Many of my favorite foods grow in the tropics. Yesterday, while walking through a mountain, on a rough dirt road, I encountered and ate some avocados, guavas, oranges, and coffee (I think it was coffee, I haven't died yet). Also seeing cacao!
I increasingly like the countryside, and dislike being in congested, noisy, crime-ridden cities.
The people out in the countryside seem friendlier, more honest.
Since the tap water isn't potable here, I've been buying large amounts of packaged drinks. Instead of plain water, I prefer to have some flavor. So, I've been drinking large amounts of soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, juices, beers, etc. These drinks seem popular with the locals, presumably for the same reason. They're quite refreshing, although they contain large amounts of sugar, and often alcohol or caffeine.
I'm becoming more of a morning person. Appreciating as many daylight hours as I can!
I'm now aiming to do the Samana peninsula this upcoming week or so. Then, head along the northern coast for a while. At some point, I probably want to head back inland. Previously I'd thought of just going around the coast, only digging inland for major points like the northern city of Santiago. However, I am liking this inland area so much, I now plan to see as much of the interior as I can. Not just in RD, but going forward, I aim to see far more of the country away from the coast, in addition to the coastline.
This morning, a large troupe of pigs came by my camp spot, eating up whatever they can! They definitely deserve/earn their name, snorting and eating and excreting constantly!
So many noisy motorcycles here (and elsewhere). I'm tempted to start an electric bike company just to reduce the noise somewhat!
Every country seems to have certain patterns, e.g. the country music in Republica Dominicana, the smells of wood smoke, etc., seem understandable from an American country perspective, too.
RD has few American stores, not much American influence. This country shows that even without strict restrictions, as in Cuba, a country in this region can have economic and social patterns more reminiscent of Cuba, i.e. the effects that I observed in Cuba were due to geographic and cultural causes not exclusively related to the communist revolution.
Aiming to go to Haiti after RD. People here have warned me, as people in Canada warned me about the US, people in the US warned me about Mexico, people in some parts of Mexico warned me about other parts of Mexico, etc.
I think it's important to go anyways, unless you have a serious impediment.
With so much sun and rain here, it's often difficult just to be outside.
Napped and slept much of the weekend. I think it (yesterday) was the first time in two weeks, since I started riding in Republica Dominicana, that I didn't have a ride day.
I got tired after the last while. I wanted to take a rest day last week, but was in a busy situation. I think it's important to have some time off.
It felt epic to sleep so much. However, I now feel like working, eating, drinking, riding, again!!!