Welcome to The Jungle!

Wow!  What a whirl wind the last few days have been!

On Saturday, my cousin got married, I was supposed to meet my family at the wedding at 4pm.  Tim and I took off around 1, so should have had plenty of time! I was set to fly out to DR the next morning at 6:25am, had all my bags packed and was ready to go!  I thought!!! After a few mishaps on the drive up, I realized I didnt have my purse, which of course had everything important, passport, medicines, travel money, you know all the stuff you CANT leave behind!  Unfortunately, I realized this around 2:30, so there was no way to turn around and get my purse and make it to the wedding also.  :(

We turned around, I got my purse and we hit the road again, enjoyed a nice dinner and then met my family at the reception!  Spent my last night in the states enjoying Margaritas and Bowling!  Was up pretty late and then after about 2 hours of sleep, the alarm went off to head to the airport!

My flight was pretty awesome!  I was fortunate enough to fly first class, was served two full, hot meals, booze, and multiple soft drinks!  As I'm on the flight thinking about the fact that I'll be landing in a 3rd world country, I definitely was feeling like a spoiled rotten American!  When I landed in DR, got my bag, came out of the Airport and met Chuck.  He is the owner of Monkey Jungle.  Great guy, from Tennessee, very welcoming and easy to get along with.  He and I waited for Manuel, the other volunteer.  He is Venezuelan, but was raised in Canada, so he speaks english, spanish, and some french!  So he has been a huge help today as I know almost NO spanish!  Chuck took us to the grocery store, and we picked up a few things for snacks.  Then it was off to The Jungle!

We are living in a home built on the land but off the main "campus".  It is just up the hill (which means lots of walking, which will be great for my summer weight loss program!)  I have my own room, with a KING size bed!  Nuts!!  and my own bathroom.  Only problem with the bathroom so far, is no Hot Water!!  Showers are very quick, but obviously greatly appreciated!  Anyway, after arriving at our casa, Manuel and I did a little unpacking and I laid down to "nap".  Woke up the next morning!!

We start our work day at 8am.  Just so happens that Chuck, the owner, had to take some of the staff to Sosua (into town) this morning.  So it was up to Manuel and I to open the place.  I was a little nervous, but some of the other locals who are on staff here helped quite a bit!  The day went smooth, we had a couple monkey tours, but no zip liners!  Chuck said the tips Manuel and I made was a record, so I guess we're doing something right!

Tomorrow is another day, another cold shower, and more monkey fun!  Hopefully more Spanish for this girl!