Day 3-035
6 kms, 3 .9 kms
Day totals: 16 hrs, 8.9 kms

From Damajagua I enjoy my first rural hike, taking back roads that meander past country homes, a baseball diamond--even a little village square with a bunch of empty plastic bottles stacked up around a tree, with lights around them.

"It's our Christmas tree this year" a couple of older men nearby point out to me. "Next year we're going to use bananas!"

I'm assuming he's joking... but who knows.

All around there are people out and about. Groups of four men playing dominos together... folks just relaxing in front of their homes. I'm starting to dig the vibe of rural DR... maybe I should do a Superhike across the countryside...

Finally I reach Umbert proper where I realize I have no need to rush back to Puerto Plata. For the first time on this trip I do an extended Parkbench concert, trying to put into music all the emotions, ups and downs of this last amazing week...