Saturday, September 22 (sabado, 22 de septiembre)

Dominican History (First Arrivals)

Taino Indians

The earliest known inhabitants of Hispaniola were probably descendants of Amazonian peoples using huge dugout canoes to island-hop, over the course of many generations, from the southern tip of the lesser Antilles (present-day Virgin Islands and the Leeward and Windward island chains), north and west into the Greater Antilles (present-day Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico).

The groups were replaced by a second more advanced group, known as Saladoids, and they were replaced in turn by a still more advanced group, whose origin was probably either the Venezuelan Amazon or the Peruvian Andes.

The Taino Look at Carnival

By AD 700, a third group known as Tainos or 'friendly people' occupied virtually all of the islands in the Caribbean basin.

Road Trip To Rio San Juan

Population: 8983

Leaving Sosua heading east along the coast, we pass through Cabarete, Sabaneta and Gaspar Hernandez before reaching Rio San Juan.

Rio San Juan is a quiet seaside town featuring much less hustle and bustle than Puerto Plata, Sosua or Cabarete. It is located near one of the Dominican Republic's best beaches; Playa Grande. The best hotel in town is the Bahia Blanca. Restaurants are available offering good food for less than what one pays in the tourist locations.

Rio San Juan is small enough to easily stroll through and offers small town tranquility.

Laguna Gri Gri

Laguna Gri Gri: This lagoon, at the northern end of town, was once a major tourist attraction drawing tourists for boat trips through the tangled mangrove channels. However, the growth of the small city and overuse have left the lagoon polluted and less picturesque.

There are a number of boatmen who offer tours of the lagoon for around RD$1000 pesos. The tour will take up to 7 people and lasts for an hour or so. On the tour one visits the mangrove forests, some interesting rock formations and a cave.

You can visit the lagoon on foot by following the path from Hotel Bahia Blanca to the water's edge, where you turn right and head into the mangroves.

Playa Grande

Playa Grande: Located 15 km (just over 9 miles) east of Rio San Juan. Playa Grande is truly one of the most beautiful beaches you will ever find. The beach is long and broad with aquamarine water. There is a thick fringe of palm trees which allow the beachgoer to have a choice of lounging in the sun or sitting in the shade. Playa Grande is picture postcard.

There are a number of gift shops and beachside food and drink establishments.

Playa Grande is also known for heavy surf and dangerous riptides so care is required. Best to be conservative when swimming at Playa Grande.

Hotel Bahia Blanca

Hotel Bahia Blanca: (US $15 - $35). These are 2003 prices and I feel accurate in saying the cost has risen since then.

The hotel is situated at the water's edge and actually juts out over the water. Bahia Blanca offers gorgeous ocean views due to it's proximity to the water and the large decks on each floor.

There are 3 floors with the rooms on the 3rd floor being the largest and the most expensive.

Restaurants in Rio San Juan

Restaurante y Reposteria Teresa: (US $3.50 - $9.00). Breakfast and lunch are offered inside the yellow clapboard house. Patrons receive excellent Dominican food, good-sized portions and friendly service. It is a favorite for the locals as well.

El Corral del Pollo: (US $7.00 - $16.00). Specializes in Spanish food to include paella, Spanish tortillas and gazpacho.

Cheo's Cafe: (US $7.00 - $15.00). A friendly little cafe off the main drag between Calles Libertad and Capotillo. The menu includes conejo al coco (rabbit in coconut sauce) and parrillada de marisco (large platter of grilled seafood), usually served for two people.

Dominican Baseball

Where are last year's Caribbean World Series Champion, Las Aguilas de Cibaenas playing this summer?

Jose Acevado

Jose Acevado (Pitcher) - Age: 30. Hometown: Santo Domingo. Was a Non-Roster Invitee to Spring Training for the Baltimore Orioles. Was seriously injured in a February motorcycle accident and did not report. Baltimore released him in March. Acevado pitched in the Major Leagues from 2001 to 2005 for the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds. He was not on a Major League roster in 2006.

Hector Almonte

Hector Almonte (Pitcher) - Age: 32. Hometown: Santo Domingo. Played For: Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs' AAA International League affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa)...4 games, 5.2 innings pitched, 0-1 record, 12.71 ERA. Released in April. Played For: Acereros del Norte (AAA Mexican League)...14 games, 16.2 innings pitched, 1-2 record, 5.94 ERA. Released in May.

Jose Arredondo

Jose Arredondo (Pitcher) - Age: 23. Hometown: San Pedro de Macoris. Los Angeles Angels organization. Protected on the Angels' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Arkansas Travelers (Angels' AA Texas League affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas)...23 games, 25.0 innings pitched, 0-1 record, 2.52 ERA. Played For: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Angels' Advanced Class A California League affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga, California)...28 games, 35.0 innings pitched, 2-4 record, 6.43 ERA. Played For: Salt Lake Bees (Angels' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah)...2 games, 3.0 innings pitched, 0-0 record, 3.00 ERA. Listed as one of the Angels' Top 20 Prospects.

Tony Batista

Tony Batista (3rd Base) - Age: 35. Hometown: Puerto Plata. Residence: Mao. Playing For: Washington Nationals (National League East Division)...Back-Up 3rd Baseman, 71 games, 87 at bats, 1 home run, 15 RBIs, .264 batting average. Eleven years Major League experience with Oakland A's, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals. In 2005 played for Fukuoka Hawks in the Japanese Pacific League.

