A Canadian woman who is touring the country on a motorbike and writing about her trip is telling adventure after adventure as she encounters the real Dominican Republic. Her trip is taking her from Santiago to Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Las Galeras and Jarabacoa. Next will be the southwest.
To read the vivid travel report, in process as we write, is to accompany this Canadian travel addict in her daring quest of going with the flow as she describes all the nuances and surprises she encounters.
She writes:
“On to Las Terrenas where I now had to stop for some food lest I collapse. A super colmado lined with dozens of liquor bottles behind a bar was blaring ear-splitting music. I stopped and shouted at the tops of my lungs at the man who worked there, trying to get some water and food. He sold me some water then got his young friend to drive him and his moto to the town centre to a little comedor. The offering of the day was rice and pork. I ordered one with a coke and before I knew it the two men also had full plates in front of them. It was passable food and I asked how much. My new friend called out to the kitchen and asked how much for three meals and two cokes. I had an inner smirk and resigned myself to the idea that I was paying for all the meals. I pulled out my wallet and my new friend almost seemed offended and said “yo pago”. Then they led me back out to the highway, showed me the way to La Vega and reminded me to always shoulder check before moving. I felt somewhat embarrassed for my thoughts.”
She is sharing plenty of advice for other independent travelers. She writes:
“While it seems chaotic, well OK it is chaotic, there is quite a rhythm to it. I have yet to see any deliberately mean and aggressive act, everyone just seesaws around each other and it’s mesmerizing at times. It takes a few days to get used to but I’m now basically back in Mexico and Central America, even though it’s much, much more relaxed here. For anyone driving here, leave your North American or European sensitivities at home and go with the flow of the locals.”
www.dr1.com/forums/trip-reports/141851-scrabblebiker-does-dominican-republic.html