I still remember preparing myself for my new life in Dominican Republic. I had never heard anything about Cabarete before and I never would have imagined, especially after living in so many different places, how much a small place could give me in such a short time. I have had the chance to meet very interesting people from all over the world: students, locals, volunteers, and visitors. Some of them are still here, some of them have left, but what they shared with me opened my mind in a way that changed the way I thought and saw things. During my eight months living in Cabarete there are two things that have struck me the most: the kindness of Dominican locals and the determination of my students in CLI’s social program, Opportunities in English.

I have lived in El Callejón de la Loma, one of the Dominican neighborhoods in Cabarete, since I arrived in the Dominican Republic. I have noticed that regardless of their situation, Dominicans will always smile at you and offer you help every time you need it.

Not so long ago I went to Isla Saona with some friends and rented a car. On our way back, we realized that we had a flat tire when we were passing by a very small village. We had a spare but not the tools needed to change it. The people of the small village literally started running to help us without us even having to ask. After they finished helping us they told us they didn’t want anything in exchange.

Back in Cabarete when we told our story people would start to tell us of similar situations they had lived through. The Dominican Republic is a very special spot in the Caribbean where its visitors can feel safe and welcome.

But what has got to me the most is being a teacher in the Opportunities in English program where young Dominicans can learn English. In Cabarete this is extremely important because in order to be more prepared for a job in this tourist town English language skills are necessary. It is amazing to see how hard they try because they want to get a good job to help their families. My students and I have so much fun in class and I feel happy to see how fast they learn.

So far, being in Cabarete has been such a nice experience and despite being so far from known surroundings, Cabarete has made me feel like I am home.

What do you think?

In a few weeks I’ll be celebrating my first anniversary of living in Cabarete. Before that day last August when I arrived in Cabarete, I hadn’t stepped foot on my island in eight years. While I am originally from Santo Domingo, I spent the better part of the past decade living in several places in the world, but no town was ever able to soothe my wanderlust-until I landed in Cabarete.

A year ago everyone told me that once I’d seen life in Cabarete I’d be back again—if I ever left. I remember laughing; from a monastery in Nepal to an apartment in New York City to a little house near Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethopia), I have lived in some of the most vibrant places in the world and I definitely didn’t think a town with only two streets had much to show me that I hadn’t seen before. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong. This past year has been a year of discovering and rediscovering the culture that shaped my childhood:

1. The harder you slam your dominoes the better your Sunday afternoon will be.This is a scientific fact. There is nothing like spending the day in bonche with all of my local friends listening to the old bachatas my mother sang to me on the days she cleaned the house. After we’re done playing, we barbecue or make a huge sanchocho and feed the whole neighborhood family-style. In essence, that’s what we are: a family made up of Dominicans, both local to the community and from all over the island, including our friends from abroad. And everyone knows that the family that slams dominoes together stays together. At least until it comes down to who gets the last chuleta; then you’re on your own.
2. There is a right way and a wrong way to get on and off a motorcycle. This is also a scientific fact. Passenger + right side of the motorcycle = Dominican tattoo. I never knew how complicated that was. Now I know, and while I haven’t had the pleasure of getting one of those yet I’ve seen enough friends walk away with a lovely souvenir of their tropical vacation—now they’ll never forget their vacation in Cabarete!
3. I have learned to appreciate the great people I meet from all over the world and the time we spend together. After a year, I’m finally getting used to the two going away parties we have to throw every week. It used to make me sad when I first arrived. I would spend a week or two or maybe a few months getting to know some of the most amazing people only to have them leave eventually. But I’ve come to realize that in Cabarete “goodbye” really is “see you later”… because everyone does eventually come back.

If you came here for a specific trip and find yourself still here, what made you stay? If you keep finding yourself back in Cabarete, what keeps you coming back?