Henry Cabrera

Henry Cabrera (Pitcher) - Age: 24. Hometown: Santiago. Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. Not protected on Pirates' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Lynchburg Hillcats (Pirates' Class A Advanced Carolina League affiliate in Lynchburg, Virginia)...1 game, 1 game started, 3 innings pitched, 0-1 record, 12.00 ERA. Played For: Hickory Crawdads (Pirates' Class A South Atlantic League affiliate)...22 games, 12 games started, 78.1 innings pitched, 5-6 record, 5.06 ERA.

Jose Cabrera

Jose Cabrera (Pitcher) - I could find no information on Cabrera.

Melky Cabrera

Melky Cabrera (Center Field) - Age: 23. Hometown: Santo Domingo. Playing For: New York Yankees. Has become the regular center fielder for the Yankees, replacing Johnny Damon...141 games, 509 at bats, 144 hits, 8 home runs, 13 stolen bases, 65 RBIs, .283 batting average. Cabrera has been with the New York Yankees since 2005.

Luke Carlin

Luke Carlin (Catcher) - Age: 27. Hometown: Silver Springs, Maryland. San Diego Padres organization. Not protected on Padres' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Portland Beavers (Padres' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate in Portland, Oregon)...98 games, 300 at bats, 66 hits, 0 home runs, .220 batting average.

Caonaba Cosme

Caonaba Cosme (1st Base) - Age: 28. Hometown: La Vega. Cincinnati Reds organization. Not protected on Reds' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds' AA Southern League affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee)...92 games, 293 at bats, 81 hits, 12 home runs, 53 RBIs, .276 batting average.

Reymond Cruz

Reymond Cruz (Pitcher) - Age: 24. Hometown: Santiago. Philadelphia Phillies organization. Not protected on Phillies' 40-Man Roster. On roster of: Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies' Class A New York-Penn Short Season affiliate in Williamsport, Pennsylvania)...Disabled List - Did not play.

Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto (Pitcher) - Age: 21. Hometown: San Pedro de Macoris. Cincinnati Reds organization. Not protected on Reds' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Sarasota Reds (Reds' Class A Florida State League affiliate in Sarasota, Florida)...14 games, 14 games started, 78.1 innings pitched 4-5 record, 3.33 ERA. Played For: Louisville Bats (Reds' AAA International League affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky)...4 games, 4 games started, 22.0 innings pitched, 2-1 record, 2.05 ERA. Played For: Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds' AA Southern League affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee)...28 games, 28 games started, 161.1 innings pitched, 12-9 record, 3.07 ERA.

Christopher De La Cruz

Christopher De La Cruz (2nd Base - Shortstop) - Age 25. Hometown: Santo Domingo. Cleveland Indians organization. Not protected on Indians' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Kinston Indians (Indians' Class A Carolina Advanced League affiliate in Kinston, North Carolina)...63 games, 242 at bats, 77 hits, 1 home run, .318 batting average. Played For: Akron Aeros (Indians' Class AA Eastern League affiliate in Akron, Ohio)...15 games, 44 at bats, 15 hits, 0 home runs, .341 batting average.

Faustino De Los Santos

Faustino De Los Santos (Pitcher) - Age: 21. Hometown: La Vega. Chicago White Sox organization. Not protected on White Sox 40-Man Roster. Played For: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox Class A South Atlantic League affiliate in Kannapolis, North Carolina)...21 games, 15 games started, 97.2 innings pitched, 9-4 record, 2.40 ERA. Played For: Winston-Salem Warthogs (White Sox Class A Advanced Carolina League affiliate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina)...5 games, 5 games started, 24.2 innings pitched, 1-1 record, 3.65 ERA.

Angel Fermin

Angel Fermin (Outfield) - Age: 22. Hometown: Santo Domingo. Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. Not protected on Devil Rays' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Hudson Valley Renegades (Devil Rays' Class A Short Season New York-Penn League affiliate in Wappingers Falls, New York)...53 games, 160 at bats, 31 hits, 1 home run, 3 stolen bases, .194 batting average.

Jose Mayobanex Fernandez

Jose Mayobanex Fernandez (1st Base) - Age: 33. Hometown: La Vega. Played in the Major Leagues from 1999 to 2001 with the Montreal Expos, Anaheim Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2002 he played in South Korea. From 2003 to the present Fernandez has been playing in the Japanese Pacific League.

Pete Hartmann

Pete Hartmann (Pitcher) - Age: 36. Born: Minneapolis, Minnesota. Resides: Scottsdale, Arizona. Had a long Minor League career in the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins and Cincinnati Reds organizations. Pitched for 3 AAA teams but never made a Major League appearance. Is a baseball world traveler. Has pitched in Mexico, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic. This summer he pitched in the Italian Professional Baseball League until late August and then joined the York Revolution in York, Pennsylvania of the Eastern Independent League.

Vocabulary Practice

Butterfly - Mariposa

Drunk - Borracho

Flag - Bandera

Fork - Tenedor

Iraq - Irak

Knife - Cuchillo

Lion - Leon

Spoon - Cuchara

Suitcase - Maleta

Watermelon - Sandia or Melon

The Best Democracy Money Can Buy

Want to find out how the Bush family is tied into a longstanding business friendship with the Bin Laden family in Saudi Arabia? Read 'The Best Democracy Money Can Buy,' by Greg Palast or watch the DVD 'Bush Family Fortunes.'

You will learn that several members of the Bin Laden family were in the United States on business at the time of the 9/11 attacks. When the skies were shut to all aircraft travel, the government arranged for the Bin Laden family to be flown back to Saudi Arabia. They were never questioned by authorities investigating the tragedy.

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