Life on the road: 9.5 months

Date: February 28, 2013

Location: The Cove at Playa El Frances, near Las Galeras, Samana, Dominican Republic

Outside: Temperature feels cool & fresh; the full moon peeks from behind clouds on the way to its hiding spot over the mountains even as the eastern sky begins to lighten; sounds of roosters crowing in the distance, puppy barking in the yard, and the rhythmic splash of the surf - all relatively quiet after the rowdy Independence Day celebration festivities into the night. Oh, & there's the sound of the motor on the first fishing boat heading out for the day.

Miles traveled: Staying close to home today - one last visit to La Playita & Las Galeras

Hubby is: still sleeping as is daughter - exhausted from the cultural overload of their day in Samana yesterday. I'm glad I chose to spend the day at home.

Recent happenings: Hanging out with first-born daughter - what a treat to have her here!

Blessings: This place - what a lovely home for the winter!

Lessons: Perspective affects values & beliefs. Global travel affects perspective.

Reading: Kingdom Journeys - on my Kindle. Finished three different books yesterday.

Working on: several writing projects

Agenda: packing for travel

Makes me sad: to say good-bye to this lovely place

Made me drool: the last of the crepes! I'm so happy that I learned how to make them.

Unexpected: stepping on sand burrs & having to pick them out of both feet for days - a new memory from Playa Rincon, not nearly so fun as previous memories from that place

Tired of: frizzy hair

Going to miss: the sound of the surf, platanitos, Coco's voice around the place, this gorgeous view every morning, having the windows open, roosters crowing, the hammock hanging from the palm trees, watching the fishermen come & go morning & evening

Looking forward to: Getting my hands on my grand-babies, unlimited internet access, skim milk - the American version, being able to drink the water, convenience foods, hanging out with friends, lower humidity levels, wearing different clothes, getting my hair done

Week Five: Daily tidbits

Saturday, 2-16-13
A rather sleepy morning, exhausted after yesterday's long and tiring day
A shopping jaunt to Samana in the afternoon; so nice to have a car!
Stopped at Bahai Azul for internet, but it wasn't working
Dave bought three huge fish from the fishermen and cooked them out on the grill. Yum!

Sunday, 2-17-13
Walked up the hill to watch the sunrise
Fried leftover potatoes and onions and fixed some other good stuff for a big brunch
Relaxed on the beach and at the pool most of the day
D and K took the car out for the evening
Face Time with Lina didn't happen...

Monday, 2-18-13
To Samana in the morning to put gas in the car
Invited Mike and Mary and her mom along - which made for a fun shopping adventure
Vista Mare - for internet and lunch for some
Dave put together another gourmet dinner; Bob grilled the fish

Tuesday, 2-19-13
Laundry
La Playita for the afternoon
Face time with Angie & Wendi, but not Lina
Quiet evening at home for the two of us
Watched the moon & stars from the hammock
K&D went out for dinner
Annette came over to say good-bye

Wednesday, 2-20-13
Downpour just before daylight; ocean still sounds wild
Discovered the package of chicken drumsticks had been put in the fridge instead of the freezer so I cooked them up - a nice snack
Went to Last Galeras for the afternoon & evening
Lovely dinner at Le Tainos
A moonlight dip in the pool!

Thursday, 2-21-13
Stacy comes today!
Drive to Santo Domingo to pick her up. Fairly easy trip - discovered a nice travel stop along the highway
Got back home in time for Stacy to see the place before dark. Yippee!
To Las Galeras to join Dave & Karen for dinner - at Le Tainos
Tried to get some Face Time but the connection couldn't support video on our end

Friday, 2-22-13
Hung out at the pool
I made crepes for Dave to fix a flaming banana dessert.
Dave planned a big steak dinner, but couldn't find beef anywhere - so instead he bought a chicken for me to cook. I also made rice and beans.
It is so good to have a daughter here!

...
Wow; that was a busy week - for me and for the others.
The hammock had a busy week, too. What a great place to watch the waves and to meet the daybreak or to gaze at the full moon. It also provides relaxing shade in the mornings as well as a lovely sunning spot in the afternoon. We have made good use of all of those.

