I am living the life right now.  Actually I’m fairly certain that I am living better than most of my friends back in the states.

I haven’t stayed somewhere this nice – ever.  I haven’t ate this well in…well, 3 months.  I haven’t been this clean in far too long.  This is beautiful.

Our public reactions (of overwhelming joy and excitement) to the glorious spread of delicious food, and our typical dirty Peace Corps Volunteer attire in the fancy hotel restaurant have been frowned upon, but really – what is to be expected.  Sorry, but I didn’t bring any formal wear to the DR, and I’ve been eating boiled platanos and rice and beans for 3 months now.

We’re on lock down right now.  Can’t leave the building until the storm passes.   As relaxing and great as this is, I’m still feeling guilty for being here, hoping my family is doing ok and  hoping there’s not too much flooding so we can all get back to our sites without any problems.

On a somewhat related note, considering the Peace Corps is dropping tons of money on us right now (all in the name of safety, I might remind you)…Obama recently gave PC a lot more money!  There’s funding for more volunteers and he up’d the readjustment allowance for when volunteers return to the states.  Way to go Pres. Barry, I knew I liked you.

Ok, I think I need to go take another hot shower before my 5 course dinner.  I sure hope that my fam enjoys the “I Survived Tomas 2010″ T-shirts that I picked up for them today.