Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Two of our best friends got married back home in the Dominican this year and we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate this special day with them, so we turned the trip into the vacation of our year. I have never set foot in South and/or Central America, so this was an all new experience to me. The culture was not entirely foreign to me since my boyfriend is Venezuelan, and I do speak a little Spanish, but it was a very special experience nonetheless.

In the Dominican Republic everything seems to happen in slow motion. And hey, before you say, ‘oh no’ - this can actually be a good thing. People take their time to do things. They take their time to prepare your (mouthwatering!) food, they take their time chatting you up when preparing your simple cup of black coffee, they take their time to explain the traditions and customs that they’re proud of.
I must say it took me some days to get used to this because it is one hundred percent counterintuitive to my German upbringing but once I got the hang of it, I loved every second of it. It really took the rush and the speed out of my stay there. And hey, people never expect you to be on time anyways.

Santo Domingo is a charming capital. We stayed in the Zona Colonial district of the city, which is by far the most touristy, but also the safest part of town. There is a lovely night life and extravagant, stunning restaurants to find as well. I highly recommend Buche Perico, and their ceviche, and dancing some merengue, salsa and bachata on the town square in front of the ruins of the Monasterio de San Francisco on a Sunday night. I’ve never felt an energy like that before in my life.