The DR Has It All (Literally)

Hello, and welcome back!  Last week we explored Caminito del Rey, the world's most dangerous hiking trail.  This week, I thought we would change things up just a bit.

Usually on Hidden Coves, we explore all of the beautiful and underrated places our world has to offer.  Unfortunately, we never take time to realize that many hidden gems are located right next to places people would never want to explore.

Neighborhood in a typical Dominican city.

Two years ago, I spent two weeks in Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.  To most, this city would be considered anything but paradise: no beaches, no gourmet food, and you couldn't even drink the water!  Unlike in America, it was rare for the children to have two-parent households (or, should I say hut-holds), and it was even rarer to have a parent that wasn't involved in either drugs or prostitution.

Now I know that you may be thinking, "why is Hannah's Hidden Cove this week so depressing?"  Just hang in there!  I promise I have a point.

For 12 of the 14 days I was in the Dominican, I stayed in this city with these kids.  We made crafts and sang together every day.  I played street baseball when I had free time.  I ate food prepared by the locals.  I knew these kids and their stories.  They lived anything but the "American dream" that we all are comfortably living today.

When we think of a third-world country, these are the images that typically come to mind.  We picture children playing on the streets and UNICEF commercials asking us to donate money.  Yet we rarely realize what's happening just down the street from these communities.

Resort in the Dominican Republic.  Photo courtesy of cheapcaribbean.com

For the final two days of my mission trip, we stayed in an all-inclusive resort.  We drove only an hour away from the poverty-stricken community in which we were staying beforehand.  To me, it's absolutely crazy to believe that, after driving only one hour, we were able to switch from a third- to a first-world community.  The Dominican Republic really has it all.  

The resort my mission team stayed in.

So, in today's blog, I'm switching it up.  I believe that the hidden gem in the Dominican Republic isn't the resort which I stayed in.  Although the resort had multiple gourmet buffets, swimming pools with cabanas to swim to and drink, and the Atlantic Ocean as its backyard, that is not what I considered paradise.  To me, paradise was seeing the children smile as they learned the words to a new song and created a new craft.  

So, friends, that is why this week's hidden cove is Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  I challenge you to find the beauty that is hiding under a coat of dust.  I know that when I found it, it stuck with me much longer than the photographs of a beautiful ocean or castle did.  

That's all I have for you this week.  Remember to come back next week as we reveal another hidden cove!  Have you visited anywhere that stuck out?  Comment below and let me know.  Who knows, maybe your hidden cove will be featured!