First, the language barrier... Yes, it's a barrier!
- The property manager for our unit picked us up from the airport on Saturday - Spanish only.
- The wait staff and menus at our primary restaurant on site - Spanish only.
- The employees at the market and pharmacy - Spanish only.
- Security guards on site (walk beach, at each entry gate) - Spanish only.
- Signs - Spanish only.
Both kids are trying to speak to the locals. Sammy ordered her breakfast yesterday "papas fritas". (Don't judge me - she'll have French fries for breakfast every day). Tyler's manners translate very well with "gracias" and Sammy passes out "hola"s to almost everyone she sees. So cute!
The language barrier has kept us on our toes... We translate what we can with my high school / college Spanish (it's been 15 years) and our cell phones. But some things, especially menus do not translate correctly. Mealtime is an adventure but we are loving it and trying all sorts of new things.
This is a very small fishing town. Juan Dolio was the up and coming tourist location until Hurricane Georges hit in 1998 allowing Punta Cana to overtake them as the all-inclusive tourist destination in the DR. There are two large abandoned resorts neighboring our property. It's strange to see such large empty buildings.
The town is very small... And we see some of the same people over and over again while we are out. With abandoned shops, stray dogs, and trash in the streets, it's been an eye-opening experience for both of the kids.
We are staying in Marbella... A beautiful complex of 5 buildings built in 2010 on a beautiful stretch of shore.
Although it is winter here, the highs are around 89* with lows around 70*. These temps seem to stay consistent year round. We have had a few brief showers... That literally last minutes and blow over quickly.
There are very few guests at Marbella right now, we estimate only about 10% of the units are in use. We aren't sure if it's because of the season but we enjoy always having our pick of cabanas on the beach and rarely having to share the Olympic-size infinity pool.
Although it doesn't seem catered to the American tourist per say, we find it refreshing that there aren't the never-ending advertisements for excursions and activities that you find in more touristy areas.
This morning another guest passed me by the pool and asked in his broken English "it is enough for you?"
Yes. It is enough indeed. The perfect description. The restful, calm, slow days. The joy inside and smiles on my kids faces, the fun and laughter with friends... It is enough. It is quiet and relaxing in every sense of the word.
