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October 2010

January 2011

Travel To The Dominican Republic

(Updated July 16, 2010)

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A Mission Experience
Our trips always have the primary objective to build "solidarity" and "understanding" between our communities. Another objective is to build friendships that allow the people of Los Toros to share their lives with us and to learn about our lives. Our relationships with the people of Los Toros are very important and remain our main focus.

Those who wish to join us on our trips are asked to attend Trip Planning Meetings and Orientation sessions. To enter into a third world experience is a serious task and is a "give and take" experience as well as a learning opportunity. Your participation affects two cultures, the current culture that you live in and the Dominican culture which is a daily experience for the residents of Los Toros. Our respect for their culture demonstrates an acceptance and willingness to work together with mutual understanding and respect.
Costs for the trip are the responsibility of participants; we make every effort to keep them at a minimum with the main expense being air travel. Please contact us for specific details on the cost.

If you are interested in joining us on a trip please contact us at least eight weeks before the trip.

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Dominican Culture

Some Thoughts & Reflections on The Dominican Republic
Geography:
The Dominican Republic is on an island called Hispanola, at the West end of the island is Haiti. The island has a beautiful coast (mostly east); mountains and desert like areas. Los Toros is in the South and West area of the country.
Race:
Most Dominicans are Black and of African - Spanish decent. This may vary with some Dominicans appearing to be completely Spanish. All natives to the island died after Columbus came to their island.
Language:
Dominicans speak Spanish, in rural areas there are phrases and pronunciations that vary from the big cities, however, it is mostly consistent. Some Dominicans may be limited in their reading and writing skills. Many Dominicans can speak at least a little English.
Culture:
Dominicans are very friendly and hospitable, especially in rural areas. They will shake hands and hug freely. In some rural areas men will walk hand in hand as a sign of their solidarity. The people love to sing and dance and have their special music called Merengue and Bachata. They are also very generous and kind; if you visit their home they will always give you a chair and ask you to sit; it is very appropriate to sit for a few minutes and accept their kindness. Sometimes they will offer coffee; this means they will brew fresh coffee especially for you; if one has time it is appropriate to accept this hospitality.
Meals in the Dominican Republic are not usually family affairs; sometimes there is not enough food for the whole family and they will take turns at skipping meals. It will appear that there is a lot of food on the table and they may be generous in serving you; it is important to note that sometimes they will share their plate with another person after the meal so it is not improper to leave some food on your plate if they have served you too much. Also, they will try to please you as much as they can, on occasion, if a guest asks for something they will go beyond their means in an effort to provide. Dominicans will only serve safe food and drink so it is safe to accept almost everything. Local water can never be used without purification.
Every afternoon just about every person in the country finds some water to take a bath and then put on clean clothes. Sometimes they will bathe in a river; mostly they will take a bucket of water and bathe with that. In the cities there are flush toilets and showers, in the country there are outhouses and Dominican Bathrooms - trees and bushes - usually people are very discrete.
Families are usually very large and extended; often three generations can be found in a house. Most Dominicans can not afford a church or civil wedding so they just get married. Older people are respected; younger children are loved, but if they misbehave they are corrected. You will notice a definite structure and distinct roles in families; wives care for the home, men work in the fields and control most matters; though recently women have started to take leadership roles in the community. Older children help with younger children, infants are deeply loved by all.
Cultural Shock:
This happens when a person enters and leaves another culture that is radically different then their current culture. It is especially prevalent if there is severe poverty or other drastic conditions. Usually it is instantaneous though sometimes it is not realized until after person returns home from the visit. There are different stages and experiences of this culture shock and it is important to recognize it and address your feelings. Consequently it is important to share your thoughts and experiences with others. It is often good to regroup after a visit to share a little and work together at finding ways to address your feelings. Sometimes these experiences help people to understand not only the new "culture" they have visited, but also the benefits and inadequacies of their own culture. Perhaps one might do a little preventive medicine by preparing oneself for the experience with some reading, thought and prayer. Also, it is good to enter in solidarity with the people of the new culture by forming a relationship with a specific person and establishing a common friendship. Writing letters is a every good way of doing this. It is also important to keep a notebook - journal - of experiences, people and places, to bring about understanding as well as solidarity. Taking photos and sending a copy back to new friends is an excellent way of building understanding and solidarity. Above all it is important to keep an open mind and observe all elements of a culture and not just concentrate on conditions of poverty and depravity.

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What You Need to Travel

1. Documents - A Passport - you must have a USA Passport.

2. You also will need to purchase a Tourist Card in Santo Domingo (US $ 10.00) and show it to the Immigration Officials.

3. We will furnish you with a list of items - "What To Take".

Important Health Information

Medical - first of all check this web site and read all information very carefully - http://www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm#vaccines Also consult this web page for current health concerns updates.

Also check this web page for important information:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/dominican-republic.aspx

Current Health Conditions in Los Toros:

July 15, 2011 – Health Conditions at this time in Los Toros are good with no reported cases of Malaria, and only one case of Dengue Fever.

Yes, there is one case of Dengue in LosToros but it is not a serious outbreak, however this one case does point out the need to be careful, use your repellent and mosquito netting and dress appropriately. Please folow the instructions below:

1. Use Mosquito Repellant (with Deet)!

2. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts - especially in the early morning and evening.

