Volunteer Life Stories

Can't Believe by Janet Espinosa

Dominicans (most) can't believe that volunteers (not all) would:

* Want to live alone.

* Go to the beach in winter when the temperature is only 70 or 80.

* Walk a mile to the highway when you could take a motoconcho.

* Have close friends of the opposite sex without having sex.

* Call fish, potatoes & salad a meal without rice and beans.

* Know how to drive a car, especially a standard (stick) shift.

* Want to travel and see the country on public transportation.

* Know how to bake cookies, cakes and breads.

* Walk in flip flops or tennies instead of heels.

* Like dark chocolate, especially without sugar.

* Drink mugs of coffee instead of a small bit with sugar in a tiny cup.

* Live without television.

* Read books and other materials on a daily basis just for fun.

* Still be single and happy after the age of twenty.

* Not go to a beauty salon every week.

* Wash clothes by hand.

* Be able to live on our allowance in pesos without receiving dollars from home.

* Wear helmets every time we get on a motorcycle.

* Arrive on time and keep a schedule.

* Tell the truth.

* Plant a personal vegetable garden.

* Participate in a bola race.