Tik Tok Research & Essentials
Please understand sis was nervous! If I said I wasn't I'd be lying to you. But, I reminded myself God allowed this to happen so I got to keep the faith. However, faith without work is dead. I knew faith alone wasn't going to do it. I need to pray on it and act on it.
So, let the Tik Tok research begin!
LOL. No, but seriously TIK TOK assisted me as I searched solo travel tips for black women. This research lead me to Amazon to get a few essentials.
Apple Air Tag
Travel Money Belt (Didn't even use it :-( )
HNHMT Upgraded Portable Door Lock
HNHMT Door Stop Alarm
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector
KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarm
Camping Utensils Set (Didn't use it)
After watching several Tik Tok videos on the do's, don'ts, must haves, and whatnot I felt a little more confident. Then I added map.me because some site said it was the best. However, I never really figured out how to use it. Time to actually research where I will be staying. I felt the more knowledgeable I was about my surroundings the more comfortable I would feel once I arrived. After scoping the area out virtually I felt like I knew where I was going. Now I needed to go on an excursion because I mean I needed something to do while I was there, right?
Air BNB gave excursion suggestions which all seemed legit. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do . I just knew I needed to be doing something. LOL. Once I connected with the Air BNB host, Pete, and the guide, Greg, on WhatsAPP they gave me additional suggestions. They pretty much sent me links to TripAdvisor for excursions. I thought it be best if I did not book anything before hand in case I change my mind. I did not want to waste or loss any money.
Takeoff!
Baby, I woke up super early because you know you have to be at the airport 50-11 hours before your plane actually departs. I was up at 5am and at the airport by 6am for the plane that didn't leave until 9am. Anyway, sis was ready, ready. I had all my documents squared away, had my book, headphones, you know traveling essentials.
Baby, I boarded that plane like I owned it! I boarded that plane and took my pics of the rain because I just knew when I touched down in the Dominican Republic baby the sun was about to be out and so were my buns. LOL. Listen the DR greeted me with more rain. I took it as a sign of a cleansing, washing away of old things, mindsets, and leave negativity behind.
Pic 1: I boarded with group 5 and I'm seated, Pic 2: leaving this rain behind, Pic 3: Landing in the DR, Pic 4: Baby I bought the rain with me. LOL
As I entered the airport I said a prayer because I was traveling by myself and I was in fact nervous. The husbae reassured me, by sending me a screenshot of my location, that I wasn't alone and he was watching me. (The reality is he was still a 4 hour flight away.)
Honestly, as I walked down the ramp and recorded that video I knew there was a purpose for this trip and for me. The unintentionally international solo trip. God was up to something and I just needed to trust him and see it through. I had no idea what the something was but he's intentional even when our actions are unintentional, accidental, or even planned to a T.
Dominican Republic Day 1
Once I went through all the customs, immigration, and whatnot (forgive me for any errors because I couldn't read half those signs in the airport) I went to go look for my name. The AIR BNB guide arranged for me to be picked up from the airport. Now, originally I was going to book thru Air BNB suggestions but Greg said he had me. At this point I thought all this was complimentary. LOL. I figured if I didn't ask specifics then that would make transportation free. LOL. Judge ya momma not me.
I see my name and walk up to the lady who is standing behind this makeshift gate with several names on different clipboards that are leaning on the gate. I point to my name and say THAT'S ME! Sis just looked at me. SO , I made my point to the name sign more elaborate by pointing at my name with one hand and pointing at myself with the other hand. It worked because she greeted me with a smile and HOLA! I responded Hola and she said one minute.
She called the driver, told me to follow her to the curb, and in an instant Pablo (that's not his name, I can't remember his name) pulled up on 2 wheels in this mini van.
She pulled my one suitcase to the back as Pablo opened the doors and tossed my suitcase in the back like it weighed 2 lbs .(Just know it was a little heavy.)
She proceeded to open the sliding door and let me in the vehicle. I texted Greg to let him know I made it on the van. Greg asked if I wanted to stop at the grocery store. I told him yes because my research showed me there weren't any nearby food places. So, I needed to make a stop. Greg said sure it can happen. Next thing I know Pablo gets a call and I was able to make out grocery store in the conversation. So, Greg know this man, know this man. Well, that's what I'm putting together. Pablo hangs up and asked me if I wanted to stop at the grocery store. Now, Pablo what did Greg just tell you!?! LOL. I reply yes and Pablo brings me to the Downtown Mall and makes a stop at JUMBO.
