Rocky's Rock & Blues Bar and Hotel 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 ...

... the next six months.  The
comforts of home with the people I love, will surely see me through. That I
know for sure-
I hope you have all enjoyed the blog.  I have loved sharing some thoughts,
albeit probably a bit superficial at times, as feelings are often difficult to
retrieve-

Thank you for following my journey.  
Please look for more pictures in the days to come.

Love,

Lani

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... 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

... aren't spoiled by anybody,
Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
Who live and move, but have no being.
We pray for children who want to be carried,
And for those who must,
For those we never give up on
And for those who don't get a second chance.
For those we smother,
And for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.
 -----by Marian Wright Edelman 

... 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
 

... out Sosua has supposedly a pretty interesting night life. Lots of prostitutes work the bars there and guess things can get a little crazy. Our guidebook said that the prostitution was so bad in the 1980s that many wealthy retirees living in Sosua at the time pressured the President to do something about the situation, and he shut down every bar in the city for a year! From what it sounds like from other students, there ...

... thing: showers, showers, showers. And then on Monday, it's supposed to be "chance of showers" with maybe some sun, and Tuesday, our last day, some sun and "cloudy". Wednesday, the day after we leave, it's back to "sunny" (no showers) again. At least it has still remained pleasantly very warm all these days. The coldest has been 23 degrees, but it's been 27 degrees a lot too, which is darn warm!! After lunch, Leanna and I went to the internet ...

... they had delicious hashbrowns that I indulged in, also with yucca, glazed yams and a small banana (plantain). There were tonnes of meat dishes (none that I can really remember), but also fruit and oatmeal. After breakfast we went to the informational meeting that they were having for the people who came on our flight, to let us know about stuff at the resort, including the different tours they offer. Leanna and I already knew we wanted to swim with the ...

Hello again everyone!! We are here yet again in Sosua..the Wednesday and Sunday ritual... and life is good. This morning we went to church at Ascension village and had a service in Creole and Spanish again. Ana, a little girl from the village, taught me a song that the sing in the church, so I was able to sing a long today! Good times. Then I spent some time in a girl's house meeting her family. Great people. Yesterday was a crazy fabulous ...