Our last week here

Date:  3-15-16

Three more days until we leave

Location:  Our little studio apartment in Las Galeras

Outside: Raining and raining 

Hubby is: working on a photography project

Surprises: 

• Having a vegetable truck deliver to our gate twice a week
• Discovering one restaurant in town that actually puts bacon on burgers and pizza
• Enjoying empanadas any time of day
• Finding Snickers with almonds in the supermarket!
• Hearing tourists speaking English - quite rare

Made me laugh:  Remembering a WiFi password at a restaurant from three years ago

Blessings: Having internet at home that is quite reliable

Disappointments: 

• That the beaches were mostly not walkable this time.
• That I didn’t get a great tan.

Lessons:  Remembering that I really do not do well with heat and humidity

Reading:

• “Wild” - by Cheryl Strayed (paperback)
• “Start to Write” - by Christine Niles (computer)
• “Grace Rules” - by me, VERY rough draft (Kindle)

Watching tonight:  probably another CIA action suspense movie - unless it’s my turn to pick  

Several “last time” happenings:

• Last time to Playa Rincon 
• Last time to buy vegetables at our gate
• Last time to purchase laundry soap, T.P., eggs…
• Last time to wrestle with sheets on our little drying rack
• Last time to tutor "my girls" at the salon
• Last time to walk to the far end of town to use the ATM
• Last time to defrost this fridge

Looking forward to:  

• Air conditioning on travel day - so we can stand to wear jeans again
• So many things back in Michigan!!! 
• Seeing our kids and grandkids!!!  
• Cooler temperature!
• Comfort and convenience
• Our truck. I love my truck!
• Our own stuff (recliner, kitchen utensils, sheets and towels)
• Walmart & Meijer
• Waffles and sausages, real skim milk, meat choices, cheesecake, apple fritters, and 53 other things on the mental list we have compiled
• Salt that flows freely

Things I’ll miss:

• Small sweet bananas 
• Huge yummy avocados
• Empanadas
• Coconut gelato
• Platanitos*
• Flan from Boulangerie Marseillaise
• The people at La Plaza Marseillaise
• Conversing in Spanish
• Hearing French spoken every day
• Roosters crowing
• Dominican faces - friendly, helpful, beautiful faces

Things I’ll be glad to miss:

• The heat and humidity
• Mosquito bites
• Teeny, tiny ants that congregate around any dropped morsel of food
• Dogs - the aggressive ones and the loud shrill yappy ones
• Cats that sneak around your chair at restaurants
• Loud, loud music - the same songs EVERY night

...

* Platanitos = delightful snack chips made from platanos (cooking bananas); slightly salty and yummy

Daily Tidbits: Week Two

Saturday, 1-16-16

• Walked along the beach at sunrise - all the way out to the point beyond the resort
• A guy on a horse, several motorcycles, a couple joggers and a few people walking
• Left at 8:04 a.m.; too hot by the time I got back. Must leave earlier.
• I mistakenly swallowed a gulp of water when brushing my teeth. Oops!
• Laundry - washed towels and a few clothes

Sunday, 1-17-16

• Walked 2.34 miles - along the beach and on around the point toward the little beach in the cove as far as I could go without trespassing on resort property.
• Fried potatoes and onions and eggs for breakfast. We need more food staples on hand. Don’t have many options. When we have to carry everything back home on foot, we don’t stock up on things - and we can't find things we wish for.
• We walked into town late in the afternoon for dinner. Checked out the menu at Bungalows on the corner where Le Taino used to be. Ended up going to C’ L Aventura and got a pizza. Not bad. Wanted to walk out to the beach for sunset, but we were too tired.

Monday, 1-18-16

• Walked 2.6 miles early in the morning - along the beach and into town
• Went to a couple stores in search of the “baby wipes” that I’m sure I saw a few days ago. Can’t find them anywhere. Where, oh where, was it that I saw them? Or am I going crazy?
• I did find bananas today - very, very green ones. Oops; maybe they are platanos
• And I did buy one box of that "New York" mac and cheese at “Numero Uno.”
• Stopped at the French bakery for pastries. They had several of the “cream” ones with the yummy yellow pudding-like dollops. But went for the “natural” ones this time thinking they would be much better to transport in my knap-sack. These are the ones sprinkled with the giant coarse sugar crystals. Tasty indeed.

