Dominican Republic

Monday morning we left our Haitian home at 6:30 a.m. to catch a bus to the Dominican Republic for a quick get away, relaxation, and fast food!

Shortly after arriving at the bus stop, about a 30 minute drive from our house, we were informed that we needed our Permanent Visa's in order to travel.  We did not have them, they were in an office on the mission property!  We had our passports, which were supposed to have a special stamp that shows you have a visa; however, this little detail got looked over.  After a few very frantic minutes of making phone calls and beginning to come to grips with the fact that the bus was going to have to leave us, the lady taking the tickets called us over to talk with her again.


In broken English she asked us if she could trust us.  "Yes, of course you can!"  we said.  She told us she would go ahead and stamp our papers for us, but next time we must have our Visa's.  I was BLOWN AWAY by her grace!  We quickly boarded the bus and were eager for all the next for days had in store!


We traveled on a charter bus which went pretty slow maneuvering threw all the mountain roads of Haiti.  About 2 hours into the drive we reached the border to the DR.  After a "forever" period of time we were escorted off the bus to provide our passports and other papers to the customs office.  People were EVERYWHERE!  Large trucks loaded down with items were waiting to re-enter Haiti after their time in the DR.  I have not seen crowds quite like what was at the border before.


It took 3 HOURS to get across the border.  Half of this time was just us sitting on the bus watching the masses all around us.  We were slowly but surely making our way into another country.  We arrived a few hours later to the bus station in the DR.  We were picked up by a missionary to the DR and stayed at their guest house.

Our first stop was the grocery store, Carrefour.  To say we were overwhelmed by the variety of foods and the reasonable prices would be an understatement!  We were like kids in a candy store.  They even had a food court in the grocery store.  We had Burger King for dinner, mmmmboy!

Our first full-day we spent exploring the area.  We had a taxi take us to the mall first.  We shopped at a store called, La Sirena, basically the Wal-Mart of the DR.  It did not take us too long before we remembered we did not even enjoy shopping in the U.S.  We enjoyed another food court meal, I had WENDY'S and Trey had another amazing cheeseburger.  We bought a couple of miscellaneous items, but then decided it was time to walk outside and explore.

With our map in hand we took off toward the ocean!  One of the things we love to do is go on walks together.  Almost our entire dating relationship consisted of taking walks.  It is the perfect time for great conversation, and also just enjoyable to be together.  We do not get the opportunity to do this in Haiti due to the crazy roads and our full schedules.  It was a great afternoon.  2 1/2 hours later our walk concluded and we were at the boardwalk!

We sat and "people watched."  There was an outdoor gym located on the boardwalk.  It was quite comical to watch everyone use the different machinery.  Of course, just like normal people we enjoyed adding thought bubbles for the people in the scene we were watching.  They even had an aerobics class that started!  If I had on tennis shoes I would have joined the class in a heartbeat!  As the evening came we went to the movies.  We saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie, with Spanish subtitles and only payed 50 peso's a piece, a little more than $1.25.


No trip with Trey Salter would be complete without a little History.  The missionary couple who hosted us took us to the colonial zone on Wednesday afternoon.  We saw beautiful cathedrals and enjoyed walking the cobblestone roads.  We went to China Town as well, and enjoyed some fried rice and sesame chicken, to all our Louisville friends it was the closest thing we have had to the Oriental House for quite some time!

Thursday afternoon was beach day.  But, as you can see in the picture below, it was a tad "overcast."  We traveled to Boca Chica (sounds fun doesn't it!) Trey had Sushi and I enjoyed some Chicken Cordon Bleu.  We sat outside all afternoon reading and looking out at the ocean.  It was a 'hoity toity" place and I don't believe we fit in too well, but nevertheless we enjoyed our time.

Throughout our stay we could not get over the fact that the DR and Haiti are on the same island!  The lifestyle, language, people, buildings, EVERYTHING just felt so different.  These past 6 months have been very emotionally draining.  Shortly after arriving in the DR we both were hit with extreme amazement at how big and great our God is.


Our heads are spinning with all the different people and needs that are in this world.  To think that the Lord knows EVERYONE, our thoughts, our needs, and cares for us so intimately is mind blowing.  We understand so little.  The longer we spend in Haiti and the more we travel to different cultures, the more glad I become that He is God and I am not.  I praise Him for His greatness and His care for His children!

As we sat on the boardwalk, I took a picture of the rainbow in the clouds.  It was our reminder that in a world that feels so big, the Lord is with us and constantly reminding us to rest in Him, and trust in His promises!


We had a wonderful stay in the DR.  From fast food to simply having time together without any plans or responsibilities was very special.  We are glad to be back home and preparing for the week ahead.  We are eager and excited to live each day, tasting and seeing that the Lord is good!