Sunday Walkabout To The Palacio Nacional
When we were getting ready to head out for Sunday walkabout I told Buenagente and Inteliperrs that we had to go to Barrio Chino because I needed to get some chili peppers to make hot sauce. That’s the only plan I had for the walk. We ended up walking for a little over 3 hours and 5 miles and were completely pooped out when we got back home. But, it was a great walk.
Buenagente and Inteliperra at the entrance to Barrio Chino at Av. México
On our way to the Chinese Market this black cat was watching us from its perch on a tin rooftop on Calle Vincente Celestino Duarte in the San Anton section of the Colonial Zone.
A black cat watching us from its perch atop a zinc rooftop in Barrio San Antón.
We decided to go and visit Confucius at the Plaza del Zodíaco in Chinatown.
Inteliperra posing in the Plaza del Zodíaco in Chinatown.
Then Buenagente took over leading the way. We ended up at the Market at Mercado Modelo. Buenagente likes to visit his buddy and get a chicken head.
Buenagente visiting the Pollera in the Mercado Modelo Market.
We just kept walking. I figured that since we were close and it was still cool outside that we might as well go to San Carlos. That is where I had the big problem when I was trying to find a place to rent a few years ago. I rented the apartment only to find out that there was no electricity wired into the entire place. When I saw the place this day, 4 years later, it still has a For Rent sign on it. Go figure.
Iglesia San Carlos at Parque Eduardo Abreu as the sun was shining behind the church
We visited the Iglesia San Carlos at Parque Eduardo Abreu as the sun was shining behind the church.
Mass being held at Iglesia San Carlos
They were having a church service, I guess it’s called a Mass when it’s Catholic. I looked inside and yes, everyone was social distancing like good parishioners.
The Parque Eduardo Abreu was being worked on. New cement walks, new paint and the grounds were being replanted.
I was thinking about heading back towards the Colonial Zone but the dogs kept going forward. I thought, oh well, I’ll head up to 30 de Marzo and head down to the Zone.
Wrong again.
Parque Jesús Mío Av. Mexico and 30 de Marzo in San Carlos
The dogs and I walked past a monument that I never noticed before located in Parque Jesús Mío. It is Jesus with his hand reaching out. The sun was shining behind the monument. It made me think that the Sun was shining down on The Son.
Buenagente and Inteliperra posing in the sunlight at the Parque Jesús Mío Av. Mexico and 30 de Marzo in San Carlos
By this time we were in Gazcue so I figured we had to go and visit the Palacio Nacional. (picture album of the National Palace of Dominican Republic)
Buenagente and Inteliperra walking down Av. Mexico along the fence at the National Palace
We got to the back entrance to the National Palace and it was time to take a few pictures with the Guardia Nacional. They were laughing at the dogs.
Buenagente wanted to go inside the gate to visit
Buenagente was trying to go inside the gate. He wanted to visit with everyone. He is so social. He just loves to visit humans.
Inteliperra was tired and refused to move.
Inteliperra was tired. She parked her big ole buttox at the entrance to the gate and refused to move. The Guardia thought she was funny.
Inteliperra and Buenagente walking down Calle Moisés García at the front of the Palacio Nacional.
I promised the kids that the first Colmado we passed I would get them some water. So I pulled both dogs away from the gate and we continued walking to Calle Moisés García at the front of the Palacio Nacional.
Buenagente and Inteliperrqa posing in front of the Palacio Nacional de la República Dominicana.
Teli and Buena were getting tired. But, they still had the energy to give momma a big smile at the gate. The guards there got a good laugh when they saw those doggie smiles.
Inteliperra and Buenagente smiling at the gate of the National Palace
The National Palace of the Dominican Republic / Palacio Nacional de la República Dominicana.
Inteliperra and Buenagente strolling down Av. Bolívar
We continued walking. When we hit Av. Bolívar a few local dogs got the attention of my kids. They all did some barking and looked tough, just some doggie intimidation, nothing more.
Inteliperra on Av. Bolívar behind Parque Independencia.
We made it to more familiar territory. The Colonial Zone and Calle el Conde, finally. It seemed like we were walking forever. We stopped to have a drink of water and continued walking.
Inteliperra in front of one of the painted poles on Calle Espaillat.
Buenagente wanted to head down Calle Espaillat for some unknown reason so I let him lead the way. As long as we were heading in the direction of home I didn’t care. We were all pooped out.
Callejón Parmenio Troncoso and Arzobispo Portes, one of my favorite streets.
We passed by some old neighbors and said hi. Then we had to make a stop in Parque San Jose and have a drink of water and a little rest.
Parque San Jose Buenagente took a rest on the park bench
Our last stop, before the dogs fell asleep standing up, was to say hi to the Policía Ambiental and her son while they were sitting across the Puente Flotante. She was brushing and braiding her sons hair as she spent a long day watching the fishermen making sure those taking fish only took a legal catch from the sea.
Buenagente and Inteliperra visiting the Policía Ambiental and her son at the entrance to Puente Flotante on Rio Ozama.
So, this was our unplanned 3 hour, 5 mile walkabout to the Palacio Nacional and back home. Buenagente and Inteliperra went directly to their sleeping spots when we got home. I had to take a back-sciatica pill and put my aching feet up for a rest. But it was all worth it. We had a great walkabout and I came home with my beloved chili peppers to make some yummy hot sauce.
The map of Buenagente, Inteliperra and Janette walkabout to the National Palace and back home to Villa Duarte.
It was a good morning and even better to put up my poor feets.
