Monte Cristi with good friends

A few weeks ago, my dear friend H who served with me in Peace Corps Niger came to visit. She has introduced me to her cousin A who is serving in Peace Corps DR right now. A is a lovely young woman (and a future doctor!) and we have really enjoyed welcoming her into our family and hosting her whenever she comes to town.

The three of us went to Monte Cristi, where A is posted, which is in the northeast of the country, close to the Haitian border. I was pleasantly surprised about Monte Cristi - it's a lovely city, right on the water. They have an expat hotel that serves delicious cafe con leche and batidas. I would visit every day if I lived there.

Family resemblance! A is on left and H on right

A has a terrific apartment, which she really appreciates after living in the campo for a year in a much more primitive home. We spent some time with a kind family that has adopted her, and in that moment, I really missed being a Peace Corps volunteer. As a diplomat, I often feel really isolated from the local population.

On Saturday morning, we visited Dajabon, the border city, and walked along the Haitian border. It was pretty heartbreaking- even right there at the border, you could see the differences between the two countries. Haitian women were washing clothes in the river- that wasn't happening on the DR side.

This is just a pretty scene in Dajabon, DR

 On Sat. afternoon, we went to the beach. It was different from beaches I've seen here so far- down a cliff and with darker sand. Different, but extraordinarily beautiful.

And here a few scenes from around town. There are large homes like the first photo here, and smaller, more modest homes that are just as beautiful. Monte Cristi also has an Eiffel Tower donated by France. :)

It was a wonderful trip and I'm grateful to our host A. It was so fabulous to see H and spend time with her after 5 years since our last visit! Here's to H and A visits at all our posts!

Better late than never...

I'm late to comment about the recent Foreign Service blog uproar. In a nutshell, Foreign Service spouse, mom, and writer Jen Dinoia was recently removed from the State Department's recruitment blog roll for blogging about her struggle with breast cancer and specifically, her nipples.

The first reason for my silence is that I haven't had the energy or ability to keep up an informative, chatty blog about my life in the FS and the DR specifically. So I'm feeling a little out of the FS bloggy loop and didn't really think my blog post would matter. But the main reason is that I was afraid. I love my new job, and I didn't want to risk appearing on someone's radar.

But even if this blog post doesn't matter to anyone else, it matters to me. It's not ok for me to let this slide by. Jen was one of the first people to welcome me as an FS blogger, before I was even accepted into the Foreign Service. We are part of a community, one that has nurtured me tremendously over the past 2 years.

As I was about to join State, I took note as her husband was allowed to curtail his unaccompanied assignment to come home and be with her. I took note as she talked about the excellent medical care she received and how understanding his employer was. The Foreign Service is a lifestyle, not one person's job. And sadly, getting sick is part of life. But getting sick when your husband is on an unaccompanied tour in Iraq is a whole different ballgame. And it's good for future FS families to read, to know what they are getting into.

So I'm sorry, Jen. I'm with you.

Goodbye Dappy

Last week I traveled to MD to say goodbye to my grandfather whom my brother and I called Dappy. He was 94 and lived a long and fulfilling life. I am so grateful I was able to be there for his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. He was a WWII fighter pilot and so his burial proceeded with full honors- it was very moving. He is now together with his wife of more than 50 years- my Nana, who died in 2003. Rest in peace, Dappy.

I'm so grateful he was able to meet both of my children.