Day 34 I wanted to blow through my comfort zone. Venture out without a solid plan and just take things as they came. Guardians of the Galaxy was playing at the theater, about 15 miles from my apartment. My movie buddy, Sara, was not available to go and I was bored and anxious to see the movie. Other than the airport and the guided tours, I had venture outside my Cabarete and Sosua, on my own. I was up for the adventure and feeling a little more comfortable with my spanish so that I could negotiate any situations that might arise. Tio, and older motoconcho driver said he could take me. He had a reliable bike and the older drivers are usually safe, reliable and honest. I had ridden with him around town and I felt he was the right man to take me on the long motor concho trip. I could have taken a cab, but they pack people in them, even setting people on top of you. To me that was less comfortable and less safe that riding on the back of a motorcycle on the busy two lane roadway. Tio, Playa Dorada Mall, por favor. Si, mi amigo. Cuanto questa? You pay me what is fair. Sounds good to me. Earlier, he had told me that he had not given one ride all day and made no money. I believed him. The town was quiet and August is one of the slowest tourist times of the year. The brutal sun with temperatures on heat index hitting of 105 degrees or higher, make this an unfavorable time of the year for tourists. Even the water at the beach was in the mid 80s and drained me when I swam. Based on prior trips, I figured 600 pesos would be fair and help him out. We departed. Along the way, Tio (Spanish for Uncle) pointed out different sites and told me about his family. His son was soon going to turn 18. He asked me if I had children. I explained in spanish what had happen to my son. Something I have gotten fairly good at doing, having told the story dozens of times to dozens of people. We puttered along and he asked where I was from. Philadelphia. When abroad, always cite the closest and largest major city, because people just look at you blankly when you tell them Lancaster. And there is no way Id ever say Baltimore. Never. (Go Stillers!) He explained that his son really wants a Phillies hat for his birthday, but they are very expensive here. Actually, they are about the same price as they are back home but the typical Dominican earns a fraction of what we are able to earn in the states. $35 to us is half a days pay, (or less.) To them, it may be three days income. The sun was setting and the scenery on the way to Playa Dorada shifted from palm tree orchards to large sugar cane plantations and steep mountains that seem to have arbitrarily pierced the flat coastal plains, years ago. Transient fluffy crowds hung around breezy skies, providing occasional shade. Much needed, since my skin was fried from days of too much sun. The ride was peaceful. I would have loved to ridden all night, but we had arrived at the gated resort and it was time to say goodbye. I swung my leg over the back and reached into my pocket. 600 pesos just didnt seem fair. It was a solid 30 minute ride and I was probably his last rider for the day. I gave him a 1000 pesos...About $25. Yeah, I overpaid, but to me, its not about the price, its about the value. Tio took care of me and took time to talk to me. He was a good, honest, hardworking man, and that is something I value. I handed it to him. He was happy and smiled. He may have only given one ride that day, but it was one that counted. We shook hands and he was off. I passed through the security gate. The guard kindly directed me to the mall. It was about a 15 minute walk through an exclusive resort that housed dozens of condos and hotels. They surrounded small ponds and a well kept golf course. Everything looked empty. Other than employees and the occasional tourist, the place was ghost town. I got to the mall and climbed the steps to the second floor where the theater was located. It was empty.Four employees and me. I bought my ticket, some nachos and. A large soda. Six dollars. The theater was vacant as the movie started. My own private screening. Other patrons showed up and joined me, but for the first 15 minutes, I was all alone. The movie was good, but the Spanish subtitles, which I enjoy because they help me learn, were fairly inaccurate. I felt bad for the Dominican patrons. Much of the humor was lost in the translations. It was a good movie. I love the Marvel productions and this one did not disappoint. The clock said 9:04. It was dark and I needed to figure out how I was getting home. Motoconchos were not allowed on the resort and the shuttles were only available to guests. Id need to walk the mile and half back to the main roadway and try to flag a cab or motor concho. And there I stood, by the roadway, cars zipping by, and not so much as tapping a brake to slow down for me. And that was when there were cars. They were few and far between. I held my hand out to flag the cabs. They just kept passing me by. Ok, maybe catching a ride home wasnt going to be so easy after all. Five minutes went by. Then ten. Then twenty. I was about to start walking. I vaguely remembered a gas station two or three miles down the road. Motoconcho drivers were hanging out there. About that time, my luck changed. A kid, probably about 18 years old, rode by, slowed down and circled back. Hola. Usted me puede conducir a Sosua? Si. Cuanto? Quinientos pesos, mi amigo. Bueno. I accepted the ride back for half of what I paid to get to the theater. It all averaged out and still cost less than driving to the theater and seeing a movie at home. It was a good adventure.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 21:03:02 +0000
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