sigh - only 5 days
In typical American fashion, I had a plan. The amazing part is that I pretty much stuck to it and had a fine time.
day 1 was for family visits. Sam my partner, was raised in a small town near Bonao. Streets are named after his ancestors and most everyone is an aunt or cousin.
We arrived mid-morning and rented a car from EuropeCar (or something like that) so much saner than renting from "Omar's" - you know the place, where they hold onto your passport and rent you a car and the tire falls off. Great customer service at EuropeCar and we took full insurance with no deductible.
Spent the day visiting, playing cards, eating waaay too much. Sam's brothers were also visiting so there was no room at the homestead. YAY! now I need not make excuses about staying overnight at a hotel. I love Sam's parents and their home but I am a gringa and darnit I want my air conditioning and especially HOT WATER. I am sure they all think I am very rude but I stood firm and we stayed at the Aquarius in Bonao and I was very satisfied, the room was a bit small but the AC was chill.
We were in Bonao and asked a motoconcho driver for directions to the hotel and he said, "For 30 pesos you won't get lost!" LOL gotta love that opportunistic spirit especially as the hotel was four streets straight ahead.
We enjoyed a late meal at El Buen Sazon where the waiter remembered us from last year. Sam and I really do stand out in DR. Maybe I should get us Gringa/No Sankie t-shirts. Lots of kittens. Sam says you can tell the Americans from the Dominicans because we are the ones saying awww and tossing food from our plates.
In typical American fashion, I had a plan. The amazing part is that I pretty much stuck to it and had a fine time.
day 1 was for family visits. Sam my partner, was raised in a small town near Bonao. Streets are named after his ancestors and most everyone is an aunt or cousin.
We arrived mid-morning and rented a car from EuropeCar (or something like that) so much saner than renting from "Omar's" - you know the place, where they hold onto your passport and rent you a car and the tire falls off. Great customer service at EuropeCar and we took full insurance with no deductible.
Spent the day visiting, playing cards, eating waaay too much. Sam's brothers were also visiting so there was no room at the homestead. YAY! now I need not make excuses about staying overnight at a hotel. I love Sam's parents and their home but I am a gringa and darnit I want my air conditioning and especially HOT WATER. I am sure they all think I am very rude but I stood firm and we stayed at the Aquarius in Bonao and I was very satisfied, the room was a bit small but the AC was chill.
We were in Bonao and asked a motoconcho driver for directions to the hotel and he said, "For 30 pesos you won't get lost!" LOL gotta love that opportunistic spirit especially as the hotel was four streets straight ahead.
We enjoyed a late meal at El Buen Sazon where the waiter remembered us from last year. Sam and I really do stand out in DR. Maybe I should get us Gringa/No Sankie t-shirts. Lots of kittens. Sam says you can tell the Americans from the Dominicans because we are the ones saying awww and tossing food from our plates.