Week Four: a look back

Saturday, 2-9-13
To La Playita for internet & snorkeling - although internet was a bust
To Las Galeras for gas & food
Into the pool to cool off

Sunday, 2-10-13
Another beautiful day in paradise!
The cove is calm & peaceful
Looking forward to a relaxing, stress-free day
Some renters are leaving today; others arriving
Baby Nesto is 6 months old today - & probably changing quickly

Monday, 2-11-13
What a wild morning!
Palm trees being whipped by a crazy strong wind
Whitecaps roaring into the cove
A few fishermen fought the waves, but returned before long
Moving furniture in preparation for company this week
Walked to the colmado for groceries
Neighbors invited us to ride along for internet
Two cruise ships departed from the bay
Ocean stayed wild all day
Bob watched The Poseiden Adventure

Tuesday, 2-12-13
Waves are still wild; will the fishermen venture out today?
To town today on the quad, rain or shine, with or without technology; need to buy an item that is a bit fragile
Fishermen prepare & take one boat out
Neighbors head out for their walk
Sun is shining - most of the time
Successful trip to Las Galeras; mission accomplished, home safely
Another game night with neighbors - some new ones this time

Wednesday, 2-13-13
Cruise ship coming into the bay. For the first time, I can hear the hum of the engines - which made me realize that the sea has calmed down considerably. Normally we can't hear the ships over the sound of the waves.
Took the quad to the south today - to check out a couple points of interest & to get some Facetime with Lina & her little brother. What little darlings!

Thursday, 2-14-13
Laundry
The creature is back - la cucaracha maybe.
...and now he's gone, this time for good. Thanks, Bob!
Have to return the quad today. That week went really fast! It has been a good rig & a fun gig.
La Playita, ice cream for breakfast, internet
Las Galeras, lunch at Gri-Gri's, then 2 supermarkets and the bank
Pastries & empanadas to go
While waiting for a gua-gua, Gri-Gri & Michal stopped to pick us up on their way to Samana. It's nice to know people.

Friday, 2- 15-13
Dave & Karen arrive today.
Catch a gua-gua to Samana
Ride the big yellow Caribe bus to Santo Domingo
Hire a taxi to the airport
Rent a car & go to the supermarket
Hang around the airport - enjoying some American food
Drive back north across the end of the island
Dinner at the Mediterrean Tavern to celebrate Karen's b-day
Finally back home

...

And that was Week Four - a busy & eventful week

Portrait: Coco

Coco - manager, host, helper, fixer, all-around answer man


...

When we arrived at the cove, Coco was not here. However, by the time we had our bags carried into the house, there he was - concerned about our welfare because he had not received the expected phone call from us. He immediately welcomed us by making sure we had what we needed - even going out to get us a big bottle of drinking water.

Our landlord had told us about Coco, the manager at the cove - that he would take care of us - and that is certainly true. He is an amazing guy - always quick to help us out with pretty much anything. We need water... No problem; he gets us water. The bathroom sink drain needs to be adjusted. No problem, he adjusts it quickly.

He introduces us to his wife, Becky. Would we like her to cook for us? No problem, she can cook fish or lobster or whatever we want. What time? No problem.

We ask where we can get charcoal for the grill out by the pool and what to ask for. He tells us the answers, but says "No problem; I can get it for you down the beach. What time you want?"

I try to buy clothesline at the colmado, but they don't have it so I ask him where I can buy it. No problem - he might have some at his house. Sure enough; next thing I know he is out in the yard tying rope between palm trees for us to dry our clothes. He asks about "la maquina" and I reply that I assume it works but it doesn't make sense to me to use a clothes dryer when sunshine & warm breeze are in such abundant supply. He seems to agree with that sentiment, but then again he seems to specialize in being agreeable.

We ask which cell phone service works out here. He tells us which one is best and offers to take Bob on the back of his "moto" to Samana to get one. No problem. We wait until we are in Samana and manage to buy a cell phone on our own, but then we need a little help to get it working. No problem. Coco is glad to help us - except that I had the lady at the phone company program it for English - so Coco is stumped. No problem. I figure out how to change it back to Spanish for him - and then he helps me figure out how to make calls. We manage to buy a new card with more minutes for the phone, but we need Coco to help us activate it. No problem. He does it easily and then carefully explains it for next time.

How nice to have a "no problem" guy at your service! Bob says there should be a "no problem" guy to call on everywhere you go in the world. Do you have a "no problem" guy in your life?

By the way, Coco and Becky are also really good dancers! AND it turns out that their son is a good worker, too, cheerfully washing our rental car before we left.

