la Republica Dominicana

This place is wild. Out at the camp where I sleep, I wake up to horses, cows, roosters; if it can make a noise, it gets me up at 6:30 AM. I ride my motorcycle down the unpaved roads of Bobita through La Caratacano past the small, electricity-less "homes." Now when I say "homes," think of a big walk in closet and that is about what I'm talking about. The "roads" here are treacherous. They are flooded with motorcycles and the people have no rules in terms of driving. It is unbelievable. It truly is incredible. I think the biggest thing that I have learned here so far has been the fact that I'm rich to the world's standards.

I think every person in America should visit a 3rd world nation. It would scare you into thinking twice about what we(Americans) spend our money on. People live here without running water and electricity, but at the same time, on the whole, seem more at peace with life than 90% of Americans. Money is not the root of happiness. People here develop relationships and value friendships more so than anything else. It is a beautifully rich culture in terms of valuing what is important in life. That is it for now, there is something to chew on. I miss you all, but I'm loving life.

Ah, New Jersey

Now I wasn't expecting anyone to roll out the red carpet for my return to New Jersey, but I did get a pleasant surprise from these guys:

Throughout the past four years, when I cruised the mean streets of Searcy, Arkansas, I can only recall one circumstance when I was flipped off. Even then, all they did was give me the bird, no big deal. No one ever rolled their window down, barked obscenities through their mirrors at me while they attempted to cut me off, no one ever threw something out their window at my car etc. While driving around town today, I was greeted not once, no not twice, but three times by separate groups of guys who cursed me out because of my driving habits. I went to buy a baseball glove and came home. We're talking three separate incidents in just 15 minutes on the pavement. Bah, this place is one of a kind.

Ah, the Garden State. All the dirty rumors you've heard about it are absolutely, 100% true.

My flight leaves Newark at 6:25 tomorrow morning. Nos vemos amigos!

आईटी इस टाइम

I spent one of my last days in the US with my Ma and brother. My Ma and I trudged up the Jersey Turnpike en route to West Point, NY to see my brother Ethan one more time before I head out on my year long excursions across the globe. It had been December since we last got to see each other, but it always picks up like it ended. My brother is an amazing man and I have the utmost respect and love for him. He makes me proud. Anyways, to make a long story short, it was bittersweet to see him and then, just a few hours later, to again say goodbye.

My travels begin 6:00 A.M Wednesday morning in Newark, NJ. I fly to Miami, Fl and then to Puerto Plata, DR. It should be a long day of traveling, but all worth it in the end. I am supposed to meet up with the rest of the MannaDR team in Miami. I am excited about getting to know some of the people before we totally ship out. Time to pack and get things organized.