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Recently, I spent some time studying the life of Juan Pablo Duarte of the Dominican Republic.  He was born in Santo Domingo in January 1813, where he was raised and educated until he went to Europe in 1828 (at the age of 15), to finish his education.  In 1833, he returned to the Dominican Republic a changed man.  Having seen the light of the Ilustracion and the liberal freedoms enjoyed by Europeans, he felt a deep sense of duty to free his own countrymen from Haitian dominance.  

Juan Pablo Duarte

La Trinitaria

On July 16, 1838, during the festival of La Senora del Carmen, he met with eight other men and formed La Trinitaria–a secret society whose sole purpose was to bring about the independence of the Dominicans and form a free republic.  In reading historical accounts of this night, it is amazing to me how one person can inspire and ignite such belief and dedication-to-purpose in others.  Duarte “spoke as if from heaven” and each man took the oath to give all he had, even his life, to the cause–sealing the oath with “blood from [his] vein”.  

La Bandera

Another thing that I find fascinating about this night is the clear and precise vision that Duarte had of the future flag of the Republica Dominicana.  He described the flag as blue and red (opposing colors AND the colors of the Haitian flag) with a white cross in the middle which represented peace and redemption. 

Dominican Republic Flag

Revolutionary Minds 
The idea of people who come up with “new” ideas that go against the grain is a fascinating one for me.  The American Revolution is inspiring on many levels, but Latin America and it’s revolutionaries like Juan Pablo Duarte, Simon Bolivar, and Jose San Martin offer views into other revolutionary minds.  And it’s not only the men that are “revered” that I find fascinating, but others, especially Che Guevara, whose psyche interests me.   

In the end, something that I see in all the great revolutionary minds is intelligence (or enlightenment), an intense inner-drive, and grand-scale self-bravado.  Interesting. 

I was recently led to this Mahahual trip report on InTheRoo.com written by “Libby” in August 2008.  What I really love about this trip report are the details!  From the pictures of the drive down to Mahahual to the public bathrooms in-town, Libby’s trip report is very informative and especially helpful for those of us planning a trip to Mahahual.  Thank you, Libby, for sharing your Mahahual experience.

(Photo from Libby's trip report on intheroo.com)

I want to introduce everyone to Ariana!  She is coming to Mahahual with me in May.  (YAY!)  Ariana is a kindred spirit — even though we are a couple of generations apart, we are spirit-twins.   I am so excited to be traveling with her, again.  She makes me laugh and keeps me young. 

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From the 16th to the 18th centuries, two types of architectural design dominated the New World (Latinoamerica):  Renaissance and Baroque.

Renaissance
This type of architecture was sensual and exhibited elements of harmony and equilibrium.  It was also very symmetric and proportional which translated into a type of peaceful serenity.

Baroque
The Baroque architecture in the New World was extravagant, ornamental, and full of contrasts and oppositions.  This was a period in time when there was a definite tension exhibited between worldly things and religious things.

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We will be making a stop at Secret Garden Hotel, Tulum, on our way down to Mahahual.  I have read many reviews about this boutique hotel, and am excited to try it out.  I’ve already emailed back and forth with one of the owners, Sean, who happens to be a native Dallas, Texan!  Es muy amable!

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I recently came across this blog post on “Beach Bum in the Yucatan”.  The story and especially the pictures spoke to my heart.  I love backyard dancing!