting in their homes, glued to the computer checking the storm's progress. Generators were full with diesel, mobile phones charged, candles bought and the freezers stocked with food for a month. Hurricane shutters were all in place and all outdoor furniture brought inside. People were anxiously looking for a sign that Isaac was arriving. As all was calm, I went into the nearest town to go and pick up a package.
I drove up onto the main street and couldn't believe my eyes. I had driven right into the middle of a party. Whilst the expats were hunkered down preparing for the storm, the Dominicans were out in the streets, drinking and having fun. The roads, which I expected to be empty, were full of cars driving erratically. The bars were jam packed and music was blaring out from everywhere. The difference was amazing. I shouted out to someone to ask what was going on, and the reply was,"Hoy se bebe!" which means today is a time for drinking, and it was explained to me that that was what you should do before a hurricane. Now I know for the next one.
Having returned home, I bumped into Chivirico, my bodyguard who was looking after a chihuahua for a neighbour. He told me he was hoping to start school on Monday, if his Dad buys him his uniform which so far he hasn't. He warned me not to go out in the rain, or I would catch a cold!
Having thought the storm had passed, I was surprised when at around 7pm the winds started to pick up and checking the weather forecast it looked like at last we would get at least the edge of it. The winds became stronger and stronger during the night and I woke up several times, and this morning there were downed trees and flooded roads and gullies.
As I write this I am wrapped up in sweaters as it is very cold, well cold for here, and is still windy and pouring with rain.
So Isaac arrived, although later than expected and not exactly where he was supposed to be. I have a horrible feeling, looking at the weather charts that the rain will go on for a while and many crops will be damaged and people flooded out of their homes.
 |
| Isaac now sitting right on top of the DR and Haiti |
The news here said it passed you by, so much for that. Stay safe, dry and warm. And out of curiosity, how much does a uniform cost?
ReplyDeleteHa, even the news here was saying it had passed us by, until it did a sneaky northern turn last night.
DeleteA uniform, shirts, trousers, socks and shoes plus backpack notebooks and a full pencil case is around RD$2,000, just over US$50.
and in puerto plata city all those items would cost half that amount. I buy the kids all their items at tienda jimenez and la sirena and I wont shop anywhere else...except for the dollarstore in santiago :)
ReplyDeleteHope the weather and the skies clear upreal soon . Thanks for the update and have a great weekend.
I think the basic clothes like shirts and trousers are cheap, but he needs a couple of pairs of each so they can be washed. Shoes are expensive, unless you get the cheapest which fall apart after a week. The back pack, notebooks and pencil case full of stuff make it add up a bit too.
DeleteIs sunny here this morning!
This is kind of off topic but I was wondering if in the D.R. do the children get summer vacation or periodic breaks throughout the year. You mentioned in this post that they closed down the schools.I am from the USA (New Jersey) and am curious how it is different.
ReplyDelete-Alyssa
Yes Alyssa they have breaks at summer, christmas and easter. The summer break ends early though, mid August which is why the schools were closed on Friday as they had started back the Monday of that week. School is not compulsory though, as although it is free many families can't afford the uniform and the transport to get to and from school.
DeleteThank you SO much for resoponding! Best wishes through hurricane Isaac. Stay safe :)
Delete- Alyssa
Good Morning, Lindsay.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that Isaac barely bothered the Dominican Republic. Living in SW Florida, we are familiar with hurricanes; but never to my knowledge have we had a day of drinking prior to one. Sounds like a fun tradition.
I too am curious about the education system in the Republic. You should write a blog article about its strengths and weaknesses. How long do students attend school (until what age), are the schools crowded, what is the perspective from teachers, etc.
Cheers, Jon
A bridge has collapsed on the main road to Barahona in the south west so the whole of the south west part of the country is cut off at the minute, three people have died and hundreds are living in temporary accommodation. It could have been much worse, and Isaac is on his way to you Jon, so stay safe and dry.
ReplyDeleteGood idea about blogging on the education system - it has far more weaknesses than strengths but the new President aims to improve it so we shall see. Thanks for the idea.
Lucky your part of the country was not too badly damaged, but it seems Haiti was badly hit. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sami
DeleteIf you blog on eduction, before doing the normal pro and con versus eduction in US or Europe, could you describe the system itself in the DR?
ReplyDeleteWhen is pre-school?
What years are "elementary school"?
I have heard that the school day, even for the older kids is only part of the day, is this true? (not 8am - 3pm, for example)
Do the have middle school?
For the kids in the DR that actually go to high school? What is that like?
Are there some schools and high schools that prep the kids for university?
I know that the private schools are probably better for the kids with better teachers, but what else is the difference between the private and public schooling for the kids in the DR?
What are the typical costs in August when school starts at a private school? And uniform and books and school supplies? What are the typical monthly costs for tuition at a private school for kids?
Am I correct that the schools seem to follow a schedule similar to US schools in regards to breaks? (Except they do not have snow days)
After having a better understanding of how the school system is set up in the first place, then I could have a better understanding of the pros and cons when comparing to a foreign school system...
No problem I will include all of that information!
DeleteSee what I started? I think I have fallen in love with Chivirico, and I am interested in his progress. Also curious about the school system, because I have met may Dominicans who only went to school to about the age of 10. This as an American is strange to me, but many said they had to work to help out their mom just to provide food for the family. After Monday, let us know if Chivirico started school or not. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYes all your fault Diandra! Chivirico came over for fajitas last night and apparently he has his uniform. Today he will get his hair cut and tomorrow will start school. I asked him to come and show me when he was in his uniform but he replied that school was in the opposite direction so no point in walking to my house first (I am nearly opposite his house)! He said maybe when he got home lol!
DeleteYES, I saw the latest posting = HAPPY!
ReplyDelete