Santo Domingo Temple

Temple #44

November 19, 2015

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 

 

 

     We made it to the Dominican Republic! This was right after we had done the Louisville Kentucky Temple, and we couldn't wait to do the Santo Domingo Temple. That was the reason why we were going to this tropical Caribbean island; the temple. I had found a great deal for an all-inclusive resort on Groupon, and bought it while I could. 

     We arrived late into a small airport on the Eastern part of the island. A shuttle bus picked us up and took us to our resort. It seemed empty and dark, and was a little confusing to find our room. When we woke up though, the views from our third floor room were beautiful! We could see the ocean, palm trees, and hear music not too far away. 

     The resort was great, and we definitely recommend staying at a resort in the Dominican Republic. It was all inclusive, so we had all the food we could eat, water sports we could do, and shows we could go to in the evening. It was marvelous! Ivy and I relaxed and enjoyed our time there. We snorkeld and swam every day, paddle boarded and kayaked a few days, and drank a lot of tropical smoothies! 

 

     While we were there we met with a man who was like our trip advisor. He was there to help us plan activities, or set up excursions if we wanted to do any. We explained to him that we wanted to go into Santo Domingo one day, which was about two hours away from the resort. We wanted to rent a car, but he strongly recommended us not to, and it was expensive.  

     For the first few days we weren't sure how we would get to Santo Domingo, and were worried because going to the temple was the main reason why we had went to the Dominican Republic.

     We talked to our trip advisor about this, and in his thick Dominican accent he questioned us as to why we wanted to go so bad. We explained a little about the temple and all other temples, and his eyes lit up and he asked if we were Mormon. He was happy to hear we were Mormon, and he went and found one of his friends. His friend came back and talked to us, and he too was a member! 

     The member explained to our trip advisor in Spanish why the temple was so important to us, and that we really needed to go. Our trip advisor now really wanted to help us out, and so came up with an idea. He went to school in Santo Domingo twice a week, and he offered to take us with him one day and he then could drop us off at the temple before school, and then pick us up after he was through. 

     The next day, which was our last full day there, we were headed to Santo Domingo! We were so excited! It was a pretty drive as we drove along the coast on and off, but it was also saddening. Once you leave the resort area you start seeing the homes of the people there, and they are often no more than shacks of sticks and sheets of metal. It was an eye opener for sure. 

     We eventually made it to the temple after a while through traffic. The traffic was crazy and we now understood why he recommended us not to rent a car, for the drivers were insane and drove wherever they wanted. 

     We thanked our travel advisor when we got to the temple, and then he drove away to class. The temple was beautiful and had a tropical feeling about it. Palm trees and flowers surrounded it and the grounds, and the building itself is a sandy color, reminding me of the beach. You can actually see the ocean from the grounds if you stand in the right place, which was exciting.

     We then went inside and went to do a session. It just happened to be the session that the missionaries were going to, so it was in English, which made it easier for us. The inside of the temple was stunning and wonderful, and we were so excited and happy to be there. While in the temple we also ran into a couple who knew people from Kamas. As Vera usually says, I better behave myself because no matter where I go I’ll meet someone who either knows her and her family or her friends. It is true, and we have ran into so many people who know either my family or Ivy's. 

     After the temple we went and waited on a bench by the road and just enjoyed the view of the temple. We couldn't believe how wonderfully it had worked out, and that it had been much cheaper for us as well. Our new friend, our trip advisor, came and picked us up not too soon after we got out of the temple, and we headed back to the resort. 

     We stopped by a small restaurant on the side of the road on the way back, and ate some local food. It was good, but the next day, which is when we left, mine and Ivy's stomachs didn't agree with what we ate, and so we endured the long day of traveling with queasy stomachs. It wasn't the greatest way to end the trip, yet we were still overjoyed after all we had done. 

     We know that as long as you strive to do what is right, and make it a goal to go to the temple, or do whatever your goal may be, things will work out, and the Lord will bless you. He blessed us in many ways, and we had an incredible time because of it. We loved the Dominican Republic, and hope to someday go back!