Tuesday, 1-19-16

• Took the quad to Playa Rincon
• Still gorgeous out there. Still undeveloped
• Made several connections to give away all of Bob’s photos! How cool!!!
• Sunburn

Wednesday, 1-20-16

• We went into town to pay my debt at the bakery and to buy supplies
• Recovery day - lower back pain and stiffness as well as sunburn

Thursday, 1-21-16

• Rained hard during the night
• I walked to the beach and back fairly early
• Went down to the ranchito to read for awhile

Friday, 1-22-16

• It’s raining again. Downpour. Might postpone our walk into town.
• Eventually we went into town.
• To the bank. Our cards worked in the automatico this time!!! (The ATM)
• Discovered mantequilla en barras (butter in sticks) at Numero Uno. Yay!
• Found fresh ham
• Productive trip

...

An uneventful week it was, but there it is: Week Two.

Daily Tidbits: Week One

Saturday, 1-9-16 - Fly from Grand Rapids to Santo Domingo via Atlanta

• Super foggy in Grand Rapids. Hoping for no delays.
• Atlanta also foggy
• Watched “He called me Malala” in flight
• Martin, our driver, was easily found as we exited the airport. A careful driver - yay!!! and very helpful.
• Uneventful drive through the countryside and a quick stop at Supermercado Mimasa in Samana for a few groceries before going on to Las Galeras
• Our new place is lovely
• I seem to be catching another cold

Sunday, 1-10-16

• Lazy morning, not feeling great
• Walked to the beach and into town
• Down at the corner water flooded the street, but we found one section of sidewalk on the high side where we could walk - and ford the stream via a couple chunks of concrete.
• The French bakery was gone!  Turns out they moved to a new location. What a relief. Might be my favorite place - with my favorite people. Discovered they have yummy crepes.
• Bob made it to La Playita later in the day - after much searching for the walking route to get there.

Monday, 1-11-16

• Ralph and Patricia, our landlords, invited us to Las Terrenas today. 
• They took us to Super Pola, the store with American imports. That was really nice of them, but it was too early for us to really take advantage of it. Too early to be ready to think what we might need. To be able to think clearly.
• We did get several packages of meat to put in the freezer.
• Stopped in Samana to try to get some pesos. Succeeded in getting a few, but not much.
• Were able to get our phone activated. Yay!
• Lost my wallet! Scary. Turned out to be in their car. What a relief!!!
• Lunch at La Vela Blanca, a little restaurant along the beach.
• An old-looking pirate ship had run aground there. Quite the entertainment watching them try to get her off the sand.

Tuesday, 1-12-16

• Time for a rest day for me.
• Still not feeling up to par.
• Bob went to LaPlayita.
• I enjoyed the hammock and the ranchito.
• Power was off for several hours

Wednesday, 1-13-16

• We walked to town mid-morning.  Too hot. Must go earlier - or wait until late afternoon
• Went to Numero Uno for garbage bags, laundry soap, and ingredients for Bob’s cookies.
• Tracked the route; round-trip to town and back is about a mile.
• Bob made no-bake cookies.
• When it got cooler late in the day, we walked to LaPlayita. About 0.7 mile - one way
• Bob cooked steak for dinner.
• Walked nearly three miles today

Thursday, 1-14-16

• Wrote a blog post
• Stripped the bed and washed the sheets
• Learned the laundry procedures
• We speak of not needing to come back
• Water was off for awhile in the afternoon
• Walked to town late afternoon 
• Bob bought a shirt from Chez Michel
• I found a dress at a little shop - and met the young woman who made it
• Pizza at the French bakery

Friday, 1-15-16

• Walked to town in the morning
• Yummy pastries at the French bakery
• No luck at the ATM, the "automatico"
• Water is off again
• Helicopter flew over. That’s rare.
• Walked back into town in late afternoon to try the bank again. Finally success

...and that was our first week.

The little room

My first clue was when I saw a waiter hand a key to someone… 

We were having lunch at a beach bar and I noticed that people were getting a key - presumably for the restroom. Whoa. 

Does this mean that there was something nice enough about this bathroom to protect? Like maybe there was actually a toilet seat. Or maybe even paper in there. 

Such thoughts and wonderings were tucked away in the “interesting” file. 

