I am in Indianapolis, visiting friends, family and getting used to the heat that awaits Phoebe and I in the Dominican Republic. It's been in the 90's with something gnarly like 60% humidity raising the heat index to 110 degrees. I don't remember following the heat index too much in my past, so I actively ignore it and go for a run in the middle of the afternoon, when the temperature is supposed to be at its hottest and the people on the radio tell us to, "Avoid going outside and stay in an air conditioned room."
Phoebe is teaching in Mexico with the Fort Lewis College teacher education program. I spoke with her over the tele on Saturday. She says her favorite moments have been enjoying the company in Keno Bay and reconnecting with one of her favorite college professors. I'm uber jealous that she gets to hang out down there, teach, speak spanish and make wonderful lifelong connections.
I have successfully moved al of our possessions into my mom's house in Indianapolis. Everything that we own now fits into an eight foot by ten foot storage room! It is quite freeing to have reduced our possessions while still feeling as though we own "Too much stuff" when these "Things" will be stuffed into a room for the next two years to gather dust. it's just difficult to let go of the kitchen aid, handmade dining set and the photographs from our past.
Yesterday I met with an old friend, Joan Gabig, who helped in writing a book about the caribbean landscapes. Caribbean Landscapes: An interpretive atlas. The book was published by academics who know how to teach and break down the information in lay-mens terms. You can learn more at: http://www.caribbeanstudiespress.com. They have compiled extensive photographic images of the caribbean countries which is becoming very helpful for Phoebe and I in learning more about the islands where we will be living for the next two years.
While it will be tempting to try and simplify our future experience, we will do our best to remain aware of the variety of factors which we will encounter in our immersion into the culture of Dominican Republic. For this reason, we will do our best to absorb, learn and remain open and engaged in learning throughout this adventure. We're hoping to pass along some of the stories via this blogspot, while remaining sensitive to the culture where we are guests.
