When you travel through life the scenery changes. It doesn’t matter if you’re on vacation or living everyday. At times life can seem barren and stark.
Stark can be beautiful, too. Take a look at the pictures from the Bahamas and the glacier formed sand dunes compared to the Dominican Republic. The contrast in the green, lush hills and vegetation is mind boggling.
The experience is like waking up finding you’re parched and didn’t know you were missing the crystal clear water to quench your thirst.
We take in each new territory we visit in stages. At the beginning of this blog I expounded on our favorite east coast haunts. We’re in new territories now. We find ourselves awed and overwhelmed by everything that’s new. We have to remind ourselves to only take in a piece at a time. We feel like kids at a carnival wanting to do it all at once.
These are our first day’s in the Dominican Republic. We were able to see this countryside on horseback. A local farmer rescued horses from a now defunct resort and is breeding them for profit.
The local residents of Hispaniola are a proud people. They may not have much in the way of material goods, but they take care of what they have. I’ve watched men wash their motorcycles after a rain in the gutters. I’ve watched women sweep their sidewalks in their night clothes with curlers in their hair. And, I’ve watched elderly men rake the gutters clean of leaves and debris every afternoon.
Life is a fickle thing and traveling has allowed me to put perspective on my own journey and the decisions I make. I can only do this if I slow down, observe and contemplate one layer at a time.
Have you experienced that moment in time you were glad you slowed down, took notice and breathed?
Oh I always appreciate those slow down moments! Too bad they are so far apart…..=) Beautiful pictures Nancy!!!
Thanks Carrie. Slow is good, especially when life get’s hectic or the crowd starts pushing.
WOW, those are awesome photos. Thanks for sharing another beautiful part of the world with us. Is that Captain on the horse in the last photo? I LOVE IT! 🙂 We have been on spring break this week. The weather has been unseasonably NICE. I have had a few do almost nothing days! Going to have another today 🙂 Picnic with Sis.
Hugs…
Oh, Carol, that picnic sounds good. Say hello to your sister for me. And, yes, that’s the Captain. Isn’t he great?
OH, I love boat life! And while I’m so grateful for my brief experiences living aboard, I dream of doing it full time one day. Till then…I can live vicariously through all of you ‘boat people’.
The DR is a beautiful country! Good for you for taking the time to really enjoy it. 🙂
Elena, you’re welcome to be along for this ride and we look forward to the day you join us on the water.
That is one beautiful island! That water… ahhh. I try to slow down every day and appreciate the little gifts life gives me. Rain for our drought parched lands, a meal on the table when so many are hungry, words on my laptop that will someday become a novel. All the little things add up to one giant fabulous life.
Good for you, Tameri. Not all of us can slow down so much until something forces us. I think as a race, we’d be happier when we slow down and smell the roses.
Oh I am enjoying your travels! A horseback tour of the island sounds like just the ticket after your days on the water and the photos are beautiful. Slow down, breathe in, breathe out, my mantra. Enjoy!
Patricia, I like that mantra too. I will admit the pictures were a bit hard to take from horseback. Most were taken on the move. Even I’m impressed with my skill. (or the camera’s)
I’ve never traveled to the Dominician Republic and often wonder why. Your photos make wonder more.
I enjoy life is the slow lane where people aren’t always after material things and are satisfied with what they have. I hope it rubs off on me. There is beauty everywhere we look. Great post, Nancy.
Thanks Dannie! Your pictures of Thailand are beautiful as well.