After completing our work at the school it was time to head into La Cienega for our first lunch with our host families. Something that I was a little nervous about because I didn't know what to expect and it had also been raining a lot that morning and afternoon. The walk to the house was a little challenging with having to find different rocks to step on to avoid the puddles, but we made it.
The family could not have been more welcoming! The mother met us at the door and offered us water to clean our feet from all the mud. After we went into the house and sat a beautiful table that had the most delicious food I have eaten on this trip so far! I felt extremely welcomed into the home and you could tell that they were excited as well. As we sat at the table eating lunch the children and mother of the house gathered around us so we could get to know each other.
This was an amazing opportunity to not only practice our Spanish, because our family spoke no English, but also to really listen to what the family had to say to us. It was truly amazing to have the opportunity to communicate with the family. Learning the children's favorite colors, music, and food.
I truly felt at home when we started introducing ourselves by saying our names. My name Shannon doesn't exactly have a Spanish version and I found that the family was having a hard time pronouncing it. So I told them that they could call me Shay, which is what my sister calls me. It was comforting being able to bring that to the Dominican and allowed me to feel right at home with my host family. This opportunity is honestly a blessing.