so i haven't been able to update my blog recently... access to internet is lacking unfortunately. Life here has its ups and downs. It can be quite frustrating battling cultural misunderstandings. For example in the DR it is generally accepted that older males would pursue relationships with young girls, some as young as 13 or fourteen. even the women here generally accept that and sometimes encourage it. I have had a number of exchanges where certian community members have tried to pressure me into some relationship or something of the sort. When I explain to them that no i can't because i have different rules they really don't understand. Some of them even call me gay if i refuse a girl, no matter what her age. I have also come to the realization that the community group that requested me does absolutely nothing. This means that i have very little leadership in my community and find myself spinning my wheels a bit. kind of frustrating...
not every thing is bad though, the people here are genuinely friendly and really try to look out for me. I am constantly invited into peoples homes, some of whom i really haven't talked to that much to share a meal or just sit and talk. this is something that you won't find in our culture which is quite sad.
I am also no more then an hour away from a beautiful caribbean coastline which i have visited a few times so life isn't all bad. anyways i have posted a few new pictures on my blog and will post more on my snapfish account if you are interested. all and all i am doing well