Day 3
June 22
Soon we are in Sosua and I have to hustle for a taxi. Quoted 150 pesos to go just over to the Tropix. I haggle my way down to 80 pesos. The taxista laughs at me. He asks me if I am Italian or German. He designates me an honorary Dominican for my haggling skills. I am not impressed by the final price and walk away.
Two seconds later we are on our way for thirty pesos.
We arrive at the foot of the hill that leads to the Tropix and we walk it slowly. There are concho drivers and taxistas and dogs and women and it is loud but that all subsides. We reach the gate and Alison is delighted by the archway of plants that leads into the property.
Our room has a queen and a single bed; a fridge, closet, chairs, and bathroom. Simple, clean, right by the pool.
Dinner at Rocky's. I am in love with Ted. He reminds me of my neighbor growing up.
A phone call home and tragic news. One of my students, my neighbor's son, has drowned while boating.
A short and sorry day for us today.
June 23
A fight in the morning.
It rained in the afternoon and we walked through Sosua in a funk.
When we checked email we learned our beloved cat Squeaky had been hit and killed by a car.
Time to leave Sosua!
June 24
I dicker for a taxi to Cabrera and settle on 1000 pesos for the trip. Not bad for a long drive!
We arrive at the Hadley farm and get a nice tour. It is quite the operation. Woodshop, house under construction, forty head of cattle, and cute rabbits and baby ducks.
Alison can't understand why Hillbilly's chihuaha is named Hulk and Stephen's rottweiler is named Tiny. That's just the way it is! I say to her.
The Hadley kids go to school in Rio San Juan and at ages five and seven are fluent in three languages! English, Spanish, and French.
We get a chance to try out Playa Grande, one of the nicest beaches I have been to. (I still dream of Cayo Sombrero in Venezuela which was like stepping into a postcard.)
Playa Grande is clean, expansive. Not too many people on the beach and friendly servers in numbered shirts. It is both Dominican and orderly if that is possible.
Instead of going all the way to Samana today we decide to stay near Playa Grande and enjoy the atmosphere. Some of the nicest viveros and gardens I have seen, and lovely cattle farms on the coast. We ate good food and received fare prices everywhere.
|