Appreciating things a little more

Life has been just a bit on the busy side for the last couple of weeks.   We had a wonderful vacation to the Dominican Republic on the Puerto Plata side.   Of course we always as usual feel that one week is never long enough but it was a good week.

We Had the opportunity to be able to take a couple of day outings from the resort to see the countryside and its people.  I sit back and think about those outings and know that we are truly blessed to live in the state we do here in Canada.  Interesting though that most of Dominicans would smile and wave as you went by and seem to be fairly joyful with life.  Its hard to tell because really unless you stay there for some time you really would not have a good read about how they feel about their life style.  It is totally relevant as to what you know and grow up with.  I think we all could appreciate slowing down, doing without and  having less and doing more for others instead of striving for such materialistic levels in our lives.  God has given us much and we need to share and spread this.  We do do this at Trinity with lots of outbound activities and this makes me want to put more of my heart into this great work.  Plus remember to leave tips during your all inclusive vacations.  The minimum wages of these people in the resort and outside are very low and they can use a boost... whats a dollar to you??  ( Give up one takeout coffee a week or so!)

Tourism keeps an awful lot of the people stable and they rely on selling their small trinkets to the tourist and taking pride in showing their country. I get really annoyed when others visiting complain about aggressive vendors, the state of the vehicles or just because their food is not perfect and not the same as at home!  .  I believe that they try very hard and are aware of how important tourism to their country. One lady on the tour climbed on our small bus and in disgust exclaimed 'they call this a tour bus?! ' and right without missing a heartbeat staying  positive with a smile I said YES.cheerfully ..Its a tour and its a bus... so its a tour bus.... I am not sure she like me much but she at least curbed her complaining for a while.

Our tour guide said over 95% of the population are Catholic and the other 5% are alchoholics  as most of the rum produced in the Dominican stays there... resorts take a good part of that up...

Well we left our share of money there.. left school supplies at the school, rolled a cigar, rode in an open jeep up the mountians, saw a cocoa plantation, sucked on a raw cocoa bean, layed around on the beach a lot, ate too much, drank some but most of all  made sure we tipped our staff well and the lovely older lady who cleaned the public ladies room in the evening who I am sure most would forget about.  ( somebody looked at me like I was crazy) ( I made sure I did it in front of a lot of people... sorry God but guilt trips work well sometimes)

Next time I look at some peice of clothing made in the Dominican I will look at it a bit differently and not feel uncomfortable supporting thease people.   I give a lot of thanks to God that I was able to make this trip and grow myself from the experiance....

Smile Bright and God Bless!
Laura