Spring Break: A Short Story

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On a cold night in February 2015, my parents surprised my sister and me by announcing that we were going to the Dominican Republic for spring break. We were both exuberant. A number of years ago we had been to Jamaica and loved it and had been wanting to return to the Caribbean. I was particularly excited about being able to participate in watersports, having been a fan of jet skis, motor boats and snorkeling my whole life. Thoughts of warm, clear water, perfect weather, and adventure flooded my mind. When I arrived at the resort on the island, I was dumbfounded by the vastness of it. When I first entered the lobby, I felt like I was in an American mall. It was grand and decorated with chandeliers and glass. Inside the lobby were countless …show more content…

The water was just as I had hoped: perfectly clear and warmer than I imagined. The sand was almost as white as paper. Being on that beach was a serene and cathartic experience. Even though we were in our room for a minimal time, I can still remember it today. It was fully stocked with all of the modern amenities, and the bed felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. The room even came with a large hot tub, surrounded by glass. From the hot tub, you could see the crystal clear ocean through the grand glass doors that led to the balcony. I remember sitting on the balcony, watching the sunset as a gentle breeze blew against my …show more content…

The area was very underdeveloped, and most of the houses were poorly built shacks. There were only a minimal amount of stores and a lack of grocery and clothing. Many people seemed to be living in near squalor, struggling to get by day to day. When we stopped at traffic lights, boys little older than me would come up to our car trying to sell us things. I could not believe the amount of poverty that plagued the beautiful island. The main method transportation for tourist was a local taxi. Our taxi driver was thrilled to be driving us. He explained to us that this was his favorite time because of the influx of tourists. His words brought me back to the airport when we first arrived. As we waited to pick up our bags, many locals came up to us, offering to carry our bags for tips. As we waited for our taxi, we were approached by countless people, begging us for our business. This made me realize how dependent the economy was on

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