Yamila's days in Santo Domingo

Today, Wednesday 7 October

1. 7:10amMusic went straight from alarm to dancing while the coffee heated
2. 9:35amFound two extra plantains and made them sweet for whoever dropped by

On her mind: Sister stays until sunday, apartment still feels short one laugh

Tuesday 6 October

1. 7:45amRadio was playing merengue and feet moved without asking
2. 11:10amWaited forty minutes under the mango tree for the woman upstairs
3. 3:30pmTuesday rice still tasted better than any takeout on the block
4. 6:50pmNeighbor tried dancing and spilled her beer laughing so hard
5. 10:40pmMother called just to say the neighbors three blocks over heard us singing

Monday 5 October

1. 7:12amMissed the first guagua, still put music on while getting ready
2. 6:20pmThe old woman downstairs needed help crossing, walked her two blocks slow
3. 9:40pmStarted the beans too late and danced anyway, salt got everywhere
4. 11:05pmMerengue drifted from the corner bar and stepped barefoot on the balcony

Sunday 4 October

1. 7:22amSalsa in the shower again, hit every high note
2. 12:14pmFirst to the table but still told her cousin to start eating
3. 4:58pmSpent twenty minutes choosing the right mango at the market
4. 8:05pmDanced barefoot with her aunt while the rice finished
5. 10:41pmMerengue through the open windows until a neighbor joined in

Saturday 3 October

1. 8:20amMusic started and danced instead of getting dressed
2. 11:45amSang too loud while cooking enough for everyone
3. 6:10pmTable got loud quick with everyone talking at once
4. 10:30pmKept dancing even after the song changed again

Friday 2 October

1. 8:20amMusic on while getting dressed made me late again
2. 2:15pmThe family table got louder with every story told
3. 7:40pmDanced around the kitchen cooking for everyone
4. 10:50pmMerengue took over and no one sat down

Thursday 1 October

1. 7:30amSang along to the radio while tying my hair up
2. 11:45amThe heat made the mangoes sweeter at the market
3. 4:20pmMusic on, dancing while the rice simmered for dinner
4. 8:05pmFamily dinner got loud the way it always does
5. 11:00pmKept the merengue going past midnight with bare feet

Wednesday 30 September

1. 7:30amMusic on while getting ready, danced into the hall
2. 11:45amLaughed too loud at the market, everyone stared
3. 4:00pmStarted cooking for later, couldn't stop moving
4. 8:15pmDinner turned into singing, just the way it goes
5. 11:00pmMerengue playing and feet won't stay still

Tuesday 29 September

1. 8:10amTurned the music up while pinning my hair back
2. 1:45pmStopped to feel the sea breeze on the walk home
3. 6:20pmDanced between the stove and the table with the radio on
4. 9:05pmThe whole room got loud before anyone touched the food
5. 10:45pmOne last merengue kept me moving past the corner

Monday 28 September

1. 8:15amTurned music on loud before even making coffee
2. 1:40pmChopped and swayed through the whole afternoon playlist
3. 7:05pmEveryone talked over each other at the table tonight
4. 10:50pmMerengue started playing and the room got moving

Sunday 27 September

1. 8:40amLaughed too loud at the neighbor's dog again
2. 1:15pmCooked rice and beans with the music on high
3. 6:50pmFamily dinner turned into a full dance party
4. 10:30pmStill humming that merengue song from earlier

Saturday 26 September

1. 8:10amMusic on while getting ready, almost danced out the door
2. 12:40pmHeat stuck to everything on the walk back from the beach
3. 6:20pmTalked with my hands through the whole loud dinner
4. 10:45pmMerengue started and the night turned into something else

Friday 25 September

1. 7:45amDanced through getting ready and ran out singing
2. 1:10pmMangoes from the market were sweeter than expected
3. 6:50pmStirred the pot too loud and laughed at the mess
4. 10:15pmMerengue spilled in from the street and pulled me outside

Thursday 24 September

1. 8:10amMusic on while getting ready, hips moving before coffee
2. 1:25pmArrived late to lunch and mother rolled her eyes
3. 7:40pmCooked for eight and the kitchen turned into a dance floor
4. 10:50pmMerengue from the street pulled everyone outside laughing