Good-bye to the DR

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

All good things come to an end and this oen will move from sharing tea and coffee and move onto another phase – of texts, sharing photos over whatsapp, and calls.  It has been wonderful to return to the Dominican Republic after all these years and still feel very welcome.  Siri made quite the lasting impression this family and the community.

We spend our last night visiting – Fefen’s sister stops by, after her arobics class, and the volume increases 5-fold.  This is the DR I remember.  I even asked Siri once, when I   visited in 1991, “Why is everyone always shouting at each other?”  She assured me that was just the volume of a normal conversation here.  I got used to it and now it makes me smile.

Later in the evening, Siri talks with Katy and encurages her to run for City Council or Mayor since she is interested in helping her community and making things better.  We will see what she chooses for her next path. 

In the morning, we enjoy our fresh juice, strong coffeee, and a full american style breakfast that will hold us till dinner.  We settle into our rocking chairs and try to will time to slow down just a bit more as we get a few more stories and laughs in before departing.

Then it is time.

We give our final hugs, Katy sheds a few tears, Fefen gives us a firm handshake and a side hug, and Rivin walks us the two blocks to the station.  She holds Siri’s arm along the way and then sends her adopted American daughter home along her way with one long hug and kiss.  We wave as we board the bus, store our bags and then right on time, we are off.

It has been a good journey and reunion.  Now it is time to rest just a bit before heading out again.

We spend our last evening in the country walking the pedestrian street down to the main plazas.  We enjoy a meal outside and enjoy people watching.  There are the locals who bring their kids out to play on bikes and the tourists who are taking pictures and purchasing items from vendors.  We enjoy the colors feom the sunset and a full moon rises over the far walls of this old city. 

We walk home to the sounds of a cello playing the Bridgerton theme song which seems appropriate for these 500 year-old buildings.

Tomorrow we have a 6 am (!) flight back to Maimi and then will be in Greneda by the early afternoon.  It will be good to have a day of travel to let this country go and begin another chapter by the evening.