Dominican Trip Part 1

My first trip out of the country via an airplane meant my first stamp in my passport and I literally squealed with excitement when they stamped my passport. I also may or may not have gotten a funny look or two when this all went down.

I decided on my converse for flight wear. Comfortable and my feet won't freeze.

We arrived Tuesday night in Santo Domingo. JP (John Pierre) who is head of By Grace Alone Ministries and the one in charge of Fuente de Vida picked us up and took us to a local joint for dinner, Barra Payan.

A delicious Barra Especial without mayo. It was chicken, ham and turkey with tomato and cheese and it was delicious. Also minimal English is spoken in this part of the DR, so we were grateful for John Pierre's excellent Spanish.

I will never get this fruit juice this fresh here in the US. I'm currently craving a Passion Fruit juice as I sit here and type this. Man it was so delicious.

John Pierre, Abby, myself and JP before leaving Barra Payan and heading to our house for the night.

Walking to breakfast at Pastor Mario's house. His wife and ladies of the church made a feast for us EVERY. SINGLE. MEAL.

Instead of selling land and such people just abandon their lots for other locations. Real estate is not a booming market down here. Mario showed us around the area he lived and all the animals and fruits he has in his back yard.

Abby didn't have the best of the luck holding the chicken and she may or may not kill me for posting this picture. Love you Abby! :)

JP did a better job with the chickens.

No worries, just using a machete to chop off the top of a coconut.

I will be the first to say I am no fan of coconut water you buy in the grocery store here in the states, but give me a fresh coconut just picked from the tree and I am down to drink the whole thing.

Next we headed to future site of Fuente de Vida. On the way there I learned that driving in the US is relaxing in comparison to how they drive in the DR.

An old shack on the land that they will probably use as a house for John Pierre to stay in one they have permits in line.

JP said something funny, I love laughing (non-posed) pictures, they just show so much about someone.

We decided that day we would get up early on Thursday morning and hike to the top of the mountain. John Pierre wanted to see the top and scout out a place for a gazebo in the future.