Week Three: Day by day journal

A look back at this past week...

Saturday, 2-2-13
Two weeks ago we left Michigan; one month from today we fly home
One-third of our time here is done
Life feels easier now that we know where to find the necessities of life
Las Galeras today - for internet, a bit more exploring, & a few supplies
Walked the beach just before dark
Found a different store that has groceries & all kinds of other things -
Went to the disco tonight with the Americans & Coco & Becky
Now THAT's a Dominican toilet - no seat, no paper...

Sunday, 2-3-13
Church by the pool
Reading a good book: Coffee-shop conversations
Bought a lobster from Jose Luis, one of the fishermen
Cooked the lobster - first time ever
Ate the lobster
Walked the beach in the twilight

Monday, 2-4-13
The surf is loud again this morning.
Fishermen are heading out.
Went to Samana to get a cell phone - with texting. Yay!
Game night with the neighbors. Bob won!

Tuesday, 2-5-13
Carmen just brought some more pan de coco - still hot. Good stuff.
Lunch on the beach
Whales! We were sitting by the pool, talking and watching the ocean and there they were! I saw one at first & then another and then more.
Shopping trip to the colmado for a phone card. Now to figure out how to use it!
Feeling very tired for some reason

Wednesday, 2-6-13
French toast for breakfast
Rain showers
Sit in the sun on the porch between showers
Made meatless pasta for lunch
Laundry
Fried some more chicken for supper
Another game night with neighbors - unbelievable!

Thursday, 2-7-13
Feeling exhausted
To Las Galeras for internet, supplies & to rent a four-wheeler
To La Playita on the quad - for lunch
Not feeling so well later in the day - both of us

Friday, 2-8-13
Time marches on. K&D arrive one week from today!
A cruise ship is heading into the bay; the beaches will be full today.
Both feeling better - albeit still weak
To the colmado to buy otra tarjeta por mi telefono
To Playa Rincon to check out the changes in 23 years...
The actual beach was recognizable to me and brought back mega-memories, but I couldn't pinpoint the spot where we had pitched our tent. It is so very different now with all of the commercialism - what with beach chairs to rent, places to buy food and even a bathroom - though not a nice one.
Back at the cove, visited with some Germans from the cruise ship who spent the afternoon on our beach. In the evening we sat on the beach and watched their ship leave the bay.

...so goes another week AND the first half of our time here!
Next week we get ready to welcome our first guests...

Portrait: Sergio

Sergio, the night watchman
...
After Chelo, our driver, honked the horn a few times, our next helper, our rescuer from the lostness of the dark night, came running to unlock the gate and then showed us to our place. Wearing his "SEGURIDAD PRIVADO" shirt and his official-looking cap and carrying his shotgun slung over his shoulder, Sergio walks around the grounds making sure everything is as it should be. He seems to work every night and a super-long shift on the week-end. Sometimes I get a little creeped out when he appears out of the shadows, but I am also grateful that he is out there keeping an eye on who else might be lurking in the darkness. One night when we had gone down the beach "too far" off the property and stayed away too long he came to find us where we were sitting on the sand watching the stars and the full moon and warned us of "muchos banditos." We thanked him and obediently headed back in closer to the circle of light surrounding the place.

We designated last Sunday as hammock day and were lounging in the shade under the palm trees when we saw Sergio heading our way carrying a coconut. As he got closer, I noticed that he was sort of whistling - which I began to realize was his way to get our attention. Sure enough, the coconut was a gift. He had chopped a hole in the top so that we could drink the milk. Quite tasty - especially when chilled and mixed with pineapple & guava juice.

At first I worried or at least wondered how in the world he could stay awake - especially during that super-long weekend shift from Friday evening until Monday morning. As one of the property owners acknowledged, it is a lonely, boring job. However, I was pleased to discover that he does have at least one diversion - in the form of playing dominoes with the security guard next door and/or others who happen to be around.

One of the normal sounds wafting in through our screen door is that of them slapping the table as they play with the big plastic Dominoes under the palm trees along the shore. Maybe we should get out there & play with them one of these evenings.

One night when the power was off, we noticed that Sergio seemed to have only his cell phone for light, so now Bob wants to buy him a nice big trusty rechargable flashlight worthy of a night watchman. In the meantime, Bob took him a little tray of no-bake cookies that he made yesterday - which brought a huge smile to Sergio's face. Bob likes to take him a sandwich sometimes over his long weekend shift - which he also seems to appreciate.

