The Dominican Republic I know...
I always understood how different the lives were in Dominican Republic versus the lives in the United States. I knew that when I visited Santo Domingo, my showers would be cold and since water is scarce (depending where I was in the island) I had to use a bucket of water to shower. If I went up to the country side, there was a chance I would have to use the bathroom in a separate house. I also knew that when "La Doña" puts a plate of food in front of you and says “Ponte a comer” you don’t dare ask questions. I understood that tostones con salami can be breakfast and dinner, and coffee is always served black with sugar. The people are humble yet prideful, strong yet sensitive, and sassy yet sweet. This the Dominican Republic I know.
My father lived in New York for 18 years before he saved enough money to build his dream home in Dominican Republic and retire. He now resides in Santo Domingo married with two kids and a café he runs every day. He lives a simple life now, cooking, raising his kids and giving me shit when I don’t call often. It always comes from love and I say this with a huge amount of it. Every year since then I come once a year for a week to visit him.
I was recently invited to go on an all-inclusive trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I had never been to that side of the island since my family is mainly in Santo Domingo and La Vega. At first I, didn’t feel right coming to the island without seeing my family. So after some thought and compromise, I requested ten days off from work and decided I’ll be in Punta Cana for five days and Santo Domingo for the remaining five. We were off to the island three weeks later and I was excited.
Punta Cana has one of the most gorgeous beaches I'd ever seen and I say this having traveled some. The hospitality at Paradisus Resort was phenomenal and the employers anticipated my every single need.
I can’t deny I didn’t have a great time because let me tell you I did. I drank and ate every day and felt just as fabulous as any Instagram model you see posted up in a bikini. [insert boomerang picture of me taking a shot] My most serene moments were sitting in my cabana with a Mai Tai staring off into the water. It was windy, due to the cold front up north, but it was warm cool air. I barely talked on the trip, because I wanted to be focused in the moment. I brought a book with me to read on the beach but considering the enticing blue waters, it seemed like the ocean had more stories to tell than the book I brought. I was on vacation and my mind was running free. The all-inclusive food and drinks heightened the feel of luxury paradise and I was immediately impressed by the resorts hospitality.
However, I knew deep down, this wasn’t the Dominican Republic I knew. The mangu con salami wasn't prepared with sautéed red onions mixed with warm butter. It was Americanized and dry. The mamajuana wasn’t marinated in our country's roots that cause the burn in your chest when you took a shot of it. It was nicely put in a whisker glass layered with rum and grenadine. The fuck? The Presidente (Dominican Republic’s national beer) was served on tap when the only way I've ever known to drink it was from an icy cold bottle. It was a resort catered to everyone from different parts of the world and I understood that. For this reason is why they couldn’t be 100% authentic. The resort didn’t translate the true Dominican Republic. It provided an escape beautifully. Still, it just didn’t provide the authenticity of our culture.
After the five days were up I was off in a private car from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo to see my father. After two long years of not seeing my dad I was reminded on how important it is to always keep your parents close. The moment I wrapped my arms around him I knew it had been too long since I've seen him. We talked for hours’ day at a time over coffee in the morning and a nice cold one at night. I cried in moments where he brought up my childhood, his proudest moments of me, and when things got deep.I also laughed my ass off when he told me crazy stories about my mother when she was in her twenties. I’ve always been honest with my dad on my views on life and where my path has taken me, and just like a father and friend he listens in silence and advises without judgement.
He kept telling me on my trip, "Nicole eat life!! This life is yours, live it, travel, don’t worry about anything, just go wherever you want to go." He reminded me how free I was, how I strong I am, and that it's in my blood to be fearless. Amongst the other powerful and private conversations we had on this trip I came back home feeling stronger than I ever been and more in tuned with my roots. My parents made a strong daughter and I know this for certain now.
Although I’m from New York, Dominican Republic is my second home and coming back to my roots was the fuel I needed to keep going. The fabulous vacation in Punta Cana, the realization of humble beginnings in Santo Domingo, and the reconnection of a father and daughter. This is the Dominican Republic I'll always know.
