Jara(Bay)Coa (Area)

Hello, fantastic families and friends!

Today kicked off with smiles brighter than the Dominican sun after a short but restful night’s sleep. Team Bay Area finally reunited and wasted no time diving into their exciting journey at Rancho Ruiseñor (RR), their home away from home. Lunch was an absolute hit—a delightful Dominican feast of rice, beans, stewed chicken, crispy tostones (fried plantains), fresh salad, and juicy fruits. Truly a meal worthy of a chef’s kiss!

After settling in, we jumped into orientation seminars to get geared up for all the adventures ahead. Then it was time to explore Jarabacoa, the “City of Eternal Spring.” Our afternoon city tour was packed with excitement: visiting the historic local firefighters’ station, snapping photos at city hall, and marveling at the legendary 150-year-old Saman Tree—basically the coolest grandpa tree you’ll ever meet! To sweeten the deal, students enjoyed delicious ice cream from Ivon’s, a beloved local shop serving happiness by the scoop for over 30 years.

Back at RR, we covered important topics like health, safety, currency exchange, and trip details to ensure everyone stays informed and safe. Some students made a splash in the pool to refresh themselves before indulging in a pasta feast—Spaghetti Pomodoro and creamy Alfredo.

Our evening wrapped up with a vibrant talent showcase, featuring incredible skills like naming country capitals at lightning speed, impressive juggling acts, Rubik’s cube mastery, martial arts moves that would impress even Jackie Chan, and impressive pull-ups like a gymnast! We ended the night by proudly passing the leadership torch to our next brave and enthusiastic Leaders of the Day.

After a fun-filled day packed with laughter, learning, and amazing experiences, our students are cozying up for some well-earned rest.

Tomorrow promises another epic day—stay tuned, because the adventure has just begun!

Besitos,

Pedro and Dani <3