P.S. Wish You Were Here

With negative wind chills, blizzards and real-feel temperatures in the single digits, something in me longs for warmer climes.

Let's revisit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Spring Break, circa March 2008.

Casa Valeria.

Our lodgings. The proprietors here were so friendly and gracious. We often had continental breakfast in the mornings - simple toast with marmalade, ham, eggs and sausage - followed by meat stews and rice and beans for supper. Oh, and I can't forget the Mama Juana "on the house" - that potent brew, served in a simple shot glass, was a mixture of rum, red wine and honey soaked over time in a bottle with herbs and tree bark. It is known as an aphrodisiac and has similar effects as Viagra. Yeah.

Menu.

The lights are pretty.

Bob's bike.

Bob is another guest who was staying at the Casa Valeria. He was middle-aged, very tall with an athletic build, and, like us, American. Bob was here with his female companion. My dad later spotted him windsurfing at a nearby beach in Cabarate. Because we kept running into him at different locations throughout the DR, we jokingly referred to him as our Waldo, from "Where's Waldo?".

Maria!

Maria is a sweet Dominican lady who was our waitress at Casa Valeria's restaurant. She had a child around my brother's age (6, then). Though her English was limited, we still chatted with her about family and the Island lifestyle. Her lively chatter and robust laughter echoes in my ear even now.

Sis sips coconut water.

This is my favorite shot of the bunch. Look how refreshing this young coconut looks! See here the smiling pucker of approval from my sister, she of the polka-dot-handbag-carrying variety. And my mom, who's normally a cold-head, is actually (wonder of wonders) shedding her jacket! Crazy.

I miss this. Take me back already!