R
Richard
Guest
Anyone new to DR1 who is planning a trip to Sosua might enjoy this walk around town. Start by walking down the road from Codetel to the sea. At the end of the road is a beautiful vista of the ocean. Here the waves come crashing in on the rocks below and in the distance you can see Mount Isabella near Puerto Plata. It is even more breathtaking if the weather is a little stormy and the sea is rough. This is also a great place to be at sunset with the one you love and a bottle of wine. Retrace your steps back up the hill to the cross street, turn left, go a few metres and on the left is the synagogue, which is still active. Across the street are several baseball diamonds. Saturday morning is a big day for baseball and you can watch budding super stars of all ages playing the game at which so many Dominicans excel. Walk a couple of short blocks then turn right following the sign to Eddy?s Sports Bar, which is about 100 metres on the left. This is the best pub in town for international sporting events and Eddy shows them all. Whatever you do don?t cross Eddy?s guard dog Benji or you will be in deep trouble. Go a little farther and on the left is a sandstone building, the city hall. Across the street and a few more metres is a somewhat shabby hotel, which at one time even had a red light burning. Go to the end of the street and on one corner is Super Super a large liquor (prices are good) and grocery store. Turn right and you are on the main street, tree-lined, Pedro Clisante, arguably one of the nicest main streets in the West Indies. Walk a couple of short blocks and on the corner is Harrison?s Jewelry store, pricey but good quality. About a half block more and across the street from a pool hall is the home of Mr. Luis Hess, one of the first refugees, he arrived in 1940. If you are in the neighborhood in the early evening Mr. Hess often sits at his gate enjoying a glass of Brugal Anejo. He enjoys talking to visitors about Sosua. The school where he was the principal for many years is a few metres farther on the right. It was re-named last year in his honor. More or less across the street from the school is the Britannia Pub a popular watering hole for ex-pats and tourists alike. Walk another block and across the street is Playero, a super market. Prices are better at a new Playero which opened last year on the highway next door to the cop shop. In the same area are PJ?s, Laroca and Moruamai Restaurants, all offering good meals at reasonable prices. Go down the lane beside Laroca and you are heading to the beach. On the left are several casitas offering souvenirs, some junky, some not. Be sure to bargain. At the foot of the hill is a parking lot. If you go through the parking lot to the beach you can now walk along the beach, avoiding wall to wall somewhat tacky bars. Hang on for a few minutes and the best is yet to come. Young men on the beach will offer you chaise lounges (20 pesos) if it?s Sunday the beach will be crowded with Dominican families enjoying their day of rest. The beach is about a kilometre long and when you get to the end and walk up a slight concrete ramp you are in Charamicos, the less touristy part of Sosua where many Dominicans live. Turn right and about 50-75 metres on the right is Michael?s Pub. Dominican operated, it offers a fantastic view of Sosua Bay. Few tourists find this little gem, but believe me it is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a few Presidentes. Now, retrace your steps to where you left the beach and turn right. A few metres on the right is the local Catholic Church, a good spot for a few minutes of reflection. After leaving the church continue up the street and on the right is a school. In the evening, young men often play basketball in the adjoining courts. Walk another block, turn right and you are on the main street of Charamicos, a good place to poke around in the non-tourist shops. Enjoy Sosua.