Late June – 1982 – Sherry – on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic!

We were married on a Friday evening.

We celebrated at a local disco bar dance place with family!

The next day, we drove to Toronto, Canada, and stayed overnight.

Sunday morning, we flew out of Toronto to the Dominican Republic, to Jack Tar Village.

Everyone on the flight were Candianians.

And we were the only people from the USA!

This was a all exclusive resort –

And we departed the plane directly onto the pavement, and it was well over 100 degrees!

We checked in and were driven to our villa by golf cart.

We had to have our pictures taken and put into a holder to hang around our necks.

This way we could show ID and eat and drink!

Until then, we could drink bottled water and sodas.

I took this picture while we were waiting-

It seemed like hours, but it was less than that.

Upon arrival –

There were armed military personnel all over the place.

We wondered what we had gotten ourselves into.

I learned on that trip what FREEDOM is all about,

Living in the USA!

Later, we found out that the President of the Dominican Republic had committed suicide!!!!

WOW – nervous we were –

But we were never bothered and had a great week.

Enjoying the resort and taking several excursions into the large city –

But only two or three-storied buildings.

There was a large soccer- baseball stadium nearby-

At night, we could hear and see the lights in the dark sky.

On our wedding day – June 25th. 1982.

Shopping – there was no change exchanged –

If it were $19.25, you paid $20.00 and received no change!

We had to exchange our money.

We were taken into the small city.

All of us! (MAYBE A DOZEN COUPLES)

We went into an upscale women’s clothing store.

We waited in line at the entrance to a closed door in the back.

I SWEAR WE WERE IN A MOVIE WITH HUMPHRY BOGART!

A ceiling fan overhead –

A small peep door opened, and a pair of eyes we could see.

Spanish was spoken, and then the door opened.

There were about a dozen of us who had not made the money exchange before leaving Canada.

Inside was a man sitting at the far end of the room at a green felt table.

A single light hung over it.

He sat there with a metal box on the table.

He had on a long-sleeved white shirt-

The biceps had an arm band type thing and he had this visor on.

On either side of him were armed guards.

Our guide was named SANTANA!

He would translate, and he said not to say anything!

That man handled the entire money exchange.

I do not know if he got a commission or not –

But everyone was quiet, and it was all done in minutes.

We were escorted out of the room and across the shop to the outside.

Here we were swamped by dozens of old ladies hawking all sorts of goods!

He ushered us straight through them to the bus, and we pulled away!

NEVER HAVE WE EXPIERENCED ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN!

Feeding cake to one another –

AND NO – WE DID NOT SMASH IT INTO OUR MOUTHS!

Sanatana knew Sherry and me were from the USA because of our accents.

We became friendly,

And he talked to us all the time.

He asked where we lived,

And we said NYS!

He asked WHERE?

We said Portville near Olean in WNY!

He said – “OH – RIGHT OFF RTE. 17!!!!!”

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT I ASKED?

He told us for years he had driven semi-tractors from Cleveland to Albany!

Going right past the exits to OLEAN, NY!

After that,

He took us everywhere in his bus,

And we got to trust him.

On one trip, he took us and three other couples to a DICO-CLUB that was closed for the day.

He had a key-

It was shaped like a huge SOMBERO!

He opened it up –

Turned on the lights and the music.

We had the whole place to ourselves.

He asked if we wanted beer,

And it was in quart bottles!

Needless to say, we did not drink it all!

We had many more adventures while there on our honeymoon.

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Almost 44 years later – MEMORIES –

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