Hotel Casa Nina Las Terrenas

... plague most developing-world beach dogs. Since we didn't really have an itinerary ahead of time, I hadn't told her we were coming and I had no idea where she lived except "Cabrera." The town was not the tiny place that we had expected, so we thought we'd have no chance of finding her - but apparently expats can't hide as easily as they may sometimes wish! We had an awesome lunch (where I learned that they only use the term "habichuelas" for beans ...

... can afford. As soon as you walk into the reception area, you get a grand view of the ocean, with tables set on a patio in the open air. The terrace below literally juts out over the water, and the waves (tiny as they are) break against the building. A broad outdoor spiral staircase leads to three levels, all with wide balconies facing the water. The hotel has seen some wear and tear, but it's truly beautiful ...

Despues, fui en el autobus a el Parque Nacional los Haitses. Fui a mirar los aves y las flores y la vida de marina. Fui a acampar en el parque. Fui a comer la comida de tradicionales en el restaurante en el parque. Fui a comer champola, cual fue leche con guanábana. Me recomiendo que saca muchos fotos porque el bosque es muy bonito.<br><br>

... Brigada Verde meeting that was very inspirational. I hope to plan a couple of charlas in celebration of Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Finally, I'm waiting on approval for grant money for the stove projects, but when that happens, I'll be in a new direction there too. Okay, I promise to write more later, but I just wanted to give you all a taste of what's going on in Samana. Sincerely, Jennifer

... men with young half-naked Dominican women. Sunday was spent laying on the beach all day, which was wonderful. So all in all Samaná/Las Terrenas was a success. I can't say that it would be my favorite beach, though, mostly because of the lack of convenient amenities and the limited modes of transportation to and around the area. A beach with no consistent availability of ice cream is no beach for me.

Well folks, my journey has almost come to an end. Can you beleive that only a few short years ago I was about to begin, excited, scared and fascinated by the world I would encounter? And now, all the answers lie beneath me....ok, that couldn´t be further from the truth! My experience here was nothing like I expected...at times better, and at times worse. I am coming closer and closer to discovering my purpose here, which I will only be able to share with you all when ...

... glom on to americanos like me who don't refurbish the echoes of the punditry or regurgitate the artisan bilge that pass as public opinion and patriotic propriety in L'America, for they surely aren't bludgeoned daily with the spin generated by the image-makers and cheesemongers who assure us the US is a veritable colony of Heaven where french fries ought to be called freedom fries. But we dropped our general disconent with the global pug ...

... 40 metres away from our hotel but the water is a little on the silty side. Our beach of choice is a point 15 minutes walk away. The water is blue and deep enough, and kiteboarders surge around the corner. There is not a great deal to do in La Terrenas during the day but then again who would want to with conditions like this. In the evening we head out again. This time, to the local Carwash.... For some reason here in the DR, Carwash´s started serving beers. Then it seems ...

... working. We did go to a cock fight on Thursday which was a little cultural adventure. One of the Spanish teachers told us that if a fight broke out, we should grab out stuff and get out. Apparently the combination of alcohol, gambling and machismo doesnt mix well. Who knew? Thankfully a fight didnt break out so we were able to enjoy the cock-fight. It wasnt as violent as I thought it would be, mainly because they dont let the birds fight to the ...

... It was horrible and we had like seven people in the room (600 pesos a night for whatever number of people in the room). There is this volunteer who happens to be wealthy and so for the past two year (which includes this one) her parents rent a mansion in Sea Horse Ranch (which is in between Cabarete and Sosua) and hold a party during the afternoon from about 1-6pm. There was so much food to the point that I could not believe it and there was food left over. We ...