Solo por hoy

I got at 5 a.m. to do my gym routine and make a wake up call to my companion Lucia. She came by train: Long Island – Manhattan, and brought sandwiches, coffee and bananas from the only open deli she could find.

We had breakfast, sitting in two armchairs at the Central Park West lobby. I was focusing on bananas, because, for this trip, I decided to watch my diet – solo por hoy (one day at a time). Bananas weren`t the best choice. I had heard that ballerinas avoid them – maybe thanks to their high sugar content, even thought its natural. I didn`t expect myself to suddenly become perfect – not that much fat to lose – just to get more fit and toned.

Theoretically, Lucia was on my side; however, she didn`t have yet enough motivation to start the program right away. She needed to lose not 2.5 «vanity» pounds like me, but more like twenty five. I noticed that the deeper you are into any addiction, the more difficult it is to come out of it. So most people stick to their old habits, which only worsens the problem. Lusia finished both sandwiches, joking at herself. While we were taking out the garbage after breakfast, our limo arrived.

The weather was typical for the beginning of January in NYC – not the worst thought. A light snow covered at night the sidewalks, the trees and the bushes. It was melting already on the road due to the traffic. Surprisingly, for a Monday, the traffic wasn`t too heavy. So we got to JFK in almost half an hour instead of the usual two hours. The chauffeur, a kind guy – he slept only 3 hours the previous night – commented on the hard life in America for a person from a distant country,
«Real survival», he added – and I recognized the Pakistani accent in his drumlike
speech.

The line to the economy class was endless. Gracias, Goddess, we had an opportunity to register our booked through e-mail tix in the business class area. It took a few minutes, and our luggage was transferred to the security guys – this new «fastidioso» rule.

Traveling globally, I developed a habit to practice the language of the country. I am going to – a little bit ahead of time. Before flying to France, I often explore Paris – I listen to the songs en francais and read in French. It helps to communicate and just makes life more comfortable. Even though most Parisians speak English, they appreciate much more if you use their own tongue in their country. It can be said about Germany as well, where I`m able communicate in Deutsche.

In Poland – and most of Eastern Europe, people don`t expect you to know their culture, which makes it even more pleasant to say something po-polskii to its inhabitants. They also have pretty modest expectations from the «gringos» in Hispanic countries, where I`m heading now. I hope to enrich my very limited espanol by writing one phrase or even one new word every day. So my project solo hoy includes two components: getting fit physically and mentally – poco a poco.

Anyway, after the punto de seguridad at the airport in NY, we were free to walk around and relax. Our flight seemed to be delayed, thus I was sipping cranberry juice and listening to Spanish chats. My companion enjoyed her two cell phones – one for inside the US, the other for outside – calling everyone she knew.

Some guy around 40 years old grabbed the seat next to me on the other side. Duty free bags surrounded him – mostly alcohol and tobacco –his big round belly hanging between them, happy to jump out of his jeans. He was wearing a «figa» on his thick neck. I just read in Nexos about this amuleto which originated in Brasil. It was a curious discovery for me, especially because we have the same simbolo in Russia, except our sign is only visual and has almost an opposite meaning, even thought it is pronounced, spelled and «done» the same way: «El pulgar entre el dedo indice y elmedio».

That figa is used in form of a medallion against all negative forces and misfortune in Brazil. In my country we show this «obscene» sigh with our fingers, if we want to tease somebody saying «no, you won`t get it from me. I felt trapped and was glad to hear the boarding announcement.

Finally, we got our bulkhead seats in the plane and put our bags to the overhead compartment. Everything was going smoothly thanks to a young Latino crew member with soft manners and a good sense of humor. We were entertained and taken care of. When the food came, I ate a piece of cheese and salad without dressing. I try to avoid most of the plane food, drinking, though, a lot of tomato and apple juices. Lucia finished her lasagna and the dessert, which looked somewhat stale to me.

An unexpected trouble was waiting for us in Puerto Plata: a tropical rain storm, which didn`t want to stop. The pilot made 2 attempts to land, yet was forced back to the heights over the ocean. The second one was scary – we went down uncontrollably too fast and everyone`s stomach jumped into their throat. I imagined people experiencing air accidents – not for the 2-3 seconds fall we had, but falling down like that in eternal minutes. On the third attempt, our pilot succeeded and the passengers gave him almost an ovation. We came out to a dark crying sky instead of the usual DR afternoon sun.

Our rented four wheel drive Honda didn`t have a drop of fuel. We couldn`t even drive to the gas station. Another similar car was given to us and the suitcases were moved accordingly.

Most of the road was damaged by the rainy season which lasts two months beginning in November. Our ride was bumpy and splashy due to the podges. Nevertheless, the closer we were approaching Playa Dorada, the better the pavement. We entered the gate without being searched by the guards, who were either fascinated with our powerful vehicle – or with us in it – las chicas blancas.

