It's a Small World After All!

It’s a Small World After All . . .
Sue Klappa

We have all arrived to the ILAC center in Santiago in one piece. It has been a wonderful adventure so far! As we were boarding our flight to Santiago in Miami, one of the airline workers was asking us where we would be going in the DR and what we would be doing. He also offered suggestions for places to see. He was so proud of his country and wanted to be sure we all knew some interesting things to see. It didn’t matter that entire Group 5 was behind us waiting to board!


Once on the plane, Lisa and I found ourselves sitting next to a woman from the DR in row 19. . It turned out that her daughter was studying physical therapy at the Catholic university here in Santiago and knew Professor Candida Aybar, a long time friend of mine! We had a lovely chat and now have a standing invitation to visit this lady’s home!


Our day on Sunday started with an early morning run on the figure 8 track out back of the center. We had breakfast, an orientation to ILAC, changed money, had lunch, and then were off on our scavenger hunt in downtown Santiago. We all tried to be somewhat culturally respectful but nevertheless we could not hide the fact that we were gringas! The students had an opportunity to practice speaking Spanish as they took the public transportation called guaguas downtown. The guaguas are minivans crammed full of people – sometimes up to 32 at a time! We had our shoes shined by a couple of boys aged 12 & 14 from Haiti. I was thrilled to practice my Creole as Charlie & Willie two young men from Haiti ages 12 & 14 shined our shoes! Then it was back to the ILAC campus for dinner and a mass by Fr. Bill.


On the way to the guaguas stop we ran into a former patient from last year who is doing much better. He called out to us and told us how much help we had offered him last year. One of the cooks was also so excited to fill us in on how her son was doing. We had treated him last year. Now her son is fully recovered and is playing in the minor leagues for the Cubs.


All in all it has been a great first day or so. There are always many fun connections that are made here in the DR. It is also wonderful to get caught up with old friends and make new connections. It is definitely a small, small world!