Here are some of the things we learned from all the questions we asked on that short trip from the capitol to Santiago. Depending on your source of information there are about 1-2 million people in Santiago and about 4 million in the capital. Many people have to hold 2-3 jobs to support their family. All construction is basically stucco. The exchange rate for pesos to dollars was 42 to 1 when we were there. From the South in Santo Domingo (the capital) across the island and to the North in Puerta Plata, it takes about 3.5-4 hours. Traffic/driving is kinda crazy.....something I am looking forward to and Teri, not so much. She says they drive just like me.... We learned much more that we will share as we tell the rest of the story.
We arrived in Santiago and went strait to the house and met the rest of the family. Jonathon (18), Rebeka (15), and the twin girls Mariah and Abby (12). The Romano’s gave us a choice to stay in the apartment connected to their house or in another apartment they rent around the block. We chose to stay at their place and unloaded our luggage.
We unpacked, rested a bit and then took a walk to the Cafe, which is about 1 1/2 blocks from the Romano’s. While we were there, they just about to open the Café to the public, where its main goal is to reach young people in the city for Christ. They offer English classes several times during the week and while we were there, they we fine-tuning the menu. I had a nice cafe (coffee) while I was there, which helped wake me up a little, I needed that.
Here is a very cool picture of the Café. Something very cool about the Café is that they ask the mission teams that come down to bring 2 coffee mugs from their home town. One is used to serve drinks and the other is put up on a ledge with all the other mugs. The ledge is up on top of the wall on the left in the picture below.
That evening we went out for dinner with Rick and Tammie and the family. Some unusual foods on the menu were conejo (rabbit) and cabra (goat). None of us were brave enough to try them at that point, but we did have yucca, which is like a potato and plantain which looks like a banana, but doesn't taste like one. They are not as sweet and they are many times cut into slices and fried like a french fry or made into plantain chips. I am sure there are many other uses, but that is what we commonly experienced during our trip. Our meal was great and the company was even better. It was a great chance for us to get to know each other and a nice way to kick off our trip.
That's basically it for the first day and that was enough. Once we got back we were pretty exhausted and went to bed so we could be ready for another busy day.
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