Hi,
I don’t know that I’ve ever really understood the true meaning of the phrase in English “ebb and flow” when it is applied to persons.
A day at the Migration Office has taken care of that.
Formerly, I was of the understanding the “ebb and flow” had to do with the comings and goings of large numbers of people. Not so.
Ebb and flow, in my newly informed vocabulary, refers to the coming and going and coming and going (and coming and going and coming and going, really,) of the SAME people through a space–a 12 x 18 room, for example. I say ebb and flow, because it is really nothing remotely like a uni-directional flow, it is repetitive.
The same 35 people squeezing past the same 12 persons who are seated in aforementioned small room, along with the receptionista and the cashier’s window, neither of which is close to the door. I suppose that their coming and going serve may a purpose but one is only occasionally apparent.
Every now and again one person seems to be thrown free from what I’d call a human eddy, if it was circular. As it is, I’m now fully informed as to the real meaning behind the phrase “ebb and flow.”
It was a remarkably productive day, nonetheless.
We accomplished several missions with the government, covering AIDS, TB, and recent drug consumption, none of which we’ve got. Roger, our able assistant, has a degree in Business Administration and is now 1 year away from joining his sister (our abogada) at the bar.
He paid me what I take as a profound compliment today when he told me more than once that I “…drive like a Dominican.”
We still found time to spend a remarkable amount on money on things that you can’t find in Samana and that American Airlines frowns on checking with the baggage.
Be sure and ask how you can pack your 2nd bag when visiting. Your shorts and sandals won’t take up much room.
Bill
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Tags: Dominican Republic, Las Galeras, Living in the Dominican Republic, Retire, Retirement, Samana