Here We Go!!

Today is the day!!!!!

Today is the day!!!!!

This time tomorrow we will all be waking up in a completely new and exciting place.  Okay-- I take that back we will have already woken up-- seeing as breakfast is served at 7:30!!1  Whooooo  Early Risers!

Here is out itinerary for the next few days :)

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U. of Maryland Volunteer Service Trip Itinerary - (March 19-26, 2011) 

Sat 3/19	10:40 p.m. Arrival: American Airlines #423 10:40 P.M.  Met by Nina Hernandez with “Sister Island Project” sign and bus.    12:00 a.m (midnight). Transport to Cruz Verde 1:00 a.m.  Community welcome – Meet SIP Program Coordinators Jenny Rodriguez and Masita Moreno, Cruz Verde Community Council President Julito Moreno.  Introductions to host families, Settle in to rooms.
Sun 3/20	9:00 a.m. Breakfast.   Meeting with Jenny and Masita.  Ask questions, orientation to community.   10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Walking Tour to Luz Maria Learning Center and local community, discuss and learn about Cruz Verde and region during walk 12:30 p.m. Lunch  1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.  Service Activity Meeting with Jenny and Masita Divide into 3 teams (with 1-2 strong Spanish speakers per group) to plan for in-school activities to be delivered starting Monday at: Altagracia Middle School, Chucho Salas Middle School, and Cruz Verde Elementary School If time allows, lead some arts/games activities with children in Cruz Verde  6:00 p.m. Dinner  7:00 p.m. Visit with community members
Mon 3/21	7:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Teams walk to schools to assist and deliver activities  12:30 p.m. Lunch  1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.   House-painting/home construction, Learning Center garden, arts/games groups with children in community setting 6:00 p.m. Dinner  7:30 p.m.  Visit with community members
Tues 3/22	7:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Teams walk to schools to assist and deliver activities  12:30 p.m. Lunch  1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.   House-painting/home construction, Learning Center garden, arts/games groups with children in community setting 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Dinner and Education Forum (Local teachers will discuss education in the DR with the group).   8:00 p.m. Visit with community members
Wed 3/23	7:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Teams walk to schools to assist and deliver activities  12:30 p.m. Lunch  1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.   House-painting/home construction, Learning Center garden, arts/games groups with children in community setting 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Dinner and Education Forum (University students will discuss education in the DR with the group).   8:00 p.m. Visit with community members
Thurs 3/24 GUIDED DAY TRIP	7:00 a.m. Breakfast  8:00 a.m. Travel by bus to the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo 8:30-11:00 p.m. Walking tour to see historic architecture, opportunity to buy souvenirs in shops along the pedestrian shopping avenue, El Conde.  Internet cafes.   11:00-12:30 p.m.  Lunch at Santo Domingo restaurant  12:30-5:00 p.m. Travel by bus to Caribbean beach at Boca Chica.  Additional opportunities to buy souvenirs or use internet.   5:00 p.m.  Return to Cruz Verde 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. Visit with community members
Fri 3/25	7:30 a.m. Breakfast 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Teams walk to schools to assist and deliver activities  12:30 p.m. Lunch  1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.  House-painting, and arts/games groups with children (Optional – Additional Cost)  Opportunity to take horseback riding tour of the community (500 pesos/person) and/or to learn to make chocolate from the cacao bean (150 pesos/person)   6:00 p.m. Dinner  7:00 p.m. Visit with community members
Sat 3/26	8:00 a.m. Breakfast  9:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Visit and farewell with community members.   10:30 a.m.  Depart Cruz Verde for airport.   1:20 p.m. Flight leaves. American Airlines #882, 1:20 p.m