We cleared La Romana and started out the other side. We passed the airport there, and came upon the village of Boca de Chavon, which we all knew was past Altos de Chavon. So, Bob asked directions and discovered that we had passed the entrance before the airport. So we turned around and headed back. But where we thought the turn might be there was no sign (This is a major tourist attraction here!) After we passed the turn, I looked at a sign facing the opposite direction on the other side of the road. Sure enough it said "Altos de Chavon". So, we turned around again and tried to figure out how we missed it the first time. We all decided it was the smallness of the sign and the largeness of the bushes in front of it!
We turned in and after just a few yards we came to what should have been the entrance. But it had a chain link gate firmly closed with a huge chain and lock and a very nice security guard on the other side.
Bob got out to talk to him. Today is May Day (actually May 1st but it's celebrated the Monday closest to the 1st). This is their Labor Day...a major holiday! So, the major tourist attraction was closed or, so said the security guard the first time!
Bob asked him why and was informed that it was because it's a special day. After a few minutes of the two of them talking, and us giving the nice security guard an ice cold bottle of water (his idea!), and a few calls on his radio, Bob came back to the car again.
Bob asked him why and was informed that it was because it's a special day. After a few minutes of the two of them talking, and us giving the nice security guard an ice cold bottle of water (his idea!), and a few calls on his radio, Bob came back to the car again.
It seems the security guard first told Bob we couldn't enter because today is a major holiday, so no tourists are allowed in, ONLY Dominicans! He informed us there were large crowds of Dominicans inside. After Bob handed him the ice cold bottle of water, it seemed that we might be allowed to enter. This required several more calls on his radio, and Bob writing down our vehicle's license number on a napkin (only paper we could find in the vehicle) and handing it to the guard thru the locked gate.
Eventually Bob returned to the vehicle while trying to keep a straight face. He turned the vehicle around and headed back to the main road. We were being sent to the next entrance, where we were to say to the next guard something that sounded like "Pay Cinco" . Since 'cinco' is the number 5, we were trying to decide how much this was going to cost us: 5 pesos, $5, or more!
We got to the next entrance, after we all practiced our secret code "Pay cinco" several times. Hey, we were not going to blow our chance to enter. I needed extra practice since I repeatedly said "Say pinko".
It was very anticlimactic, since when we got to the next guard, he just lifted the bar and let us pass! Major letdown!
Ah, but we were not officially in "Altos de Chavon". Further down the road there was another checkpoint with 4 guards.
We figured this was where we needed to use our secret code word. Oh contrare! No, here the guard expected Bob to have his original passport on him for the guard to hold while we were inside. Bob handed him a copy of his passpsort, and the guard returned it saying it was NOT the original. (well, duh! Who voluntarily gives away their passport to a perfect stranger) The guard was not to be moved!
So, Bob handed him his Ohio Driver's license, which the guard returned saying it was NOT an original (most missionaries make copies and never give out their original). Meanwhile, I am in the passenger seat occasionally giving out the secret code "pay cinco", but he paid no attention!
Tim only had a copy of his DL, but Evelyn had her original. We thought he was just going to look at it. OH NO! We were informed she could have it back when we all exited! We discussed amongst ourselves whether or not this was a good idea,leaving the final decision to Evelyn who said okay. So, we were finally allowed to proceed to the parking lot.
We then went to enter thru the pay booth. When Bob told that nice guard we were missionaries, the security guard told the clerk that we were to enter free!
From the time we got to the first main gate, til the time we actually entered was 30 minutes!
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Altos de Chavon was built in 1976 to resemble a 16th century village from southern Europe. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Chavón River, Altos de Chavón features an archaeological museum that is the most important Dominican museum outside the capital. The Church of San Estanislao is in the center of the village. The village of Altos de Chavón also has numerous restaurants, art galleries, a Taino art museum, stores, disco, school of design and an amphitheatre
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Bob tries to claim his own souvenir!
Bob tries to claim his own souvenir!
The lovely damsel in the bell tower! ha!
I just love porticos and arches! and they were everywhere!
Lunchtime!
Siesta time for Bob
Bob says this is "Anna and the Evangelists"
These were two tall windows on the back side of the art museum.
Chavon River is in the distance.Altos de Chavon is known for its artists and craftmen. There is a school of design, art museum and several shops to buy locally made items ~jewelry, hand-embroidered items, pottery, hand-painted dishes, etc. We decided it was all just a bit too expensive for our wallets, but still a pleasure to look at.
After a while we stopped and had icecream in a cute little bakery. Then it was time to leave.
We did much debating as to whether this might be where "pay cinco" might be needed to retrieve Ev's license. As we approached the booth, the security guard asked me what the name was. He had about 4-5 licenses in his hand!
We never did 'pay cinco'; Evelyn has her driver's license, and there were NO crowds of Dominicans there. Other than the workers, we saw 2 Dominican families.
But we all agreed it was a beautiful place, very relaxing and well worth our efforts to gain entrance.
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Just hope I don't have this much difficulty clearing the Las Americas airport and customs tomorrow morning. I arrive at Dayton International about 11PM. I'll be at David & Lyndie's. I get to babysit Yosi Wednesday AM and Thursday. Friday I drive to Lynchburg to be with Shan and the kids. The following weekend I return to David & Lyndie's, Monday I babysit Yosi, Tuesday I fly back to the DR. Because of the shortness of my stay in Greenville, I don't think there will be time for me to see any of you, though! Sorry~~
What a cool place!! Loved the pictures! So glad that you get to come and see all the grandchildren. Hope you have a wonderful time with family - maybe I will see at Joes or something!
ReplyDeleteOOOO, i loved the architecture! what a fun adventure:) hope your stay with family will be more relaxing and with fewer hassles!
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