Dominican Independence Day is February 27th. On Sunday, there are celebrations throughout the country celebrating patriotism and pride in the nation. In San Pedro de Macoris, there is march around the city park and downtown area of students from all of the major schools in the city. The students have been practicing in school and sometimes in the streets around the school so that they can all march in unison, including taking turns on street corners. They have special uniforms representing the school, and they are all very excited to participate in this tradition. Many of my high school students are participating, and I'll go to the march on Sunday and then to some of the festivities around the city after the parade.
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| My neighbor Camilla showing off her new Carnival Mask |
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Migneli's special manicure with the Dominican Flag
and colors for Independence Day |
Independence Day has also been combined here with Carnival, so that there are many masks, costumes, and other decorations that we associate with Marti Gras during this time. Though it wasn't exactly an English lesson, my high school students made paper mache masks this week in class that they will finish today and be able to use over the weekend. I made it into an English lesson by writing the instructions for making the mask in English on the board because they have been working on reading and writing instruction manuals for electronic devices. and we worked to follow the steps and use English vocabulary during the process, but really, we just got to do the craft!
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| Crysnery working on Madephenis's mask |
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| Our mask making class |
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| The papier mache paste |
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| Klarissa working on Jairo's mask |
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The students who were molds had a lot to clean up afterwards!
They were good sports. |
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| Jairo and Crysnery getting messy |
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| The masks set out to dry |
This weekend is also exciting because a group of American doctors and nurses are coming to work in the Centro Buen Pastor Clinic next week. On Sunday, after the Independence Day celebrations, the community will welcome the group during Mass in the afternoon. Then the group will set up their medical clinic and I will help them with translating or whatever else they need when I don't have class next week. Mary Miner is also coming this week to visit Centro Buen Pastor, the Sisters, and me. She'll be visiting my classes and getting to see what my life is like here. There is a lot of excitement this weekend and in the coming week!
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| The Dominican Seal |
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| The Dominican Flag |
As I wrap up this blog, the school next to my apartment is singing the National Anthem during an all school assembly!
Dios les bendiga,
~ Tina
1 comment:
That looks like great fun, Tina! Would love to see you all dressed up in your mask on Independence Day!
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