Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The Charity: Library in the Dominican

The Guy: Mr. Johnathan Welle, legend, humanitarian, peace-corps-extraordinaire.

Mr. Welle was so busy saving the world, that I did not dare distract him from his work as an ambassador of peace to try and get a video. However, I do have a few words that I would like to spread from him:

"I am extremely excited that the Peace Corps approved our plan to make reading accessible to all residents of Canoa.

To meet our fundraising goal, we need your help. We're relying on my friends and family in the United States - the people who receive these emails - to obtain the funds to equip Canoa's library." -JW

Top Five things to do in Santo Domingo (I did a version of all these things):

Five: Take a bus ride with a 30 lbs backpack and a lap carrier and get laughed at by locals

Four: Enjoy a walk along the Carribean, and if you want to get stabbed- do it at night.

Three: Boca Chica Beach
Two: Monumentos

One: Lose 5,000 Dominican Pesos at the Casino, go get another 5,000 and walk out with 14,000.

Things I passed on: Visiting the rainforest, doing any number of boat activities.

Average place to stay: Hostel on Palo Hincado (165). Just shell at an extra 30 and stay at a casino on the strip. This place is too expensive for a shit hole.

Santo Domingo’s Ratings. On a scale from 1 to Boston: 6.7

Santo Domingo has gambling, crime/danger, Dominicans, water all around it, and a third world feel if you’re into that sort of thing (I am).

Santo Domingo doesn’t have, despite catering to tourists, rule of law, driving rules, money, or first world comforts (like AC in your room).

The story: The airport is really far outside of the city. If you don’t have much baggage, I suggest a moto ch----, a motorcycle taxi. However, if you have a heavy backpack, and a laptop bag, and every time the guy accelerates you almost fall off the back, it might not be such a good idea. For this reason, I suggest getting on a mini-bus with about 30 Dominicans and hit 5 of them in the face with your baggage, good way to make friends- it is a sign of respect in this country. Then make your way down to Santo Domingo, which is big, and confusing. However, after all that excitement drop your stuff off in a room, try to use your broke ass Spanish to get by, take too much money out of an ATM- lose it all- realize you’re a gambling addict- go get more money, and then get crazy hot at the black jack table and make it all back. Then meet two other jetbluer’s traveling and have a sit down chat at a place that hangs its meat from a string in front of their shop. I know this sounds negative, but to be honest, I’m loving it so far. Then, the next day check out the monumentos in colonial Santo Domingo, and Boca Chica, a beautiful beach not far outside the city. The realize you’re late to your flight and you might miss it if you don’t get your shit together, and get to San Juan.

Donate. Johnathan’s library needs help.