La Dolce Vita 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

... bought us special Dominican coconut bread on the way. Whale-watching was a 5 hour endeavor...quite fun but I think I'm covered on whale-watching for the next 20 years. The boat was soooo rocky and several people were getting sick. It wasnt helped by the fact that the crew started playing a recording of a male whale singing...because that in itself resembles the sound of vomiting. Thankfully, i am not ...

... gloves made from milk cartons I´ve heard about, I have witnessed the locals in Las Galeras and they are quite good. What is more, the field they play on - though I´m wont to call it a 'type' of field - is so patchy and uneven it permits no player to accurately anticipate what any grounder, line-drive or bad throw will do, making their skills and fearlessness that much more admirable while making a cup absolutely necessary, though ...

... I am to cheap Sunglasses, as I am currently on pair number six), we face our final tough day here by the beach. We vary the day by walking away from our usual spot, towards Playa Bonita. Once again it is beautiful here. I bought the book ¨Midnight Express¨ in the UK while I was there, and somehow we are both managing to read it at the same time. Travellers who end up in prison from smuggling drugs is almost an obsession for me - I think this is about the fifth book that I ...

... She usually stares blankly and says nothing. I still have two weeks though. But the best part of Nagua was finding out where I would be working for the next two years! I will be working in the Monte Plata region (in the East) in a tiny town called Cacique. There are about 300-900 families in the town and most make their living doing agriculture or cattle raising. The city is only about an hour or two from Santo Domingo which is nice, because volunteers often have to go ...

... long for someone nausceous. The park is estimated to be a mere 50 million years old and was formed by volcanic eruptions. The islands are solid rock formations, but some trees still manage to grow on them even without dirt on the ground. Roots simply work their way through the rock and are able to live off the humidity. I wish my plants at home would do that! Lots and lots of ...

... Puerto Plata to Las Terrenas (3.5 hours!!!). Well I guess you could say at least we got to see the country side. One thing we hadn't planned for were elections! Why does that matter? Well lets just say there wasn't much else going on and EVERYONE was on the streets joining the mile long parades. Thank goodness there were only three parties... Each parade was quite a crowd gathering with ...