RIP Olympus Stylus 850 SW

Last weekend, we took a team adventure to 27 Charcos (or 27 Waterfalls). Essentially, 27 waterfalls have naturally formed in the limestone foundation of these spring-fed pools. We paired with two guides and climbed and swam our way up the falls and then jumped and slid down to get back to the bottom. The water is the perfect temperature to cool off in (especially when you are sweating bullets 99% of the time here) - and it's just good ole fashioned FUN!

Gals

Guys

As you can see, we sported some rockin' gear - especially Garrett and Ashley. Their life vests were made for babes. We informed the outfitter that Garrett, at 6'5", was much too large for the wee jacket - he either disagreed with our assessment or we were experiencing yet another language barrier. Typical. We're not complaining though - it was entertaining - and provided for a singing round (or two or three) of "Fat guy in a little coat..."

Garrett and Ashley

We were posing for pre-waterfall pictures, but what we were really excited about was getting some shots out on the water. Jumping shots, sliding shots, "fat guy in a little coat" shots. Charlie brought the drop-proof, waterproof camera he bought me for graduation to do this very thing. Imagine the following scene:

Staff: "We are so excited to get some photos at the waterfalls."

Me: "I know, not only is this camera waterproof, it's drop-proof!"

Can you guess what happened next? I dropped it. Yes, on purpose. For dramatic demonstration purposes. (I know there are many out there who have witnessed this demonstration of mine before...) Typical.

But it's drop-proof, so it shouldn't matter. FALSE.

You will notice that we have no pictures of the 27 waterfalls we actually climbed and jumped off of. Upon submersion into the water, the camera took ON water...at a rapid rate. How you ask? Faulty advertising by Olympus...and perhaps my slight mistreatment of the camera over the last year and a half. Although in true Charlie fashion, he assured me and the rest of the team that the camera had been having problems for quite some time and this was bound to happen...Typical, but we love him for the eternal optimism.

So, these last two photos are the final works of the Olympus Stylus 850 SW. RIP.

Walking (and laughing) to the Falls

Entrance to the Climb up the Falls

VIDEO: School September 28-October 6

There's No Place Like HOME...

4 plus months into marriage, and we have officially moved into our FIRST place of our own! And we couldn't be happier!

Move-In Day

We moved in just over a week ago, so our apartment is slowly filling itself up. We have made trips to the 10 Peso Store, to La Sirena (a glorified version of Wal-Mart) and other appliance/furniture stores. Apartments in the DR do not come with a refrigerator and stove (NOTHING is free), so we invested in each of these, as well as a bed, hoping to be able to sell them when we return to the States.

Our Bedroom

Our Bathroom

For all of you avid readers of Charlie's maps out there, do not be confused...We are actually not living in the vicinity of the designated star on the map. We ultimately decided we found our HOME in the same neighborhood as the current Mak staff house. This merely means that we have a short, easy walk to the staff house and commute a little more in the mornings to get to school.

Kitchen

Living Room (from kitchen)

You ask how and why we chose this abode? Not only do we have views of the ocean and the mountains from our apartment and the building's rooftop (no lie) and a sun that rises perfectly in our bedroom window (it's beautiful), but I think the burnt orange tile speaks for itself...We obviously didn't seek this out, but we knew we'd found a match the moment we stepped into this place. We Hook 'Em everyday in the DR. (Sorry, had to).

"He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me." -Psalm 18:19