Third Day on the Island

Today was a day for relaxing and photo taking around the Inn for Mom and Cindy.

I took a resort taxi to Sam's Bar and Grill, where I left message for Benny to meet me at 5 pm. Then headed for the Malecon to get pictures of families in their Sunday best. Got some good photos of people along the way....fishing, working, and enjoying themselves.

By the time I navigated the Malecon (walk along the oceanfront) and headed back to Sam's there was just enough time for tacos. Benny walked in just as I finished and the Jets had just scored on Denver again. It was time to go.

He showed me how his country, which was recently under a 30-year dictatorship which ended with the assassination of Trujillo in 1961, has grown and is getting better every day. He said that the Haitians are giving up their way of life and are migrating to the Dominican Republic, adding to the workforce of the area.

We talked at length about the weather and storms that would disrupt tourism. He laughed and said there had not been a hurricane on this side of the island for 400 years. Records of the weather have been recorded on the North coast for over three hundred years. During that time the North Coast, "The Amber Coast" has never had a direct hurricane. I found this strange, but was glad to except the facts and put bad weather out of my things to ask about. The weather was fantastic throughout our stay.

We drove for hours. We passed canefields, ballfields and tenant style homes. People just waking up to the chance freedom brings. I wondered how many Sammy Sosa's I was seeing on those fields. The Dominicans are a proud nation. It is like the early sixties in the States. Opportunity abounds.

With that we headed back to Sam's for a beverage. When we arrived the place was hopping. The bar was almost full and there was a two-man band putting on the floor show. They were really good. Julius "Julio" Veal, on guitar, is the leader of the duo. He came to the Island a few years back and now promotes the Island to all. He put on a great show this evening and wanted us to tell all his family in Chicago, "Hello". I never got the accompanist sax player's name, but he knew how to make it sing.

Benny ran me back to the B&B. After another dip in the pool, it was time to download some pictures......and build up some energy for Day Four.

Return to the beginning of our visit to Villas Olas Tropicales and the Dominican Republic!