3. Use a Mosquito Net or fan on your bed at night - (they will be available).

4. Help to cover containers of open water at night.

5. Avoid contact with mosquitoes in the early morning and in the late afternoon.

Do not be alarmed - but do be careful!

You may need shots or special medication for this trip; you should also check with your doctor for personal advice. For your information you can get protection for Hepatitis A and B at the Ozaukee County Medical Office for a fee: http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/PublicHealth/index.html You need to start this about two - three months before the trip. For more information about Hepatitis- please go here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/ Persons with serious medical concerns should consult carefully with their doctor before traveling to Los Toros.

Los Toros is in the third world and though there may not be any immediate medical danger it is important to be aware of possible disease and to use caution. Please read the CDC web site carefully!

It is a good idea to carry a Medical History, especially if you have had any serious health issues, a list of your current medications and any allergies will be very helpful. We will ask you to sign a standard "wavier" form and list an emergency contact in the USA.

It is important to understand that though there is a medical clinic in Los Toros a doctor is not always available, the nearest hospital is about one half hour away, however transportation may not be immediately available at all times. Full hospital and clinic facilities are available in Santo Domingo which is about two to three hours away, however, again transportation may not be immediately available at all times.

Important – if you are in good physical condition you need not be alarmed! With the proper precautions there is no need to worry. Hosts in Los Toros understand what precautions are necessary and watch over guests very carefully to protect them - so there is no need to worry - but, please follow our advice during the trip.

It is important to have a good Mosquito Repellant and to use it! Also it is important to use the Mosquito Net at night and be sure it is tucked in securely. If there is electricity and there is a fan available use it at night to blow away any Mosquitoes that may be around.

Also, it is very important to wash your hands with hand sanitizer or with strong soap. Do not touch dogs or cats - they certainly will have parasites!

Finally, there is a good reliable private clinic/hospital available in Santo Domingo, check if your health insurance covers international travel and bring your insurance card. If your medical insurance does not cover foreign travel you may want to consider getting a travel health insurance policy.

Health Insurance

Many current insurance policies cover travel outside of the USA, check your policy/agent. If you need coverage, below is a link to a company that furnishes coverage. We do not recommend or endorse any particular Insurance company and have no experience with the company below. Please decide for yourself if you need insurance and which company to use.

http://www.missionaryhealth.net/atlas.htm

What to Take

Please read the "What To Take" list that we provide........

1. Please take along in a “carry-on” the clothes and all medical necessities that you will need. We suggest to take a water bottle; it will be hot there and we will need to drink liquids. You can buy juice, soda and beer in the village. Host homes will have purified water available. It is very important to drink fluids - you can easily get sick from dehydration.

2. Hand wipes or hand cleaner sanitizer is needed, clean water may not always be available.

3. Clothes - it will be very warm - you do not need a jacket or sweater, but may take one if you like. We will need to protect ourselves from the sun - hats are a must, sunglasses and lotion is also important. You do not need a lot of clothes, Dominicans are usually casual, but neat, however, one set of dressy casuals would be good for special events like church or going to dinner. Jeans are very acceptable and it is OK to wear shorts but most people don't; bring good walking shoes, do not bring hiking boots or sandals; athletic shoes are popular. It is a good idea to have all of your clothes in your carry-on. We will be taking some supplies and check them as baggage. Part of your responsibility to the mission is to help carry supplies. The limit is two checked bags (60 lbs) and one carry-on and a purse or briefcase. But please bring as few personal things as you can and it will be easier to travel around the DR.

4. Personal Items – bring a small notebook - journal and a pen, camera, small mirror (for shaving, etc.), small soap, small shampoo and a towel. Also bring a small flashlight, handkerchiefs, Kleenex or TP, Wash n'Wipes (anti bacteria) and a small umbrella. Mosquito repellent will be handy to have. Please note that current regulations do not allow you to carry all of these in your carry on bag.

5. Gift - for your host family, a small item that is easy to carry, perhaps something for their home.

Other Information...........

Emergency numbers; we will give you a list of contacts.

Transportation; as an act of solidarity we use public transportation - bus, taxi, etc. and we will furnish a guide to be with you. Public transportation in Los Toros is usually a small motor cycle. It is important to take safety precautions some Dominicans drive like maniacs - kind of like New York!

We stay at a small hotel in Santo Domingo, in Los Toros we stay with a family.

Spanish is the native language; if you do not have Spanish skills we suggest you set a goal to learn three new words a day, in a month you can have a vocabulary of about 100 words – see our web site.

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Safety

The Dominican Republic is a safe place, but precautions always are the best protection. In every land and country, tourists are always targets for pickpockets, etc.; consequently we always travel together as a group and have a guide with us at all times. We are registered as a traveling group with the US Consulate and receive travel advisories from them. It is important to listen carefully to our safety comments during the orientation sessions. We want you to have a good, rewarding and enjoyable experience in the Dominican Republic and will do everything we can to achieve that!

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm

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Agenda

We publish an agenda for each trip.

1. To indicate how we use our resources of time and materials.

2. To facilitate planning and help committees to prepare.

3. To work effectively at our mission of serving the people of Los Toros.

4. To communicate "when and where" in case we need to be contacted.

Additional Travel Resources:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html

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