Sosua (North Coast)

I awoke to Sosuá. A little but very busy town. I have to say it almost resembles to the Canary Islands, just with less cheap girls but there again more “chicas” who charge for sex. There are bars and clubs everywhere, and girls on every corner. The corners the girls don’t inhabit are occupied by men who carry wads of money and shout out change to anyone who passes by.

I wondered around trying to find out where I was and where I could go as I had heard they had some great beaches here. I wondered down the “strip” and found all the clubs, the “chica” fashion stores and plenty of bars and restaurants. AS I tried to find back to the hostel, I managed to get lost….. Quite impressive as the town only consists of a few streets!

The hostel I was staying in was right in the centre of town called Roxky’s rock and blues bar and hostel. The staff was really friendly and the dogs even more so. Henry the Canadian owner has 2 well trained dogs, and one of them took a sever liking to me, so every time it saw me it would want to play or cuddle, and it would always walk me to my room, and guard my room by its presence on my porch.

I tried to find the beach I had heard so much about, and to get there I had to go through jungle of stalls vending Haitian paintings, sunglasses, beach wear, and souvenirs, then through all the Tour operators, then all the beach bars. Everyone tries to pull you in, and now I know that the words “looky looky” are used everywhere! After getting through the jungle of vendors I found a gorgeous but crowded beach. The beach has yellow/white fine sand and turquoise water. The palm trees surround it, giving it a look of serenity and tranquillity. It is the most beautiful beach I have seen so far.

I walked up and down the beach just enjoying the feel of the coast and the feeling pf being in paradise. I waded into the lovely warm water and loved the feeling of sand between my toes again.

AS the afternoon was closing in on me, I headed back to Rocky’s for a shower and a quick change. After a luke warm shower I headed out to look at the town by sunset. I headed down Dr Rozen Street and found a more secluded beach called Playa Alicia by the waterfront hotel. It was surrounded by cliffs, and there was no movement on the water. As I sat there overlooking the beach, I heard someone speaking American close by. I looked around and found a young man talking on his mobile. I strolled over to him and asked if he also was a solo traveller and introduced myself. He told me he was a volunteer at the local church teaching kids music. His name is Dustin and he is from the U.S.

I asked him if they might need anyone else, and he said he would check into it. I also told him that I would only stay in Sosua if I could find a cheaper place to live, in change for some help. He told me he would check around and get back to. He gave me his number and headed off, but promised me he would get in touch ASAP. I lingered on the cliffs admiring the view and feeling peaceful.

As the night set in another young man approached me. He was Canadian/ Dominican and after we chatted for a few minutes he offered me a lift back to the hostel. I got on the back of his moped, and held on. As I got into my room I realised my hands were black………. It took me a moment or two to realise that he had probably forgotten to mention that he had just painted the rack on his moped….. So there I was with black hands and a black stripe on my white shorts. I am just glad I didn’t sit on a newly painted bench  still not having met any other backpackers or travellers I got an early night.

The next day I headed down to Playa Alicia to enjoy a day on the beach. I packed my bag with fruit, water and lotion, ready for hours of lazing in the sun. Once down at the beach I placed my bed and parasol close to the cliff walls, so I could play in the water without being too worried about my things going missing, as I only had one direction to keep my eye on.

It was wonderful feeling the sun on my body, and just the thought of my soon to appear tan got me excited about life. The water was warm and so clear. I could see anything that moved in the water, and due to the saltiness of it I could also just float on the waters surface, and chill completely. Playa Alicia is quiet and no vendors at all, so you really do get to unwind and feel the stress departing your body here.

My entertainment for the day besides my book was watching the koogers (read; older woman with very young Dominican men). There was one American lady that was so tanned she looked dirty. She snapped her fingers and someone came running. She even had one to hold her blow up matrass in the water for her…….. She did not move a finger (well, besides snapping them that is).

In the afternoon I got a call from Dustin (The American volunteer). It was so nice to finally receive a phone call. Think I have only received one since arriving in the DR. He told me it was open mike night at Ruby’s, and that he and some friends were going if I wanted to meet some people and to make some contacts. I jumped at the chance, and really appreciated the offer. We agreed that we would meet at 9 at Ruby’s. When I walked home to the hostel, I was pleasantly surprised that Rubi’s was right in front of the hostel.

After the beach I headed to the bank, and then to the supermarket. My original plan was to stop at the hostel n my way to the supermarket to leave my visa card in the safe, but due to the fact it was getting dark rapidly I decided to go straight to the shop. When I came back to Rocky’s I showered and put my face on to go out. As I was getting ready, and went to get a little money, I realised my Visa was gone!!!!!!!!!

I freaked out, called the bank to close my card, and was happy to hear that it had not yet been abused. By the time I had finished reporting my card stolen I realised I was late to meet Dustin, but I ran across the street to see him and he wasn’t there. I was so sad to have missed him, so gave him a call, and he told me he was there waiting for me. He laughed when he heard I was waiting for him in Rubi’s rather than Ruby’s, but then again, how was I supposed to know there was 2 of them, and that they were spelt slightly different. Dustin said he would pick me up, and that I should just start walking down the strip. By the time I met Dustin I was in front of Ruby’s. 

Ruby’s is definitely the place in Sosua where all the ex-pats go. There are not many Dominicans to see, which is quite nice (as horrible as that sounds). We had a chilled evening with Rum and chatting. Dustin is such a cool guy; he is a Christian surfer, who is such a do gooder. He is kind to everyone, is fun, outgoing, pleasant, and great to talk to. He is only 22, but has got a good heart and a good soul, and tons of life experience all ready.

The next day I got really ill…. Probably from drinking a little milk in my tea according to Henry. The PH is apparently all wrong for us in this country. So I stayed in my room running from my bed to the bathroom for hours to come….. I tried to get out to but some coke and crackers, but Henry caught me on the way, and asked me if I was still not any better. When I told him I still felt awful, he made me some lime juice and water, and gave me a list of doo’s and don’t for the next few hours.

In the late afternoon, Dustin dropped by and told me he might have an interesting opportunity for me both accommodation wise and at the church. He asked me if I would come to church with him later, then to a Hotel called Coco Hotel just down the street. I told him I would see how I felt later, but that I would definitely try to come.

In the evening Dustin picked me up and I went to church (La nueva Vida = the new life) for evening mass. I got to meet some of the people from the organisation to express my interest in volunteering for them, and also to watch a Dominican mass. The evening was lit up by singing and dancing, by young and old, to show their love and belief in god. Most places mass is serious, quiet event that puts you to sleep. Here is was entertaining, engaging, and a wonderful experience to be a part of.

After mass, we went to the Coco Hotel just down the road, to meet the soon to be owners there. They are a Canadian couple who are really lovely. We talked and agreed that I could stay there for free if I helped with translations and anything else they needed help with the first few weeks. I moved in the next day.

When I went to bed that night I felt content that I was still finding help when I needed it, and that it really is a matter of talking to the right people, daring to ask, and being at the right place at the right time.

Lessons learnt:

1. You make your own luck.
2. If you don’t ask you don’t get.
3. Never follow the tourist books, follow your own route.
4. Religion can be fun and spectacular.
5. The most open and warm are often those with the least.
6. Spontanious is good, hasty is bad

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