A fledgling democracy next to a totalitarian regime, Haiti; A paradise with a garbage problem; A place where people speak four languages with ease, but have little access to education unless you are wealthy; A place where people work hard period. In other words, the Dominican Republic is a living oxymoron.
I went there with 9 other people intent on learning to dance meringue from the people who invented it. The experience left me with a lot more than the wonderful memories of dancing Cuban Son with the old timers in Santa Domingo.
Impressions:
- People are people no matter where you are in the world.
- Racism exists even in predominantly “black” countries (why is that?)
- People can carry more things on a moped than I ever imagined. (from goats to washing machines)
- Gravity can be defied if you know how to pack a truck including the people on top.
- A country with poor drinking water (more about that later) and a large tourist trades needs a recycling plant.
- Love occurs everywhere in the world.
- Middle Aged women with “perceived” means are treated as queens, not to mention sex objects (great ego boost)
- Tourists are treated differently than locals (travel with locals always)
- Dive masters are cool people to hang out with.
- Even though the coffee pots are next to the sink in the resorts, that does not mean you should make coffee out of the tap water. DON’T. I had to take Cipro to get rid of the parasites in my digestive tract when I got home. 150 mph diarrhea has no conscience, nor respect for humility.
- Teachers are valued.
- Chidren yearn to laugh and learn.
Going back to the D.R. would be a wonderful experience, especially if it was to teach English to the children “for free” in the summer while encouraging businesses to adopt a recycling stance. This would be a great summer excursion for anyone. It has been added to my list of possible retirement options.
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