first look at Luperon

3/15/09 Rock is snoozing and Dave and I take off to town. I have not been able to get a wifi signal, and need to let everyone know we have arrived. Tried to get internet through the marina last night, but was unsuccessful, despite help from the bar manager, sans english, and that El Presidente. Turns out they haven't had enough power to charge thier modems and equipment, but assured me it would be soon. Not soon enough for Marilyn, she needs to know today!
The dinghy motor is not having a good day, but it gets us there after we tour some of the boats in the harbor. There are several uniformed officials milling about the gate at the end of the dock. We find out they are poorly paid, and their primary source of income is collecting fees and tips.
OMG, there are goats and cows wandering around, not to mention chickens, ducks and a plethora of dogs. The streets are lined with brightly painted huts or shacks, no glass in the windows, doors open, people everywhere,kids playing in the street and sidewalks, music . Everyone is clean and dressed, no one looks hungry or obese, no not even the dogs...Some of the huts have vending areas at the front with sad fruits and veggies, most have someone leaning out the windows, we pass a hot dominoes game, and begin Dave's quest to photograph all the dogs he can. They are amazing, they are all different(in a cur dog kinda way) and are curled up sleeping wandering, and we make eye contact with one who guides us around town. They, like the people don't seem to be bothered by each other or anything else, most trot as if on a mission. I must remember to bring biscuits next time, and definitely won't be bringing Max and Alma to town. We arrive at Capt. Steve's , a restaurant that advertises free internet, showers, and a swimming pool. We have a El Presidente and I get to work emailing. Its very slow, something I am learning to live with. We order lunch and split Dave's fix: fried chicken, rice and beans and salad. Yum. Capt Steve does everything from selling meals, fresh fruits and veggies,eggs, beer, liquor(delivered to your dinghy), does laundry, arranges transportation, you name it. His wife and children wait on us, its cool and breezy, and inexpensivo. We watch the street traffic(mostly foot and motorconcho) and see our dog friend happily stretched out under someones table, that traitor!
More walking, the firehouse, park, statue of General Luperon, more dogs...lots of motorconchos buzzing around. Beautiful plants and amazing bougainvillea that are like giant shrubs with huge neon blooms, banana trees, and tons of clean laundry carefully draped on every piece of barbed wire and cactus along the way. We pass two men cooking a pig on a wooden spit, they indicate we should come back for some. Everyone smiles, and a greeting is always expected. Holaholahola. Although the poverty is pronounced, there are not many exceptions...it is the way of life here. Everyone seems happy, Dave thinks everyone may have had an El Presidente, but there are no drunken scuffles, you hear no angry words. I do not feel like an Ugly American Tourist here, but I know I am a gringo!