Tidbits from the weekend

...

I remember the first time we got eggs in a bag instead of a carton. When we asked for a dozen eggs, the little old lady carefully counted them out & placed them in a small flimsy plastic bag & gently tied it up. I remember thinking that didn't seem very safe & I hoped we could get them home without breaking one or all of them. We did. Now we get eggs that way all the time. I guess it almost feels normal now.

...

Another exploration day

We found an interesting store in Las Galeras - that had a little bit of everything. There was a deli case up front with colorful rounds of Sosua cheese including some Gouda and several names I don't remember. There were some blocks of meat and even hot dogs! Unbelievable. Across the aisle was a good-sized case of larimar and amber and other tipico jewelry - and a man who desperately wanted to sell me some.

Beyond these were shelves of canned goods and boxes of shelf milk and lots of other groceries. But what really surprised me was the stack of coolers (ice chests) followed by a huge display of Tupperware wanna-be's. Shelves were piled to overflowing with cheap sets of plastic storage containers. Just what I've been looking for!

...

Lobster anyone?

One of the fishermen, Jose Luis, walked up the beach to see if anyone wanted to buy some lobsters. He had a few small ones, several medium-sized, and one huge monster. Sunny from Missouri asked me to translate for her. After helping with her transaction, we ended up buying a small one for us. 'Twas our first time to ever cook a lobster. We must have done it right; at least it tasted pretty good.

...

Church in the cove
Two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus.
We speak of God's goodness; we worship Him in this place.
The heavens declare the glory of God and so does the ocean.
Scripture is read; the teachings of Jesus are studied.
Yep, we had church.

...

Good weekend.

.........

Week Two of the journey - Day by day tidbits

Saturday, 1-26-13
The cove is moody today - sometimes gray, sometimes blue.
Waves thundering over the rocks at the point
Discovered a blow-out on one of my sandals
To Las Galeras for supplies and internet
Rained most of the day
Got drenched on the way in from the gate
We have been here for one full week now

Sunday, 1-27-13
Early morning sound of the guards slapping the table as they play dominoes.
A few fishermen headed out today & returned early
Hammock day!
Absolutely perfect day - cool breeze, hot sun, puffy clouds floating by
Our first sunburn, but not too bad
Unexpected evening trip to Vista Mare - for internet AND Facetime!!!

Monday, 1-28-13
Laundry day
Rainy day - so the clothesline gets moved to the porch
How bizarre to be washing out Zip-lock bags again
Muggy day - ugh!
Work day - Get down to business
Alteration project completed
Eggs boiled
Writing assignment accomplished

Tuesday, 1-29-13
The water is wild this morning.
Fishermen struggle to get out of the cove.
Overcast, rainy
Postponed our trip to Samana
Went for a walk in the neighborhood instead
Great cultural experience
Worked on book notes
Rain in the afternoon, more rain in the evening

Wednesday, 1-30-13
The sea is loud again this morning
Rain & more rain, downpours even
Will we go to town today? Doubtful
A good writing day perhaps
Another downpour & another... and another
The snacks we brought are nearly gone
Broke open and enjoyed our one & only American chocolate bar
Bob found ingredients to make no-bake cookies!
Fishermen bring in more calamari each day
Neighbors keep telling us we should try the calamari
Yet another unexpected chance to use the internet!

Thursday, 1-31-13
The end of January - unbelievable!
The sea is still rough & the sky still overcast
Exhausting but productive day in Samana
Found a great grocery store
Spent mega-bucks for stamps to send postcards
Dinner with neighbors to try the calamari
Then Harrison Ford in Air Force One

Friday, 2-1-13
Hah! A June bug - in February!
A stay-at-home day - for work & some pool time
Morning walk to colmado for eggs
French toast for brunch complete with syrup - Yum
So glad I found skim milk yesterday
Put in four work days on writing projects this week
Our first guests arrive 2 weeks from today!
Fried some chicken drumsticks for supper
We both finished reading another book - 2 for me & 3 for Bob
Resorted to turning on the AC for a bit
No power outages for a few days

...and that was our second week.

With such limited internet access here, it is easy to feel isolated and wonder whether anyone is reading this. Feel free to leave a comment here to let me know that somebody is out there, but please realize that it may be a couple days before I will be able to publish your comment.