While discussing our upcoming beach vacation to Cabarete, a good friend of mine told me that her idea of the perfect day consisted of spending time with a group of compatible people, in stations.
Stations?
Yes, Stations.
Please explain.
Each person can move freely amongst the stations at will, without feeling obligated to spend time at any particular station or with any particular person; merely enjoying the stationed activity and the company of the people that also chose to participate in that station, and changing stations at your own leisure.
Intriguing. Now I have to say that this thought had never occurred to me before, but the more I thought about it, the more it appealed to me. And so upon our arrival in Cabarete, I found myself consciously trying to set up the stations that my friend and I had discussed.
First off let me explain though, this weekend was a three day weekend since there was a Dominican holiday on Monday. Coincidentally, the beach town of Cabarete decided to host a jazz festival for Saturday and Sunday night. So it wasn't really tough to decide how we were going to spend our long weekend: beach, sun, and good music, who could say no? A group of 8 of us rented 2 rooms in a cheaply priced hotel and split in on food. It was definitely "La vie boheme" for the weekend, but that made it all the much more fun.
We arrived in Cabarete Saturday evening, ate our thrifty dinner of ham and cheese sandwiches accompanied by rum and juice cocktails, and began our journey along the beach to the jazz festival (our hotel was situated about a quarter mile walk from the jazz tent). Of course though, as soon as we had made it about half way to our destination, it began to drizzle. And that drizzle soon turned into a steady pour. We sprinted for shelter under the nearest cabana to wait out the rain.
Stations?
Yes, Stations.
Please explain.
Each person can move freely amongst the stations at will, without feeling obligated to spend time at any particular station or with any particular person; merely enjoying the stationed activity and the company of the people that also chose to participate in that station, and changing stations at your own leisure.
Intriguing. Now I have to say that this thought had never occurred to me before, but the more I thought about it, the more it appealed to me. And so upon our arrival in Cabarete, I found myself consciously trying to set up the stations that my friend and I had discussed.
First off let me explain though, this weekend was a three day weekend since there was a Dominican holiday on Monday. Coincidentally, the beach town of Cabarete decided to host a jazz festival for Saturday and Sunday night. So it wasn't really tough to decide how we were going to spend our long weekend: beach, sun, and good music, who could say no? A group of 8 of us rented 2 rooms in a cheaply priced hotel and split in on food. It was definitely "La vie boheme" for the weekend, but that made it all the much more fun.
We arrived in Cabarete Saturday evening, ate our thrifty dinner of ham and cheese sandwiches accompanied by rum and juice cocktails, and began our journey along the beach to the jazz festival (our hotel was situated about a quarter mile walk from the jazz tent). Of course though, as soon as we had made it about half way to our destination, it began to drizzle. And that drizzle soon turned into a steady pour. We sprinted for shelter under the nearest cabana to wait out the rain.
Trying to stay dry
Rain, rain, go away.
After waiting about 15 minutes, with jazz music taunting us from a distance, and serious talk being tossed around about just giving up and taking a dip in the ocean (we were already soaked), the rain finally began to ease up. Notice I said ease up, not stop. At this point, a few wandered back home, deeming tomorrow a more worthy night for celebration, and a few of us (those who had drank more rum and juice cocktails) continued on, making a mad dash for the nearest night club and hurling ourselves inside out of the rain. By this time, the jazz festival tent had also given up due to the inclement weather, but the night clubs (having real roofs), were getting into full swing. We danced ourselves dry into the wee small hours of the morning. And despite the rain, the night was awesome. Maybe even because of it. Nothing like dancing in the rain to make you throw away all cares in the world.
After waiting about 15 minutes, with jazz music taunting us from a distance, and serious talk being tossed around about just giving up and taking a dip in the ocean (we were already soaked), the rain finally began to ease up. Notice I said ease up, not stop. At this point, a few wandered back home, deeming tomorrow a more worthy night for celebration, and a few of us (those who had drank more rum and juice cocktails) continued on, making a mad dash for the nearest night club and hurling ourselves inside out of the rain. By this time, the jazz festival tent had also given up due to the inclement weather, but the night clubs (having real roofs), were getting into full swing. We danced ourselves dry into the wee small hours of the morning. And despite the rain, the night was awesome. Maybe even because of it. Nothing like dancing in the rain to make you throw away all cares in the world.
Galvin looks like he is getting ready to attack, lol, not sure what´s going on this picture, but apparently nobody was ready. Gotta love those candid pics.
We blinked into life the next morning around 11:30 a.m. (I think the sound of a falling mango crashing onto our rooftop from the rain is what actually woke me up). The rain continued to drizzle steadily, and although this wasn't ideal, we were determined to make the best of it. So after some grocery shopping and a little lounging, we headed poolside. Let the life-in-stations begin!
