The climate in this town is different than down at lower altitudes. It gets cold here!
I want fast wifi and a quiet environment. Instead, I get slow wifi and a loud environment!
So much noise in so many places. Often best just to ignore it as one can, and focus on the important stuff.
Constanza is high enough that it feels like a northern town. Northern crops, cool nights, etc. Feels far different than the rest of Republica Dominicana. It's also high enough (and hard enough to get to) that it gets quiet at night, even in town.
After touring the scenic town, started riding downhill. After getting through the first few mountain towns, it started to rain, heavily. Instead of a quick storm, it stayed around throughout the evening.
The weather forecasts have been atrocious. Instead of no precipitation or a low chance of a few drops, it's consistently rained all day.
Next I plan to finish the ride down to a larger settlement. Still quite a ways, hundreds of meters (thousands of feet) of elevation.
Much as I like warm weather, it's nice to have at least an occasional pause for the cool.
Still, looking forward to getting back to the coast!
Rode down the huge hill!
Made it to the next sizable town, Jarabacoa!
The map said 6 hours, I was told 2 hours, it took 4 hours.
Along the way, found some fruits and vegetables, in this abundant area.
On a steep slope up the mountain, met a man riding on horseback. We exchanged greetings, he joking that we were both on foot (I walked my bike up that part). As I rode away down the hill after we topped it, I noticed that he was typing on or looking at his phone while riding his horse on the mountain!
In spite of distractions, challenges, failures along the way, if one persists at a goal, one can often achieve it!
So far, Jarabacoa seems like one of the more upscale towns I've seen. Public art, fancy cafes, etc.
Dominicans are very sociable people, like Cubans (although perhaps somewhat less so than Cubans). Things generally happen in groups. People get together and talk, just cuz.
I heard there's political turmoil in Haiti now. Not sure yet how serious, etc.
Some nice music here, slow beautiful songs.
Also, some loud noises, music, motorcycles, etc.
Next I plan to ride back to an area I've been through before, as it's on my way down to the coast.
So many beautiful places, can't see them all. I guess we can at least appreciate what we do get to see!