It all began with a simple text from Brandon... "Hey can we go on a trip?"
The next day I had a spreadsheet ready with flight options. I do not take trip requests lightly. A few texts back and forth and a little bullying on the part of Brandon and I to convince Daniel that he could indeed take off work (even though he was going to the Bahamas the week after we would get back), and we were good to go!
Why did we choose Santo Domingo? SUN. BEACH. CHEAP. Oh, and OF COURSE because of the educational value of visiting the first settlement in the New World... Let's just say I had a twenty stop historical tour of the town planned; we made it to the first one and then ended the tour for a drink. Not mad about it.
Day of the trip: Brandon and I were planning on training to the airport together, but then the plan completely went to shit when Brandon wanted to be there 3 hours early, and I was insisting on 90 minutes. We all just met at the airport.
And then... Our first flight together :)
I'm not a sentimental person (surprise, surprise), but honestly it was pretty damn exciting to board the plane with these two. They are the funniest two people I know, and all I did for three days was laugh uncontrollably at my free entertainment.
Upon arrival in Santo Domingo, we were greeted by so much WARMTH. We found out very quickly though, that the address for our Air BNB was incorrect. It took us about 3 blocks too far, and while Brandon (the only one with service), worked out where to go, Daniel and I just laughed and walked in circles. Sorry, Brandon.
We then went to this amazing restaurant, Meson De Bari (may have been our favorite meal!), and realized very quickly that if you order a rum and coke, they just bring you rum. Either we were ordering wrong, or they just were disgusted by the fact that we would mix something with their delectable rum. Regardless, we had a lot of rum straight, and we loved it. The rum to get is Barcelo. You will not be disappointed.
We also ate food at this restaurant, goat for me and I couldn't tell you what for the boys, but we left happy. Next, was experiencing Santo Domingo's nightlife - again, a success. First place, we shared this huge bucket of I have no idea what...
Then bar hopped to a couple of places with cool roofs, fun people and great dancing (well, not by me... Brandon made us leave one place because he was so embarrassed by my dancing).
Next morning! Had OK food at an amazing courtyard spot (the ambiance made up for the only OK food), and then wandered around the town.
Bought some cigars, had some delightful coffee and then Brandon had a delightful revelation as we shopped. "Guys, I've realized that my ankle doesn't hurt nearly as much if I'm drinking." Naturally we found a beautiful spot to have a drink or two. Back story: Brandon had surgery on his ankle about two months before, and while he had mostly recovered... there was definitely still a limp. 'Twas cute though.
Off to Los Tres Ojos (a must do in Santo Domingo). Basically you walk down into these caves and the tres ojos (three eyes) are these beautiful lakes within the caves. You could then take a boat out to the fourth lake - which was the least cool, but the boat ride made it worth it.
That evening, we trekked through the rain to dinner (after spending about 30 minutes talking about the best course of action).
Our options were:
- Walk with umbrellas, but then be stuck with the umbrellas for the rest of night, bringing on the potential of having to walk the umbrellas home before going out to bars
- Walk without umbrellas because umbrellas are stupid (that was clearly my suggestion)
- Uber and bring the umbrellas
- Uber and don't bring the umbrellas
Obviously we went with the first one and had the weirdest walk through the rain. Brandon and I continuously got stuck between walls and trees? Don't entirely know how we managed this. Dinner was at Jalao - drinks all around, followed by great food, would definitely recommend. Here are pictures of each of us individually at this restaurant. Beauties, I know.
I then took us to what I thought was a speakeasy... It was not. Buuut we still had some good drinks, and then we went to what ended up being my favorite bar (of course, I can't remember the name). It had this awesome courtyard where we met a bunch of super cool people... Enter Joseph from DC! He ended up hanging out with us and our other new friends, and then we stole him, and brought him with us to the next bar because he was our favorite.
At about 3am, we were meandering home, Daniel leading the way with Brandon and I giggling and straggling behind, when Brandon and I were surrounded by three guys. They demanded to see our IDs. Brandon and I obediently went for our wallets as Daniel strode up and said, "No, we need to see YOUR IDs." They showed IDs that said "policia," Brandon and I again went for our wallets, thinking "ohhh its just the cops!" Daniel said "Walk away, NOW." Now if you've met Daniel, you know that when he says to do something, YOU DO IT. Thankfully we were only a block from our apartment, so we scurried home, locking the doors the second that we were all inside.
I immediately went to sleep without a care in the world, while Brandon and Daniel stayed up to make sure we didn't get robbed by the police.
As it turns out, the police in the DR are known to be quite corrupt. They apparently make a habit of stealing tourists IDs and only giving them back if you bribe them. So thank God for Daniel.
Next morning I woke up well rested (Brandon and Daniel not so much), and after a delish courtyard breakfast, we were off to Boca Chica Beach! Enter pina coladas, cigars and naps.
I was just about to say that it was an absolute perfect day, but then I remembered that we were harassed pretty much the whole time (the things we block out). We were offered everything from massages to floaties, and they did not care if your eyes were closed - they would get right in your face regardless. So besides being tormented all day long, everything was PERFECT.
After a mediocre dinner with a great view, we headed back to the apartment for some beer, debriefing and mental preparation for another night out in DR. Honestly these moments were some of my favorites - just sitting around our apartment that was entirely too large for us and talking. If you have ever hung out with the three of us, one thing you will know to be true is that we never run out of things to talk about, because if we do, Brandon will say that we should play a game, and Daniel and I do NOT want to get to that point.
Now you may be wondering, where on earth is Joseph if he was your favorite?! Well, here was the issue... He had Brandon's number, but we did not have his number, and he did not know that he had Brandon's number. Thankfully we found him on social media, and we were able to reconnect; we then met up with him at his awesome hotel for some rum, naturally. Then dancing and the club, which was completely empty when we first arrived because (oops) it was a Sunday night. But this didn't faze us; here is Joseph and me in the VIP area that we claimed because, um, no one else was there:
'Twas another great night on the town, and we made it back to the apartment without incident, which was, of course, a win.
Last day! Woke up to my best friend saying she was engaged. Tried to call. She declined...
After some water, coffee and all of the good things in another cute courtyard, we headed back to Joseph's amazing hotel to swim with a view.
Ok, you're right, I didn't actually swim, but the water felt great, and the view was even better. Then brunch, wandering around the town, grabbing some coffee and THAT WAS IT. It was that time. We grabbed the obligatory packing beer and procrastinated for a hot sec and then packed up our past three days of fun.
Off to the airport! And I just want to leave you with one last thought I have about Brandon Leffew... How can someone SO PRETTY, distort their face into that of a gremlin?! His talents truly amaze me. Thank you, and goodnight.
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