Day 6: Up to the Challenge

Submitted by Kierra Gates:

 

On March 15, 2018 my study abroad team and I went to visit waterfalls in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. There is a total of 27 waterfalls, 27 charcos. Each waterfall was considered a different challenge and the only way to get to the bottom was to jump or hike your way down. In comparison, I’d say it’s equivalent to cliff diving. This was one of the most exhilarating adventures most of us have ever encountered. We faced many challenges today, we conquered fears, and we lived each moment to the fullest. This experiences has help me realize that if you believe you can do it, then you can.

The highest waterfall we jumped today was about 27ft up. Most of us, including myself, have never jumped off of a rock into a deep body oh water before, but when it was done the feeling was indescribable. I was terrified, but I still did it. So, I challenge you to do something exhilarating. Do something you always doubted yourself accomplishing. Maybe, even jump off a waterfall into 20ft deep water. Go on an adventure and tell the world about it. The best feeling is a feeling you can’t exactly put into words because it was that amazing. 

Submitted by Maddie Nelson:

After a 2 hour bus ride, we finally arrived to Cabarete. We were all a little nervous, but fired up to repel some waterfalls. We weren’t exactly sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we were in the adventurous spirit! We started this excursion off with a hike down to Rio Blanco (White River). We began with a jump off of a 20 foot waterfall. Next, we we had a short training and we repelled what is called the “Magic Mushroom”. After this we repelled from one additional waterfall. This experience was a very challenging one and showed us how strong we were to face our fears. We all cheered on and encouraged each other before participating, which brought us all close together. The repelling took a little longer than we thought, so we had to cut the trip short. To get back to the bus, we had to rock climb up a mountain and hike a mile or so. This was a little dangerous and frustrating for a lot of us. Overall it was a fun and adventurous, but very tiring day! This day has taught us all a lot about overcoming challenges and working through adversity. Although things didn’t go as planned, we still worked together and had a good time bonding. 

Submitted by Lauryn Thompson:

Today was filled with many experiences with the bus. There were times of fun and times of frustration, yet overall we seemed to have bonded together through the many hours on the road. Coming from the Charcos, we had a pretty lengthy ride to the mushroom repel site. On the way, it was decided to play some music based upon request. I was not feeling the most energetic at the time, but all the drowsiness seemed to float away as we sang along to Justin Beiber’s “Baby”, or watching our driver, Eduardo, lip sync to Whitney Houston. As we were singing, the total atmosphere seemed to improve. I felt all my worries wash away, and everything seemed like it was going to be okay. Our driver paid a man on the street to wash our windshield at a stoplight. After coming back from the repelling, that’s bwhen things took a little turn. A group member had to stop from illness, major rain and flooding, a longer ride than intended. Yet, after some rest and accepting the situation, the group as a whole learned the meaning of schedule changes, and sure enough people were laughing again, something you just have to do in those situations. Tired and hungry at the time, I will always look back at the memory with fondness in the future.