Higuey

We spent the day in a town called Higuey. It is one of the DR's holy city where every January 21st they celebrate the patron saint of the DR, the Virgin of Altagracia, know for her ability to heal.  We found the central church of this town, Basilica de Nuestra Denora de la Merced very easily and parked in the near empty parking lot.  The church is a modern building and the stained glass, bronze doors, and leaves carved from wood are all very beautiful.

After looking at the church, we spent a few minutes in the parking lot where there were several vendors selling religious items and then we headed to one of the streets filled with markets.  It was another very hot day and Higuey is quite dusty.  The first store we went into had lots of clothes, shoes, and paintings all of which were  covered with dust.  Were we deterred?  No, of course not!  Both Beatriz and I bought paintings which the young men wrapped with newspaper and scotch tape.

Now we had some new friends and one of them was our guide for the rest of the afternoon.  He walked us to various stores, including a book store where we were able to buy some books and maps to take back to our school.  As a group, we attract attention where ever we go in the DR and today was no exception.  In Higuey, more that any other place, we had boys asking as for money as we walked around.  And like the other places we have been, we were constantly surrounded by motorcycles in Higuey.