Back from the DR

Friday, July 27, 2007

Our family just got back from a vacation to the Dominican Republic. It was our first time there and let me tell you we were pleasantly surprised. Here are my takeaways from the trip:

1. The scenery is similar to that of Cuba, only you have stores with actual food in them, newer cars, small malls, and much more congested traffic. There are stores and vendors all over the place selling just about anything you want... tropical fruits, phone charges, cashew nuts, limoncillo (from the leech nut family, and more.

2. The traffic is quite crazy. If you think Miami is bad, you have not experience DR. The streets are in relative good conditions, even though, the traffic laws commonly ignored. Many motorcycles roam the streets and sidewalks... oh yeah; they do not have to obey the traffic laws. The incredible thing is during our stay, I did not see 1 accident.

3. The people are extremely courteous and polite. They love America and many speak English as their second language. Many seek a college career, while also maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. Most have some sort of business they own, even if they work for someone else.

4. The music of the country is Merenque first, followed by Bachata in most recent years. Artist like Johnny Ventura and the group 440 with Juan Luis Guerra have made it popular worldwide.

5. The food is excellent. Not too much beans and rice. Mostly Platanos (Plantains) cooked in many ways. Boiled and smashed (Mangu, fried with salt (totosnes), Fried and crushed with pieces of pork, chicken or sausage. this is called Mofongo... my favorite. Lots of tropical fruits... mango, pineapples, and papaya.

6. The language is Spanish. Of course, not all Spanish is created equal, so they have their own expressions and accent. One word that is commonly used is "Baina". This word is my favorite Dominican word because it can be used for just about anything. If you want to talk about something you don’t know the word to, you just call it "Baina". In some miraculous way, everyone knows what you mean. For example, you can say: hey go get me that baina over there on top of the table... you will have the baina in no time.

Well, those are my takeaways from the trip and the beautiful country called Dominican Republic. Just like any country, they have the same spiritual need as we do here in the states... the need the saving power of Jesus. While there are some churches, non are like FRC, who knows, perhaps we will have a campus there one of these days?

Until the next time,

ia