I have never been one to get deep into politics. Although I voted in both the last Presidential election and gubernatorial election and encouraged all my college friends to do the same, I have not followed the details of what is happening from day to day in my state, nation, and world.
But as I am working in a government run public health office and see the effects of corruption around me daily in the office, on the streets, and in the homes of those I love, I have begun to realize just how important the decisions of our government officials truly are. I suppose that living in the United States where things are generally good and stable, I, like many others, had grown up not thinking twice about many government policies. But when you live in a place where things are backwards, where the government thrives by being served by the people, not by serving the people, you begin to realize how fortunate you have been all your life. Dishonesty. Bribery. Fraud. This is what thrives in a fallen world where power plays are the games of the weak.
What a strange feeling to now live in a world where Fidel Castro is no longer the President of Cuba! I can barely comprehend it. He is all that my generation and my parents’ generation have ever known about the government of Cuba.
On Sunday, I had the rare opportunity of seeing the President of the Dominican Republic in person. What craziness! Everyone knew that he was coming to Mao, in order to further his political campaign for another presidential term. I was waiting at the house for him to pass by, camera and sunglasses ready so that I could run out the door and down the block as soon as I heard the caravan coming. Apparently, he passed by without much hubbub, seemingly not too well received in this city. Margot called me around 4 o’clock and told me to hurry on over as the President would pass right in front of her house. As Marxengels was playing baseball, I begged his brother, Jualmarxkh to take me over on the scooter so I could get there quickly. On the way, we ran right into the caravan and had to make some loops until we could just squeeze through to get to Margot’s house. Jualmarxkh dropped me off and drove away, not at all interested in seeing the president who we agree to be quite shady. I have never seen so many people before on Margot’s street! I had to laugh as I ran inside and upstairs, to find her wearing white – the color of the other main political party who she’s for – and drinking a glass of whisky by herself on the balcony. She told me that Emerson and his sisters were in the neighbors’ house, talking before the President came. I was super shocked when the president finally arrived, got out of the car, and entered the neighbors’ house where they were! The neighbor, , told me afterwards that her daughter is a huge fan of the president, and that her 15th birthday was coming up soon. As quinceañeras are huge in Latin America, this was the ultimate birthday present for her daughter to meet the president, and invite some neighbors
and friends to join her. It was kind of a weird feeling when the president actually came out of the house and sat atop the car he was riding in, waving directly to the
people around him. As Margot and I were the only ones on the balcony and the rest of the crowd was out in the street, the president looked directly at us, smiled and waved as he passed by. He was so close and so personal, that I couldn’t think so horribly about him at the moment. I guess it’s easier to see the humanity in someone if they’re right before your eyes and not just on posters and television.
This afternoon, I have been watching the telebroadcast of the Cumbre Grupo de Rio, a meeting of all Latin American presidents that just so happens to be hosted in Santo Domingo. The greatest part of the meeting has been devoted to the discussion of the current crisis between Colombia and Ecuador, as the FARC terrorist guerrillas of Colombia entered far into Ecuador this week. After President Uribe of Colombia gave a long explanation of his point of view on the present crisis, President Correa of Ecuador gave what I view to be one of the best speeches I have ever heard from a
modern-day President. He pleaded with Uribe to control the guerrillas within Colombia so that needless bloodshed and violence would not be even farther widespread throughout other nations. I have to say that I feel kind of bad just looking at the President of Colombia, as he’s unanimously not supported by the general assembly. He looks like a little kid whose parents are confronting him on something bad he’s done. But, it’s true that he really needs to shape up and fight this guerrilla crisis within his own country.
Happy Women’s Day! 
us had ever been to, but I had fun out on Mao's main street, Calle Duarte, with Marxengels and several buddies. I met a bunch of new friends, as well. Unfortunately, the 
worst thing about this celebration was how many people decided it was pleito time. After just a half hour of arriving, a nasty fight broke out right next to us between a group of guys in their late 20's, early 30's. Everyone began running from 
the scene, and I thought one dude was going to put the other guys' head through a glass shop window. Ugg! There were several other times when people began running due to fights breaking out up and down the street. Enough to make me tremble all over! One young guy was shot to death by the police. This is becoming the thing to do nowadays when there's any crowd. Marxengels and I 
try to stay away from crowd situations, because something always seems to go wrong. Too much alcohol mixed with the heat and general problems people have with drugs, etc. Anyway, here are a bunch of colorful photos of the traditional Carnaval, which includes a huge parade and plenty of colorful masks and costumes. It's always held on Sunday afternoons/evenings in the month
before Easter, and each city claims their own Sunday. So on any given Sunday, you could pick and choose which Carnaval you'd like to go to somewhere or another.