Baby, I was NOT ready for this grocery store experience. One, it was super packed, I had no idea where to begin and I think I was surprised it was so big. It reminded me of Walmart and I tried to enter without looking like a tourist (whatever that means). I walked around and tried to squeeze through the small aisles, looking aimlessly for items that I thought would be good without actually knowing what I needed or wanted. I came across cooks cooking in the middle of the aisle. I mean like cooking cooking. I WAS BRIEFLY distracted. LOL. This part of the grocery trip reminded me of BJ's and Sam's club demonstrations and taste testing. Honey the crowd was large surrounding the making of this dish. But, everyone wasn't looking like I was they had their containers and they were ready for their serving. Ok, back on task, Pablo waiting on you with your suitcase in the back of the van unattended ma'am. Then I started looking at the prices. Honey, why was Oreo cookies $199 Lord make it make sense Jesus!
Time to call the husbae so he can help me stateside.
Now, I have the husbae on WhatsApp video call and asking him to do currency conversions so I won't stick out like a sore thumb. Then I start picking stuff up because I left my suitcase in the van with Pablo and although I have a lock on it I mean anything can happen, right? So, the husbae is like, "Bae the prices are ok." I tell him a price in Dominican pesos and he tell me its USD equivalence. At this point I'm no longer interested in making the math, math because time is ticking and I need to buy STUFF. So, sis pick up bread, what I believe to be ham ( I still don't know if it was ham, just know I ate it, ok!), cheese, Cheez-It Duoz Bacon & Cheddar, Oreos, mayonnaise , water, Doritos, chips, salsa, juice, and two cups of noodles. (Hindsight: I would have purchased more food and a bigger variety, however, I still don't know what though, lol)
It's time for me to checkout and at this point it is, what it is. The nice cashier rings me out and hits me with my total. Listen, I saw $1,800 + and was on the phone with the husbae asking him to do the conversion. Because I know I don't have almost $2,000 worth of groceries not on this little conveyor belt. He taking too long to tell me the conversion. (This is in large part because of the service). I just swiped my card and as soon as I do I hear a voice say, "Oh, that's just $33 !" Look at God, well that was the husbae informing me of the price. The minute I swipe the card the lady that bagged my groceries is now pushing my buggy. I'm looking at her and she looking at me. I'm looking around and I don't see anyone else's buggy being pushed by a store employee. So, I said "Oh, y'all push our carts out?" She said, "Si!" Sis, I see what you doing. You saw me swipe that card. I look at her and say ok. But, I don't have change because I didn't do currency exchange.
You see I thought I just call my bank and tell them I need Dominican Pesos and they would just give them to me. My bank said sis we need to get the pesos from the treasury and it won't be here by tomorrow. Dang! At this point I knew they accepted USD in the DR so I just stopped at the ATM before going to the airport. But you know that means I only have $20 bills. SMH.
Before we exit Jumbo, I tell her I need change for a $20. I know Tik Tok never suggested I do this and this goes against everything I was trying to avoid when I entered the grocery store. But, I wanted to tip. She looked at me, confused. I pulled out google translate. I know, I know, i'm breaking all the rules. But, I need to communicate with the people. I type in need change and show her the $20. She calls another young fellow over. They talk to each other and she pulls out the calculator on her phone and do some math and he gives me almost $1,100. I said thank you. And sis pulls out her phone and types in Spanish, now I'm using google translate to see what she is saying. Long story short sis said I work for tips. At this point I'm doubting whether I have the correct amount of money and then I start questioning if they ran game on me. I have no idea why I DID NOT do the math on the way over to the grocery store to be more prepared. I messaged the husbae to tell him I think I got hustled before slipping the lady $50 Dominican pesos and hurrying off to meet Pablo. As I exit the store I noticed she never assisted me any further before grabbing my bags. (When I made it to the van with Pablo I realized my tip was only 91 cent in USD. Sorry, sis) The police is outside the store with them choppers (I really don't know if they were choppers but they were big, long weapons) hanging from around their neck. Not sure if I feel safe or scared nonetheless where is Pablo. I hop in the van and Pablo assisted me with my grocery bags.
AIR BNB ME, PLEASE
Self doubt kicked in something terrible following my grocery store expereince. I made it to the AIR BNB where Greg was waiting for me to do a walk thru. I thanked Pablo and tipped him $500 Dominican Pesos before he left. (When you know better, you do better.) Greg walked me thru the condo (see the previous blog for deets) and we ended the tour looking at the meter. At the end of the trip I was to be charged for electricity used. On average they said people typically used between $2 and $10 of electricity per day. I end up using $12 for all 5 days. Not bad! The first day was the rainiest. It rained off and on and it poured down. I was super exhausted mentally and physically. I disinfected the AIR BNB, placed all my items where I wanted them to be, I walked around the pool, prepared me a meal, read my book, took a nap, and enjoyed the breeze.
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