Vitalis Garden Club Puerto Plata

... some cane fields, a few valleys, and felt as though we were lost...asked for some directions, which got us more lost...and then finally ended up at the beach - which was quite lovely, once we got there. The only problem was that it was extremely windy, and so it was impossible to not have hair and dresses blowing all around - so much for trying to look our best! <br><br>The bride looked lovely, as did the groom. Dominican tradition is that most people ...

<!--StartFragment--><br><br>Greetings,< br><br>Sitting<br>in the sun in Sosua, it's a little seaside town about 2 hours from Santiago.<br> It's beautiful here.  We have had access to a private beach, which<br>has been so relaxing.  We've been sunning for a few days now, and are<br>headed back to Santiago this afternoon.  One more night in the Dominican<br>Republic, and back on a airplane tomorrow, headed home to my family!  It's<br>been a long trip and ...

... imagine what it smells like, and what a health risk it is to live there.<br>I saw a little boy today.  He is 4 years old.  He lives with his parents and 4 siblings in a one-room "house" built out of rusted tin and tires.  Upon meeting him, I could tell that this child was gravely ill.  He contracted Dengue Fever over a week ago, was hospitalized, but released home.  I'm not sure ...

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

... community (men go for seasonal work).  The women recently learned how to make candles and bracelets, which they are allowed to go outside the Batey to sell, but have to "pay off" the checkpoint guards when they enter and exit the compound.  There are so many moral and ethical issues surrounding the Bateys, too numerous to mention.  The children came running to meet us, some naked, some ...

It's been quite the experience here so far and that's no doubt, but I must say that I'm not always sure of why I'm here, besides my general love of traveling. I am very aware of many different issues that are problems in the world, specifically in the developing world, but I have come closer to seeing them than ever before. Someone here told me that the Dominican Republic is the third most visited country for purposes of sex trade in the world. I've already met ...

... as we settled down and headed eastward towards Isla de Mona some 200 miles away. The full moon rose ahead of us and we glided down its illuminated path. There were 3 other boats, all heading for the Puerto Rican island of Mona, who left the same time so there was lots of radio contact through the night watches. Isla de Mona- Puerto Rico 10.00 am on the 22nd April we arrived at Isla de Mona. This 323ft high island, fifty miles off the Puerto Rican west coast ...

... I always have to do (work, school, Christmas stuff, etc.). I didn't really get a chance to go online to do much research on the DR and Sosuà (the city, near Puerto Plata, where we would be staying) until one night during my Christmas break, which was a week before this trip. On December 23rd I went to Port Hardy to spend Christmas with my family and that week just flew by. My dad, Leanna and I decided to travel back to Vancouver together, by bus, on December 30th, where ...

... br><br> We walked on a dirt road that resembled a roller-coaster for a least a hour. I had to keep motivating myself. My body was tired form all the climbing and walking, but once we arrived at the river, it was worth the soon to come aches and pains. It was a picture out of a magazine. To the right, was a waterfall that seemed to be four floors high and directly in front was a shimmering green water hole. I was terrified at first to climb ...

... rented us the kayaks, 'cause we dissapeared from sight for a good amount of time. In other kayak adventures, Leah and I decided to see how far out we could kayak - there was a nice rock out in the middle of nowhere, so we went out there. It was fun! A good four hours on the water, and again the guys freaked out. haha. Met some locals spear-fishing, and they weren't particularly friendly, so we high-tailed it outta there.