JANUARY 19th
With 5 days left to spare….
we left the mini mansion to head to the more humble part of Santiago. Still beautiful, but more grounded. Her dad had secured an apartment for us in the same complex as his wife (Anisha).
But we had somewhere else in mind. Our eyes and heart were set on this air bnb that Bree found online. The good thing is, it was right around the corner from Anisha’s apartment. Win-win. This was our home for the rest of our trip.
Thing is ..it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence either. We spoke the same language.
JANUARY 20th-PUERTO PLATA
Beware..the roads swerve. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it was a thrill. We all broke silence in the car — Laughter, conversations.
“You two aren’t sisters?”
That’s not the first or last time we’ve heard this. In fact, we get it everywhere we go.
People always say we look alike — I don’t know if it’s the same skin tone, our features or what. Even her dad says I remind him of his daughter. Can’t really put my finger on it, but apparently the resemblance is strong enough for strangers to assume we’re related.
The closer we got to Puerto Plata, the more the walls came down.
By the time we made it to the beach, the sun was preparing to set into the night. Nelson’s friend had prepared a table for us and since it was his business? Shots! - rounds of it. Spicy. Domicans call it Mohito. We weren’t getting into the water just yet, just dipping our feets in it. That experience was reserved for tomorrow.
What we did next..All 4 of us got up from the table and walked around the beach. There was music. People on ATVs and motorbikes. Ooo, I wanted to do that tomorrow. We walked farther away from the table and into the dark abyss. “So how are you?” “Where do you guys live?” Deep into our conversation, we had realized that we had gotten so far. We officially broke the ice.
It was pitch dark. Her dad didn’t want to admit it but we were lost. And with that ghost story in the back of our minds…we were a little spooked —well, I was.
Flashed a light from their villa. With a blinking light, they lured us to them and then drove us to ours taking the lead as we followed. W friends in the chat.
We settled in. But the night wasn’t over yet.
Moments like that make the best memories.
We made our way back to the villa. This time was smooth— we remembered how to get there.
The night was officially old, and everyone went into their own rooms in the villa. Bree and I faded into sleep singing karaoke to old rnb songs playing on the tv.
JANUARY 21st-Beach day
The next morning…The Brooklyn crew didn’t get to go to the beach as planned…was leaving and we had to Saying our goodbyes. It wasn’t really a goodbye, more like a see you later.
But it wasn’t meant to be.
We had to accept defeat.
Did the walk of shame into the Uber — both of us in silence, grasping the reality that this trip was over.
We packed in silence.
Her dad drove us back to the airport. Still, silence.
He hugged us both before heading back to his family in Santiago.— but not without making sure we were well taken care of by the airport crew.
See you soon.
Check in was quick and easy. They placed our seats right by the exit which meant that I had a Exit Row Safety Briefing. They needed a verbal "yes" to ensure that I met the requirements and were able to assist. Bree prepared me for this.
“Are you willing and able to direct all passengers to the exit?”
Yes. Of course I am willing to risk my life, putting others before myself.
The fligMore silence and sleep.
That was the end of A Wedding in DR.