Semana Santa

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week the DR shuts down. It is one of the most celebrated times of year. This year we took our kids in "The Ark" and our kids from Constanza, and set off in 3 different groups for a 3 day adventure. Caitlin went with the littlest group of kids. An entire school bus full of kids under 8 years old. Have you ever been camping with a school bus full of 4 and 5 year olds? They went to the coast of Samana. They also hiked into the water fall "El Limon" Have you ever hiked with a school bus full of 4 and 5 year olds? They went on boat ride too, which was fun until one flipped over with everyone in it. She said it was quite the adventure. Another group went southwest towards Bavaro. I was with the oldest group and we went southeast. We didn't have too much of a plan and just sort of set out with our group of 37. We visited the Haitian boarder and crossed into Haiti. We then headed further south all the way to the tip and camped on the beach. It was beautiful, except we were attacked by some kind of fierce insect that were small enough to get through the mesh screen of the tents. Over half of us look like we contracted the chicken pocks. 3 weeks later and we all still itch very much! We also were able to walk through a salt marsh. Because of the high density of salt and sulfer, my feet have never been cleaner! The beaches were absolutely beautiful, with water "the color of gatorade" as described by one of the kids!