Arrival at PUJ in the Dominican Republic, Aug 30, 2014

 

For the evening entertainment, a man was playing the guitar in a central

outdoor area near the main buildings. We passed him going into dinner.

He was playing in a Spanish/Pop/Flamenco/Classical style, on an

acoustic classical guitar, similar to the one I use at gigs.

He was alone but he had a pre-recorded back-up band playing along with him.

There were maybe 20 small coctail tables set up out there,

with people seated at them, listening.

He was good. We paused to listen.

As we listened, the thought occurred to me that I might play a little

on his break - if he would allow it.

I'm always on the lookout for such opportunities, and here it was.

 

After dinner he was still out there, and just starting a break.

I took that as my signal, at Robin's encouragement.

We walked up close to the stage where I could see his guitar

would be fine and his stool was way high for me but if I sat on

the stage it would be just the right height without a footstool -

PERFECT!

I walked over to the guitarist and introduced myself -

explained that I play classical guitar in NYC,

and asked if I could play a few pieces on his guitar

while he was on his break.

He said sure - and I went over to the stage.

Many of the tables had people sitting and there

were still plenty of people around listening.

He asked me - you want to be plugged in? -

you want them to hear you?

And I said - sure thing - plug me in and give me some volume.

I began immediately, and played about 5 of my favorite/best pieces

to applause and some cheering - and it wasn't even all Robin!!!

We left them wanting more - it was evident they really enjoyed my playing.

Before we left, the guitarist and I had a few pleasant words for each other -

a little discussion of the pieces I played (he knew them all) and then we departed.

 

An epilogue to the above story:

2 nights after I played in the square, a hotel guest

came up to me and asked if I was the person playing

classical guitar the other night.

I answered that it indeed was I. He was very complimentary and

he said he and his wife liked me better than the regular performer.

That's the kind of thing that just keeps me playing and playing.

Not to be "better", but to be recognized by a stranger for my performance,

and to be able to connect to people musically, with a guitar.

 

 

 

 

Our 12th Wedding Anniversary. 12 years of matrimonial happiness.

We got the special treatment. The singing, the cake, the whole shebang.

 

 

Who's this grizzled old (and tired) guy?

 

The scene at the "Preferred Club" pool, day after day.

 

I don't know about you, but we love to

take the excursions and do all the wild activities.

I mean, sometimes we rule something out as being

utterly insane and wreckless - but rarely.

We participated in ALL of the following:

Workouts in the fitness center (4x), Speedboating; Snorkling;

ATV Mud Buggies though the jungle and

cowpastures on incredibly rough amd muddy/rocky/potholey dirt roads

with barbed wire fences right at our sides and mud and cowshit all over

the road, trying to control this devil on this road and at breakneck speeds;

zip-lining on the cliffs,

massages, facials,

sailing the catamaran (3x) and well -

hey, I'm not going to post pictures of EVERYTHING we did!

Goodness Gracious NO!

But here are the ones you can see:

 

So, we finish breakfast at the Seaside Grill, and agree to hang by the Preferred Club pool for a time,

after using the bathroom. I finish and come out of the bathroom and no Robin.

That's not all that strange - guys have certain advantages over women when it comes to peeing in public places.

I think we can all agree on that without getting into any sociological or political discussions about it.

Just one of those things. I wouldn't want to get into a pissing contest about it!

Anyway I wait awhile and still no Robin.

I start to get fidgety. We don't have our cell phones on us.

Where is ROBIN?

Eventually she showed up, knees scraped and bleeding, but she's not crying.

She took a spill into what could fairly be called a freaking cactus garden.

They tended to her. She swore she was fine.

That's my baby!

Not a peep about it for the rest of the trip.

That woman is made of some amazing stuff.

What internal fortitude!

I've seen it countless times in our wonderful 12 years of marriage.

 

Okay, so we're not actually IN this last pic, but we did all the activites, just the same.