Driving the Island

Republica Dominica was good to us. We brought back a lot of memories, a new appreciation for our life and all the conveniences that come with it, a goal to slow down and enjoy, and lots of scars from chigger bites. One of us also may have returned to the Land of the Free with a death wish in the driver's seat. "But JR, in America try to remember we actually have to obey traffic laws."

On that note, my favorite quote of the whole trip will forever be; "Driving in the DR is just like a video game! If we crash we just get a new life." Pretty sure that's not how it works. Jimmy and JR both drove the rental cars all over the island. There were walkie talkies involved, so that made it even more exciting. The commentary was outrageous.

Driving on that island is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Speed limits and traffic signals and basic traffic considerations (including the direction you choose to drive) are not really a thing. Let me clarify, all those things actually exist, but no one actually cares. Including law enforcement. Horns are used to alert others that you are about to violate basic traffic laws. "I'm about to run this red light, so I better honk about it." In JR's case, "I'm going to pass you on the right shoulder of the highway. Beep, beep." The funny thing is, driving isn't hostile like it can be in the states. Horns are used to alert and everyone drives the way they want, no judgement, no worries. I guess it could be considered calming when you are the one deciding the speed, direction and style of driving all on your own.

My favorite experience was actually on my trip back to the airport. My mom was driving and as we started up the on ramp to the highway, a large dump truck was coming toward us exiting the highway down the on ramp. (I'm not exactly sure how he actually ended up on the ramp in the first place, because that whole side of the highway is definitely going the opposite direction.) I turned to my mom and, in a panic, asked; "what is he doing?!" Her response? "I guess he really needed to get to something over here." She wasn't even phased. Just politely passed the large, charging truck on the shoulder and continued on our way.

Something that makes driving even crazier is an abundance of scooters. 96% of all scooters are taped and twined together with mismatched parts, blowing so much smoke and exhaust that they look like traveling volcanoes. 94% of these smoking scooters have a giant tank of propane strapped to the back. Safe. (Most appliances run on propane, and scooters are the main mode of transportation. Adds up, right?) The craziest scooter cargo we saw was a washer. A literal washer strapped to a man's back as he drove his scooter on the shoulder of the highway.

My mom commented on the small children being very well behaved in the Dominican Republic. They must learn this at a very young age from riding scooters. Mom says they have to behave because naughty children (the squirmy ones) would squirm right off their scooter!