El Barrio de Mr. Rogers

I was laying in my hammock the other day and I had it swinging perfectly enough to knock a cherry from the tree above. And what do I know but it fell right into my lap. It was great! Now if I can only figure out how to get my cat to climb the coco tree and bring me a coco as I sit in the shade.

I don´t know why I said this. It made me really happy when it happened but I´m sure its just one of those things where you have to be there to enjoy. But it brings up another thought. I don´t know if I´ve shared this before (I try not to look back at earlier posts) so I´ll go ahead now. About 3 times a week I will not really feel like cooking. Cooking and preparing meat and cleaning up afterwords is quite an ordeal here and sometimes I just avoid the hassel. I don´t know why exactly but it´s just not as convienent as back home. So on these days usually at lunch I just find random stuff to eat that takes little preparation. Or the incredible thing is that food appears. It´s really amazing. You should try it sometime. Just come to the DR and live in a little community and watch it happen. Friends will bring you food or familes will invite you over for lunch without anything expected in return. It is a very humbling phenomon. Especially when I think that by giving me a thigh or half of breast of chicken or just anything in general, it means they are eating less that day.

I am still getting used to this. Not just with meals but giving in general. I am given huge clumps of bannanas or plantians or an arm full of grape fruit or oranges almost every other day. And I´m the American who comes from Nueva Yol where we buy things with dollars. This is all making me more aware of my own giving habits. And honestly I think I never exactly explored those habits. But now when I´m cooking or have any food lying around it´s been easier to feel comfortable saying "toma lo" and honestly not thinking twice about it. It´s a great little system they got going here. I´ll share with you because thats what we do. And when everyone´s sharing everyone´s recieving at the same time. Kind of a good kindergarden lesson too.

bueno, es todo. cuidense.