Off Again: Day 13

Weather photo

I was ready and waiting in the lobby a half hour early because I couldn’t think what else to do with myself.  The van arrived and I was happy to see that Abraham, who I met on our trip last year, was the host and our interpreter was Ronald as I had requested because I knew from our meeting last year that he had never been to 3 Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos), and Eduardo’s tutor from last year couldn’t come so we welcomed Zeberino and the driver, Daniel in addition to Eduardo and his mom.

We were able to chat and get caught up a bit since our last letters on the 20 minute drive to the park.  Once there, we got our wrist passes and headed for the entrance to the caves.  We took lots of photos and Abraham was able to tell us a lot about the caves.  Apparently they were exposed by an earthquake not that long ago although the Tainos used to use them for religious rites.

When we got past the third lagoon, we took the little ferry across (something I hadn’t done last year) to find there was another lagoon on the other side.  It was beautiful with the sun shining down on it.  I was really glad we did that.  On the way back, we took a rest part way up.  At the landing where the stairs split between entrance and exit, I started counting the steps and there were 60.  Abraham knew him many there were round trip because he used to be a state guide.  Well over a thousand but I can’t remember numbers.

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Then we took the path through the parkland looking for birds and animals but we only saw a couple of birds and some butterflies.  We stopped at the cafeteria to get some water and be in the shade a bit.  In the van again, I started passing out the bags and Canada flag pins.  Eduardo was really pleased with his basketball but when he saw the Lakers’ jersey, he was really pumped.  Everyone liked their things and Zeberino promised to take the bag to the tutor who couldn’t make it.

At Café del Sol, Juan Dolio Beach, everyone was hungry so we decided to eat before swimming.  After lunch, though, Eduardo didn’t feel too good so we gathered on one of the huge palm-thatch covered beds.  Most of us went into the water at least to our knees but the boys were all holding their cell phones in one hand so it was pretty much a given that they wouldn’t be swimming.  It was very relaxing.  I say, if you’re going to be sick you might as well do it on a beautiful beach, lying in the shade, with a pleasant breeze.

On the way home, we stopped to buy some medicine and water to settle Eduardo’s stomach.  He slept a bit after that and started to feel better.  When we reached my hotel, we prayed together as a group and parted company.  I think it was a good day for everyone despite Eduardo’s upset stomach.

After freshening up a bit, I set out down Calle el Conde to look for our statue artist.  I’m not sure this is him but this person was in his spot.  It’s very humid tonight and so I’m having a sandwich in my air conditioned room while watching some of the Trump hearings and working on my blog.  I remembered last night that I have books on my iPad so that will keep me going until I get back to my car in Miami on Thursday.  So for now, thanks to my friends at Compassion Dominican and cheers from Santo Domingo!