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In December,2010, I traveled by ship to Samana, Dominican Republic on vacation with my brother. We took an open air bus through the jungle to the Boca del Diablo Blowhole, located on the coastline near Las Galeras. The blowhole is a natural rocky hole where water and air are forced through a narrow opening in the rocks due to the waves crashing against the shore.

On our way we saw things that made me seriously reflect on how good we have it in the states, but it also made me see that it doesn't matter how much stuff you have to be happy. The people here do not have the comforts that we have in the United States, but they are probably more happy than most people in America. I saw huts with no air conditioning and some without flooring, laundry hanging from clothes lines, children playing without clothes on, and the most relaxed atmosphere of anywhere I have ever been. The stores were little without air. I saw a man selling his eggs to the proprietor of a shop and open air markets where bananas and other produce was sold. People there use bicycles and small motorcycles to get around on. In the jungle there were people transporting their own water to their huts. It was quite was eye-opening and nothing like the States. In Samana Bay, the Bridge to Nowhere is a most intriguing landmarks. Originally built in the 1960s as part of a grand vision for a luxury resort expansion, the bridge extends from the mainland to two small islands—Cayo Linares and Cayo Vigía before abruptly ending in the open sea. Today, this unfinished marvel has become a tourist attraction offering visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the bay and lush tropical landscapes from the bridge. At certain times of the year whales come into this bay and show off for the tourists. To this day I have not forgotten the lessons I learned from seeing life from a perspective of simply living life. I didn't see cellphones stuck to people's faces anywhere.

Credits:
Coastal Collage template by Miss Fish
Tropical Isles Collection by Aimee Harrison
Sea Of Memories paper by Neia Scraps
Seaside Serenity Collab by GingerBread Ladies
Hello Selly, Javanese Text, and Tekton Pro Cond fonts