Another long weekend is coming up for those able to take off Monday, 23 September. Tuesday, 24 September is a religious holiday celebrating the Day of Our Lady of Mercedes, the patron of the Dominican Republic. The holiday is a good time to travel to La Vega and visit the Santo Cerro Church.
Spanish historians describe how when the Indians and Spaniards were fighting in 1495, the image of the Virgin of Our Lady of Mercedes appeared on a wooden cross that Christopher Columbus had planted in a fruit tree. The sight of the image scared off the Indians and they retreated, giving the victory to the Spaniards.
It is customary for Dominicans to take the extra day off for the holiday, and also for business matters to be postponed until after the long weekend.
For more on holidays in the Dominican Republic, see http://dr1.com/travel/prepare/holidays.shtml