A Whole New World

Before my trip I read about the Dominican Republic in a travel magazine given to me by my friend, Anne. It sounded exotic, tropical, beautiful. The article was obviously meant to highlight the best of the country that resort vacationers would enjoy. The scenes you see above are a closer look at what the nationals experience on a day-to-day basis. It's not always pretty, but they sure seemed like happy people.

Some observations...

In the city, businesses and homes seemed to be intermixed haphazardly. There were many small food 'huts' in the city where street food was available. Views of half finished buildings seemed common. Right across the street from where we ate our first night's dinner was one of these incomplete, abandoned buildings. John Martinez explained that Haitian squatters were living there. Mini vans seemed to take the place of our city transportation buses. A driver sat at a roadside, honking his horn now and then as people slowly filled the van. It drove off with the last person standing at the open sliding door. Rules of the Road? I don't think they've read that pamphlet! No fear of moving vehicles in this country! Side saddle riding by passengers on motor bikes...families of four on one motorcycle...riding between lanes of cars...I saw it all and was astounded!

Roadside stands and sales people where everywhere, even out in the country. As soon as we stopped, our bus was open territory for nationals to hold up glass jars of nuts, plates of fruit, bags of baked goods, whatever they were selling. I found it amusing to see along one stretch of the highway at least 6-7 roadside stands just feet apart, all selling exactly the same items - carved wooden mortar and pestles. Some were about the size of a round end table! Were all these stands owned by the same person or different people? How did they compete for sales?

I think the entire trip I only witnessed two people smoking a cigarette. I was amazed. I hear that cigars are more common there, but I never saw one!

I enjoyed watching the city and country life on our long bus rides, but wish I could have gotten out now and then for some wonderful picture taking opportunities. The tropical looking mountains, very ridged, but covered in lush green, were breathtaking. A photo would have looked about as good through the bus window as my shot of the motor bike packed with bags...see the bug splats on the windshield of the bus?

This is all a perfect example of why I feel traveling to other countries is such an important life experience. We get so comfortable, so dulled in our awareness levels when we see the same style of life day after day, year after year. Witnessing an entirely new and very different culture wakes us up and gives us insights, new appreciation and more compassion for and understanding of people. We could all use a little of that!

So, my friends...TAKE A TRIP! Enjoy the world. And thank God for the wonderful opportunity to explore and learn.