Today, however, was special ... today is the day that many houses empty to reunite with family, near and far, to honor our mothers - Día de la Madre (Mother's Day). My mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, little brothers and I all squeezed into my uncle's truck to make the roughly 45 minute trek into the mountains to the campo (country) where my grandparents live. It was a bumpy ride, with steep ascents and sharp turns along the mountain pass.
Most of the family was there, and they prepared a lunch of rice, beans, potato salad (with carrots and eggs), and beef. When I finished (a hefty serving, as they always serve me so that I can engordarme, or get fat), I carried my plates and dishes to the sink to begin washing, along with the pile of dishes from about 20 other family members. I was swiftly surrounded by mothers telling me to let them wash the dishes ... and I insisted on washing the dishes, telling them it was the least I could do. I would be happy to help.
The Dominican Republic has a culture of machismo, or male-dominated. Many women are still expected to do all of the cooking and household chores - cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, etc. So, for me to wash dishes was a strange sight for them. My uncle got a kick out of it and snapped a picture. Much to the mothers'dismay, I continued to wash all of the dishes from lunch. They were impressed I knew how to wash dishes, and I was just as surprised it was such a big deal.
After finishing, I went back to sit down on the patio to watch some of the family play dominos, while others were occupied in conversation. My mom, with a big smile, lead the appraisal of my work (which, let me remind you, was simply washing dishes). All of the other mothers came in, clapping, cheering in thanks. They called me "el único caballero entre todo," or "the only gentleman amongst them all.'
I passed the rest of the day with the family, sharing in exploring near the river with my host brother and cousins, watching the intense domino matches, sharing in conversation, watching Disney channel with the little cousins, and sharing in prayer and procession for the Día de la Madre.