Hemos Llegado

We have arrived!  After one of the smoothest days of traveling imaginable, we are finally here.  After a smooth departure from Cleveland, a short but uneventful layover in Miami, and a slow but smooth arrival in Santo Domingo, we boarded a bus headed for the mountains of central DR.   We weren't sure our luggage would fit in the trailer towed behind the bus -- we were able to bring about 10 extra bags stuffed with donations -- but even that worked out perfectly.  The drive took us through Santo Domingo and into the hilly countryside, and the views from the bus gave us a sense of why we are here and who we will be helping. 

We were greeted at Rancho Baiguete, our home for the week, by Kirkland, another Rustic Pathways guy who will join Harry in accompanying us in our work this week.  We got settled in our rooms, which are rustic but plenty comfortable, and took a brief tour of the property.  Rancho Baiguete is patronized throughout the year by individuals, families, and groups who come to enjoy the scenery and various activities, from rafting to horse-back riding, so the diversions on the property abound.  As we speak, several of our group members are enjoying a game of volleyball while we wait for dinner to be served.  We will have some free time this evening to rest and get acclimated, and the service starts tomorrow morning.  After breakfast we will drive about 20 minutes to La Jagua, the community where we will be working on the aqueduct project.  The pipeline will bring water to the community, whose families do not currently have access to running water.  This time tomorrow, I suspect we will have sore muscles and lots of stories.

Hasta luego.