Expat Diary Santo Domingo to Uruguay

Although I'm an English Teacher, I must admit I've never really been a great language Student. I get too easily bored by grammar lessons and repetitive excercises, so I haven't really attacked my Spanish as earnestly as I feel I should. However, on my plane ride departing from Santo Domingo to NYC today, I sat next to a Dominicana Grandmother, who spoke not one word of English, and we had a great and lengthy conversation. When I was stuck for a grammar tense, I was able to get around it, the way my students do, by finding another way to say it, and I really became aware of where I need to work on my language skills.

After the airport I took the Air Train to the Long Island Railroad in a daze, and am feeling awkward in this English Speaking country. I've gotten used to being on the street in Spanish. I couldn't help uttering, "Permiso", "Hola", "Gracias", "Si", "No Tengo!". And then I find myself actually thinking in Spanish and singing a Shakira song in my head! After 3 years of immersion I guess something actually is sticking, but in the DR I didn't think so. Here in NY I feel very alien, I'm halfway between the 2 cultures.

I felt as if I had adjusted to Life in Santo Domingo but, once I was past immigration in the Airport, waiting for my plane to take off, I started to feel a strange and overwhelming sense of relief, as if I could start breathing again. The truth is that I got used to SD, but in fact it is a very rough city to live in. NYC by contrast is so very modern and clean and controlled almost too so. I'm thinking that MVD will be the right mix for me now, and in contrast will provide some long deserved and needed R&R.

Settling in to a little hotel on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury (for you ex-Long Islanders out there) utilizing the Free Internet in the Business Center, as well as the free coffee and instant oatmeal, my dinner. Gonna Check out the Gym, take a shower, and rest up for a busy day tomorrow. I'm on my Way!

Chapter 2