Did someone say the Dominicans love their rice? This is the ultimate rice cooker! It must cook at least 20 pounds of rice at a time! This kitchen is in the old folks home-and they don't eat much, you know!

I think plastic chairs must be the most common piece of furniture in the country.

Dominicaners never throw them away. They would make our grandparents proud who used to say "Use it up, wear it out, Make it do, or do without."

So many things in the DR seem to reflect this old-fashioned couplet as demonstrated here by this tree giving leg-up stability to an otherwise useless three-legged, one armed chair.

Look like fun? This fine example of a people mover is found in nearby Mirador Park. We often see people sitting inside, but the train never moves. It's a good way to save on fuel--and to avoid expensive tire repair expenses!

A common experience on Santo Domingo roads is sharing it with other types of transportation. Two wheeled carts pulled by skinny tired horses haul produce to some wide spot on the road where the guys set up shop to sell their produce. Maybe I should follow the example of this horse and wear paper plate blinders so I don't get so nervous in this crazy traffic!

So many avocados on sale--and so many people buying that these bins prove to be very efficient. Note the platanos--same thing, staples in the Dominican diet! These huge avocados were 24 pesos each--about 75 cents.

Barahona platanos

A typical scene in the Dominican Republic is the sale of local produce. Sometimes it is platanos that grow in super abundance or it may be pineapple or mangos in season.
Sometimes it is a chicken or skinned goat. It doesn't really matter because except for the product, the scene is the same. People sit and watch and wait.

Children here learn to make their own fun where ever they can find it! This rock wall at the side of the church can be surmounted only by a running leap up the five foot wall. From there, the chicos can laugh and watch all the folks leave church.