Utah-Dominican Republic 2005 (1)

Hi All - just a quicky to say I made it! It´s humid as hell, but the water in is clear and varying shades of blue..

Here´s the quick skinny on the trip so far. First of all, getting 150 or so Dominicans to get on a plane and sit down in a timely fashion is as feasible as getting Seamus to drive to the Coffee Garden and grab me a Soy Mocha. But, with a little coaxing in the form of yelling from the attendants, we were finally underway ' 150 Dominicans most of them under the age of 12 and me! At the airport, you have to pay a tax to enter ' of course, I had no cash and needed to be escorted outside to the ATM and escorted back in by an immigration officer... the only person without cash, it seemed... odd. Then I rented a car and headed to the nearby seaside town of Boca Chica ' as recommended by some dude in the customs area... it was closer than Santo Domingo and smaller ' more manageable.

My hotel is small and quaint and sits right on the beach with a distance of 20 meters to the water and another 200 meters or so between me and the breaking waves ' ie. you can walk forever and never go under! Today, I took my car and drove into Santo Domingo... you never really know a city until you drive into it in a torrential downpour with no map and no knowledge whatsoever about a contry´s traffic rules - and by rules, I mean the local code... I just kept my special big Kavu sunshades on and layed low ' I fit right in ' cutting off the local minibus taxi and dodging little skinny dogs as need be.

I can´t believe that I, me, Rai Farrelly, am finally a bit desensitized to the sight of these pobre creatures ... I finally reached a point of exposure to them where I have to just raise my eyebrows, pout my mouth and figure . what can I really do anyway.... sad, but true. I guess that´s how the locals can live life without noticing... they see it from day one and have their own hunger to worry about.... most people here are starving and the women turn tricks to buy food. ... AIDS is rampant, I´ve learned. Most people have it... The children have distended bellies and most people ask for food... that´s balanced slightly by the folks who dress like city folk and have real jobs and drive nice cars... but they are the minority. Otherwise, the beach, like I said, is amazing... and I´m heading back there now.

The only reason I came to Santo Domingo was to meet Heidi Bruner, the sister of Gwen Bruner and the last of 5 Bruners for me to know. When big sister, Natalie told me that I could meet the last of 5 sisters if I were going to the DR, I nearly flipped because ... I had already bough the ticket, and here I am... so, I met her... she took me to a great vegetarian restaruant and we talked DR culture, life, sisters and stuff and then she brought me to the internet cafe (lifesaver) hugged and said farewell... She´s a sweetie and I have hugs to send on to her sister and niece in NYC when I visit at the tail end of this trip and then more for Gwen and the gals in SLC... If any of you see Gwen (in case this doesn´t make it), tell her I had lunch with Heidi! Well ' I hope I can find my way back ... it´s still pouring rain here in the capital and yet I´m sweating! Ok ' take care ' love and peace