May 13, 2022
I just want to start by saying the Dominican Republic is love. I’ve explored, tasted new flavors, and made new friends without speaking or understanding Spanish fluently. (English is not a language widely spoken here in Santo Domingo.) But everyone that I’ve met so far has been more than happy to help me understand or try to understand me.
I’ve been greeted with nothing but smiles and friendly conversations, whether dining solo in a restaurant or roaming the streets of Santo Domingo. And for that reason, I love it here!
This trip has turned out to be better than I could’ve ever imagined. I checked off and am in the process of checking off two bucket list items.
Bucket List Items:
3. Ride on the back of a motorcycle
26. Do a whole week of solo travel (by my standards)
Riding on the back of a motorcycle through Santo Domingo was one of the most freeing experiences I’ve ever had. And I’m glad I got to check that bucket list item off in a new country!
Being here in Santo Domingo reinforced my feelings about travel in Trinidad. It reinforced that the world is full of magical places just waiting to be explored, felt, and experienced.
As far as my second bucket list item goes, it’s basically under my belt! I wanted to experience what it would be like to explore a new country where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have anyone around me.
So far, it’s been gratifying. My Airbnb is very comfortable, and I have yet to feel unsafe.
The Dominican Republic has been good to me, and it’s only been a few days. It’s been easy to navigate and really peaceful. Everyone here has been more than happy to stop and help whenever I need it, and I have yet to meet or come across a person with an attitude.
I really love it here, the people, my neighborhood, the food, and everything in between.
Being here has been a new experience for me. I’ve been learning to adjust a bit, but that’s why I travel, to leave my pond and understand life in another, so I look forward to the rest of my days here!
Ashley Travels The Globe 