The Things You Notice

The Dominican Republic is a fairly religious country. Most people are Roman Catholic, with all that it entails. Think kids living at home well into their thirties, etc. etc. So you can imagine the problem that may arise for young people who are dating, if you know what I mean. *Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.*

Oddly enough, The Dominican Republic is also a fairly adulterous country, with many married men taking on mistresses. Since the mistress is probably still living at home, and the married man's house is occupied, they too might have trouble finding a place to spend "quality time" together.

The solution to both of these situations presents itself in the form of "Cabañas Turisticas," or Tourist Cabanas, which are shanty little motels that rent by the hour, smattered all around the country in strategic locations; like the sides of the highways, for example.

On our way to Puerto Plata, George and I probably passed about 20 or so of them, with catchy names like "Zeus--where only the gods come" (YES it actually said that on the poster!), and "Apollo."

Eventually, we came across "Burbujas de Amor [Bubbles of Love]," which just happened to be strategically located right across the street from THE TRASH HEAP!!! The burning, smoldering, trash heap that emits the foulest stench imaginable (I know because we stopped to take pictures on the way back. The smell stayed in the car for the next 20 minutes). Now tell me honestly, doesn't that just float your boat!?!?!?

You have to wonder, which came first? The trash heap or the motel? And if it was the trash heap, what the HELL were the Burbujas de Amor people thinking. . .















The sign pointing to the motel.

And on the other side of the two-lane highway:















The festering heap--only a small portion mind you.