Aligio Beach Resort Samaná Peninsula

... Domingo. The overdevelopment and tourist aspect of some of these beach towns really make it hard to meet and hang out with the local people. Also, it's off season so the towns are much more quiet than normal. Overall it's nice to have peaceful calm surroundings. I met an architect, Jessica, originally from Santo Domingo working in Las Terrenas on a few new homes and office buildings. She didn't seem to like Las Terrenas and spent much of time working ...

... Bonaparte in exchange for territory he controlled in Spain; Bonaparte drew up plans for Samaná to be the New World capital. The next few years were chaotic. There were lots of strategic plays on the behalves of the world's colonial powers, U.S., Britain, Spain, and France. At this time, Haiti was the wealthiest colony and prized as Prima Dona of colonies in the New World being wealthy in slaves. In my history lecture, I learned that England ...

... the number of people who can ride a motorbike - the only limit is how many bums you can fit on the seat. We´ve routinely seen families of four riding around on a bike, and often we´ll have a guy drive past on a bike asking us if we want a lift. Can you imagine me, Ray, and the driver driving round town on his scooter? Speaking of getting a lift, iIve mentioned how we´re always being asked, hassled or accosted by people with whatever sort of "taxi" they´re ...

The next day I get to Santo Domningo, the city is such a contrast from anything else I have seen in DR. It is true metropolis. I drive thru the city to get to the zona colonial and spent all my time in the city in the 'zone'. The old quarter of Santo Domingo is as similar as is it is different from San Jan, Puerto Rico, but a great place to relax and wind down ...

... the second phase of the project since they learned the process in the first phase, so I am excited to turn them loose and let them take responsibility for the project from start to finish. So, all is well here in the DR. I am looking forward to coming home at Christmas and catching up with people and relaxing. Then when I come back down here in January I am in the home stretch! Take care of yourselves, and stay in touch! Love Maggie

... knowing that they can do stuff with out me being around, which will hopefully get them to do things after I am done with my servious. I also did a little pot luck/gift exchange even with my womens group. Every women brought a little plate of food and we shared it all, and then at the end we did a little secrete santa gift exchange. I got some pink plastic shoes! I have also given my dog back to my host family for the time being because he has hopelessly fallen in love with my ...

... Habana when wandering the streets here, including the popular colonial zone, which can be quite annoying and embarrasing when all you want to do is snap some pictures, get a meal or just take in all the historic sites to behold. But so long as I hang with my new friend/guide I will hopefully be able to avoid being hampered in the extensive half-world. I'll post some pictures later when I have more time - and can find a PC with USB...

... say to send it in a padded envelope, like a manila one or whatever. Or else the tax for us to receive a big package is too much or people open it or it's just not good...so padded envelopes are the way to go. I don't need rat poison yet! :) But I have been killing my fair share of cockroaches in the middle of the night when I go to the bathroom! Quick note, there is a rooster that is at the house right next to mine....Ok ...

... a clinic. A team of doctors, nurses, and support staff had sacrificed a week out of their lives to come to the clinic and perform Hernia surgeries for those who needed it. At first I was signed up to help register patients, even though I wanted to be able to work in surgery, and see the surgeries themselves. However, I found that my job was exciting and rewarding...more than I could have hoped. I was taken back to my days volunteering in the ...

... the one we liked. We tried to talk him out of more but we were pretty happy with what we got. The beach was beautiful and I had the best meal at a cuban cafe - curry chicken, tostones, good salad, passion fruit ice cream. It'll be hard to top it. After the cafe the girls hooked up a ride with an italian to a club down the road where they danced and I watched. It's not that I don't like to dance, I sprained my ankle the other day ...