Hot Stop in the Dominican

(October 10th, 2022)

There was a lot of planning and waiting to get to this particular day. It was no secret that this was the day we were all most excited for. It isn't every day you get to visit your daughter on her mission. And don't worry...we went through all the right channels. The mission president knew we were coming and approved our visit. All the questionable stuff happened later...

The cruise shipped docked early, so we were up at the crack of dawn to get some breakfast before leaving the ship. We had all our stuff for June and Hermana Savage. Jonny was carrying a large bag of wrapped gifts, I was carrying Spikeball, and Tyler had the box for H. Savage. We were headed out the door and getting scanned like usual. Jonny and Beth were through, I was about to be scanned when I heard the man say to Tyler, "Sir, what's in the box?" The man looks inside and says, "No, you can't take that off the ship. You need to go talk to Guest Services because that has to go through Customs." 

Tyler looks at me and says, "Maleen, come with me." I looked at him for a moment and made my decision. "I'll see you at the rental car" and I took off. Yep, I was a total ditcher—a "leaver" as we call it on the cruise. But there was a reason. Tyler was getting detained for taking stuff and I had Spikeball. I was worried if I went back, my cargo would be questioned or denied and I knew June wanted Spikeball more than anything, so I got off the boat while I could. And I was mostly sure that Tyler would make it off shortly. 

So our first picture with the beautiful DR behind us doesn't have Tyler. Lo siento.

We actually weren't sure where to go. Jonny had rented a car for us, and we figured it was close to the pier, but who knows. We saw this sign and I was relieved when we reached the last one on the list.

We found the rental place easily and when we walked in, the man at the counter said, "Jonathan?" Apparently there weren't a lot of people renting cars that day. The DR was hopping. There were people playing music, and it was a party outside. We hadn't even gotten keys by the time Tyler showed up. He wasn't carrying a box and I was worried that we had failed in our efforts to bring stuff for H. Savage. 

But don't you fear. Here's Tyler side of the story. First he watched his wife leave him. (Yep, still sorry) Then he headed up to guest services to speak to them about customs. The man there told him that indeed, he needed to have his items checked by customs and it usually takes 4 hours! Tyler said, "What if I don't have four hours?" The customer service rep (just like in the movies) looks furtively around him to make sure no one is listening and then he whispered, "You have a bag." It was like the scene out of the Incredibles when Bob is helping the old lady while pretending that he can't help her. 

Tyler got the message and he went down to our cabin, dumped out everything extra in our bag and dumped in the contents of the box. Then he headed out the door again. Yep, he was stopped by the same guy who said, "Oh, where's your box?" 

Tyler said, "You were right, customs wouldn't let me take it."

"Yes, you have to check everything a day before. What was it for?"

"We were donating it to a church."

"Oh, that's so sad when that happens. It's too bad."

And then Tyler was out the door and on the pier. He deliberately didn't look behind so he wouldn't appear suspicious. And luckily when he came to the all the signs, he read it from bottom to top, so he knew right where to find us. And that is how he earned the nickname of "Smuggler."

Jonny was our driver. He did a great job. (I should mention that our rental car was stinky again. Why? So gross, but not nearly as bad as rental car 2021. Good thing we like driving with the windows down.) We were only about 40 minutes from the town where June lives. Driving there is similar to the states, in that they drive on the right and have optional stoplights. Unlike the states, everyone passes everyone, all the time, whether or not there is oncoming traffic. And you need to watch out for the numerous scooters and motorbikes who believe the shoulder is the bike lane. The scenery was also gorgeous.

In no time we were in Navarrete. We didn't have an exact address. We just knew where the church building was, and June said she lives across from it. The church was like a fortress. There was a tall fence with barbed wire all around, and it was locked up. 

We didn't know how to signal June that we had arrived. We looked around, met a lagartija, and waited patiently hoping June would find us. 