The rain ceased on our arrival to Amhsa Marina. And after a 5 course meal – all of which(I have to confess) I at least tasted – I suggested to walk on the beach. It was warm and humid. My companion stepped into a few puddles –the crepusculo was descending – her suede shoes soaked, so I carried her piggy back to a dry area.

Our VIP suite had two beds, a separate living area, kitchen, bathroom and balcony (more like a terraza). Amhsa Marina Beach Club and Casino, where we were staying, is located within Playa Dorada Complex – one of the best in the world – and just about 10 miles from Luperon International Airport. This Caribbean Northcoast Dominican Republic Resort is famous for its non-stop activities: biking, horseback riding, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing – you name it.

I have been biking since I was 9 years old – with my little brother on the «bagazhnik». I have been snorkeling in Aruba. Sailing, I learned with my friend Chandra in her native town of Westport, CT. The same with scooter renting, which was also available at Amhsa Marina. Horseback riding I had tried and I loved it.

Lucia was inspired by scuba diving and windsurfing – this demanded, however, a few courses. So we enjoyed the simpler things like ping-pong, badminton, swimming and ball playing. And certainly walking – Playa Dorada was excellent for that – spacious, clean, with vibrant colors of blossoming trees, butterflies and picaflores – this is how tiny hummingbirds looking for nectar are called here.

We successfully passed by Hibiscus Buffet, Elai`s Grill, and the Sinner`s Bar without stopping, but did swim up to the pool bar for free drinks like pina colada`s and extasis, which were too seductive. Thus, we returned to our suite with delicious beverages. Now it was time to get accustomed and unpack.

I`m not a fan of souvenirs for turistas. Nevertheless, the arrangements in our suite were splendis. The food art displayed on a plate in the middle of the table as a welcome gift – all fruits were cut in an amazing manner – it was real artisanat. Pineapple looked like a palm tree; oranges of all shades and limes – like exotic flowers – their skin still attached, shaped fantastically on the top of the whole fruit. We refreshed ourselves with a few slices, trying not to destroy the beauty of the fragile construction. Our suite had also bath art: towels were rolled in the form of birds and decorated with real live flowers. The touching spirit of care and joy reminded me of what I had experienced also in Japan and China.

In the morning, I atethe mashed plantain with cheese and onions. I have to say that I don`t like onions but these were special: red and sweet. I also tried all kinds of fresh squeezed juices: green melon, yellow passion fruit, and orange papaya. Lucia gave preference to pancakes and juices also. Since it was an all inclusive, it wasn`t easy to resist all the delicious meals DR cuisine offers. Their chicken – soft and spiced just a little with local herbs is the best on Earth, judging by Lucia`s words.

Following the regimen solo por hoy we went to the beach again, played lazy Frisbee, then borrowed the water board from a nice Brit. with a lot of freckles all over his shaped 30 year old body. Haitian women were walking with big fruit baskets on their heads – sometimes 5 heavy coconuts and pineapple. They were incredibly skilled in opening, pilling and cutting them with long knives. We saw pino palms and the esa tree looking like a human construction: its roots creating a tent or Indian tee pee. Also, the pale color beech tree, which is used here for doors and furniture.

While strolling around we heard many languages. Besides Spaniards, many Italians live in Puerto Plata. French is popular in Cabarete and German in Sosua. Suddenly, rain began and we got lucky to find 2 fresh blue towels to cover ourselves and run to the shelter of a pool bar with its divine beverages.

Lunch was spectacular – anything you can eat – so I got plenty of energy dishes and told myself that dinner tonight will be my last in this place. After lunch, only a tea break which is always available around 5 o`clock – I promised myself.

We investigated more attractions in Playa Dorada, including the casino, though I`m not into gambling. Maids were singing near out cottage, some sleeping – siesta. We played with enormous rubber toys at the pool, then wrote down our observations, which was actually the main purpose of our trip.

The «last supper» was waiting for us in Michelangelo Restaurant. The staff was very generous with red wine, and the cuisine was delightful: gigantic shrimp cocktail, mint cream liqueur, potato soup and beef with mushroom in burgundy sauce. My head started to spin after soup and shrimp cocktail – I didn`t go for the beef. Lucia heroically survived all of that. Then, we drove to Cabarete to see the poulets de bataille – fights between hens popular in French areas here. We got lucky also to observe the rhinoceros iguanas – an endangered species millions of years old, which can only be found in DR. Powerful slow creatures, especially compared to other animals of the island: thin fast horses, small cats and skinny beach dogs which like to come to us for kisses.

In this manner a week passed. My solo poor hoy program had 2 failures out of 7. I didn`t lose much weight – just one pound – nevertheless, I felt stronger and healthier. I hope that some of my fat was replaced by more muscle mass. Dancing in the evenings at the pool was surely toning. And skipping dinners, too, which for me, a person loving food, was an effort, I have to admit, especially with DR sabor. All together, it was buenisimo.