Last days in Santo Domingo

On the bus ride to Santo Domingo, Keith and I exchanged many messages, as we both seemed to be running later than late. And I was soooooooooo cold. The AC was on full blast as usual, and I was sitting there in my wet bikini and tiny beach dress. Amazingly enough I did not become ill!

Two hours later than expected I turned up at the Condominium Parque Hotel near Zona Colonial (same hotel as I stayed my first nights in the country). Keith and I were sharing a room, so I went and unpacked and waited for him, who was supposed to be there before me. Keith and his boyfriend finally turned up, and we made our way to china town for dinner.

It was one of those nights at a restaurant when whatever you ask for is sold out. After many intents of ordering, they finally had something we wanted on the menu. After a quick meal, as the AC was too cold to sit and enjoy the food, we headed into Zona Colonial again, where we went to a little bar at the Plaza.

After a week drinks, we went for fresh juices and pancakes at one of the bars on El Conde. It was delicious, and so fresh. We were all beat, so we walked back to the hotel, and me and Keith headed for bed, after deciding who was sleeping on what side of course. We chatted for a little while, but both battling to keep ourselves awake we nodded of to sleep, knowing we had an early morning with Thomas to do the sightseeing

Thomas picked us up at nine, and we wondered around time, from gorgeous building to gorgeous churches. This town has so much history, being the first town in the Americas. They have the first church, the first hospital, and Christopher Columbus is celebrated here. Standing in front of the famous adventurer and discoverers house was a strange sensation. Zona Colonial is on the UNESCO heritage list, and I can understand why. Walking through this area of Santo Domingo you feel like you have stepped 50 years back in time. Well that is if you ignore the mobiles and mp3s that is. The fruit vendors on every corner, the street sellers, the locals, tourist, mopeds and cars intermingled in a wonderful and beautiful chaos.

Unfortunately it was getting closer to Keith’s departure, and I felt so sad having to say goodbye to my best friend in DR. He has been my rock on this journey so far, and he has always had the ability to cheer me up when I call him. Keith and I had lunch together before he left, and then I walked him to the taxi, to head back to the Ranch.

Goodbyes tire me out, so I went back to my room and tried to get a little nap in. Before I went to sleep, I contacted one of the CS (Couch surfing) members and asked if she wanted to meet up, as I really did not want to spend my last night in this vibrant city alone. Thankfully Alina texted me back and said she would, so we agreed on a time to meet that evening. I woke abruptly feeling something was wrong, and indeed there was! My alarm had not gone off, or had I turned it off perhaps and not knowingly of course. I leapt out of bed and realised I was supposed to be meeting Alina in 5 minutes, and all of those who know me, know that getting ready in 5 minutes is almost impossible for me.

I stood at the end of El Conde in the Zona Colonial 10 minutes later, waiting for Alina. Thankfully most people are on time in the DR, so it was all ok. She picked me up in her car, and firstly showed me around time, then she took me to a most wonderful café, where new bands play, and they show movies. The ambiance was perfect, chilled, open air, urban, classy and young all at the same time. We sipped our freshly squeezed juices, and chatted away. The conversation flowed easily, and I was so happy that my second CS experience was great. Alina is a photographer, and a very talented one. She is half Dominican and half Russian! She was so open, and relaxed, and more importantly so proud of her background and heritage.

That night going to sleep, I felt ambivalent, knowing it was my last night in this wonderful country, but at the same time so happy to move onto new adventures. Part of backpacking is moving around I guess.

Lessons learnt:

1. New friends are great too
2. Saying goodbye is never easy
3. Bravery exists in many forms

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