I’ve always been a sucker for these old crumbling buildings. I love the color, the layers of paint, and the fact that despite their rough outward appearance they still contain family life behind their doors.

It’s only once the roofs collapse that buildings seem to cease being useful. But once upon a time somebody crafted this building, putting in the time and effort to make beautiful arches, and probably some actual stained glass.

We walked for miles and miles, through town and all along the malecón. It was a lovely walk, with wide pathways, playgrounds, and benches overlooking the ocean. The beaches sitting just outside the mouth of the river were pretty horrifying, though. Our seas, and our grandchildren, appear doomed.

Boat kids, boat provisioning.

Sunrise in Santo Domingo.

We got lucky and arrived just in time for Independence Day. With a big parade in store we headed back down to the malecón again.

Hot dogs, hot dogs, and more hot dogs. Grills lined the sidewalks, all hawking the same thing.

There was a large contingent of Mexican military in the parade, and the Dominicans seemed particularly happy with this, with many of them lining up to get their pictures taken with them. We talked with one of the army guys for a while, shooting the breeze about Mexico, but I was never able to fully understand why they were there as part of the D.R. Independence Day parade. Aside from the fact that both countries achieved their independence from Spain, I couldn’t figure out the modern day connection.

I suppose I’d be considered a pacifist these days, so it pains me somewhat that the entire celebration of D.R. independence was military in nature. That a tiny island nation, in 2020, maintains a military orgainization this large seems like a disturbing waste, especially considering that the worst of their history seems to be directly related to rule by terrible military dictators. Then again, it was only fifty-five years ago that the U.S. invaded the D.R. Maybe they need this large military more than I know. And hey, I’m just a visitor with only the smallest grasp of their history and political situation. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and we were happy to enjoy the festivities along with them.

Lots of kite fliers in this plaza, and not just kids flying them above the treeline. Adults were whipping them all over the place a mile high.

The green Presidente case. Ours has traveled all over the world with us, picked up on our first sail through the D.R. and carried on top of the VW bus all over the world.

Headed home after a long, fun day in Santo Domingo.