At our previous discussion, Maddy and I decided that for the purpose of a perfect day in Cabarete, the stations would need to include: Reading, Swimming Pool, Cards, Beach Volleyball, Playing in the Ocean, Food and Beverage Consumption
At our previous discussion, Maddy and I decided that for the purpose of a perfect day in Cabarete, the stations would need to include: Reading, Swimming Pool, Cards, Beach Volleyball, Playing in the Ocean, Food and Beverage Consumption
Station 1: The Swimming Pool
Swimming in the rain, oh swimming in the rain, what a glorious feeling, la la la...(I forget the rest of the words to that tune....but I bet it gets stuck in your head now!)
Swimming in the rain, oh swimming in the rain, what a glorious feeling, la la la...(I forget the rest of the words to that tune....but I bet it gets stuck in your head now!)
Station 2: Cards
Who knows how to play Canasta? Nobody? Ok, now's a good time to learn.
Who knows how to play Canasta? Nobody? Ok, now's a good time to learn.
Station 3: Food and Beverage Consumption
Occuring simultaneously along with station 1 and 2 of course.
Occuring simultaneously along with station 1 and 2 of course.
Station 4: Beach Volleyball
The sun made a temporary appearance around 2 o'clock, which is when we picked up our stations and hurried them to the beach to seize the day.
The sun made a temporary appearance around 2 o'clock, which is when we picked up our stations and hurried them to the beach to seize the day.
Station 5: Playing in the Ocean
Ok, so it was about this time that things started looking a little dreary again. Our little group disbanned and went our separate ways in search of Station 3 (Food and Beverage Consumption) once again. That's the beautiful thing about stations, you can just move freely from one back to the other without rhyme or reason.
We reconveined later that night just to find out that Maddy and Dominique had tried to rob the grocery store in search of food!
Ok so that didn't really happen.
But come on, that picture was pretty awesome.
I mean, this is a real gun we are talking about here people.
Ok, so I should probably explain to the folks back home that this is not uncommon, to see watch men walking around with loaded rifles (They are called "watchimen" in Spanish, haha, no joke. Best translation ever.) Lots of businesses and people with wealthy homes hire them out to stand guard for the night. Its a pretty intimidating security system, but apparently quite effective. Even the University where I work has armed guards walking around daily.
Anywho, what really happened is that we walked by this guy on our way back to the jazz festival that night and couldn't resist asking for a picture. So there you have it, the boring truth. The night might have a been a lot more awesome if that first story had really happened.
As it turns out though, it still ended up being pretty great anyway.
But come on, that picture was pretty awesome.
I mean, this is a real gun we are talking about here people.
Ok, so I should probably explain to the folks back home that this is not uncommon, to see watch men walking around with loaded rifles (They are called "watchimen" in Spanish, haha, no joke. Best translation ever.) Lots of businesses and people with wealthy homes hire them out to stand guard for the night. Its a pretty intimidating security system, but apparently quite effective. Even the University where I work has armed guards walking around daily.
Anywho, what really happened is that we walked by this guy on our way back to the jazz festival that night and couldn't resist asking for a picture. So there you have it, the boring truth. The night might have a been a lot more awesome if that first story had really happened.
As it turns out though, it still ended up being pretty great anyway.
We made it to the jazz festival to enjoy some sweet tunes
And when the jazz music died away, we tore up the discoteca floor dancing to techno and merengue remixes...
It ended up being another late night for me, but no worries, the only thing I had planned for the next day, aside from a strong cup of coffee, were more stations, including one of my personal favorites:
Station 6: Reading
Station 6: Reading
Mmmmhhh, a night of dancing with coffee and a good book in the morning. Perfection.
We ended our mini vacation with a trip back to the beach (for more of Stations 4 and 5 of course!)
The sun was finally shining today!
We even added a station. Station 7: Bath time.
We suddsed up in the ocean like good little bohemians.
We suddsed up in the ocean like good little bohemians.
The icing on the cake? Maddy and I caught a motoconcho ride back to the bus station to head back to Santiago.
Unfortunately, my motoconcho driver was not super on top of his game, and we ran out of fuel on the way. Extremely fortunately, we ran out of fuel just a block away from a gas station, so he didn't have to walk the bike that far. All part of the adventure here!
So my final suggestion to you, try life in stations for yourself! Note: Beach and good friends not included (but highly recommended :)
P.S.to worried friends and relatives: It is important to note that motoconchos are a very common and often-used form of transportation here in the Dominican Republic, and in fact, sometimes they are the most convenient. But the use of helmets by motoconcho drivers and passengers simply does not exist. It was not by choice that I did not wear a helmet, the motoconcho just happened to be the most readily available form of transportation this day and there were no helmets to be found.
P.S.to worried friends and relatives: It is important to note that motoconchos are a very common and often-used form of transportation here in the Dominican Republic, and in fact, sometimes they are the most convenient. But the use of helmets by motoconcho drivers and passengers simply does not exist. It was not by choice that I did not wear a helmet, the motoconcho just happened to be the most readily available form of transportation this day and there were no helmets to be found.
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