We had a really great time this weekend. A little bit of hanging out at the hacienda and also out and about around the community. One of the reasons we chose this little town is because of the sense of community -- and the variety. This weekend was the Etno-Mix festival. For Edmontonians you will know this as a much smaller version of Heritage Days, where every cultural group has a booth with food and other cultural representations.
Along with the Dominicans, there are also French, German, Swiss, British, Mexican, Italian, American and a small group of Canadians too. So we spent part of the afternoon and evening on the beach eating great food and meeting great people. The kids had a great time as some of their friends from school were around -- so the ran, played, climbed trees ... At events like this in Canada we are often conscious (if not worried) about where they are, but here it is a much smaller community and we felt good about letting them have more autonomy. There was, in many ways, much less to worry about.
Sunday we went to a birthday party for a boy Chase's age. His considerable number of Dominican relatives were at the party along with a number of foreign families. It was a great day at the beach and a really laid back time to mingle and play with all the kids.
There is so much caring and love for children that is evident here. For example, we went to a beach restaurant a few weeks ago and one of the owners came over. This was the first time we had met and as we chatted with him, he was absentmindedly and gently touching Chase's hair -- just like any member of our family or friends might do. Many people here are so natural and friendly, especially with the kids.
I think it has something to do with the size of the town, but also to do with the diversity and acceptance of people from all over that makes this a great community.
Along with the Dominicans, there are also French, German, Swiss, British, Mexican, Italian, American and a small group of Canadians too. So we spent part of the afternoon and evening on the beach eating great food and meeting great people. The kids had a great time as some of their friends from school were around -- so the ran, played, climbed trees ... At events like this in Canada we are often conscious (if not worried) about where they are, but here it is a much smaller community and we felt good about letting them have more autonomy. There was, in many ways, much less to worry about.
Sunday we went to a birthday party for a boy Chase's age. His considerable number of Dominican relatives were at the party along with a number of foreign families. It was a great day at the beach and a really laid back time to mingle and play with all the kids.
There is so much caring and love for children that is evident here. For example, we went to a beach restaurant a few weeks ago and one of the owners came over. This was the first time we had met and as we chatted with him, he was absentmindedly and gently touching Chase's hair -- just like any member of our family or friends might do. Many people here are so natural and friendly, especially with the kids.
I think it has something to do with the size of the town, but also to do with the diversity and acceptance of people from all over that makes this a great community.
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