Before leaving for the Dominican Republic I had no
idea what to expect. I knew it was going to be a great opportunity for me to
experience a new culture, food, traditions, and much more. What I did not
realize were the friendships I would be making and the memories I will cherish
forever.
The
Dominican’s know how to cook delicious food! I’m so glad the trip allowed me to
step out of my comfort zone and to try something different. Even if we did have
rice, beans, and chicken most of the meals, I could not get enough of it. Who
knew plantains could be caramelized, wrapped in bacon, raw in syrup, and
smashed? I don’t think I would have touched plantains if it wasn’t for the
trip. My favorite dish that we had in Punta Cana was yucca. I am bringing back
some recipes and planning on making a Dominican meal with my family. My carry-on
suitcase on the way back mainly consisted of Dominican coffee requested by my
parents (I think we might need more already).
The
day camp was one thing truly unforgettable. The connections we made in the
matter of two days between the kids were incredible. It was really inspiring
how the children tried to communicate with us through hand signals. They wanted
to talk to us as much as we wanted to talk to them. I will never forget the
smiling faces on the Dominican day campers when we were doing crafts and going
to the beach. I quickly learned that I needed to step up as a leader in order
for the kids to have a fantastic time.
I
would have never imagined that I could become such good friends with people in
one week. From the Dominican teens to the Alleghany 4-H group, we all bonded
like we knew each other for our whole lives. The teens were the nicest and most
spontaneous people I have ever met. There was never a dull moment with them. I
am so grateful that the Dominican teens were with us that week to help us
communicate with everyone. I will always remember the laughs and journeys
between us. At the end of the week we
gathered each other’s social media accounts to keep in contact.
After
looking back on the trip I have learned that not every great thing has a price
tag on it. There are so many things that we take for granted. This trip helped
me learn to appreciate the small things in life. It would not have been possible
without our outstanding leaders and parents.
Sarah Peer, Shenandoah County
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