February in a Nutshell!

So whoa baby, it’s been awhile since I wrote here. It feels like AGES, because we have been so so SO busy! In the past week, we’ve had upwards of 300 extra people on site visiting since it was officially NPH’s Annual International Meeting, and the first one we have hosted at our site ever, since we’re relatively new (just celebrated 9 years). So, here’s a super quick review!

-Preparing for the meeting was CRAZY! Long days, little sleep, and many many MANY hours in the printer shops. Avriel and I did approx. 15 different documents in Spanish, English, and Italian. It was unreal, but turned out so awesomely! 

-First visit day on 2/13: we had 80 or so Italians on site. It rained ALL day, which sucked, but we had lots and lots of fun!

-Hotel: So all of our guests were staying at a 5-star hotel in La Romana while there were here, and guess what, us volunteers each got to spend a couple nights there too! It was insane, mainly because it was SUCH a contrast from daily life. Like there was a pillow menu and 24-room service and rose petals on the bathroom sink and a big towel crane on the king bed with a down comforter. And there were no bugs and there was AC and all of the staff was always always saying “I’m excellent” when you asked how they were and “It’s my pleasure” if you said thank you. SO over the top.

-Second visit day on 2/17: this was the day we slaved over for so long…nearly 300 visitors on site! It went SO well! And the kids had a blast! We had a dance program for the guests and games and food and tons and tons of tents set up all over the place with activities! 

-Gala: So on the 17^th at night, we had a huge, fancy gala at the hotel for all our guests. It was the first time since I’ve been here that I actually put on makeup and did my hair and what not. It was so so funny, because my girls were like, in shock when they saw me. “Kristen, you’re so pretty” and “Kristen, this is like the first time we’ve seen you look nice”…it was great!

-Wedding: On the 18^th, we had a wedding on site. The daughter of one of the lady who donated our park got married in the park. It was so cute! All the kids got dressed up and participated and afterwards there was dinner and dancing under the stars! 

-Other life stuff: We have a Haitian cancer house, where kids from Haiti can come with a parent for radiotherapy treatment at the capital that isn’t offered in Haiti. I’ve recently gotten close with a litte 4-year old, nearly blind boy and his dad. They only really speak Haitian Creole, so I’ve picked up a few phrases. It’s awesome! But they just left to go back to Haiti and guess what? After two surgies, the little boy was able to see! Honestly, SO amazing to see! And such a tear-jerker. He could walk across the street without hodling on to someone and know where he was and who he was with. Breaks your HEART!

So currently, I’m sitting at the airport as my parents flight in probably just arrived! They will be here for the next week! They are staying with me at NPH for 4 or 5 days and then we are all going to Puerto Plata to meet up with the other Mages’! More updates to come soon (with photos!)