Free Happiness

Lets stop the narrative that nothing is free. That's negative and makes it difficult to appreciate what is free. Viewing nature is free, and so are peaceful moments, a kind gesture and good memories.

Most Expats come to the realization before becoming an expat that their life is more about good memories and being at peace. That's why you never meet a stressed-out expat. They're usually in a good place. The rat race is behind them. For an Expat the excitement is experiencing a new culture, new experiences and sharing stories with whoever cares to listen. For the most part Expats don't travel with ambitions to make millions of dollars, to be in magazines or a celebrity. It’s much more for the simplicity of life. We expats find happiness in many forms of ways. Our happiness is free and what some might not understand until they experience it themselves. Many free ways of enjoyment are talking in a foreign language with the locals, or meeting new friends that relate to how you think, reading posts like this brings us enjoyment, sharing stories about our different cultures is always a good one. Too many examples, but one experience that never gets old is taking a road trip. A friend of mine once told me before that one of the greatest feelings you can get in a new country is taking a long-distance drive, a road trip. At the time, I didn’t pay it much mind because I swore that I would never drive in any Caribbean or Latin American country. They drove too crazy for me, I was safe with a Uber or Taxi. I wouldn’t be familiar with the roads, and I don’t drive aggressively enough. I’ve been on many road trips, but never did I imagine driving in Dominican Republic. Well, I’ve learned in life to never say never, because you never know. I never knew that I would be living in Dominican Republic (here I am) and I never knew how right my friend was. 

The year is 2022, I’m here in Dominican Republic. I’m in the driver seat of a car that we borrowed for a day. Had to send out the prayer to the Lord before starting the engine and driving. I hear laughing in the background because they think I am joking, but really, I'm serious. I’m excited to do this, but don't know what to expect driving here. The town I’m in is beautiful and surrounded by mountain views. As I start to drive, the views only get better. The roads, to my surprise, were very clear. Unlike the capital city Santo Domingo which is notorious for traffic. Wow, this is a memorable experience, I’m driving in Dominican Republic, don't know where I’m going but I’m driving in the DR. I just hear my girlfriend saying turn left, turn right, go straight and I go. What stuck out to me was the air got fresher. It was a warm day, clear light blue sky with that Caribbean breeze that money can't buy. AC off, windows down. This clean fresh air isn't normal for most of us from big cities in North America. We’re only 30 mins in or so into this 2-hour drive and I felt like jumping out the car to sit outside and taking in nature. Shortly after we turn this corner and go up a hill, appears the nicest view. We park up and come out of the car to stand up and take some pictures. Only us there and the car parked on the side of the road. A car drives by and thinks that we broke down. An elder man asks if we needed help and is everything ok. He thought our car broke down, but it also shows you how kind Dominican people are, how quick they will come to a stranger's aid. We are at the top of a mountain looking as far as the eyes can see this beautiful nature. It’s one of those moments when you don’t speak, and you just take it all in. This view is free and could make anyone happy just being there. 

Back on the road again, after breathing in that clean air from the mountain peak. I’m being told that it will get better, and the next stop will be a river. Dominican Republic has lots of mountains and your view differs from where in the island you are. Ocoa where we are now driving is also known as “paraíso entre montañas” the English translation is “paradise between mountains”. So, it’s safe to say that this area is one of or the best mountain view parts of Dominican Republic. Some roads were being worked on, no road blockages. Construction workers were directing cars and there was never any hold up. On the route we seen herds of cows from different farms. Driving by one ranch I remember seeing so many horses. We see a sugarcane field and so many different crops. Huge greenhouses that stretch for hundreds of yards. Big lots, huge driveways that lead to beautiful big Caribbean style houses, some were mansions. This road trip was way better than I expected. Still cruising and we drive over a bridge, under this bridge is the river. Park the car off to the side of the road and we walked over to the river to take it all in. From a distance there's some music softly playing. The music is not music I’m familiar with, but it’s relaxing. Plus with the setting of being by the river with the sounds of the water flowin, made it a peaceful bliss. Further down the river there's a small family enjoying the water. They were so far down that they probably didn't notice us.  

Every road trip has a destination, we were heading to a farm. A farm in the Caribbean, not just any farm, this was a beauty. This farm was so well maintained that I thought it was a compound. My girlfriend being Dominican and knowing so many good people set up this whole day. The owners of the farm were such great hosts. They opened the gates, greeted us then told us to make ourselves at home. There were 2 houses on the land, with acres of greenery. A fenced off area for the cows and a separate area for the horses. There were workers and maids. So many different types of trees, from palm trees to caoba (national tree). Strangely it was as if the colors of everything were brighter, it was like watching a 4kHD live. The best part was seeing all the different fruits, vegetables and exotic fruits that were growing. Seeing also the bananas in their growing stages, baby avocados too (I coined that name) small avocados, no bigger than two fingernails. We ate some guava. It was my first time having the actual fruit, amazing. Eventually we left to drive around the town to do more sightseeing. 

Rancho Arriba is a small countryside town with lots of farms. Located in the province of San Jose de Ocoa. A peaceful town, not where you'll find tourists though. This was for sure to the outside world a hidden gem. The town has stores and restaurants, but also looks like most places close early. It feels very safe there, you get the feeling that it's a true community and everyone looks out for each other. To be there is to love it. So, the final spot we drove to was meant to save the best for last. Honestly, as I said there and at that moment. “This doesn't even seem real”.  It looked and felt unreal, I doubt anyone moves away from that town if they live there. The Dominican people love over in Rancho Arriba and love to visit there. Dominican Republic is beautiful, but some parts just stand out. Make friends with someone in Rancho Arriba, so that you'll have all the reason to go lol. Well, after that it was time to drive back. The great thing about driving back was seeing everything again, the bad part was having to drive rather than being a passenger. This was well worth it, and I can’t wait for the next one.