This monument is as gorgeous as it is huge and honors the Heroes of the Restoration, those who liberated the Dominican Republic from Spain. We arrived there to see it after it had closed and so didn’t get to go inside the several museums. It is topped with a statue of Victory personified as a woman with her arms upraised.
The grounds around the monument are beautifully landscaped and adorned with statues. All of them are larger than life. There are historical heroes, baseball heroes and fanciful carnaval characters. It was drizzling, so our gracious host, Natalia, took us across the street to the Kukaramakara Country Bar and Restaurant, her favorite restaurant in Santiago, for shelter and dinner. What a great idea! Our table was lined up perfectly with the front of the monument so we took one picture when were arrived and another as we were getting ready to leave. I have mentioned before, I think, that meals in the Dominican Republic typically last about three hours.
The restaurant was decorated in early American Cowboy style. Large T.V. screens showed old John Wayne movies. The menu made our dinner choices difficult. Sushi was unexpected, mostly because of the cowboy theme. Seafood is always offered here in the D.R.. It is an island, after all. There were many mofongo choices and barbeque dishes.
Our companion, Bob Alsop, was hungry for ceviche and we didn’t see it on the menu. We described to our waiter what we wanted and he was excited to bring us the Judaea Makara Fish Ceviche and a mixed grill dish, similar to paella, that included octopus, squid, oysters, lobster, shrimp, mero (sea bass), beef, pork, tripe and rice in a fabulous sauce. It was so delicious and we solved all of the world’s problems as we relished every bite.
Santiago is the second largest city in the D.R. and the agricultural center. it’s located in a beautiful, lush, green valley known for its coffee and sugar cane plantations, cattle ranches, rice farms, and amber mines. It’s so beautiful. We’ll be back.
I love to be in a city long enough to get a sense of place. And as I talk with the people who live there, I love the understanding that comes about how they live their lives and what matters to them. All over this city, in fact, all over the Dominican Republic there are men standing around in public places ready to find a parking place for you…..for a few dollars. And when there isn’t a parking space in sight, they’ll always find one. Everyone needs to be tipped. It’s understood. That’s their work. That way everyone is happy. When you get used to it, accept it, and go with the flow…..an understanding comes. It’s like three hour meals. Relax. Enjoy your life and allow others to enjoy theirs.