Blogs from Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Central America Caribbean

Hello all! It's been a few weeks and a busy time in the office, but I snuck out for 4 days to go to the D.R. for their 2nd Intl. Bachata Festival the weekend before last. After an 8 hour busride I was in Santo Domingo for an incredible first trip to other country that shares this island. Not only was the contrast in city infrastructure striking between Haiti and the D.R., but even on the busride over there was a notable difference in the agriculture: organized fields, tools, tractors, irrigation systems for rice fields, etc. (another convo about international investment and country histories would be great to have here, but I can't do it justice now...). Anyways... It was the first time I've ever paid for a hotel in my adult life (granted I shared ... read more

This has been a long years wait to come back here, this time on the southside of the island! I managed to catch my flight on time from San Jose despite my driver getting into an accident on the way to get me in the morning, I hopped in a cab and to the Airport I went. I was a little worried that the "new" law had kicked in for expired visas, but my friends Debb and Ryan just crossed over by land to Nicaragua and Ryan told me not even a second look as he was over by a month, I would be over almost 2 and at the airport....So I get out of the cab, spark up a kool and look one last time at the Mountains surrounding San Jose I head in to ... read more

Sat., August 8, 2009 - Departure from Miami to Santo Domingo Everyone who travels with me knows that I like to sit in an aisle seat on an airplane. Contrarily, this time I was happy to get a window seat because I anticipated seeing islands surrounded by breath taking water. I sat next to a Dominican boy approximately eleven years old named Sodocrenise (he advised that it was ok to call him Sam), who was fearful of flying. He kept talking to me, which I believe was a way for him to calm his nerves. I took various inflight videos on our way to Santo Domingo. I'll mention the video link later, so please continue reading. Our landing was a bit bumpy unlike our smooth flight and admission into the country. Going through customs in the ... read more

Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve been here for three whole weeks. Other times it’s hard to believe I haven’t been here longer. The last twenty-two days have been full of the excitement, frustration, discovery, and homesickness that I’ve decided are typical of the initial stages of most grand adventures. School is almost in full swing, I’m about to begin an exciting internship, and I’m starting to develop a routine that should soon help me feel more permanent than temporary here. The three-week mark is difficult, though. The initial exhilaration of arrival in a new place is over, but I’m still not quite settled in. Sometimes I miss being completely comfortable and wish I was in a place where I didn’t stand out as much. However, if I’m going to stand out, I might as ... read more