Return from POP-Part 2
Saturday
I awoke Saturday morning to my brother in law banging on my door. A couple of days before as I was driving along on those well asphalted roads I happened to hit a pothole pretty hard. Well, my brother in law, who's always running his mouth, happened to bite his tongue. Later that night, he had a metallic picture drop down on him and cut his leg and the palm of his hand. So, now he's at my door complaining about a swelling tongue and a possibly infected cut. I got up and showered and off we were to find a hospital. I recalled from a discussion with someone a couple of days previously that he had recently been to the hospital and, with great reluctance, called him to ask for directions. In spite of the fact that he had been there himself, he passed the phone to his wife who gave me directions. Yea, one for the women. So, that is where I spent my morning.
After returning from the hospital, we all got together and decided to drive into town and look around fora place to eat. We settled on a little dive (I believe it was called Frank's place) and, although it really was a dive, the food was pretty good. We had tipico. Yep, chicken, rice, beans, and a couple of cold Presidentes. Inasmuch as the food was good, by this time I had had so much chicken that I felt like I was going to start clucking myself.
Later that afternoon I started to feel a backache coming on. I have had back problems most of my life (including surgery), and I know that most of the time when I travel to 3rd world countries the mattresses are of such poor quality that I usually start feeling it after a few days. Well this evening I had such excruciating pain I couldn't sleep, no matter how I tried to position myself. I'm going to have to remember to start carrying my Motrin (an anti-inflammatory drug).
Sunday
Sunday I awoke in pain and with very little sleep. The guys wanted to venture out again so I gave them the keys to the jeepeta, let them go on their way, and I tried, to no avail, to make myself as comfortable as I could. When the guys returned someone had been kind enough to pick up some Advil for me, and I took all 4 of them. After a while the pain started to subside, and I sat outside for a while.
Sometime during the afternoon we had visitors--Helmut and his wonderful wife, Amparo. In spite of my back pain, I was really glad to see them. I had really taken a liking to them on my previous trip. I'm not exactly sure why, other than that I think they're just really good people. We chatted for a while, and then they left. In all honesty, it was a bit saddening to see them go. I had hoped before I arrived on the island to visit with them, but I wasn't sure if Helmut was going to be in town.
Because the following Monday I had to meet with an attorney, return the car to Tim, move on to Santiago, and my back was really starting to bother me again, I decided to stay in. The others went to Blackbeards for dinner and some drinks and, I believe, called it a night.
Monday
I got up early, again to the back pain, and had breakfast. We all sat around and reminisced a bit over the trip. My cousin, who knew how to carry himself better than some of the others, mentioned that he may be interested in returning with me on my next trip. I suspect it might have more to do with him scouting out some potential business opportunities than anything. He always seems to be on the lookout for such things.
I went off to see an attorney and spoke with her about starting the closing process for the home for which I had put a minor deposit on. She was really a nice woman. I got a good vibe from her.
I returned home and later the PrestigeRental guys showed up, picked up the car, and we were off. At 4 pm our driver showed up, we packed up the luggage, and off we were to Santiago. This is really a beautiful drive, with the exception of the kamikaze drivers who seem hell bent on committing suicide. I got a better look at Santiago this time since we arrived at about 5 pm, rather than 2:15 am in the morning. It was raining like hell, but we arrived at our hotel (Aloha Sol) and I was pretty impressed with it's condition and decor. The people there couldn't believe that we had rented rooms for the night just to sleep in for a few hours. I was glad I did because by this time I was starting to feel like I was coming down with the flu (headache, bodyaches, and a bit chilled).
We arrived safely back in the US and, as is usually the case, I immediately booked reservations from January 24-31. I already have reservations for December. Before I know it, I'll arrive in the DR and just won't use the return portion of my ticket. The DR is like a mistress that you know you shouldn't be fooling with, but you just can't help it as she keeps luring you back time and time again.
Hope all enjoyed.
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