Mugged on My Birthday!

I decided to start a blog, so that all of my adventures can be documented in one place and seen by whoever wants to read them. I've posted the three email updates I've sent so far to friends and family, but from here on, I'll update everyone via this blog.

Since this is the first time I've ever done this, I wasn’t sure what to write, but I guess I'll start with my latest Peace Corps adventure: My Birthday!

It just so happened that my birthday fell on the same weekend as committee weekend (a weekend where lots of volunteers unite in the capital to talk about committee business) so I came to the capital on Friday (my birthday) along with lots of other volunteers.

I had a fabulous Mexican dinner with about 20 other volunteers (who claimed they came for my birthday celebration, but I know most of them were there for the 2 for 1 margarita special). We went to Tequila John's and had chips, salsa, fajitas, and of course, margaritas. It was delicious – a great change from the yucca dinners I've been getting every night at my dona's house in Bayahibe.

So after dinner, we all went out in the Colonial Zone and met up with some of the older volunteers. We went to a couple of bars, hung out at a colmado, danced the night away. Then as we were going to get a cab, my friend Rachel and I ended up walking a few blocks ahead of the rest of the group (stupidly), and a man with a knife (or was it a gun? it might have been both... it happened so quick I don't even know) came up and asked us for our purses. When it became clear that I wasn't going to give up my stuff very easily, he cut the straps off my bag and ran with it. And that's how I started my 25th year on this earth!

Rachel didn't get her things taken, but I lost my credit cards, RD$1500 (about $45), a flashdrive, and worst of all, my camera – a 3 year anniversary from Dave. Sad day. Luckily everything's replaceable.

It's been a somewhat tough situation to process. The memory of the incident keeps replaying in my mind, and I can’t help but feel angry with myself. I also just feel really sad for the man who robbed me. It’s hard for me to grapple with the drastic economic contrasts in this country. I’m bothered by the fact that there are people in this country (and world) who feel like they have to resort to crime because of economic situations, while there are so many wealthy people in the same country/world (like all of the celebrities who have mansions in expensive resort areas like Casa de Campo) who could do so much to help them.

Anyway, needless to say, this past weekend has been an emotional roller coaster and educational experience – one that I won’t forget. Tomorrow I’m heading back to "real life" in my site, so the luxuries of the capital - free internet (which we get at the Peace Corps Office in Santo Domingo), a variety of food options (ie sushi) and hanging out with people like me - will no longer be mine.

I hope all is well wherever you are!

Please send some happy thoughts my way.