Election

The drive from Santo Domingo to Juan Dolio takes about an hour, and runs mostly along the Caribbean Sea on the southern side of the island. Along the way the panorama changes from relative wealth to apparent poverty as we leave the limits of the capital. Historic sites and piers turn into dilapidated houses that look more like they were intended to be phone booths than living spaces. But don’t get me wrong. These people, as far as I can tell on my drive, are not starving. I do not see extreme poverty, but I don’t see the same standard of living we expect in the USA either.

                As we are driving, I am taping. Excitedly, Paola points ahead through the windshield. “Election posters! You should shoot that!” All along the road, on billboards, banners, and signs are images of the presidential hopefuls for the election to come on May 16. Posters of Leonel Fernandez tout him as the 4×4 (some reference to his policies and four more years in office, which unfortunately I don’t understand). Other posters of Miguel Vargas Maldonado and Amable Aristy Castro portray them as the right men for the job. One thing is clear: Only men with light skin and “good hair” may run for president in the DR.

                Finally, we arrive at the Coop Marena Beach Resort in Juan Dolio, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. While I am initially disappointed to find that we are staying at another resort, I am about to find out that this place will offer a distinctly unique experience.