After lunch and before we headed back to the car, it was time to check it out - so I stepped up to the bar to request said key and headed in the direction I was pointed - "over there, behind the kitchen." Experienced traveler that I am (hah!), I did remember to take along my purse just in case I would need paper.  And yes, I had earlier that morning remembered to re-stock the paper supply therein.

My curiosity grew as I came around the corner of the building which was the kitchen and found an interesting little building up on stilts - with several sturdy steps leading up to the sheet metal door that was indeed locked with a padlock.

I found myself remembering some of the bathrooms I had found at other beach restaurants. 

Like the one at Playa Rincon with a huge water drum with plastic dippers floating on the surface of the water - for flushing and hand-washing - all barely visible in the near darkness inside the little shack. 

Or like the one at La Playita where there was actual plumbing but it often wasn’t working. And, of course, I was remembering all of the bathrooms in this country with no toilet seats. 

All of these images crowded my mind as I climbed the big metal steps and unlocked the padlock. 

Imagine my shock and delight upon opening the door to find actual bathroom fixtures complete with toilet seat. Evidently so shocked that I couldn't hold the camera still!

It was like a modern restroom WITH a supply of paper. And things seemed to be fairly clean so perhaps there really was running water and things might really be working properly. 

It was even bright enough in there to see these astonishing furnishings instead of peering into the semi-darkness and fearing what one might find. 

Interestingly a small window on the ocean side was positioned at almost the right height so one could enjoy the view while taking care of business. Too funny.

Since we happened to have arrived during some interesting drama with a pirate ship run aground, the view from that window provided extra entertainment than on a normal beach day.

(Not even kidding about this.)

All in all, this was a great place and the little room was downright decent so I was thankful. 

I was also glad that I did think to take my purse along when visiting the little room - this time not for the paper I might need, but for the camera I never would have thought I might want!

Nice place. 

I'm impressed.

Night sounds

So this place has been okay. I was pretty iffy about it at first. That is not terribly unusual; I am often iffy about a new place. But I think I was even iffy-er than usual this time. Nothing cool about it really. But it's okay. It has become familiar.

Those strange really loud thumping and banging noises that freaked me out a little the first night have either lessened or faded into the normal. We assume they are coming from big garbage trucks at the Savannah Sanitation land fill on the other side of the highway.

And the really, really loud roaring sounds last weekend sounded like a race track. I suppose they could have been coming from the Savannah Speedway a bit east of here.

The frequent sirens now have an explanation - or really two explanations: the fire station right out front across the road and the police station next door. When I'm out walking by the fire station and a fire truck suddenly lets that siren loose, I nearly jump out of my hiking sandals!

And the planes... Oh the planes... Little planes, military planes, jet planes, helicopters... All kinds of planes rumbling or whirring or whining or whistling overhead much of the time. Well, it turns out that we are smack dab between Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Hilton Head International Airport - just a few miles away.

Oh, and don't forget the trains. Yep, there's a railroad track over there somewhere near the Army Airfield and the Savannah Speedway.

I guess I feel more comfortable here now that I know the sources of most of these noises. I'm funny that way. Sounds can play a big part in my disorientation or in my sense of well-being.

...

And now tonight we have the windows open and I can hear all kinds of "chirping" outside - spring peepers, Bob says. So that's a familiar sound. We always loved to fall asleep to the sound of spring peepers at Hidden Hollows.

And with that, good night.
 

Life on the road - 10 months

Location: the Christmas cabin at Hidden Hollows

Outside: Everything is snow-covered & beautiful

Miles traveled: Staying put today

Hubby is: shooting more local landmarks

Unexpected: Duplex burned down while we were gone; remnants were buried this week

Noticed: I'm feeling a bit frustrated about not having any good places to walk.

Made me laugh: Jeff Gordon test drive video

Made me sad: The dry skin is back

Made me drool: Reading the dinner specials on Stacks FB page

Blessings: I can again use my arm which had caused pain for several days.

Reading: The Icarus Deception - by Seth Godin

Watching tonight: West Wing - beginning the series on Netflix

Considering: Writing goals for the next season

Working on: Tribe Writers course

Accomplishments: Hauled another load to thrift store this week; emptied more bins

Lessons: I really can't do it all. Duh.

Agenda: Keep pitching stuff

Looking forward to: a road trip tomorrow and the walking trails getting better soon

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.