Keep up with the Phoenix during their global experience in the Dominican Republic. Graduate student Ashton King recounts Friday's visit to 27 Waterfalls and tour of La Aurora Cigar Factory.
Another day, another early wake up call for the Phoenix. However, as with every other early morning, the activities to follow during the day made it well worth missing out on some sleep. While boarding the bus for a 5 a.m. departure, we were given a breakfast that looked like it belonged at Fyre Music Festival. Nonetheless, morale was high for the Phoenix after coming off a big win and great day on Thursday. Today we headed to 27 Waterfalls; I had heard from Skip and Owen Lorenz that this was an adventure to remember.
After a bus trip that felt like 30 seconds since everyone was dead asleep we got off the bus and geared up in helmets, life jackets, and water shoes for the excursion.
The excursion started with a hike that the tour guides claimed consisted of five “Dominican minuets”, which was more like 45 actual minuets. Once at the top we heard the water flowing and splashing ahead. The first jump was one that did not give an accurate representation of the rest of the adventure. Everyone got through the first five-foot jump, was ready to take on the next one. However, once we reached the next waterfall the jump was not so routine. We were staring down 25-foot ledge at the water below.
The first few guys jumped with little hesitation: JP Sponseller took some encouragement in the form of chanting his name to take the 25-foot plunge. I was feeling good about the jump until I got to the ledge and my heart sunk a little. A quick three count and I was in the air for what felt like an eternity.
The highlight of this waterfall was Andrew Tovsky. He was one of the last ones to go and everyone was ready to be drenched by a massive splash. Tovsky entered the water and produced a splash like an Olympic diver. The rest of the jumps consisted of drops of about 15-20 feet with some natural waterslides mixed in along the way.
Next on the schedule day was a tour of the premier cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora.
After a bus ride into Santo Domingo we stopped to explore the largest mall in the Dominican Republic. Yes, black Friday is a thing in the Dominican so we saw the black Friday craze even in the Dominican Republic. Personally, seeing some American fast food restaurants was a sight for sore eyes. I do not think a Wendy’s cheeseburger and fries has, or will ever again taste so good. I think the rest of the boys can attest to that as well.
The mall was one of the largest I had ever seen, five sprawling floors consisting of shops of all sorts. Upon pick up we witnessed some of the insanity that is Santo Domingo traffic. We saw mopeds and motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, and horns blaring more than in New York City. One thing I learned about Dominican traffic is there is no such thing as a right of way. We arrived back to the hotel after an intense game of Mafia on the bus at around 9 p.m. after yet another full day. I think this was a great conclusion to a week where many memories were made, our comfort zones were challenged, and ultimately our team grew closer over a variety of experiences.
Ashton King