Just tried some Dominican coffee. Tastes OK, decent for coffee. I had it with unrefined sugar. I've often liked coffee a ton, but recently I've found it only so-so, for taste and effect. It makes me feel "buzzed" but somewhat uncomfortably. I can see how it can improve work or other activities, especially in humid, sleep-inducing weather like in the tropics, Pacific Northwest, and other coffee-drinking places (which are also often beer-drinking places, for comparable reasons).
Maybe one day I'll get back on the regular coffee-drinking bandwagon. For now, I've been feeling best when not drinking caffeine, alcohol, or other drugs. I just consistently feel fine -- whether active or resting, instead of having bouts of intensity/withdrawal, I have more of an even tone.
Getting set to turn around soon. After an exciting and exhausting week of going to a new country, I'm taking this weekend to rest up, take care of some chores, plan routes, etc. Next week looks like rain anyways, and I want to get some more work in, and see some more of the capital area. So, I plan to slowly make my way around the remainder of Santo Domingo, popping out on the eastern side of the river. Then, ride east!
The country is starting to look more manageable, coming into focus. There are some sizable challenges, physiological and psychological. Looks like the roads/highways don't connect the entire route I want to take around the coast, so I think I'll be forced inland, over mountains, where I don't particularly want to go. At least it's good exercise!
The Caribbean Spanish accent and vocabulary are becoming somewhat more understandable for me. I think that a combination of struggling through difficult conversations, reading about the accent, and reading in Spanish generally, train the ear and tongue.
I feel like travel brings out the best in me, and in other people who travel. Occasionally it brings out negatives too, such as in the stressful situations special to travel. However, on the whole the challenge seems to draw out one's hidden resources. Each day one gets to perform feats that would seem impossible in "ordinary" life.
I like to read anyways, and while traveling I encounter different books/magazines/etc. than I otherwise would. As such, it's often pleasant/interesting/etc. to read while traveling, even though there's often not a chance!
I've long wanted to visit or reside in the tropics. Now that I can, and am, it often exceeds my expectations (as often seems to happen during travel).
In many ways, the tropics resemble my expectations. The beaches, the buildings, the plants and animals. However, my appreciation keeps growing stronger. I was somewhat worried that I'd quickly get bored after the initial novelty wore off, however I find that I continue to appreciate it more.
The tropics definitely have downsides. For me, those include the weather's effects on my body, the crime, etc. I've already mentioned those.
I want to go to places that are warm like the tropics, but drier, again. Deserts.
Each geography brings about certain behaviors in individuals and societies. It's interesting to see the cultures that arise in various areas as I travel. Also, to feel the changes that occur within me as I visit different environments. Which environments suit you most/least? Which do you like?
Some people seem doubtful of the connection of geography and culture. To me, it seems like a well-established position. From any perspective, this explanation seems to fit the facts. Physically, people stem from their environments. Bodies and minds develop in their environments, from the air they breathe to the food and water they ingest. Over the longer term, genes and cultures adapt to their environments through differential survival rates. I think that doubting the geography-culture connection is doubting basic scientific observations such as evolution. Whether through ignorance, political bias, or other causes.
In politics, it seems that Republica Dominicana had recent corruption problems. Now there are ads around the city mentioning the previous problems. At least, that's how they present the situation.