Un Dia Muy Divertida!

Sunday, June 11th, was our last full day of activities on the island, but it was a day full of fun, adventure, and trying new things. We first went to Academia de la Costa, where we saw a jujitsu demonstration, and then partnered up to learn a few escape moves. The number one rule in jujitsu is survive long enough to get away. You only fight if there is no option, and you only fight until you’re in a position to escape. The children get REALLY into the jujitsu lesson, particularly the middle school boys. The lesson really hits home when the instructor informs us at the end of the lesson that the escape positions he’s been teaching us are mainly used for people who are in a potential rape situation.  

                 

After jujitsu we head to Playa Encuentro for a surfing lesson. We’re split into two groups and I’m in the first group so I unfortunately don’t have any pictures of myself. I’m MUCH better at getting both feet on the board on land than I am in the water. LOL. I only attempt five passes at catching a wave before the water stings my contacts to the point that I have to get out of the water. I’m only successful in getting both feet on the board twice, but I never fully stand up into the correct posture. It’s still a blast though, and some of the kids look like they’ve been doing this for years. 

       

                              

We stop for lunch at Confluencia Restaurant in Sosúa. It’s an outdoor restaurant at the confluence of two rivers, and it is a welcome respite from an already busy day. We were supposed to go to Puerto Plata for our next activity, a cable car ride that I was really looking forward to. Unfortunately, just as we arrived in town, Bladimir received a call from the cable car company telling him that the cable car is having difficulties and is being shut down for the day. We end up doing a very American thing and going shopping at what was essentially a "big box" store. It has a little bit of everything from groceries to clothing and some of the kids wanted to get snacks. I buy a tote bag, a tank top (because I got so sweaty and stinky during jujitsu that I refuse to put my shirt back on), and a swimsuit that turns out to be too small. Dominican sizes are NOT the same as US sizes! We return to the Beachcomber, where I was given the option of switching rooms. I took the opportunity and had a much better night than the previous night. 

The view at Confluencia Restaurant