Beth finally had the good idea to call her, and just like that, she came down with her Hermana and we saw her across the street! The street was actually super busy, but I used my Crossy-Road skillz to get across for a big hug! (Sorry, there was footage of this, but it was on Jonny's phone. RIP.) First we went up to June's apartment and she opened all her useful gifts. (Missionaries get useful gifts, because 1) they need them 2) they don't have space for random non-useful items) Isn't she lovely? I was so dang happy to see her. 

June is sporting some awesome tan lines from her time in a tropical paradise. But you can also tell she lives in a less-developed area. Things like cement dumbbells and small washing machines give you clues that she is still roughing it for someone who grew up in the states. But these sisters are tough and they are learning so much.

It was so great to be with her!

Our first stop was lunch, but the restaurant hadn't opened yet, so we got dessert first, as God intended. June raves about Bon Ice Cream, so I was super excited. And you know it is the hot spot when you show up and it is full of Elders. 

June gave us recommendations and I ended up getting her favorite which is Blackberry, brownie, and peanut butter brittle. It was delicious.

Then we went to Jaruco. June had never tried this place before because it was pricier and missionaries stay on a budget, so we splurged for her. Being the best Spanish speaker, she ordered all sorts of things and we decided to share everything.

It was a really pretty outdoor restaurant and while we waited for food, we took pictures. Everyone wanted a picture with June.

June told us that spoons are the main utensil. It doesn't seem to matter what you order, you get a spoon. Try eating steak with a spoon.

We tried all sorts of great food. Apparently you're supposed to mix almost everything, or dip it in something. I really loved the crema grilled chicken with split pea soup poured over rice. I'm going to try and recreate that back here in the States.

Dominican pesos are only worth about 20 cents in American money, so even though lunch came out to $4000 with a tip, we didn't break the bank. (No wonder missionaries don't eat there)

Thanks beautiful Jaruco and lovely Dominican Republic.

We stopped back by the apartment for June to finish writing a letter to her sisters. It's interesting to see things that are familiar but a little different. 

We still had some time to spend with June, so there was no other choice besides Spikeball. June is my favorite person to play with. The sisters had to let us into the church fortress. They are gatekeepers.

Then we played Spikeball! June and I played first against Elder Davis and Elder Anderson. (Elder Anderson played Elite before his mission, so he's a tough customer.) We beat them! Then June and Jonny played and also took the victory. Tyler and June barely lost in 'overtime' with the score 18-16. Then June and I played Jonny and Tyler and easily bested them. June still has her killer serve. No rust on that Hermana.

We played until we had cherry tomato face! It was definitely HOT HOT HOT!

It was such a good time. It was a magical day in the DR with June and it almost didn't feel real. We took a picture over by the church sign. It is where June always takes pictures with newly baptized members.

Then June locked back up and we were on our way. Only nine more months until we see her again!!

We made it back to the pier and it was like a ghost town. We still had a half hour until we needed to be on board but it looked like everyone already boarded. But that didn't stop us from taking pictures and shopping.

Back on the pier, it was really blustery, but we took a few more pictures to remember our time in the DR. 

And then Beth's hat blew off and flew into the water. She was stunned for a moment. "That's my favorite hat," she said. "Well, go get it," Jonny told her. You could see the shock turn into resolve in her eyes and then she was jumping off the pier. Go Beth!!

She was awesome. She swam out, got her hat, swam back to the pier and climbed the ladder back up. (Yes, she checked there was a ladder before she jumped) It was pretty epic.

It wasn't long until we were sailing away. Goodbye Dominican Republic. Take care of our June for us. The waves coming off the boat were really beautiful. Basically, the ocean is stunning in general.

This really isn't connected to anything, but we took a picture in the jungle. It was a weird area that wraps around the ship. No one hangs out there because the seating isn't comfortable. It doesn't match the decor of the rest of the ship at all. We wondered why it was there.

We saw a magician in the evening. He was okay. But miles better than the guy we saw on another cruise who was mean. I don't usually appreciate humor that is at people's expense. Then we called it an early night after dinner since it had been a very long, full, magical day! Can anyone tell me what this animal is?

I'm thinking it is a Fraggle.