Things I Like About the DR (Installment #1)

Conchos: Beat-up, rickety public cars that should feasibly fit no more than four or five passengers but routinely squeeze up to eight. I especially enjoy sitting on a strange man's lap, or having a strange, well-dressed viejita (old lady) sit on mine. Also, they only cost 15 pesos a ride, no matter how far you're going (15 pesos = 40 cents).

Awesomely brash and energetic barrio kids: Specifically, Isaías, Júnior, Xuxú, Robertico, Yovanny, Ánderson, Guenilson, Carlitos, Franklin and Yusniel. Five of whom beat me in soccer today at the cancha in El Fracatán.

Walking through Downtown Santiago: Makes me feel like I'm in a video game, maybe Super Mario World Latin America style.

Cold showers: When it's so hot outside you can feel it scorching your innards, there's nothing like freezing water cascading down upon your melting body.

Reggaeton: OK, well, it's not like I don't hear that repetitive beat pounding through the streets of Worcester every day, but it just fits better here. Same goes for merengue.