I finally made it down to Santo Domingo, which is the oldest city in the New World. (Although it's not the first place Columbus landed here in 1492 - he first established a settlement on the North Coast, but it was quickly destroyed by the native Tainos). Columbus's brother Bartholomew actually established Santo Domingo, and the city became the home of a bunch of other Columbuses (including Christopher's son Diego) and the various Spanish royals who married them. Although this country has an old and complex history, a lot of the historic architecture has completely vanished. This in part thanks to constantly shifting occupation (France, Haiti, Spain, the US) which transformed the DR from a successful and rich colony to a country mired in poverty. Sir Francis Drake's sacking of the capital in the 1580s didn't really help either. Around the country, none of the old plantations remain, and the only real 16th century buildings left are the ones that have been restored in the zona colonial in Santo Domingo.
Wish I got a better photo of this guy - he had a great face.
The first cathedral in the new world - the architects kept quitting, so it is a complete hodgepodge of styles... (also, hi John!)
The statue of Columbus in the Parque Colon...
...which features a groveling Taino woman at his feet. It's a safe bet to say this is a pre-PC sculpture.
The city was overrun by Japanese sailors
whose main activities seemed to be eating ice cream and clutching satchels.
Inside the Alcazár de Colon, Diego Columbus's residence.
Drink break
This is either an old monastery or hospital... or both? Can't remember
Photobombed by a pidgeon
Basketball game right outside 16th century ruins
At a (small and disappointing) flea market
Tomb of three of the DR's national heroes: Duarte, Sanchez, Mella
I finally made it down to Santo Domingo, which is the oldest city in the New World. (Although it's not the first place Columbus landed here in 1492 - he first established a settlement on the North Coast, but it was quickly destroyed by the native Tainos). Columbus's brother Bartholomew actually established Santo Domingo, and the city became the home of a bunch of other Columbuses (including Christopher's son Diego) and the various Spanish royals who married them. Although this country has an old and complex history, a lot of the historic architecture has completely vanished. This in part thanks to constantly shifting occupation (France, Haiti, Spain, the US) which transformed the DR from a successful and rich colony to a country mired in poverty. Sir Francis Drake's sacking of the capital in the 1580s didn't really help either. Around the country, none of the old plantations remain, and the only real 16th century buildings left are the ones that have been restored in the zona colonial in Santo Domingo.
Wish I got a better photo of this guy - he had a great face.
The first cathedral in the new world - the architects kept quitting, so it is a complete hodgepodge of styles... (also, hi John!)
The statue of Columbus in the Parque Colon...
...which features a groveling Taino woman at his feet. It's a safe bet to say this is a pre-PC sculpture.
The city was overrun by Japanese sailors
whose main activities seemed to be eating ice cream and clutching satchels.
Inside the Alcazár de Colon, Diego Columbus's residence.
Drink break
This is either an old monastery or hospital... or both? Can't remember
Photobombed by a pidgeon
Basketball game right outside 16th century ruins
At a (small and disappointing) flea market
Tomb of three of the DR's national heroes: Duarte, Sanchez, Mella
Haha great post Raph! Loving the photos and all your hard work. I hope those girls get into their desired schools... too bad the odds are stacked against them... Wish I'd seen that old man's face.
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