Kathy's last full day in The D.R.

Thursday night Kathy said something like, "I can't believe tomorrow is my last full day here." I think it made us all a little sad. Of course, vacations come to an end, and people go back to the everyday lives. But, we have really had a great and magical week of fun, love, and friendship. Wil and I are so glad Kathy made the trip to spend time with us!

For Kathy's last day here, she had some goals to achieve. She wanted to visit the Jardin Botanico, get back to the Zona Colonial since most things were closed on Monday, and do a little shopping for some special folks back in Seattle. Oh, yes, and have pica pollo (Dominican fried chicken). I'm happy to report that we were able to mark most of these tasks off of her list.

Wil was notified last evening that he needed to report to his supervisor today. So, instead of hanging out with us, he had to go to work for part of the day. But, he has a good friend, Eliseo, who was going to join us anyway, escort Kathy and me for the day.

Wil was able to be with us for our morning at the botanical garden.





Though the orchids were not in full bloom this time, Kathy still enjoyed the blossoms and the beautiful garden.



After the orchideria, we went on the train tour of the garden that is included in the price of admission.

We enjoyed many aspects of the tour, especially our time in the Japanese Garden.



Since Wil and I have been watching America's Next Top Model on Youtube, we have been making jokes about the Dominican Republic's Next Top Model. In the photo above, we decided Eliseo was posing for the show!





Kathy just being her adorable self in the Jardin Botanica.

Kathy is a little more honest than most. We didn't even cheat and use pictures from Monday when we were in Zona Colonial. Eliseo, Kathy, and I visited the Colon (Christopher Columbus)Family Mansion and the Royal Houses.





Kathy looks very prim and proper, doesn't she? Legs crossed at the ankles and everything, very lady-like.

After Zona Colonial, we made our way to La Sirena (a fabulous supermarket), found pica pollo (delicious), found some treats in La Duarte (a busy, crowded market place full of street vendors, produce markets, and stores), and made our way back to the apartment by 2:30. Basically, we rocked it out today!

Tonight, we had our last feast of this trip. Wil made one of my favorites, chenchen, and it was amazing. I do believe it is one of Kathy's favorites now too!

Guest blogger Kathy here -- Sorry this post is late. Joel was starting it Friday night and I said, "I'm just gonna lie down here, but you let me know if you want input and when it's my turn to blog."

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Anyhoo, Joel is absolutely correct. Chenchen is SOOOOOO good! But basically, ALL Dominican food is good (especially everything Wil makes). Muy bueno, indeed! It's funny to think of parts of my visit being goals, but Joel is absolutely correct again. For most of my trip I just had to let go and accept the "time is fluid" thing down here. It's probably been good for me. But for my last day, I was like, "This is what I wanna get done, and this is how we're gonna do it." I'm so colonial in that way, enforcing my U.S.-ness on the locals (hee hee). Anyway, the original plan was to take an inexpensive guagua to the Jardin Botanico (only five pesos -- about 14 cents), but that would have gone all over the city and taken about 45 minutes. I got all bossy and insisted we take a taxi, saying that it was worth the money to save the time. I think that was my only "Bossy American" moment of the trip, but you'll have to ask Wil & Joel!!

Got a few more mosquito bites at the Jardin Botanico (pond in the Jardin Japonese attracted 'em, I think), but it was worth it. Much like the Japanese Garden in Seattle's Arboretum. It was also nice to go back to Zona Colonial. I had my doubts at first, but the Columbus Mansion was worth it. The Royal Houses were very cool too, and after my DC trip it was a little weird to be in museums where most things were NOT in Plexiglas boxes and were exposed to the open air (no panes in the windows here!). Plus I could take flash photos of everything, so believe me, I did! I also got pretty good at avoiding the insistent "tour guides" and maitre d's who virtually (and sometimes literally) grab you to try to get your business. What's really funny is that when Wil joined us again later in the afternoon he was cracking up because Joel and I were maneuvering through traffic (on foot) like we'd been doing it forever. If only we'd taken pictures of all the jaywalking I did. No one here would believe it otherwise! But it's true.

I think that's about all I have to say. I truly, truly enjoyed my week here and any inconveniences (inconsistent utilities, mosquito bites, oppressive heat/humidity) were totally mitigated by how much dang fun I had. It was definitely over too soon. Back to Joel . . .

Yes, Kathy jaywalked a lot in The D.R. If she hadn't, she would still be waiting at the first street, ha! And, even with the inconveniences that are just part of life here for the natives and things I've gotten used to in my time here, Kathy was a trooper all week. We truly did have a fun time.

I have to say that yesterday was a definite let down for me. I went to the airport with Kathy, while Wil went to begin his new job (he found out on Friday that he would leave on Saturday) in a province about 3 hours away. I came home to the empty apartment and was missing the companionship. But, I've been working on my online classes, reading, and watching movies. And, best of all, Wil has talked to his boss about me being a volunteer and living with Wil in the other town. So, after this weekend when Wil comes home, then I will return with him. Yay!!!