Hi, y'all, this is my first posting although I feel as if I know several people already. I have been reading at this site for about five months, preparatory to my inaugural trip to La Republica Dominicana. I left Houston October 5 and planned to stay until November 8. Unfortunately, I had to curtail my trip and leave a week early when my father had a heart attack. He is on the mend now and my fervent hope is that I can return to Santiago some fine day. Never have I met more hospitable people! I don't know if I inspire pity or if they are naturally kind, but I suspect it is the latter--perhaps a little of the former!
I am a retired teacher, a survivor of 26 years in the classroom, the last 18 in that very special place called "Sixth Grade." I taught world geography and for years I had a mental list of places I yearned to see. Santiago and Santo Domingo ranked near the top, and the reality of both surpassed all expectations.
My apartment was located near the Iglesia de La Senora Altagracias and I took the "A" concho to the intersection closest to the Berlitz Institute for my classes. I made friends with several fellow passengers who invited me for coffee and I gladly accepted. I loved the countryside, too. With my teacher and a couple of other students, we visited coffee plantations and several small communities between Santiago and Luperon. I especially enjoyed a day spent in Moca and that area.
When I felt the need for more Americano cafe, I strolled down to the Hotel Aloha Sol where I could enjoy a cup aking to what I drink in Texas. I loved the corner stores where I could buy Presidente beer (better than Coors and Turbo Dog and Heineken), toilet paper, fruit and delicious candy. The first time someone offered me a taste of candy on a knife's edge on the bus to Santo Domingo, I thought he was going to assault me. I didn't notice the candy--only the knife but then I am from Texas! I spent an hour or so after my classes ended strolling through the numerous lovely parks of Santiago, sipping some heavenly fruity concoction I had bought from a cart.
I shopped, ate my fill of plantains and rice and perfectly seasoned pollo at many different restaurants, visited grammar schools, both public and private, to observe how their classes were taught.
I would like to publicly thank Hillbilly for his gracious assistance; I had sent him several e-mails since last spring when this trip began to take shape, and although my premature leavetaking preventing our meeting, I feel as if I know him and his family already. Thank you so much!!
Camp David was as spectacular as those of you who recommended it said it would be. I went twice--once in the daytime and another day for dinner. The skyline was incredible.
The monuments and museums in the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo were fascinating. I wish all my students down through the years could have been with me. No textbook can adequately depict what those places are like.
I realize this is rather rambling and I will try with future postings to be more organized, but I must say that while I relished every aspect of my sojourn--the different foods, the misas in the catedral and smaller churches in the countryside and in my neighborhood, the spectacular terrain (and wasn't God in a good mood when he created the islands?)--the best asset of your fair land is its citizenry. I have traveled quite a bit in the states, Europe, Canada, and of course, our neighbor to the south, Mexico, but never have I been welcomed as I was in the Dom. Rep. To a person, everyone was gracious and kind, eager to help when I needed help. I should say here that I am obviously of "a certain age" and for this trip I was husbandless, BUT I had no trouble. I stumbled upon a group of young men playing dominos outside a little store one early evening and they invited me to join them. I had a blast--hadn't played much since I was little--think Ike was in the Casa Blanca and I played with my granddaddy and favorite uncles.
Those of you who can call Santiago home are quite lucky, indeed. I wish you all the best and I will add to this too-lengthy-for-one-read post when I think the majority may have recovered!!
Saludos,
Nancybelle
I am a retired teacher, a survivor of 26 years in the classroom, the last 18 in that very special place called "Sixth Grade." I taught world geography and for years I had a mental list of places I yearned to see. Santiago and Santo Domingo ranked near the top, and the reality of both surpassed all expectations.
My apartment was located near the Iglesia de La Senora Altagracias and I took the "A" concho to the intersection closest to the Berlitz Institute for my classes. I made friends with several fellow passengers who invited me for coffee and I gladly accepted. I loved the countryside, too. With my teacher and a couple of other students, we visited coffee plantations and several small communities between Santiago and Luperon. I especially enjoyed a day spent in Moca and that area.
When I felt the need for more Americano cafe, I strolled down to the Hotel Aloha Sol where I could enjoy a cup aking to what I drink in Texas. I loved the corner stores where I could buy Presidente beer (better than Coors and Turbo Dog and Heineken), toilet paper, fruit and delicious candy. The first time someone offered me a taste of candy on a knife's edge on the bus to Santo Domingo, I thought he was going to assault me. I didn't notice the candy--only the knife but then I am from Texas! I spent an hour or so after my classes ended strolling through the numerous lovely parks of Santiago, sipping some heavenly fruity concoction I had bought from a cart.
I shopped, ate my fill of plantains and rice and perfectly seasoned pollo at many different restaurants, visited grammar schools, both public and private, to observe how their classes were taught.
I would like to publicly thank Hillbilly for his gracious assistance; I had sent him several e-mails since last spring when this trip began to take shape, and although my premature leavetaking preventing our meeting, I feel as if I know him and his family already. Thank you so much!!
Camp David was as spectacular as those of you who recommended it said it would be. I went twice--once in the daytime and another day for dinner. The skyline was incredible.
The monuments and museums in the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo were fascinating. I wish all my students down through the years could have been with me. No textbook can adequately depict what those places are like.
I realize this is rather rambling and I will try with future postings to be more organized, but I must say that while I relished every aspect of my sojourn--the different foods, the misas in the catedral and smaller churches in the countryside and in my neighborhood, the spectacular terrain (and wasn't God in a good mood when he created the islands?)--the best asset of your fair land is its citizenry. I have traveled quite a bit in the states, Europe, Canada, and of course, our neighbor to the south, Mexico, but never have I been welcomed as I was in the Dom. Rep. To a person, everyone was gracious and kind, eager to help when I needed help. I should say here that I am obviously of "a certain age" and for this trip I was husbandless, BUT I had no trouble. I stumbled upon a group of young men playing dominos outside a little store one early evening and they invited me to join them. I had a blast--hadn't played much since I was little--think Ike was in the Casa Blanca and I played with my granddaddy and favorite uncles.
Those of you who can call Santiago home are quite lucky, indeed. I wish you all the best and I will add to this too-lengthy-for-one-read post when I think the majority may have recovered!!
Saludos,
Nancybelle
