Rio San Juan, Monte Plata, Field Trip to Aquarium, Birds in the Colonial Zone, and Christmas Party at Mercedes Amiama

This past month included a few trips to favorite places I've enjoyed in the past. One of the most enjoyable places for me over the past year has been Rio San Juan. I am seen above with one of the French-Canadian owners of the Bahia Blanca hotel. I love staying here, not because the hotel is plush (far from it), but because I stay in one of the corner rooms overhanging the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great joy to open the windows wide and fall sleep listening the ocean's surf. This is the Bahia Blanca: 
The following two photos were taken shortly after sunrise:

This photo was taken right outside of my room:

Aside from day trips to Playa Grande (currents are so strong at this time of the year that swimming was nearly impossible) and Playa Caleton (here the surf was so high that swimming was not as relaxed as 2 months ago), I savored breakfast at Estrella's, where fresh croissants are served in the morning with hot coffee and steamed milk.  Here I am with Stephan, the French owner of Estrella's:

I also enjoyed swimming at the beach in Rio San Juan, adjacent to the hotel, and visiting with French and French-Canadian expatriates (they're all my age!) also relaxing at the beach. It helps a lot that the trip to get there and return is so easy and the views of the coast so beautiful. The 3-hour Caribe Tour route goes along the Caribbean east of Santo Domingo and turns north to take the new highway to Samana, then continues west to Nagua, through Cabrera, and ends up in Rio San Juan. The cost for the bus ride is about $8. I pay $30 a night at the hotel, and about $7 for breakfast. I loved the motorcycle ride along the coast back to Rio San Juan from Playa Grande, and paid $4 for that trip.  The sound of the surf and the beauty of the ocean stayed with me after returning to Santo Domingo.

Another favorite trip is seeing my friends in Monte Plata, the family I stayed with for about 2 months last year. They always welcome me with open arms! Charo's birthday was November 9. I brought Charo gifts, and remembered to bring Nutella for the children. The children love Nutella.  Charo's Swiss friend Andrea made 3 birthday cakes for Charo! Also, Charo's sister, cousin and  friends came to the birthday gathering. The following are photos of Charo and her family:

I brought the crowns as party favors for Charo's family, and everyone is seen wearing one. The next photo is of Charo's sister, Angela.

 Here is Mariann, Charo's oldest daughter, age 13.

 Charo's daughter Gabriella, age 10, is seen here with Charo.

These next two photos are of Juan Diogenes, Charo's husband. In one photo he, too, is wearing a crown. He is also seen tasting the goat stew, which we enjoyed for dinner.

Next is a photo of Jonathan, 21, who plays baseball for the Minnesota Twins. His success having signed a contract with a major US league is the Dominican dream! He is a wonderful young man. I always hold him in my heart, and wish him every success. He is home on vacation.

Here are some photos taken out front of the house before the birthday dinner. Everyone is sitting around in plastic chairs, Dominican style, drinking Presidente Beer or  Rum:

The following are photos taken of everyone at the dinner table itself, and the birthday cakes:

 Below, lighting the birthday cake:

Finally, a happy Charo on her birthday.

This month the colegio at which I volunteer went for a field trip to the Santo Domingo Aquarium. It was a very well organized event. The local Aquarium is a highly civilized, with tour guides available to assist during a day in which many elementary schools are hosted. The displays are outstanding. 

After the tour,  the children enjoyed the green lawns and play facilities. It made my heart sing to see the children in my neighborhood, whose play area usually consists of dirty, garbage-strewn streets, enjoying the ocean views and fresh breezes of the beautifully appointed Santo Domingo Aquarium. It was raining some in the morning as everyone loaded onto the guagua:

Once we reached the Santo Domingo Aquarium, everyone lined up for a walk to the picnic area and enjoyed a snack.

Next is a photo of Rubia, my friend and neighbor, with her two nephews.

 After a snack, the children were given a tour. Everyone was eager to respond to the guide's questions.

The tortoise tank at the aquarium was a big hit with everyone, and we saw four tortoises:

All the displays at the aquarium are very well done, and the following photo shows just one example of the children learning about the coral reefs surrounding the Dominican Republic.

The very next day after the day at the Aquarium, I participated in a 7:00 a.m. bird tour in the Zona Colonial. I've never realized how fabulous this historical part of Santo Domingo can be in the early morning, nor have I known that so many kinds of birds (other than pigeons!) can be viewed here. We started out in the Plaza in front of the Cathedral:

Next, we moved throughout the Zona Colonial, viewing terns, palmchats, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and Hispanolian woodpeckers, among other bird species.

Next, we are looking at the shore birds, and view several types of egrets:
Below, we continue walking throughout the colonial zone and enjoying the architecture:

 We saw hummingbirds in the tree below.

The next photo is of three beautiful wild green parrots, indigenous to the Dominican Republic:

 And finally, a group photo of all of us who went on the tour:

The following photos are of the most recent big event of the month for me. Those of us in the International Women's Club teaching English at the Mercedes Amiama school held a Christmas party December 3.  We had pizza, chocolate cake, made balloon animals, sang Christmas carols, enjoyed a mixer game, and talked about our New Years' resolutions. Also, we exchanged Christmas presents. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all! Below, girls are singing Christmas carols.

And in the next photograph we are involved in our group mixer:

  Next are two students enjoying pizza and coke:

Below, I'm with my group--Linda, Roma, Yamily, Bianca and Consuela. They are second year English students.

 Next are Julie and Terry with the group of first year English students.

 And here is Mary Ann with her fourth year English students.

I'll end with a group photo of all the English teachers together--Mary Ann, Lena, me, Terry and Julie.

So that's all for now, and thank you for viewing my blog update. All the best to you during December and the holidays! I look forward to blogging again in early January.