Reality Check

So in couple of days we will have been here for four months! In that time we have used our blog to make you all jealous of where we live. We have tried to provide you with glipmses of the unbelievable scenery, tales of our various adventures and overall just tried to paint a beautiful picture of our life here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.

I'm sure all of you are extremely envious by now and perhaps have even started to pack your bags. If that's the case let us put some things into perspective and answer the whisper in the back of your mind that asks "What is it really like?".

Well.............






The neighbours are nice enough,

............ but they don't always smell the best!

The garbage collection and recycling system is also very interesting. It seems as though garbage can be disposed of where ever you want and "recycling" means....... throw your garbage where ever you want.

Like right next to our appartment,

or near the water source for our city,

or actually in the water source for our city!

And then there is the power situation.

If you haven't heard by now, the electricity in the DR can go out at any point during the day for any amount of time without any announcement whatsoever. The romantic atmosphere of dinners eaten by the light of lanterns has long since faded and in its place remains just pure cold inconvenience.
But why? Why you ask?

Perhaps it is because everyone in need of electricity is pretty sure that he or she knows just how to get 'hooked up' for free.















(Notice how even where there are meters they are either broken or bypassed)




So there you have it. We wanted to publish this blog before these things became too common place but I think it is already too late. These are the types of things you miss when you leave but aren't really sure why.


And for those of you who prefered our glimpses of 'paradise' here are a couple of photos from last weekend's getaway to Sosua. Enjoy.