Hotel Casa Valeria Sosua

... 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 ...

... can't wait to see them.  My little Ellie Grace has
grown at least one inch, is beginning to give up her bottle, and is saying new
words.  She grew up some while I have been gone--I'm going to eat it all
up when I get back!
I haven't been able to reflect on this experience.  I've heard that
reflection comes in bits and pieces, interwoven during normal daily routines--a
thought here, an image there.  What I do know, is that this ...

... he said, "I don't have the money or the time."  It was maddening.  I truly believe in my heart that this child will not survive this illness, just because of his living situation.  It was difficult to walk away-
Please offer your positive thoughts, good karma, prayers, or wishful thinking to this little one tonight.  Maybe they will help.
Missing all of you,
Love,
Lani

We pray for children
Who sneak popsicles before supper,
Who erase holes in math workbooks,
Who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those
Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
Who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
Who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead.
We pray for those who never go to the circus,
Who live in an X-rated world,
Santiago, Dominican Republic lstockwell

... pass us by around Thursday afternoon, thanks in advance, Bill.  It rained all night last night, and looks like Thursday will be a wet day as well.  
I'm attaching a very recent pic of my little one, taken last week.  I think she's learning to play the piano in my absence, and definitely growing up too fast while mommy is away.
Take care.  Hope you are all well-
Love,
Lani
 

After spending some time in Cabarete and avoiding some major storms, I spent a day in Sosua before heading to Las Terrenas. I had the chance to speak to the locals and walk around the quiet town and enjoy tasty Dominican food. It's very quiet time of the year here and with the rain it makes it more difficult to interact with others. Although Playa Sosua is nice, I think I enjoyed Cabarete much more.

... being cut out of, that really makes it a lot more real. I can't believe people were actually eating it - barbarians. Every living being has the right to live - not just people. As my t-shirt says that I was wearing yesterday: "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for whites or women for men." - quote by Alice Walker After dinner we went to watch the dancing show at ...

... t go in the water at all, so she just documented the experience with the still and video camera, but my dad and I, and Lynette's family, thoroughly enjoyed and immersed ourselves in the water. Once I got myself it, it was actually warm, and you could feel warm currents of water passing beneath you. After swimming for quite awhile I finally went to the beach to lay down and get some sun. I actually fell asleep on the beach and it was relaxing. I don't know ...

... local rum-based cocktails on the beach whilst the sun slipped away behind the mountains inland. The PKRA riders left Cabarete a few days later for its next destination Tarifa and Cabarete relaxed even more in true caribbean style. Our jobs at the Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding centre are going well and we are working most days when the wind is good and kitesurfing ourselves when we are not ...