Aventuras Dominicanas: Catching up on Week One

The journey to my new adventure did not begin well, but it could have been much worse. First, I had to leave Libby behind in Victoria with Steve and Moira because of a heat embargo that lasts until October 31. That's sad, but will keep her healthy. Then when leaving Toronto, I hit another hitch.

Thanks to Paige’s encouragement and excellent driving, we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. I went to American Airlines check-in kiosk while she parked the car. I almost told her just to drop me and go, and am I ever glad I didn’t! I had my laptop, a large purse, a carry-on bag and three suitcases. Unlike my previous International schools, Carol Morgan School does not offer teachers a shipment of goods. Instead they pay $500 to cover the cost of overweight and extra bags.

I had no trouble scanning my passport and finding my flight, but I had to ask for help from an attendant, because the only option for baggage was zero, one or two. How to proceed with three bags? “Oh”, she said,. “There’s an embargo on at the moment, and passengers are limited to two bags.” My brain couldn’t process that information. I found myself staring at her blankly, Does Not Compute written all over my face. The school had encouraged us to bring as many bags as we wanted and sometime after the booking process had been completed, the airline had changed the rules. At this point, Paige found me and we started coping with reality. Neither of the two bigger bags was full, because I had been careful to keep them at or under the weight allowance. We lugged everything over to a wall, opened up the bags and started sorting and shifting. Ten minutes later, the camouflage duffle bag was empty, and almost all its contents redeployed into the other two bags. Paige will bring a few of Libby’s things and my Yogatrapeze when she comes in December. No biggie in the grand scheme of things, but I really don’t know how I would have coped on my own. My only regret is that there is no picture.

Me in my Carol Morgan t-shirt

For easy identification, the school sent us Carol Morgan t-shirts and asked us to wear them on the flight. In Miami, two others new teachers spotted me as a result, and it felt good to make that contact. They also had flown AA and had the same experience. One of them did not have anyone with him, and had had to abandon a full suitcase in the airport.

We got through Customs and Immigration just fine, found our (remaining) bags and headed to the VIP lounge, where despite the late hour, the entire admin team was there to meet us. Very impressive. It was 11:30 pm by the time we got to the hotel, so I passed on dinner, had a bath and went to bed.

First thing the next morning, we were taken to the bank to open accounts. The school had arranged for the bank to open early just for us! Can you imagine that happening at home? Within about 45 minutes we all had accounts, ATM cards and online logons, and our settling-in and baggage allowances appeared magically in our accounts. This was followed by a tour of the school, a catered lunch, and finally we got to see our apartments. Then in the evening, the new director hosted a catered dinner at her apartment. She and her family enjoy a beautiful sea view, but sadly, I forgot my camera.

NEWS FLASH! Dominican food is not spicy! At first, I was disappointed that the caterer had not chosen to showcase typical Dominican dishes at this, our first evening out. Then I learned that this was their cuisine. Lovely flavours, but not a chile in sight. More cream sauces and saffron - kind of a Spanish/French fusion.

My apartment is on the second floor of a building that is three blocks from school. The building across the road is quite chic, and provides me with a good view. I have two bedrooms, each with a full bath. The kitchen is bigger than I have at home, with an inline eating area and living room. I have a patio big enough for a party, but even though it is north facing, it is too hot to use at the moment for anything other than drying clothes.

The living room. I just got the plants today.

Eating area

Kitchen

From the other end

My bedroom

My ensuite

The walk-in closet that joins them.

Guest bathroom

Guest room

As with all other apartments, there is also a small separate area for the maid that includes a toilet, shower and room for her things. It is considered bad form not to give someone work, so I have hired a woman named Ariana to come two days a week. She likes dogs and is putting herself through college, so I feel pretty good about that.

Man it's hot and humid! I will put in a second AC unit. Otherwise, I'll have to hunker in my room to be comfortable.

First meal in my new home. The beer was in our welcome kit.

This first Saturday, we all went to IKEA to buy household goods. Since there was no storage at all in the bathroom, I bought a medicine cabinet and a shelving unit, plus a few other things to create an ambiance. I bought the household goods of the person I am replacing, and the school provides the furniture, so the basics are already in place.

On Sunday, August 9, the orientation organized a wonderful trip to a beach called Boca Chica.