• We enjoyed a tropical beach in February.
• We saw what our PC group looks like and what they are doing today.
• You would be amazed at the juicy details gleaned from the Walking History Tour of the Zona Colonial.
• We learned what Peace Corps training and service are like today.
• We saw our service site, meet some of the residents, counterparts, and current volunteers there.
• We enjoyed some of the fun Dominican adventures (touring, hiking, rafting, waterfalls, mountain biking) that we never could fit in during service.
• We saw what the DR looks like today, and how it is functioning.

Some of the highlights of the celebration were:

• Thursday, February 8 “Kick Off” Opening of the Conference at a General Session at 4 pm and an Opening Dominican Fiesta held that evening at the Hotel Meliá with local food, music, and dancing. 

• Friday, February 9 Keynote Session - workshops on: 45 years of Peace Corps in the DR; the DR today – political, social, economic updates; a Peace Corps training simulation.  Luncheon with special guests and speakers.  Evening folkloric event with music and dancers in Colonial Zone.
• Saturday, February 10 - What Peace Corps is doing today featuring Peace Corps DR workshops on environment, health, youth, education and business program sectors and a Closing General Session.  NOCHE DOMINICANA in the Old Colonial City…for great Dominican food, drink and dancing – a fun evening with Peace Corps and Dominican friends and colleagues.
• The following outstanding speakers were at the 45th Celebration:
  Dominican Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs – Carlos Morales Troncoso 
      see speech notes here.....
  U.S. Peace Corps Deputy Director – Jody Olsen
      see speech notes here.....
  Dominican Ambassador to the U.S. – Flavio Dario Espinal
  U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic – Hans H. Hertell
  Peace Corps Inter America & Pacific Region Director – Allene Zanger
  Peace Corps Director in the DR – Romeo Massey
      see speech notes here.....
• The Anniversary Celebration Committee arranged a Dominican Artisan Fair where we admired and purchased the very best of Dominican Artisan craft and products of Co-ops such as cocoa and coffee where Volunteers serve.

Take your choice, or several!

Wow!  Tasting café from 5 different Co-ops.

Article continued on next page, plus lots of detail on activities.

Continue here.....